SS Preview August 13, 2017

 
Greetings Everyone
 
It’s time once again for the Sunday School Lesson Preview.  Thanks for joining me and welcome back.  This month’s unit is entitled “Calls in the New Testament” and in this unit, we are examining calls into and examples of New Testament ministry.  New Testament ministry may be considered those things which are done to serve and expand the body of Christ.  Everyone in the NT church of our Lord should be in or should be preparing to be in a serving relationship within the body of Christ.  
 
Today’s lesson, entitled “Called to Break Down Barriers”, focuses on the call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  The call to spread the gospel is not one reserved for preachers.  While preachers may have a heighten ability to explain and share the gospel, all members of the body can tell others about the grace of God and what that grace means for them.  The personal living testimony a believer shares with someone else can sometimes do more to convince someone to trust Jesus Christ with their life than all the preaching in the world.  Therefore, all of us carry within us the equivalent of the best sermons in the world to share with those who are ready and willing to listen to it. 
 
In the lesson today, we find a person who was ready and willing to hear the personal testimony of a believer and a believer who was ready and willing to share his testimony.  The Ethiopian and Phillip were different in ways that ordinarily would have made it difficult for them to associate and communicate with each other.  But the need for Jesus along with the Spirit of God has a way of breaking down the strongest barriers.  Phillip, led by the Spirit, helps someone who needed assistance understanding the scripture.  Phillip took the opportunity to tell the Ethiopian about Jesus which led to his conversion and baptism. 
 
It’s going to take the one on one personal witness to reach many people who have yet to be reached with and who still lack understanding of the gospel.  Well, I hope this has helped you with your preparation for this Sunday’s lesson.  Be sure to read the background scriptures which can also be accessed on our website or mobile app and let’s prepare for a great discussion on Sunday.  So until then,
 
Blessings
 
Pastor Jordan