I am currently in the Book of Acts and my faith is sustained by this testimony of God’s illuminating and saving grace. Here is what I read today in Acts 17.
Of course there were those who rejected the gospel and persecuted Paul for his teaching. That too is according to the sovereign plan of God. Our desire is that we continue to hold forth the truth trusting that God will use the gospel to open the hearts and minds of unbelievers.And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. -Acts 17:2-4
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. -Acts 17:11-12
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this." So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. -Acts 17:32-34
Last Wednesday
Thus far people have heard of their inability to earn God’s favor, that God is sovereign, and holy, and just, and loving, that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, that Jesus Christ came into the world as the Son of God to save sinners, and that salvation is available to sinners because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Attendance was down last Wednesday. I’m not sure if that’s an indication of drop-off, or of the flu virus, or due to last week’s Tremper versus Bradford High School football game. Most likely it’s a combination of all of the above. Please pray that God would keep people healthy, remove barriers to their attendance, and bring them back this Wednesday.
This Wednesday
This Wednesday we are looking at four reasons why the gospel is good news. First, it offers freedom from slavery to sin and its consequences. Second, it offers cleansing from sin so that we can enter into the presence of God. Third, it offers forgiveness from sins so that you can be counted “not guilty” in the site of God. Fourth, it offers reconciliation with God.
Prayer for THIS Wednesday
- Pray for clarity, understandability, and illumination for this Wednesday’s message. Pray that God would unveil the gospel and let them see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
- Continue to pray that God would continue to bring people back to hear the gospel on Wednesday and that He would bring back those who did not come last Wednesday.
- Pray for health. Many people are getting the flu. Some of my discussion group leaders our sick. Pray for health for the guests and workers.
- Continue to pray for the new birth; that God would supernaturally breath spiritual life into those who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
- Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
- Pray for everyone serving, but especially the discussion group leaders and helpers, that they would be used by God as His ambassadors. Pray that they would demonstrate the love of Jesus, pray that they would know when and how to answer questions, pray that God would give them spiritual eyes to see what is behind every question, pray for a combination of faith, patience, gentleness, and boldness. Pray that God would make His appeal through them; be reconciled to God!
