There’s A Purpose to Trials Acts 8:1 “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” The enemy scattered them. God sent them. Acts 8:4 “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word." The Gospel Crosses Boundaries Acts 8:5 “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ." Acts 8:6-7 “And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” Acts 8:8 “So there was much joy in that city.” Acts 8:13 “Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip." Acts 8:18-19 “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, 'Give me this power also…'" The kingdom is received through surrender, not control. God Cares About the One Acts 8:26-27 “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went…” Obedience often comes before understanding. Acts 8:27 “…And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship” “And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians…" Acts 8:29 “And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.'" Luke 15:4-6 ““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” Acts 8:35 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." Acts 8:36 “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”” Acts 8:39-40 “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” Reach Out begins when we stop asking, “Why am I here?” and start asking, "Who has God sent me to?"