Divine Encounters at the Margins: Embracing Inclusion

Devotional

Day 1: God Meets Us on the Margins

God is not confined to temples or familiar places but meets us in unexpected locations, among unexpected people, and in the wilderness of our lives. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Bacchus) reminds us that God’s presence is found at the edges—on desert roads, in chariots, and among those whom society often overlooks. We are invited to open our eyes to the sacred encounters that happen outside our comfort zones, trusting that God is already at work in places and people we might not expect. [25:29]

Acts 8:26-31 (ESV)
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Reflection: Where in your daily life do you sense God inviting you to step outside your comfort zone and notice His presence among people or places you might usually overlook?

Day 2: All Are Welcome in God’s Family

God’s love and welcome extend beyond the boundaries we often set—of race, nationality, gender, or social status. The encounter between Philip and Bacchus demonstrates that no one is excluded from God’s family; the circle of belonging is ever-widening, and God’s grace is big enough for all. Even those who have been marginalized or told they do not belong are fully embraced and valued in God’s eyes. [17:07]

Acts 8:34-38 (ESV)
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Reflection: Who in your life or community might feel excluded or overlooked, and how can you extend God’s welcome and love to them today?

Day 3: God’s Spirit Moves in Unexpected Ways

The Spirit often leads us into unfamiliar territory, prompting us to listen, learn, and respond with openness. Both Philip and Bacchus were willing to follow God’s leading—Philip by going to a wilderness road without knowing why, and Bacchus by inviting Philip into his questions and journey. When we remain attentive to the Spirit’s prompting, we discover that God is already at work in surprising places and people, inviting us to participate in holy encounters. [32:19]

John 3:8 (ESV)
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God’s Spirit nudging you in a new direction? What would it look like to say “yes” to that prompting this week?

Day 4: Sacred Encounters Happen Beyond Church Walls

God’s presence is not limited to Sunday worship or sacred buildings; we encounter the holy in our daily lives, in the world around us, and in our interactions with others. The story of Philip and Bacchus reminds us that worship and transformation can happen on dusty roads, in conversations, and in the midst of ordinary routines. We are called to be attentive to God’s presence wherever we go, carrying the light of Christ into every space we enter. [33:17]

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV)
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Reflection: How can you intentionally look for and honor God’s presence in the ordinary places and moments of your week?

Day 5: Openness to God’s Surprising Work

God is always at work on the margins of our lives and in the lives of others, often in ways that challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding. We are invited to stay open to holy encounters, to listen for the Spirit’s whispers at the edges of our comfort, and to trust that God’s love is wider and more inclusive than we can imagine. By embracing this openness, we become participants in God’s ongoing work of justice, reconciliation, and welcome. [34:36]

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of old boundaries or assumptions in order to be open to the new thing God is doing?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering invited us to reflect on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch—whom Ethiopian tradition names Bacchus—and to consider how God’s Spirit moves at the margins, in unexpected places, and through unexpected people. As we celebrated Mother’s Day, we also acknowledged that this day can be both joyful and difficult, holding space for all experiences. The announcements reminded us of the importance of community, shared work, and the rhythm of rest and renewal, as I prepare for sabbatical and as others step into new roles.

The heart of our reflection centered on Acts 8, where Philip is called by the Spirit to leave the familiar and travel a wilderness road. There, he encounters Bacchus, a person who, by every social and religious standard of the time, lived on the margins—by race, by geography, and by his status as a eunuch. Yet, it is precisely in this encounter, outside the temple and far from the center, that God’s presence is revealed. The Spirit prompts Philip to approach Bacchus, and Bacchus, in turn, welcomes Philip into his questions and his journey. Their meeting is a powerful reminder that God’s love and welcome are not confined to our boundaries or expectations.

We explored how the wilderness—both literal and metaphorical—is often the place where God’s transformative presence is most deeply felt. The story challenges us to recognize the sacredness of the margins: those places, people, and questions that seem outside the norm. It calls us to listen for the Spirit’s prompting, to be willing to step beyond our comfort zones, and to trust that God is already at work in the lives of those we might overlook or misunderstand.

