The Gospel Advances Despite Opposition
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: In this sermon on Acts 8, the speaker focuses on the triumph of the Gospel despite opposition and persecution. The first few verses of the chapter paint a gloomy picture with the martyrdom of Stephen and the persecution of the church, but the speaker emphasizes that the Gospel still advances forcefully. The biblical model is one of triumph in the midst of opposition through the proclamation of God's truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. The believers in Acts 8 demonstrate faith and persistence in preaching the Gospel, even in the face of persecution and being scattered throughout the land. The speaker encourages listeners to have a healthy respect for the word of God and to be students of it, learning how to read and savor it. Finally, the Gospel must be preached, even if it's the hard way, because it's the responsibility of the church to do so.
The Gospel must be preached outside of the comfort of church walls. The devil may try to harm us, but God can use even Satan to bring about His plans. When we go through trials, if we maintain our faith, we will come out stronger and blessed. The Apostles recognized the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and prayed for the Samaritans to receive it. While there may be controversy around the experience, those who have received Christ should seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit for an impartation of power. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit may come in different forms, and individuals should not be afraid to express themselves in worship. However, people should not force or fabricate the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The speaker discusses the importance of seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not fabricating the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a daily practice and that it is a second experience that believers should seek. The speaker also talks about the importance of having faith in the midst of persecution and trusting in God's goodness. The message concludes with a prayer asking for a red-hot people who are committed to the Kingdom of God and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel must be preached outside of the comfort of church walls. The devil may try to harm us, but God can use even Satan to bring about His plans. When we go through trials, if we maintain our faith, we will come out stronger and blessed. The Apostles recognized the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and prayed for the Samaritans to receive it. While there may be controversy around the experience, those who have received Christ should seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit for an impartation of power. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit may come in different forms, and individuals should not be afraid to express themselves in worship. However, people should not force or fabricate the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The speaker discusses the importance of seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not fabricating the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a daily practice and that it is a second experience that believers should seek. The speaker also talks about the importance of having faith in the midst of persecution and trusting in God's goodness. The message concludes with a prayer asking for a red-hot people who are committed to the Kingdom of God and filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are studying the book of Acts. Someone told me that we already have 16 sermons. And we are at Chapter 8, I have to put my batteries together and do things a little faster because otherwise Christ is going to come and we still will not have finished the book of Acts. Chapter 8.
But as we said before, we are using this text, this book as a point of departure and a point of return, a source of meditation on truths that cover all of Scripture, as we are going to see in a moment. That is to say, although we are concentrating on a single book, but I believe that also through this process we can learn how to study the word, how to read Scripture, how to savor it, how to get the most out of it, it is not only what that you are hearing from me, but also think about how I am thinking, how I am analyzing the Scripture so that you can also apply that same technique, or those same procedures to your own Bible study, in your time.
But as we said before, we are using this text, this book as a point of departure and a point of return, a source of meditation on truths that cover all of Scripture, as we are going to see in a moment. That is to say, although we are concentrating on a single book, but I believe that also through this process we can learn how to study the word, how to read Scripture, how to savor it, how to get the most out of it, it is not only what that you are hearing from me, but also think about how I am thinking, how I am analyzing the Scripture so that you can also apply that same technique, or those same procedures to your own Bible study, in your time.
