Encounters with God The Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia An “Unlikely” Encounter Acts 8:26- 39

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SandraGreat Britain DavidMexico Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia RuthIndia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand Keith & Ruth Switzerland SarahSwaziland WayneAfrica Evangelism during the World Cup in Brazil Today, the Church of the Nazarene in Manaus, where pastor Manoel Junior is the leader, is going through a peculiar time in its 13 years in the city….We are still a small group, formed by about 20 active members. However, like the 300 of Gideon, we do not act with shyness before this century that tries to silence us. We make our voices sound even louder, through evangelistic presentations using drama, creative evangelism with bracelets, cubes, robes, wordless book, symbols of salvation, signs near traffic lights, public sermons, all of these in public squares where the World Cup games have been shown, on the streets, near the soccer stadium, the airport, bus stops, wherever God sends us.

Praying for the US & Canada Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ) Jellisons: UT, TX, AK Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI L. Kilgore: VA, MI T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast) C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation Adams: NM, CA, MA B. Brown: GA, OR, ON B. Vito: NY,ID Nazarenes respond to US border crisis by providing care for immigrating children The greatest need is creating temporary shelter for the children as they go through the legal system that determines their permanent placement. According to U.S. law, children who are detained at the border must be housed and protected while they go through these judicial proceedings and other legal processes. In response, the Church of the Nazarene partnered with the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) and other faith-based organizations to provide temporary shelter through a federal grant for unaccompanied minors. Gabriel Salguero, co-pastor of The Lamb's Church of the Nazarene in New York City and president of NaLEC, is leading the multi- agency response. Prayer: The U.S. church was invited by its government to participate in the active care of children; this is a significant opportunity for the church to serve with prayer.

Ethiopia (Kush)

Acts 8 (NIV) 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

A Spirit-directed Encounter What are some of the things you find unusual in this encounter? What are some of the things you find unusual in this encounter? What is exemplary in Philip’s attitude and actions? What is exemplary in Philip’s attitude and actions? What obstacles did Phillip face in obeying the angel’s directions? What obstacles did Phillip face in obeying the angel’s directions? What are some of the obstacles you have faced in obeying God’s directions? What are some of the obstacles you have faced in obeying God’s directions?

Acts 8 (NIV) 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” [b] b 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

A Scripture Focused Encounter Why was the eunuch confused about Isaiah 53? List the “coincidences” that occurred in this encounter. What did Philip do that is a good model for us today in telling people about Jesus?

Acts 8 (NIV) 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea..

A Saving Encounter In the light of Deuteronomy 23:1, why would the eunuch think that he might be refused baptism? In the light of Deuteronomy 23:1, why would the eunuch think that he might be refused baptism? How does this encounter fulfill the promise of Isaiah 56:4-7? How does this encounter fulfill the promise of Isaiah 56:4-7? How does this encounter fulfill the promises of Ps 68:31 and Zeph 3:9- 10? How does this encounter fulfill the promises of Ps 68:31 and Zeph 3:9- 10? What can we do to widen our welcome to include the excluded? What can we do to widen our welcome to include the excluded?

Encounters with God June – August 2014 An Unlikely Encounter Acts 8:26-39