How did God revive you when we met last October? Blake Wilson connected our text today with Acts 11 to show what happens when God scatters people. Pastor Blake pointed out that God sometimes uses the circumstances of life to scatter us. In his estimation, COVID-19 scattered the church for a season. What scattered you? Uncle Sam scattered my family when I was young. My dad’s military service meant we were constantly picking up our roots and moving to a new place. In each place we went, I remember discovering that God had preceded us.
After the believers were scattered, Philip, one of the seven found himself in Samaria. To be clear, this was not a desirable destination for most Jews of the day. No matter. Philip proclaimed the Messiah in Samaria. Jesus had been to Samaria. He started a revival in the village of Sychar when a woman came to the well. Another Samaritan village had refused to receive him. But God went before Philip and attended his words with power. He performed signs, cast out demons, and healed people in the name of the Messiah. There was joy.
Sooner or later, we may find ourselves scattered. What will we do when circumstances displace us? If we are not careful, we will leave joy behind when life surprises us. Persecution scattered the early believers. Still, they preached the word wherever they went. We may still do this. Blake explained that we do not have to explain Zechariah or interpret the end times as we are scattered. But we do get to tell others what Jesus has done for us.
If you have been scattered already, or when you inevitably are, remember three things. Wherever you go, the Lord Jesus Christ has already been there. His name is still mighty to save when we proclaim him. Joy will certainly come to those who come to know Jesus.
