With our text on Sunday, begins a NEW CHAPTER in the history of the church—The Book of Acts: Part Two. It is transitional in two ways: it introduces Saul, the main character from here on out in Acts, and launches the gospel into the known world. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 8:1-8
TITLE: An Odd Couple
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: God ordains and uses the persecution and suffering of His people to bring the eternal blessing and joy of salvation to others.

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”Saul wasn’t content to merely harass or upset the church. He set out to viscously and utterly destroy them“ 

“If you didn’t know any better, you would think the story is over. It’s not. There are 20 more chapters in Acts. This disturbing report of THAT DAY and the days that followed miraculously lead to the same AMAZING results of the prior four progress reports.”

“It’s An Odd Couple for sure, persecution and joy, but it’s God’s infinite wisdom to build His eternal kingdom”

“This is the work God wants to do in us—Make His Son more precious to us than any amenities or pleasures this world offers.”

“Persecution is not the church’s greatest enemy; prosperity and convenience are. God uses persecution to serve his gospel mission, including purging the church (us) of anything that hinders that mission. God is most concerned with His glory, not our convenience.” 

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Acts 22:4-5, 20 - I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished….And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him

Acts 26:9-11 - I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth

Luke 21:12-13 - But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness

APPLICATION:
Are we ready when the opportunity arrives?
Two principles for our readiness:
1. Remember God Alone is God
When you suffer on account of your faith, in the classroom, the workplace, the neighborhood, or the family, remember—God Alone is God! History is His divine script to establish His eternal kingdom and in that glorious mission, He is unstoppable.
2. Remember Jesus is our joy
Is he mine? Can I increasingly say (not just with my lips, with my life)—Once I was lost but now I see, and I owe it all to Jesus, who is my eternal treasure worth suffering and even dying for:

• Jesus is more precious than my job

• Jesus is more precious than my hobbies

• Jesus is more precious than my spouse

• Jesus is more precious than my kids

• Jesus is more precious than my house

• Jesus is more precious than my reputation

• Jesus is more precious than the praises of my neighbor

• Jesus is more precious than my comfort and convenience