Scripture Lesson for the Day: Acts 9:1-18, NLT

Have you ever been involved in an intervention?

Elements of a world changing intervention:

• There was a misguided terrorist mission!

What are you zealous or extremely passionate about?

“Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains” (Acts 9:1-2, NLT)

Why is it so hard for a religious terrorist to change?

• There was a dramatic conversion and redirection!

Has God done something dramatic to change your life’s direction?

“’Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do’” (Acts 9:5-6, NIV).

Do you know someone who appears hopeless in becoming a Christian?

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:13-15, NIV).

• There was an earnest prayer and God’s gracious response!

“The Lord said, ‘Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again’” (Acts 9:11-12, NLT).

What moves the heart of God?

• There is hand picked person entrusted with a divinely inspired mission!

“But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15, NLT).

Key Understanding: God has specifically chosen you to be his partner in telling others about Jesus.

Closing Challenge: Is there anything that the Lord needs to change in your life? What direction is your life headed? God wants you to be a world changer! Will you answer the call?

Scripture Lesson for the day: Acts 8:26-40, NLT

Some important lessons learned from a roadside baptism…

Lesson #1: Obedience is crucial as a disciple of Jesus!

“An angel from the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up, and take the desert road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So Philip went… The Spirit said to Philip, “Go to that carriage, and stay close to it.” Philip ran to the carriage and could hear the official reading the prophet Isaiah out loud” (Acts 8:26-27a, 30-31a, GW).

“But Samuel answered, ‘What pleases the LORD more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep’” (1 Samuel 15:22, NCV).

Lesson #2: Every seeker is important to God!

How important do you think you are to God?

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ 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, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it’” (Acts 8:26-29, NIV).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

Lesson #3: Be ready and willing to share the good news with anyone!

“The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?’ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus” (Acts 8:34-35, NLT).

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went” (Acts 8:4, NLT).

What is the good news about Jesus?

Are you ready and willing to share the good news about Jesus anytime, anywhere to anyone?

Lesson #4: Baptism is a key next step after exercising saving faith!

“As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?’ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him” (Acts 8:37-38, NLT).

“Sin cannot be washed away by water, but the outward washing becomes a symbol of an inward cleansing” (John Conlon, Baptism, Why do we do it?).

Closing Challenge: Have you been baptized since you have believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior? “Those who believe…were baptized…that day!” (Acts 2:41)

Cornerstone Text: Acts 4:32-5:11; Joshua 7:1-26

What Unity of Heart and Mind is Not

1. It is not something that can be mandated.

2. It is not everyone just being friendly with each other.

3. It is not just a mental exercise.

Signs of Unity of Heart and Mind

1. They were unselfish.

2. They were committed to evangelism.

3. They were generous.

4. They lived in grace.

Warning Signs of Disunity of Heart and Mind

1. Pride.

2. Focus on self.

3. Materialism.

4. Sin.

It is vital to maintain Unity in the Body of Christ for the sake of the MISSION!

Closing Challenge: Unity of heart and mind means being in alignment with the mission Jesus gave us. That mission is to make disciples. This is done by living a spirit filled life focused on meeting the spiritual and physical needs of those around you. We must be careful and guard against any sin that would attempt to disrupt this unity. Today will you join us in unity as we accept the mission Jesus gave us to make disciples?

Scripture Lesson for the Day: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-22, NLT

How has Easter changed for you down through the years?

• Easter in a Nutshell.

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NLT).

• Easter Eye Witnesses.

“He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him” (1 Corinthians 15:5-8, NLT).

How important is an eye witness account to you? Do you have to see to believe?

• Easter Doubt.

What doubts do you have with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

“But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either” (1 Corinthians 15:12-13, NLT).

Does the resurrection of Jesus really matter?

“And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world” (1 Corinthians 15:19, NLT).

What are the serious consequences if Jesus did not rise from the dead? (See verses 14-18)

• Easter changes everything!

“But now Christ has come back from the dead. He is the very first person of those who have died to come back to life” (1 Corinthians 15:20, GW).

Easter changes everything because…

Your faith is trustworthy and true!

You are forgiven!

You are set free from the fear of death!

You possess an everlasting hope!

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’”(John 11:25-26, NLT)

Do you believe this?

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10, NLT).

Closing Challenge: Easter changes everything for you! Have you experienced the life changing transformation that the resurrected Christ can bring into your life? The offer is for everyone who would come to Him and believe!