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Sermon Notes
One at a Time
Acts 8:26-40
- The Interruption (vv. 26-29) Philip leaves a revival in Samaria at the Spirit's direction to walk a desert road alone. God pulls him from visible success to serve one person in an invisible moment.
- What good thing might God be asking you to leave in order to serve one person?
- This week, say yes to one Spirit-prompted nudge you'd normally talk yourself out of.
- The Ethiopian (vv. 27-28) A wealthy, powerful, religious man sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah 53. He is searching and closer to the kingdom than anyone realizes.
- Who in your life looks like they have it all together but may be quietly searching?
- Pray for that person by name every day this week.
- The Question (vv. 29-31) Philip runs to the chariot and asks one question: "Do you understand what you are reading?" A question opens a door that a statement cannot.
- Why is it easier to lecture than to ask? What holds you back from curiosity in spiritual conversations?
- Think of one person you could ask a simple, genuine question about where they are spiritually. Write it down before Sunday is over.
- Starting Where He Is (vv. 32-35) Philip begins with the very passage the Ethiopian is already reading and shows him Jesus. The road to Jesus is always shorter than you think from wherever someone already stands.
- What is the person in your life already thinking about, grieving over, or searching through and how might Jesus already be present there?
- In your next conversation with your "one," resist the urge to redirect. Start where they are.
- The Response (vv. 36-39) The Ethiopian sees water and says, "What can stand in the way?" He is baptized and goes on his way rejoicing. One conversation. One Philip moment. The gospel goes to Africa.
- Do you believe God could use one conversation with you to change the trajectory of someone's life?
- Ask God this week: "Who is my one?" Then pay attention to who He puts in your path.
Time of Response
Take a few minutes of silence. Allow your own thoughts to quiet and be still. Where does the Holy Spirit want you to decrease so that Christ could increase in your life? What part of your life, if reduced, would make more room for you to thrive spiritually?
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE READING SCRIPTURE
What does this reveal about God?
What does this reveal about you in relation to God?
What do you need to do about it?
The Covenant Prayer from John Wesley's Covenant Service, 1780 (adapted)
I am no longer my own,
but Yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will.
Put me to doing,
put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,
exalted for You or brought low for You.
Let me be full,
let me be empty.
Let me have all things,
let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are mine,
and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
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(On occasion, questions answered following Sunday.)
How Can I Be Intentional When Reading Scripture?
One Method To Use When Reading Scripture:
The S.O.A.P.S. Method
S.cripture: Write down the Bible passage you will be studying.
O.bservations: Examine the text and write down what you notice and see. Start with the obvious and move to the deeper.
A.pplication: Apply God’s Word to your life in a practical way. What is God saying about Himself, about you and about what He is calling you to?
P.rayer: Respond to God’s Word with your own words.
S.hare: Commit to share what God is showing you with someone else.
- Inductive Bible Study:
- Observation (what does the passage say?)
- What is happening in the passage?
- Who is involved in the passage?
- What happened before and after the passage.
- Where are they located and how is that influencing the passage.
- Interpretation (what does it mean?)
- What is the passage saying considering everything I have observed and what I know from the rest of Scripture
- What does the scripture say within context of the entirety of Scripture?
- Application (how does it apply to my life?)
- What does the passage say about God?
- What does the passage say about me and to me?
- What am I being called to DO because of the passage of Scripture?
How do I talk with God?
WAYS TO PRAY
One Way to talk with God is to:
Pause.
Rejoice.
Ask.
Yield.
ANOTHER OPTION
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication: Requests
