Sanctuary Sounds (10/13/24)

These articles are meant to help us carry our Sunday-worship with us throughout the week. To find out more about this goal, read this.

• Scripture Highlight: Acts 8:26-39

One thing that stood out from Dr. Michael Kuhn's powerful message was his description of the eunuch as empowered and disempowered at the same time. He was powerful because of his position. But he was disempowered because of his inability to have a family. And the section of Isaiah that he as reading fits with this:

“In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”

He was a man who couldn’t speak of his descendants. So when Philip shared Christ with the Ethiopian, he was sharing a Savior who could relate to and understand the Ethiopian man’s pain. The gospel didn’t solve the eunuch’s problem, but it did show him that God understood and was with him.

But his hope was better than that. It was more than that. The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53. And the very next chapter says this:

“Sing...  you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy…
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.”

The salvation of our God is enough to take away shame. No earthly ruler could create a situation for the eunuch that God couldn’t redeem. And this is true for you too. God did not fix the eunuch’s big problem in the here-and-now, but He did welcome him into a family, a home, and kingdom without shame or disappointment. In your struggles, you can know that God will be with you through it and bring you home to Himself… and you will be free of disappointment and sadness. As Revelation 21 says, “He will wipe every tear… There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Parent/Grandparent Note: Think about the specific needs or struggles your child has right now. Share with them how Jesus understands. Share with them how the Spirit is with them. And share with them that, no matter what, one day the Father will make all things right.

• Song Highlight: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Believe this: “Ye ransomed from the fall, hail Him who saves you by his grace.”
If you have trusted in Christ, you have been saved by grace through faith. Have you failed? He has grace. Are you tired? He is the One who saves. And how does He do it? Through the ransom paid through the blood of Christ.

Believe this: “We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all.” The day is coming when we will reach the end. And it is a good end. We will be united with our Lord and we will give Him praise. This is our hope. This is our confidence.

Parent/Grandparent Idea: It’s football season, so our culture and region are very aware of what it looks like to give praise. “What an amazing play!” “Did you see that catch?” “This guy is the best quarterback in the nation!!” Take a moment to make a list with your child of some of the great things that God has done. And then praise him through prayer or song.