Series: Advancing
Message: A Continued Triumphal Entry
Preacher: Tim Gillespie
Reflection: Kris de Bruin
Live Wonder: Jessyka Albert
Live Adventure: Jessyka Albert
Live Purpose: Kyle Smith
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Acts 8:26-40 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: As Phillip and the eunuch traveled along the road, they came upon some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
Baptism is such a sacred event for each of us. Right after I was baptized, I was overcome with emotions, wanting to surrender all of myself to Jesus. I had heard the Gospel of Jesus, the Spirit had moved in my heart to accept Him as my Savior, and I was ready to enter the waters like so many had done before me.
This Ethiopian eunuch was also ready to surrender his life to the Man who was rejected and who had suffered as this eunuch had. In search of acceptance and belonging in Jerusalem, the Ethiopian had to travel home with disappointment as he discovered that, on account of his nationality and sexual state, he was not welcome in the house of the Lord. But Phillip, who had been ministering to those who were marginalized, pursued this Ethiopian to share with him that Jesus, who is the Son of God, who was rejected, had a promise of salvation and belonging to all those who wanted to become a part of His kingdom. The Ethiopian said, without hesitation, “Here is water! Baptize me!” He believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and that through baptism he also would become a part of the family of God.
All that was required of the Ethiopian was that he accept that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. There was no need for weeks of Bible study. His brokenness did not have to be fixed before he could come to Jesus. There was no requirement of making vows or oaths to a creed. He only had to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. By virtue of this acknowledgment and through his baptism into Jesus, the Ethiopian became part of a community, part of a family built on the Gospel of Jesus. To quote Paul, he was now “in Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Recalibrate: How welcoming is your community to those who are hurt, who are broken, or do not satisfy a set of requirements? How can you motivate your community to be fully welcoming and fully inclusive?
Respond: Pray for the Spirit of God to move within your heart so that you experience a daily surrender and baptism.
Research: Read Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT).
Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose
Maybe you have already dedicated your baby or child to Jesus officially in the church. If you haven’t, talk with your pastor about celebrating their life and dedicating it to God. Take time every day this week to pray a prayer of dedication over your child’s life. You can ask them to pray as well!
Ask your parents about what their baptism was like. When did they know in their hearts that they fully accepted Jesus? Is getting baptized something you would want to do someday? Ask your parents to help you look up some Bible verses about baptism.
In your opinion, what does it mean to give Jesus. All.? Sometimes when we say Jesus. All. we forget that Jesus wants our bad just as much as our good. How have you treated others badly? Today, as you give everything to Jesus, lay the bad you have done at His feet. You are being the change our world desperately needs. May we make a commitment to treating all of God’s people with the same love He has shown us.