1. The Unhindered Harvest
Acts:
The Unhindered Harvest

2. Acts 7:58-8:4 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

3. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

4. Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

5. Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death
Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

6. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him
Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

7. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

8. A Simple Chronology Stephen martyred Persecution breaks out
Believers scattered
The gospel preached

9. A Significant Chronology
A turning point
No longer a nuisance
Now an enemy
A reminder
Saul stood against
Jesus stood for
Jesus stands over

10. A Significant Chronology
A fulfillment
Luke 8:4-8
Acts 1:8
An example of…
a gospel-centered heart
going

11. The gospel spread “…not because a mission plan is approved and put into action by the leaders of the church….

12. …but because ordinary believers take the opportunities given to them to preach the apostolic message wherever they go.” (Peterson, pg. 275)

13. Reaping the Harvest Nothing can stop the gospel
We see disruption, God sees sowing
Jesus stands for us and over us
Reaping the Harvest

14. 1st Peter 1:10-13 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,

15. seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

16. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

17. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.