Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 8:4-8
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Commentary:
8:5 Philip most likely visited ancient Shechem, the main city of the Samaritans, lying at the foot of their holy mountain Gerizim. The Samaritans were a racially mixed group of partly Jewish and partly Gentile ancestry, disdained by both Jews and non-Jews (see notes on John 4:4; 4:20–21). They believed in Israel’s God and in many respects maintained their Jewish heritage but were not considered Jews by those from Judah.
8:6 The Samaritans would have been prepared for Philip’s message about the Christ (Messiah). They had their own expectation of a prophetic Messiah called the Taheb, who they believed would come to their holy mountain (see John 4:20). John the Baptist and Jesus had previously ministered in this area (John 3:23; 4:4–42). Like the apostles, Philip had received the Holy Spirit’s power to cast out demons
8:6 The Samaritans would have been prepared for Philip’s message about the Christ (Messiah). They had their own expectation of a prophetic Messiah called the Taheb, who they believed would come to their holy mountain (see John 4:20). John the Baptist and Jesus had previously ministered in this area (John 3:23; 4:4–42). Like the apostles, Philip had received the Holy Spirit’s power to cast out demons
Questions:
- The next takeaway was that the church PLUNDERS with PREACHING, PRAYER and PRAISE, not POLITICS, POSITION and POWER. The Gospel will not be advanced through force or by political action or by any individual politician. So how are people going to be set free? Through the preaching of the Gospel. How active are you when it comes to telling people about Jesus? What might be holding you back?
- Clayton made the case that we need to wake up to our calling! We have gotten too comfortable, passive and bored. We are called to be Satan plundering, Kingdom advancing, Gospel preachers that set people free and fill our city with joy! What about you? Have you gotten comfortable in your life and faith? What are you doing to fulfill your God-given purpose of advancing his Kingdom?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be a preacher of the Gospel.
- That you would make your life about advancing the Kingdom.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
No Comments