1) The early Christians were scattered from persecution in Jerusalem after Stephen was stoned to death. This led to the rapid spread of Christianity throughout Judea and Samaria as those scattered preached about Jesus wherever they went. 2) Despite facing persecution, the believers remained committed to making the word of God their top priority and preaching boldly. 3) They found strength and motivation to continue preaching even when facing death through being covered by the blood of Christ, which brings redemption, forgiveness, and cleansing from sin.

1. Scattered, Smothered, & Covered
Lesson Text: Acts 8:1-4
Maud church of Christ
by Jim Bradshaw
Sunday Morning, February 17, 2013

2. Since its founding over 1.8 Billion orders of Hash
Browns have been served!

3. Act 5:38-39 NKJV And now I say to you, keep away from these men
and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to
nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even
be found to fight against God.”

4. Scattered from Persecution
Stephen was martyred
A. He spoke Boldly
1. Act 7:51-54 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and
ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do
you. (52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?
And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of
whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, (53)
who have received the law by the direction of angels and have
not kept it." (54) When they heard these things they were cut to
the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
2. Stephen was murdered, Acts 7:55-60

5. Scattered from Persecution
B. A Boiling Point had been reached!!!
1. 20,000 of the now 55,000 population were Christians.
2. Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the number
of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great
many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
C. Due to being scattered Christianity would change, Rom. 8:28.

6. Smothered with the Word of God
Prayed for Boldness
Act 4:29-31 NKJV Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to
Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30)
by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may
be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (31) And
when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together
was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they
spoke the word of God with boldness.

7. Smothered with the Word of God
Leaders of the church made the Word a Priority
Act 6:2 NKJV Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the
disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word
of God and serve tables.
Act 6:4 NKJV but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and
to the ministry of the word."

8. Smothered with the Word of God
When the Word of God Increases We GROW
Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the number of the
disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the
priests were obedient to the faith.
Act 8:4 NKJV Therefore those who were scattered went
everywhere preaching the word.

9. Smothered with the Word of God
To GROW
1. We Must Prayer for Boldness.
2. We Must Place the Word as our #1 Priority.
3. We Must Smother Maud with the Word of God.

10. Covered with the Blood of Christ
Why would you continue to preach Christ when you are
persecuted, imprisoned, and now murdered?
Act 5:28-31 NKJV saying, "Did we not strictly command you not
to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with
your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" (29)
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to
obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. (31) Him God
has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to them,
"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to
God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which
we have seen and heard."

11. Covered with the Blood of Christ
Mat 26:28 NKJV For this is My blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Rom 5:9 NKJV Much more then, having now been justified by His
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Col 1:14 NKJV in whom we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:20 NKJV and by Him to reconcile all things to
Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Heb 13:12 NKJV Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the
people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

12. Covered with the Blood of Christ
1Jn 1:7 NKJV But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Gal 3:27 NKJV For as many of you as were baptized into
Christ have put on Christ.