TOPIC: SHOW THEM LOVE
MEMORISE: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
READ: Acts 8:26-40
[26]And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
[27]And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
[28]Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
[29]Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
[30]And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
[31]And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
[32]The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
[33]In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
[34]And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
[35]Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
[36]And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
[37]And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
[38]And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
[39]And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
[40]But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
MESSAGE
Two ways to get a chick out of an eggshell is to either crack it open or put it in a warm, loving environment to incubate and hatch it.
While the first way kills the chick, the second preserves it. This same method goes for how you treat unbelievers to win them over.
People need to know the good news of Christ, but your disposition can keep them from receiving it.
Before the salvation you preach can make sense to an unbeliever, you must have treated them with love, You do not expect someone who you judge always to accept whatever you have to say about Christ.
Respect unbelievers; do not humiliate them. Their life may not be like that of Christ, but accepting them is what will turn their hearts to you.
My dear child, accepting unbelievers does not mean you approve of their lifestyle.
However, the best way to share the gospel with them is to show them love, respect, and acceptance.
You must be respectful even when they err, correct them in love. In no time, they will accept your Jesus.
KEY POINT
For people to hear what you have to say, you must respect them first.
HYMN 8 – LEAD US HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
- Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
O’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
For we have no help but Thee,
Yet possessing every blessing
If our God our Father be. - Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us;
All our weakness Thou dost know;
Thou didst tread this earth before us,
Thou didst feel its keenest woe;
Lone and dreary, faint and weary,
Through the desert Thou didst go. - Spirit of our God, descending,
Fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
Love with every passion blending,
Pleasure that can never cloy;
Thus provided, pardoned, guided,
Nothing can our peace destroy.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 28:16-29:40 Luke 3:23-38
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE