Acts Pt. 4: Satan's Sinister Strategy vs. God's Glorious Goal

Hope Fellowship Church Mar 10 – 16, 2019 ========== Acts Part 4: Satan's Sinister Strategy vs. God's Glorious Goal The Church... Not a human organization, not a building formed by human hands... But the workmanship of God...This has always been His idea. ========== Acts 6:1-8 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 1. Satan’s first strategy: Division in the church. a. Authentic church and discipleship is messy b. Satan loves to use an unintentional wrong to begin a conflict. 2. Satan’s second strategy: Distraction of leadership. 3. Satan’s final strategy: Devastation of life. Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." Acts 7:51 “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!” Acts 7:54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. Generosity You can give online by clicking the link below. We thank you so much for all of your generosity! http://www.hopeinanderson.com/generosity [Image] Stay up to date on Hope events! https://imageproxy-cdn.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/27448925-1538745271068.jpg Thanks for Joining Us! Thanks for being with us this week. To find out more about Hope, check out our website. http://www.hopeinanderson.com