Sorry to keep labouring this point, but here it is again:
When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city! Acts 8:6-8
The next verses confirm that it is not the signs and wonders themselves that are unique in this mission as “Simon had practiced sorcery…and amazed all the people of Samaria…They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.” Philip differed to Simon because the source of his power was the "Holy" Spirit. Also, not only did he perform miraculous signs but he also preached the good news of the Kingdom of God. Not “either/or” but “both/and”. The ongoing exchange between Peter and Simon is fascinating!
The next story also intrigues me. Firstly in verse 26 an angel speaks to Philip and then in verse 29 the Spirit speaks to Philip. It is a total setup by God who was already at work in the Ethiopian. Philip was simply obedient and played his role. Then when he had done his job the Spirit whisked him away to Azotus where he kept preaching the gospel in all the towns - just like Luke 9 and 10.
Does God still want to speak to us today...through angels, by the Spirit? Are we willing to be obedient? Do we have the space in our lives to respond to the Spirit or are we already too busy with our own agendas??
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
2 comments:
Andrew I think that God is speaking to us and we need to tune in - that means ignoring other sounds and actively seeking the right voice. Once we are familiar I believe that we will always be clear on ther voice of God and that will make obedience and trust a more simple task.
With Acts, I like the way that God keeps setting up situations for these guys to share - very simple. What is God setting up for us and how much do we pass by. It seems hard in this skimmer, superficial culture - but is it?
When I read Heidi's words like "totally subject to His will" and our "job is to love" I realise how far away I am from achieving this in my life. I am not beating up on myself because I don't wake up to a new day with the prospect of feeding thousands of people or finding homes for orphans. It is a daily challenge in my life to keep my focus on that which is important. I am learning daily to find the 'treasure in His Word', to incline my ear to what it would say to me. In my life, seeing is not believing as far as my spiritual growth is concerned. I feel like a child learning to swim or perhaps like Peter as He put those first few steps onto the water's surface. I am expectant and trusting in what is just out of my reach and for the first time in my life I am not fearful or hesitant.
Post a Comment