Pastor Steve – Your Calling (March 27, 2021)

Children’s Story (March 27, 2021)

Wednesday Revelation Study – 5th, 6th Seals

Pastor Steve – Know Your Neighbour (March 20, 2021)

Children’s Story (March 20, 2021)

Adult Bible Study Part 7 – Angels

Teaching and Hearing

Teaching and Hearing

30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:30-31

The story of Philip in Acts 8 is one of my favorite evangelistic themed stories. It’s amazing to see God directing this faithful man so vividly.

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.

Acts 8:26

How great would it be if God also spoke to us like this? Perhaps he does or he would like too. What would be keeping God from doing a similar act with us? We know it isn’t because God has gotten tired of trying to save mankind. Why know it’s not because he’s too busy or no longer has the power. We also know it isn’t because the need is no longer there. So what is it?

27 So he arose and went.

Acts 8:27

Perhaps this is the answer. God spoke to him because he knew that Philip would do it right away without hesitation, fear or excuse. Perhaps we are the ones that aren’t ready to accept the words that God wants to give to us. Perhaps we’re too busy with our own work to do God’s work.

Or perhaps God is speaking to us but we refuse to listen because of all the distractions and noise of the world. When was the last time you took real time off to listen to God?

There’s a lot of guessing and questioning here but one thing is certain. The work is still desperately needed. If God is to come, we must do our work of spreading the gospel. Look at your own life and see if you can’t figure out why you’re not being guided in the same way Philip or the other disciples were in the Bible.

36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:36

This is the future that could be in all our lives. Instead of struggling to reach people to hear about Jesus, people will be asking us to know more and be baptized.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Adult Bible Study Part 6 – Satan

Pure and Filled

Pure and Filled

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:23-24

Imagine being at a restaurant and ordering a really expensive and delicious dish. The food comes out of the kitchen, sizzling and filling the room with a beautiful smell. The food is put in front of you, you look down at it and realize the food is on a dirty, grimy plate. Old, dried food is still stuck and molding on the plate. It doesn’t matter how tasty the dish may be, the plate will ruin your appetite.

The same is true with Christians. We have a delicious and nourishing food to give to others- the bread of life and water of life. If we serve that food however on dirty and sinful plates, our own lives, it quickly ruins the food to those who are receiving it.

Hypocrisy is probably the greatest problem of the Christian when it comes to evangelizing. People hear messages of love, peace and joy but then see none of those attributes in the person who is sharing it.

That is why the Psalm says ‘Search me, God’ and ‘See if there is any offensive way in me’ because the psalmist knows how important it is to be clean and pure, not only for their own salvation but also in helping others with theirs.

This month, as we continue with the theme of Personal Ministries, there are two important things we have to do in preparation.

The first is to make sure that we ourselves are clean and that we are good examples when it comes to the messages and promises that we will be sharing about Jesus. That new life should be found in us.

The second is that we are filled with the spirit so that we have something truly valuable and worthy to give. We can only give what we have. We can’t be like the five unwise virgins who had lamps but not enough oil themselves to make it through the night. We should strive to have enough oil to not only fulfil our needs but also to share with others.

Both of these important points that were mentioned are wrapped up in one simple verse.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:18

God has a mighty work ready for us to be a part of. Let us get prepared and move forward in faith.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Pastor Steve – Know Your Neighbour (March 13, 2021)