As we move forward, we are invited to open ourselves to holy encounters in unexpected places, to pay attention to the Spirit’s whispers at the edges of our comfort, and to trust that God’s grace is wide enough to include all. Our faith is not just for Sunday mornings or for those who fit our expectations, but for the whole, wide, wondrous world. May we go forth, following the Spirit’s lead, with open hearts and open hands.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s presence is most often revealed at the margins—geographical, social, and spiritual. The encounter between Philip and Bacchus on a wilderness road reminds us that God is not confined to temples or traditions, but meets us in unexpected places and through unexpected people. We are called to seek and recognize God’s presence beyond the boundaries we set. [25:29]
2. The story of Bacchus, the Ethiopian eunuch, challenges us to expand our understanding of who belongs in God’s family. Bacchus, marginalized by race, geography, and his status as a sexual minority, is fully welcomed and affirmed by God. This compels us to examine our own communities and hearts for barriers we may have erected, and to dismantle them in the name of radical inclusion. [29:15]
3. The wilderness is a place of transformation and encounter. Throughout scripture, the desert is where God’s people are shaped, challenged, and renewed. When we find ourselves in unfamiliar or uncomfortable places—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—we can trust that God is present and that these are often the very places where we are most open to divine movement. [31:25]
4. Openness to the Spirit requires both listening and action. Philip listens for the Spirit’s prompting and responds with willingness, while Bacchus invites Philip into his questions and journey. True spiritual growth happens when we are willing to both receive and offer wisdom, to be learners and companions on the road, and to trust that God speaks through those we might least expect. [32:19]
5. Our calling is to carry the light of Christ beyond the walls of worship, into the world’s sacred spaces and the lives of those at the edges. Faith is not a possession to be guarded, but a gift to be shared—especially with those who have been excluded or overlooked. As we go, may we be attentive to holy encounters and trust that God’s grace is always wider than we imagine. [34:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Announcements and Community Life
[03:17] - Gratitude and Acknowledgments
[04:42] - Land Acknowledgment and Call to Worship
[05:59] - Lighting the Christ Candle
[07:27] - Opening Prayer
[08:42] - Opening Hymn: Joyful, Joyful
[11:03] - Children’s Time: The Expanding Circle
[14:54] - The Paper Illustration: Making Room
[17:07] - God’s Family is Wider Than We Think
[19:11] - Hymn: God of the Spirit
[23:05] - Setting the Scene: Philip and Bacchus
[25:29] - God at the Margins: The Wilderness Encounter
[28:02] - The Margins of Race and Belonging
[29:15] - Bacchus as a Sexual Minority
[31:25] - God’s Presence Outside the Boundaries
[32:19] - Openness and Holy Encounters
[33:17] - Meeting God Beyond Sunday Worship
[34:36] - Living Out Radical Welcome
[37:18] - Offering and Generosity
[40:03] - Prayers for the World and Community
[42:52] - The Lord’s Prayer and Closing Hymn
[46:27] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 8:26-40 — (The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, also known as Bacchus)

Observation Questions

In Acts 8, where does the Spirit send Philip, and who does he meet on the road? What details are given about this person? [23:05]
What is Bacchus doing when Philip approaches him, and how does he respond to Philip’s questions? [25:29]
According to the sermon, what are some of the “margins” that Bacchus lives on? (Think about race, geography, and his status as a eunuch.) [29:15]
How does the story describe the interaction between Philip and Bacchus? What is the outcome of their meeting? [32:19]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God’s presence is often revealed at the margins—outside the center, in unexpected places, and through unexpected people. Why do you think God chooses to work this way? [25:29]
Bacchus is described as someone who would have been excluded by religious and social standards of the time. What does his welcome into God’s family say about who belongs in the church? [29:15]
The wilderness is a place of transformation in the Bible. How might being in a “wilderness” (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) make someone more open to God’s movement? [31:25]
Both Philip and Bacchus are open to the Spirit—Philip listens and acts, Bacchus invites questions and learning. What does this teach us about how spiritual growth happens? [32:19]

