The Christian Intention
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Plotting the course of our church according to the clear intention of Christ.
Text: Acts 8:1-4
Date: 07/13/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 201
Description:
In last week's study of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, we witnessed a phenomenon of "intentions". For the sovereign intention of God and the evil intention of satan became focused on the same objective-- the Crucifixion of Christ. But where satan meant it for evil, God meant it for good. In this message we will step out of Luke for another illustration of this principle in the book of Acts. But this time satan's intention is to crush the fledgling church by severely persecuting Christians. But once again we will see satan's intentions backfire on him as the persecution only served to scatter Christians abroad where the church spread like wildfire. We will use this illustration from church history to explore Christ's intentions for His church. In an age when the church has strayed far from her calling, it is essential that we fashion our intentions, both individually as Christians and corporately as His church after the life and intention of our Lord. And thereby live out the Christian intention.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Acts 8:1-4.
A. Context
1. A contention of intentions.
2. Examples of the contention.
B. When evil backfires.
1. Christ's intention for His church.
a. The Cosmic Initiative, Luke 10:45, 19:10; Gen. 3:15.
b. Passing the torch, John 20:21.
i. Proactive evangelism, Luke 9:1-2, 10:1-3; Matt. 24:14.
ii. Making disciples, Matt. 28:19-20; John 17:17.
iii. Expanding the church, Luke 13:18,19,21.
iv. A life that reflects His.
c. What's missing.
2. The persecution of the early church, vs. 1-3.
a. Events leading up to persecution.
i. A persecution well-prophesied, Luke 21:12,13,16,17; Acts 1:8.
ii. From peace to persecution, Acts 2:47.
iii. The martyrdom of Stephen, vs. 2.
b. The ravaging of the church, vs. 1,3; Acts 7:58, 22:4, 26:9-11; 1Cor. 15:9.
c. The scattering of the church, Acts 11:22, 15:4, 21:17.
3. God's sovereign intention, vs. 4.
a. Starting a fire.
b. The fallacy of persecuting the church, Matt. 16:18.
c. Examples from church history.
d. The parable of the Sower.
C. Interpretation
1. Christianity is a religion of action.
2. Opposing the intention of the enemy.
3. Continuing the intention and acts of Christ.
a. Re-affirming Christ's intention.
b. The message of the church.
III. Conclusion
