Following the explosion of the Gospel into Samaria, the Lord sends Philip from Samaria to a "chance" encounter on a desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he came across the entourage of an Ethiopian eunuch, "a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her treasure;" and who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, Ethiopia, now modern day Sudan, was considered the southern most reaches of the earth. And here is a wealthy court official, a proselyte to Judaism, returning from a 1,200 to 1,800 mile pilgrimage to Jerusalem. And as Philip is instructed to approach his chariot, it becomes apparent that he is reading from Isaiah, the prophet, specifically in Isaiah 53, regarding the suffering servant. We read that beginning with this scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him.
In today's lesson, we see there are no chance encounters with God. The Lord places us on specific paths at specific times to interact with the people He wants us to encounter. The question is, do we take full advantage of those opportunities in order to faithfully proclaim the Gospel?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be encouraged to share the Gospel wherever you are, and which whomever you meet. And may you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
Matthew records that following Jesus's baptism and His temptation in the wilderness, He settled in Capernaum and "began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'". In the following chapters, we are presented by the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 thru 7, followed by signs and wonders; healing the sick, healing the leper, driving out demons, raising the dead, etc. The pattern we see is preaching and teaching, truth, followed by signs and wonders which serve to authenticate His teaching.
It should not surprise us, then, that when Jesus summoned the twelve, that He sent them to the lost sheep of Israel, preaching, "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This was to be accompanied by signs and wonders; in other words, truth accompanied by signs and wonders.
In today's lesson we see how this pattern can be a model for the church in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing the compassion of Christ to bear on a hurting world.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
It has been said that History is His Story. This acknowledges that God is a God of history and works all things to His purposes. Even in tragic events, such as the death of Jesus Christ and His saints, as seen in the stoning of Stephen, God continues to work.
In today's lesson, we see Saul ravaging the church, opening the great persecution of the church in Jerusalem and causing the church to flee. But even in this we see God's hand, because the church, once confined largely to Jerusalem and Judea, now spread to Samaria. This fulfills Christ's purpose for His followers to preach the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
It has been said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Throughout history, it is clear that martyrdom often results in major change. The stoning of Stephen at the hands of the Sanhedrin opened the persecution of the church in Jerusalem. But it also scattered the believers to remote areas, resulting in the church spreading throughout the regions around Israel.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
How much is enough? It is reported that when JD Rockefeller was asked that question, his answer was, "Just a little bit more." A recent poll indicated that most Americans believe that same sentiment; indicating that if they could have about twice as much as they currently have then they would be happy. The problem is, it's never enough.
In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul addresses the false teachers who see godliness as a means of material gain. Paul, however, contrasts this with godliness with contentment. He points to the fact that real contentment that can weather the trials of life is only found in the person of Jesus Christ.
In today's lesson, we will learn Paul's description of depraved discontentment, a different perspective on contentment, and the dangers of desiring earthly treasure.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
We all inherit different things from our parents. Some of these we accept with pride, while others we would just as soon forget.
In Jesus' day, the Jewish people inherited the Law from their forefathers, as well as the Temple. But they also inherited the rebellious nature of their forefathers. And like us all, they inherited the sin nature of Adam.
In Acts. we see Stephen dragged into the Temple before the Sanhedrin; charged with blasphemy against Moses and the Temple. As he make his closing arguments, he handed down the final verdict against his prosecutors - you are just like your fathers.
Stephen again takes them back to the days of Moses, when the hearts of their fathers returned to Egypt. Regarding the Temple, he puts it into the proper perspective. If the highest heaven cannot contain the living God, then neither can this Temple. But the elders of Israel placed it on a pedestal on which it was never meant to stand and corrupted their worship.
As you listen to today's lesson, may you be encouraged by the reminder that the God of the universe meets with His people wherever they are.
Thank you for listening. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
The children of Israel in the wilderness stands as a lesson for the believers. We see examples of great faith, followed by examples of great failures.
As they crossed the Red Sea, we see the children of Israel both trusting and obeying the Lord.
But later, as they approached the border of the promised land, twelve spies returned from surveying the land. The land was good, they reported, but filled with strong people, fortified cities and giants. But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, urged the people to enter the land, trusting the Lord to fight the battles for them. But rather than trust, the people rejected the Lord and Moses, His servant.
What lessons to these examples hold for us?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you through the teaching of His Word.
The Apostle Peter is in his last days before being martyred for his faith. He penned his letter to the church in Asia in order to remind them to remember the teaching of scripture as handed down by both the prophets and the apostles. But he also wrote to warn them regarding the scoffers that would come; those who mock the coming of the Lord, willfully forgetting that God both created the world and judged it with the flood of Noah's day.
In answering these mockers, Peter again reminds them of who God is and of his character.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
As Acts 6 closed, we saw Stephen, "full of grace and power...performing great wonders and signs among the people." Those from among the Jews who argued with him were "unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking" (Acts 6:8, 10). The Jewish leaders therefore brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin, bringing against him false charges that he spoke against the temple and against Moses, His servant.
In the opening portion of Acts 7, we see Stephen begin to make his defense. First, we see him address those present as his brothers and fathers. While his accusers treated him with no respect, Stephen responded with respect, establishing common through the worship of the same God. But in his defense, he also gave an indictment of those accusing him. His indictment focused on three themes:
- God, and therefore the people of God, are not restricted to a certain location, such as a land or temple.
- Israel has a history of rejecting the prophets and deliverers sent by God
- God's vindication of His servants.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
