Sans Souci Baptist Church

A Divine Encounter
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.

The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture from Isaiah 53:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.” 

“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.   (Acts 8:26-40)

Here Is Your God!
Nik Karanakis unpacks Isaiah 40:1-11 which heralds the coming of the Messiah. A message of abounding Hope.

Jesus reveals Himself to each one of us as a Shepherd who is gathering His Flock. Jesus laid down His life for the sheep and He calls us to lay down our life for Him. If you are willing to die to self and take up your cross, you will find the life that He promised. Real life, Real power, Real peace, and Real Joy that is not linked to your own circumstances.  

JESUS - Our Comforter, our Saviour, Very Son of God, and The Power of God.

Greater Together
Jesus prayed in John 17, that believers may be one, just as He and the Father are one. Members of His church are to be like-minded, striving to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The death and resurrection of Christ brought together different people of diverse culture and upbringing, into one body. Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit describes the church as a human body with different parts, working together to carry out God's will on Earth, just as it is in Heaven. (1 Cor 12:12-26) 

An important role of the Holy Spirit is to develop unity in the Body of Christ. He will lead if we listen and obey His promptings, focusing on God and not ourselves. As we walk in the Spirit and remain connected to Jesus the 'True Vine' we naturally manifest the fruits of the Spirit. 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25)

Your Chains Are Chained in Christ
The apostle Paul said “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). Paul insisted that what looked like a setback was in fact God’s strategy to advance His word.  During two years of house arrest in Rome, he preached the Word of God from morning to night and witnessed to untold numbers of people.

He also composed four New Testament epistles, which detail his theology and encouragement to early churches:
Ephesians: Focuses on the cosmic unity of believers in Christ.
Philippians: A profound exploration of unwavering joy despite adverse circumstances.
Colossians: Highlights the supremacy of Christ.
Philemon: A personal, poignant appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation  

What then are chains in Scripture? Chains represent anything that appears to restrict the liberty we have in Christ. They can be literal, as in Paul’s imprisonment, or situational — persecution, opposition, delays, afflictions, or limitations that attempt to silence your witness.   

But here is the loud gospel truth: in Christ, even chains are chained. They cannot operate freely against you. Rather than stop the gospel, they end up becoming the very stage upon which the gospel is magnified. Paul testifies again: “So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ” (Philippians 1:13). The prison was not Caesar’s victory; it was Christ’s platform.  

This is what it means when Paul boldly states elsewhere: “The word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). The Word cannot be chained. No prison can silence it, no opposition can bury it, no circumstance can limit it. Paul is the means by which the Gospel reached Rome, then the heart of the world. His words brought Jesus beyond the geographical and cultural boundaries of Israel to the world at large.   (Read Acts 28)

Connected to The Vine  (John 15:1-15)
Jesus calls Himself 'The True Vine', the Father 'The Vinedresser', and His followers 'The Branches'. Remaining in Him is the only path to bearing lasting fruit. Unfruitful branches are removed; fruitful ones are trimmed so they will bear even more. Abiding in Jesus aligns prayers with the Father’s will, resulting in answered requests and glory to God.

The same love the Father has for the Son is now offered to the disciples. Staying in that love means keeping His commands, especially the command to 'love one another'. This love shifts the relationship from servants to friends, because Jesus reveals the Father’s plans to them. Chosen and appointed, the disciples are expected to produce fruit that endures.

Practical ways branches remain:
- Daily intake of Jesus’ words.
- Prayer shaped by His will.
- Ongoing reliance on the Holy Spirit.
- Obedience that proves love.

Result: The life of the vine flows into the branch, producing the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
Jesus left Judea for Galilee, deliberately passing through Samaria. Weary from travel, He stops at midday to rest at Jacob’s well. When a Samaritan woman comes to draw water, Jesus says to her, “Give Me a drink.”  “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  

“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” 

“Sir,” the woman said, “I see that You are a prophet".  "I know that Messiah is coming, when He comes, He will explain everything to us.”  Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”  (John 4:3-26)

Seek First The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.  (Mat 6:31-33)

The Kingdom of God is not only a future hope, but also a present reality. Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God and demonstrating it with power.  The Kingdom of God can be summed up as "God's Love In Action". God calls us to diligently seek it and His righteousness as our first priority, and He in turn promises to provide everything we need.  

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Rejoicing in Trials 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (James 1:2-4, Philippians 1:12–20)

Scripture in Schools (Bayside HS)
Nik Hadges and his intern Laura give an update on their ministry at Bayside High School among 900 co-ed students. 

Devoted to God, and to One Another
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

Hearing The Word Of Christ Produces Faith
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  

But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”  Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  (Rom 10:13-17, Isa 53:1, Joel 2:32)