March 7th – March 13th, 2010
Prayer of the Week:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, March 7th
Read: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 13
Pray: O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – May Mott, Lyle Hansen
Monday, March 8th
Read: Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 13:3
Pray:
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Carolyn Coburn, Bill Cates
Tuesday, March 9th
Read: Acts 8:9-16, Psalm 13:4
Pray:
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Royce Pierson, Joyce Hughes
Wednesday, March 10th
Read: Acts 8:17-24, Psalm 13:5
Pray:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Bryan Beard, Jennifer Jenkins
Thursday, March 11th
Read: Acts 8:25-32, Psalm 13:6
Pray:
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list – Jasper Gunter, Joe Smith
Friday, March 12th
Read: Acts 8:33-40, Psalm 14:1-2
Pray:
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list: Lynn Hardcastle, Haiti
Saturday, March 13th
Pray:
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the church prayer list: Sunday services
March 7th, 2010
Today’s scripture focus – Acts 8:26-40
Philip, like Stephen, was one of the seven deacons appointed to oversee the business affairs of the church. After the stoning of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and all the Greek speaking Jews had to flee the city. They spread to all of Judea and Samaria. This was a fulfillment of the command in Acts 1:8. Up until this time, the gospel had been preached only to “true” Jews, but Philip saw astounding results among the Samaritans. These people were descendents of the poorest Jews who intermarried with foreigners after the Assyrian invasion. They were hated by the racially pure Jews of the south. Peter and John confirmed the work of Philip by laying hands on the Samaritan believers, part of their role as apostles.
Philip could have stayed in Samaria and continued to enjoy the success of his ministry, but God had other plans. An angelic messenger sent Philip on a journey to an isolated desert road, where he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch. A eunuch was a slave of high standing who had been emasculated. There was a long history of Judaism in Ethiopia, or Cush. This man was probably a nominal Jew who had come to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage. According to Deuteronomy 23:1, he wouldn’t have been allowed in the Temple. The fact that he had his own copy of the Scriptures shows what an important man he was.
There could not have been a more appropriate passage for this man than Isaiah 53. This was one of the “suffering servant” passages in Isaiah. It depicted God’s Christ as someone who was led against their will, and who would have no descendents. Even the wealthiest eunuch was not one by choice, and would obviously have no children. Philip was able to connect the Scripture to the life need of the Ethiopian, who received the message with gladness and was immediately baptized. Philip was supernaturally whisked away to the coastal region, where we later read he settled and raised four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9).
Ethiopia today is known as the land of churches, though their Orthodox version of Christianity bears little resemblance to our own. Church buildings typically consist of three concentric rings: the innermost ring, called the sanctuary, holds the ark, typically a small wooden coffer. The second ring is the “holy place” where the congregation receives the sacrament, while the outer ring is called the “choir, ” where the priests chant the scriptures in a language called Ge’ez, sometimes without understanding the meaning of the words they are singing to the people who do not understand Ge’ez at all. How ironic that the message of Jesus was brought to Ethiopia by a man who needed help understanding the scripture, and today the scripture is spoken in a language no one understands! Let’s make sure we continue to keep God’s work alive in our worship, message, and testimony.
CrossGroups Discussion Guide
· Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.
· Let everyone who would like share anything exciting from their week.
· Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as would like.
1) Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?
2) What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?
3) What keeps people away from understanding God’s word today?
Today’s Sermon
Faith focus – “I believe…Jesus…suffered…”
Life need – When will we see revival?
Key truths –
· Philip got up and went.
· We must get up and go.
· God made a way for Philip.
· God makes a way for us.
Assignment – This week, I will get up and go!
