“It is of the very nature of the Bible to affront, perplex and astonish the human mind. Hence the reader who opens the Bible must be prepared for disorientation, confusion, incomprehension, perhaps outrage.” —Thomas Merton, Opening the Bible
Comfort Conundrum—
Comfort is Us
Comfort opposes .
“People have never been more attached to the idea of self-transformation, but the actual willingness to take the risks it entails is lower. We want to be able to control everything. We want self-transformation, but on our own terms. That’s a somewhat dubious prospect.” —Tyler Cowen, The Complacent Class
Renewal requires .
Acts 8:26-27 NLT
An angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia.
Philip’s single act of impacted the next years.
- Tertullian of Tunisia
Wrote on a wide range of theological issues. Most remembered for his apologetics and polemics, exploring Christianity and culture.
- Athanasius of Alexandria
Crucial in the development of the early church’s theology. Defended the divinity of Christ against the Arians.
- Augustine of Hippo
Arguably the most significant theologian in the early church.
- Aurelius of Carthage
Emphasized teaching new Christians, played a role in the monastic movement, and established an early seminary for Christians in his monastery.
- Clement of Alexandria
Well-versed in Hellenistic philosophy, brought many to Christ.
- Cyprian of Carthage
Contributed significant pastoral writings and focused on the body of the church.
- Origen of Alexandria
One of the most compelling writers and communicators in church history.
God’s did not wait for people’s .
“The point of this story is to show that with or without apostles, God was going to fulfill his plan to spread the good news to ‘all flesh’ even unto the ends of the earth, even if it required using an evangelist rather than an apostle, and even if it required direct divine intervention in various forms. The human leaders of Christianity in Jerusalem ” —Witherington, Ben, III. The Acts of the Apostles
The ministry of Philip teaches us to be open to the moves of the Spirit in the middle of our life.
With God’s Spirit, the “” can quickly become a “.”
Acts 8:20-31 NLT
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
John 3:8 NIV
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Moves of the Spirit—
- Movements
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- Major financial, relational, or locational decisions.
- Involves a discernment process.
- Affects trajectory of you and close friends/family.
Examples: Jesus choosing the 12 (Luke 6:12-16); The council in Acts 15:5-21.
- Movements
-
- Short, high-impact, windows of opportunity.
- Involves immediate obedience.
- Affects formation and well-being of others.
Examples: Healing at the Temple (Acts 3:1-9), Paul in Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10).
Pete Greig’s ABCs of Prophecy—
- Is it
- Is it
- Is it
“How do I know what God’s will is? Well, I like to keep things pretty simple. When I want to know what God’s will is I just think to myself, ‘what’s the one thing I do not want to do right now?’ Then, I go and do that thing!” 90 percent of the time I’m probably doing what God wants, and .900 seems like a pretty good batting average!” —Jay Sloan
Will we with what God is ?
Q: How do we increase our openness and obedience?
A: Be with the
Acts 8:35-39 NLT
Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. 36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 37 “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.” And the eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.