Sunday's Message, March 14, 2021 - Stay the Course

 Greetings Believers,  

Sunday's message challenges us to stay the course, stay true to what we know despite the external or sometimes the internal battles we find ourselves in.  Let us anchor our souls in the Lord!

God Bless!

Scripture References & Highlights

Prayer for 2021:  This year will be a year of Light; that Light will shine and darkness will not dispel it. 

In Jesus' Name

Message Scriptures:

• Acts 8:1-40
• vs. 1-3
• the start of the persecution of the church
• persecution definition - 1) to harass or punish in a manner designed to injur, grieve or afflict; to cause to suffer because of belief 2) to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches
• despite the persecution and scattering of believers, the apostles remained behind in Jersualem
• vs. 4-7
• despite the persecution the gospel was preached
• John 4:41-42
• Jesus was not moved by the bad blood between the Jews and Samaritans.  He stilled ministered the Gospel
• Acts 8:4-7
•  Phillip...
1. in Samaria
2. preaching the gospel
3. performing miracles and wonders
4. demon-possessed people set free & delivered
5. joy filling the city
• vs 9-24
• Staying the course and preaching the message resulted in all kinds of people getting saved
• Simon the Sorcerer gets saved after hearing the gospel message
• vs. 25-40
• Ethiopian eunuch saved
1. Phillip was led by the Spirit
2. explained the Gospel
3. baptized the Ethiopian
• Phillip was translated to Ashdod and preached the Gospel in many towns until he arrived in Caesarea - a Roman city
• Matthew 28:18-20
• go and make disciples
• baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
• teach them to faithfully follow what the disciples' have learned
• never forget that Jesus is with us
• John 16:31-33
• Jesus knew the disciples were going to be scattered
• Jesus told them...
•  to be of good cheer or be courageous
• my peace that is in Him is also in them and it's in us

 Nuggets for the Week

• Jesus' stop in Samaria and encounter with the woman at the well paved the way for Phillip to preach the gospel in Samaria later on in the book of Acts
• Jesus was a forerunner for Phillip.  He stayed the course

Reflections

• despite what was going on around them (persecution) they stayed the course of what Jesus commanded them to do in Matthew 28:18-20

 Key Takeaway for the Body

• The Gospel Message is for everyone - stay the course!
• Jesus is with us always - stay the course!

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12

Worship Highlight