Application Questions

The Spirit led Philip to leave what was familiar and go to a wilderness road. Is there a place or situation in your life right now where you sense God might be calling you out of your comfort zone? What would it look like to say “yes” to that prompting? [25:29]
Bacchus was someone who lived on the margins and might have been overlooked or excluded. Are there people or groups in your community or church who are at the margins? What practical steps could you take to welcome and include them? [29:15]
The sermon challenged us to examine our own hearts and communities for barriers we may have put up. Can you think of any “boundaries” or unspoken rules that might keep people from feeling fully included? How could you help dismantle those barriers? [29:15]
The wilderness is a place of encounter and transformation. Have you ever experienced a “wilderness” season in your life? How did you sense God’s presence or movement during that time? [31:25]
Philip and Bacchus both listened and responded to the Spirit. What helps you listen for God’s voice in your daily life? Are there practices or habits you want to try to become more attentive to the Spirit’s leading? [32:19]
The story reminds us that faith is not just for Sunday mornings or for those who fit our expectations. Where might you look for “holy encounters” in your everyday life this week? [33:17]
The sermon ended with a call to go forth with open hearts and open hands. What is one specific way you can carry the light of Christ into a place or relationship that feels “at the margins” for you? [34:36]

Sermon Clips

Can we trust that God's Spirit is already moving in the margins and then follow that Spirit wherever it is? My hope and my power for us this week is that we do just that, that we stay open to holy encounters in unexpected places, that we pay attention to the whispers of the Spirit on the edges of our comfort zone, and trust that God is already at work on the margins of our lives, in the lives of others, and in the wide and wondrous world beyond what we are. [00:34:36] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

God shows up. God is present outside the usual boundaries. Except the usual boundaries are never where God actually shows up. God is always showing up outside of our nice, thick, neat little boxes. The desert is a symbolic place, a place of transformation, encounter, and divine presence. [00:31:37] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

Are we willing to go to unfamiliar places physically or theologically to meet others that God calls us to? Do we listen for God's voice in people who are often overlooked or excluded? Do we approach others with the same openness that Philip and Baphos shared? Are we prepared for God to surprise us through people who don't fit our norms? [00:34:05] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

God tells us that even when we don't think something can happen, even when we don't think that somebody is part of God's family, they are. Just like the circle, it gets wider and wider. And you know what? If I had cut the strips a little smaller, we could have made it even bigger. But I thought I was a little pressed for time, so I made them a little bigger. But we could have made this even bigger so that all of us could have gotten it. [00:18:29] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

God affirms the dignity and worth that others may not have seen in his apples. Isn't that an amazing thing? God is present in the margins. God is present in our lives. And so how do we open ourselves to that? How do we recognize God at work in our lives in the places that we expect and in the places where we feel we are so far from God that God will never show up? [00:33:29] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

This is a story of God being present in unexpected ways. This is God being present at the margins. God being present in places that we might say, I don't think God wants to go there, and I certainly don't want to go there. It's a place, a story of God being present. [00:25:44] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

May you go entering in, for the gates are open wide in love and grace and peace. And as you go, may God bless you and keep you. May God make a space to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God lift up the light of your countenance upon you and give you peace this day and always. [00:46:35] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

Philip listens to the Spirit and says, Sure. I'll go back to this wilderness place. I'll figure out what's going on in there. And Bacchus invites Philip into his chariot and into his questions, is willing to ask and to learn. I imagine they both learn from each other. [00:32:19] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

God of every road, familiar and strange, haze and wilderness, you lead us where we are and call us to places we did not expect though. You come alongside us in questions and audiences, in scriptures that stir our hearts, in voices we might have missed if we weren't paying attention. Draw near to us now, open us to your spirits prompting, to stories that stretch our understanding, to companions who surprise us with their wisdom. [00:07:14] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

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