Changing Your Audience
Notes
Transcript
Prelude Verse
Prelude Verse
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Life was made hard after the persecution; don’t just ask “Why, Lord?” Ask “Where, Lord.”
Today’s focus: “To whom, Lord?”
God calls us all to cross social barriers. Where are your barriers?
The Gospel at its core involves crossing social barriers - in other words if I only talk to white middle class men with similar politics, a Tar heel fan (not Duke) I’m not crossing many barriers. If I pray and ask “To whom, Lord?” and the only answer I hear is “same” then I need to pray more. I’m hearing what I want to hear.
Hard to hear God when he calls us to cross barriers
2 things that helps us cross: 1) Spirit sends, and 2) Spirit prepares
2 things that helps us cross: 1) Spirit sends, and 2) Spirit prepares
What makes him different?
What makes him different?
who is the eunich? mentions only one other place in Bible - pastors only have 3 opportunities to mention Eunuchs - here, Daniel, Matthew
not very common in that area; a high ranking religious official;
self mutilation forbidden in the Bible - extreme, lifelong dedication to his spiritual beliefs; not a casual believer; mutilates body bc of his faith.
a jew.
fundamental difference
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
2) Spirit Prepares
2) Spirit Prepares
What is he doing?
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. Jim Elliott
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. Jim Elliott
Jim Elliott
Jim Elliott
price of a scroll, size of a scroll
reading aloud - people did not read silently; for pleasure
who is this about? explain it.
ancient example of texting and driving? who here texts and drives? afraid to ask
“I have no idea what I’m reading.” Ever read something a few times, in frustration give up? big words? context? unfamiliar
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Ben Hur chariot?