03.14.2021 | HEARTS ON FIRE
HEARTS ON FIRE
Acts 8:4 – “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.”
Acts 8:5 – “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.”
Acts 8:6 – “And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
Acts 8:7 – “For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed.”
Acts 8:8 – “And there was great joy in that city.”
“I LOVE THE LORD JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART!” – Florrie Evans
Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Revival fire fell in Samaria.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) – “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
1. LIFT UP JESUS CHRIST
Acts 8:5 – “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.”
1 Corinthians 2:2 – “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
We are sharing a Divine Person: His Name is Jesus!
Mark 16:15b (NLT) – “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
2. BELIEVE GOD FOR MIRACLES
Acts 8:6 – “The multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
Acts 8:7 – “For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed.”
Semeion – Signs which point to Jesus Christ: He is alive and working in the world.
Dunamis – Miracle working power
Isaiah 35:5-6 – “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing, for waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”
1 Corinthians 2:3-4 – “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
He wants to work His miracles in the world today, through us.
When we step out in faith, He steps in with power.
3. WALK IN DEEP SURRENDER AND REPENTANCE
Acts 8:16 – “For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 8:17 – “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:18-19 – “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”
Acts 8:20 – “But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money.”
Acts 8:21 – “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.”
Acts 8:22 – “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”
Acts 8:23 – “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
“Simon’s bitterness shaped his passion to control others.” – Chris Hayword
What is the path to freedom?
a. Repent of iniquity and bitterness.
b. Surrender every hurt to Jesus Christ.
c. Choose to forgive.
d. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and the fire of God.
I WANT MY HEART TO BE ON FIRE FOR JESUS CHRIST!
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you describe your spiritual temperature? Low, medium, or high?
2. If you do not presently have a high spiritual temperature for Jesus, do you know why?
3. What steps could you take to elevate your spiritual temperature?
4. How would you describe the spiritual temperature of Philip?
5. Do you believe God could work through you as He worked through Philip? Why or why not?
6. Have you allowed any poison of bitterness to enter your heart? If so, are you willing to repent and forgive in Jesus Name?