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!