Feb
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“What’s the Meaning of This?”
Cindie Jenkins |
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Listen |
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Acts 8:30-31—Then Phillip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.”Do you understand what you are reading?” Phillip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Phillip to come up and sit with him. |
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Inquire |
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This story from Acts holds important lessons (which is probably why it is in the Bible.) Phillip had been teaching to large crowds in Samaria. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord told him to go to this desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza, so Phillip went, leaving his ministry. It is sort of today’s equivalent of a mega-church pastor being transferred to a tiny rural church. Along the way, Phillip heard the man in the story above reading aloud from Isaiah chapter 53. It turns out the man was in charge of the treasury of Ethiopia. Phillip had the advantage of understanding Isaiah 53, because it prophecies about the Messiah, about whom Phillip was very knowledgeable. After learning from Phillip, the Ethiopian official accepted Christ and was baptized by Phillip. |
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Faith |
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Because Phillip was willing to follow God’s plan, even if it seemed like a demotion, it resulted in a whole new race of people being introduced to Jesus. The Ethiopian treasurer held a high office and could open his government to allow the Good News to be preached in his land. Because the Ethiopian official was willing to admit he did not understand what he was reading, he was introduced to Jesus and received salvation and eternal life. A little humility went a long way for both of these men and those they could influence. A little humility went a long way in growing the kingdom. |
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Experience |
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Dear God, thank you for your amazing love and salvation through Christ. Make me humble, yet courageous for you. Amen |
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