ECC-Evangelical Covenant Church
The book of Acts is a story of action, faith, courage, and boldness in uncertain times. Join us Sundays at 10:30am (ecclife.net/stream or facebook.com/ecclife) as we rediscover the passion and power of the early Church and what they have to teach us in our uncertain and anxious times today.
The Kingdom Takes Shape: Turning the (Our) World Upside Down
July 26, 2020
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Stacey Littlefield, Lead Pastor
Acts 19:23-41 NIV
Write this week's Good News Statement below:
Question to ponder:
What is the most life-disrupting thing you've ever been through? How did it affect you? Were you then or are you now able to see something good God did in the midst of the disruption?
Questions to ponder:
The idols of Paul's day are usually obvious. What idols do you see at work in the world today? What idols do you see demanding worship in the American Church? What idols do you see seeking to gain entrance into your life, personally?
Question to ponder:
Reflect on this quote from Philip Yancey. In what ways has Jesus "complicated" your life? In what ways has Jesus made things "easier", in some sense? What other things might you add to Yancey's list of things you "cannot not care about"?
I used to believe that Christianity solved problems and made life easier. Increasingly, I believe that my faith complicates life, in ways it should be complicated. As a Christian, I cannot not care about the environment, about homelessness and poverty, about racism and religious persecution, about injustice and violence. God does not give me that option. (Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God)
Question to ponder:
In Matthew 11.28-30, Jesus promises rest for those who take his yoke upon their shoulders, and that his burden is light and his yoke is easy. In John 16.33, Jesus promises that, though we encounter trouble in this world, Jesus has overcome all of this. And, in 2 Corinthians 4.16-18, the Apostle Paul encourages us that our troubles are "light and momentary" and do not compare with "the eternal glory that far outweighs them all." In what ways do these passages relate to one another? In what ways do they speak to you? What questions would you like to ask about each of these passages for better understanding?
Question to ponder:
The gospel is never actually preached in Acts 19.23-41, but God is at work anyway. Where do you see God at work behind the scenes in the passage? Where do you see evidence of God's ultimate victory in Christ playing out in the passage? How might the way God works in the passage be an encouragement to you/us in today's challenges?
Practices to engage.
1. Take time each day, perhaps more than once a day, to prayerfully declare these truths over you life and household. Memorize them or write them down somewhere for easy access: I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the strong and unshakeable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I.
2. Pray each day for the rest of 2020 for all those involved in seeking healing an hope in the three challenges mentioned in the sermon: the pandemic, civil unrest over racism, and the presidential election year.
Prayer for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.