Scripture Union Daily Guide 16 August 2020
Topic: Proclaim the Messiah
Opening Prayer: May my heart, O Lord, be receptive to your word as I meditate on it.
Scripture: Acts 8:4–13
Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
To “proclaim the Messiah”, as Philip did (v.5, NIV) emphasizes the person of the Lord Jesus Christ at the centre of the gospel. As Paul said, “?we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23, NIV). Jesus is the message! Philip “preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (v.12, ESV).
In this age of false teaching, self–promotion, and the tendency to dilute the gospel with half–truths, we must stay close to Jesus as “the good news of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) in order to avoid being led astray or leading others astray. Philip’s ministry in the city of Samaria can be described as successful: the people paid close attention to his message, demon–possessed persons were delivered, the sick were healed, and there was joy in the city (vv.6–8).
READ ALSO: Kenneth Copeland Devotional 16 August 2020 – A Firm Foundation
In Luke 10:17–20, the seventy–two disciples whom Jesus sent out to preach returned with reports of their success but notice the caution Jesus gave to them (and to us) to help manage success in ministry. In our generation, there are people like Simon the sorcerer (vv.9–11) who have dazzled (or hypnotized) their followers to proclaim them great, supreme or simply powerful. How has the Bible taught us to be wary of such personalities (Matthew 24:10,11, 1 Timothy 4:1–3)?
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• Reflection” He that wins souls, is wise
Growth
Growth is a gradual but consistent increase in form and strength. It is a process in which we become like Christ. God wants His children to conform to the image and likeness of His Son. Lack of growth results in inability to understand the deeper truth of the word of God. Spiritual growth comes through the study of the word of God and the development of Christian character. Growth is seen in the maturity that is taking place in our experience.
Prayer Points
• Lord, help me to believe Christ, study Christ, share Christ, and obey Christ all my life and not to deviate to any other gospel or personality!
• Pray that the lesson of the cross which is sacrificial giving of self, will help you to offer sacrificial service.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Ephesians 2:10
Read the Bible in one Year
Psalms 97–99; Gal. 2
Scripture Union Daily Guide 16 August 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.