FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO EVANGELICAL CHURCH

MIDWEEK SERVICE
JULY 2023
SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”
Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

05 JULY 2023
Topic: WHAT MAKES RAHAB A HERO?
Text: JOSHUA 2:1-24

Rahab was an innkeeper with an "Airbnb" inside the castle walls of Jericho.
When the Israelites were scouting the land there, they sent spies into the
town to see what it was like.

When the people of Jericho saw strange men staying at Rahab's inn, they
came knocking on the door, and Rahab told the spies to run up on the roof
while she dealt with the investigators. Rahab was a champ in how she dealt
with the men wanting to have a look around. The investigators left without
finding the Israelite spies, and she saved their lives.

Perhaps the most telling part was that Rahab had heard about how the
God of Israel parted the Red Sea. She was impressed by the strength of
the Lord and asked that the spies make sure that she and her family were
safe when they did come and invade Jericho. She placed a red piece of
rope from her window to indicate that no one should touch the people in
that room.

Rahab knew that God was sovereign and aligned herself with the goodness
of God.

TAKEAWAY:
We, too, can align ourselves with the sovereignty of God in everything we
do. Even if it means that we endure difficulty in the meantime, Rahab would

Page 1
eventually find herself in the lineage of Jesus – a woman who saw God
above the circumstances of life.

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO EVANGELICAL CHURCH

MIDWEEK SERVICE
JULY 2023
SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”
Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

12 JULY 2023
Topic: WHAT MAKES EHUD A HERO?
Text: JUDGES 3:15-30

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel repeatedly had problems with its
neighbors, because they would take over parts of their land. While
occupying those areas, they would charge large sums of money to these
towns and attempt to influence what the Israelites worshiped and how they
conducted business.

Over time, the areas would muster a loosely-bound group militia to free
themselves of this foreign influence and drive them back. The place would
be free again (until a different country would do the same somewhere else
in Israel). It was a continual cycle of cat-and-mouse on a regional scale.

Moab's neighboring country had an evil (and tremendously overweight)

king named Eglon, who made life miserable for the Israelites. Moab was
particularly evil because they worshipped a god named “Chemos,” who
demanded infant sacrifice.

Eager to eliminate this influence, Ehud got tired of Eglon and Moab. So he
walked up to the royal palace and hid a 1'’ knife on his right leg (most
people were right-handed so they would have hidden weapons on their left
leg). He told Eglon officers he had a ‘secret’ for the king and was granted
entry to his inner chamber. Ehud delivered his' secret,’ buried the entire
knife length into Eglon, locked the doors, and escaped to rouse the local
troops to revolt against this evil nation's influence. They were successful in
throwing off the oppressive power of the Moabites.

Page 2
TAKEAWAY:
Ehud took action. Sometimes, you have to stand up in the face of evil and
do something to inspire others to do or say what is right.

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO EVANGELICAL CHURCH

MIDWEEK SERVICE
JULY 2023
SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”
Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

19 JULY 2023
Topic: WHAT MAKES URIAH A HERO?
Text: 2 SAMUEL 11:11-17

King David is famous for many things, including doing wrong. One of
David's most famous sins involves deciding to sleep with another man's
wife. Uriah is that ‘other man.’

While Uriah was away on duty in the army, David slept with his wife,
Bathsheba. Uriah comes home but refuses to sleep with his wife. He
answers, “how can I enjoy my wife when my fellow soldiers are on the front
lines.” This is a classic case of speaking truth to power. This is what David
should have thought when considering sleeping with Bathsheba.

Uriah gets killed, but his bravery of standing up to power and not playing
along with the lie is instructive. Because of Uriah, we have the story of the
destructive power of sin. Instead of ‘letting it go,’ Uriah stood up for what
was right, even if it cost him his life.

TAKEAWAY:
We need to remember that doing the right thing is always right – even if
there is a cost.

Page 3
 FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO EVANGELICAL CHURCH
MIDWEEK SERVICE
JULY 2023
SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”
Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

26 JULY 2023
Topic: WHAT MAKES NATHAN A HERO?
Text: 2 SAMUEL 12:1-14

History is filled with “yes men” who only tell people what they want to hear.
Especially around kings, most people only showed approval to those in
power.

Nathan was a prophet and a friend of King David. Nathan spoke up when
King David ended up sleeping with someone else's wife and then having
that woman's husband killed. He visits David and tells a creative story of a
rich man who took advantage of a poor man. When David exclaims that the
rich man should be killed for what he did, Nathan responds with, “you are
that man.”

Nathan balances grace and truth as he starts softly with a story to make
sure David understands the depth of his sin. He then delivers a stinging
rebuke from God.

Delivering this punishment to an ancient ruler would mean certain death for
the messenger. However, Nathan bravely says what is right with grace and
truth.

Page 4
TAKEAWAY:
Remember that in any confrontational conversation, we should bravely
speak what God has given us to say, but make sure that it is delivered with
grace and truth.

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES JOSIAH A HERO?

Text: 2 KINGS 22:1-20, 23:1-30

Josiah was only eight years old when he began one of the longest reigns
as king of Judah. The Bible says he did what was right in the Lord's eyes
and, because of that, had a long and righteous reign.

Josiah is so remarkable that one night, after being unable to sleep, he

starts reading in the royal library and comes upon the book of the Law
(what we know as essentially the Old Testament). As he read it, Josiah
became aware that the nation had forgotten God and ignored the
scriptures.

What is incredibly heroic is that Josiah first knelt in prayer and pleaded to
God to spare the Jews despite how they had ignored the one true God.
Josiah then read the book of the Law to the people and made a covenant
to God that His people would again draw close to God and observe
everything written in the book of the Law.

TAKEAWAY:
Good leaders know when to humble themselves in front of God and inspire
others to follow the Lord. Josiah reminds us that no one is above God, and
it's essential to continue to look to the Bible and him for guidance.

Page 5
SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”
Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES MORDECAI A HERO?

Text: ESTHER 2:21-23

There was a period in which Persia took over Israel and was ruled by the
Persian King Xerxes. During this time, a prominent politician in that regime
named Haman did not like the Jews and worked on a policy statement to
kill the Jews in large numbers, a genocide.

Mordecai was secretly a Jew who worked closely with the palace and
overheard this plan one day. Instead of keeping it to himself, he sought out
his cousin Esther – who was also a Jew and in the king's court as one of
the many wives of Xerxes. He relayed the plan to Esther and helped her
plan a few steps to take to thwart Haman's plans.

Mordecai's intervention resulted in a law that protected the Jews.

Mordecai's boldness and courage saved not only his life but the nation's
life.

TAKEAWAY:
Mordecai knew that speaking up in any form would put a bullseye on
himself, but he did the right thing regardless of the cost. Ask God to give

Page 6
you opportunities to show and have courage in the face of adversity in your
life.

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES BARNABAS A HERO?

Text: ACTS 4:32-37

When 45 records were a thing, the projected hit song was always on side
A, while a less-hit-worthy song was on side B. But once in a while, side B
ended up having the stronger song. And that's not a bad way to think about
the apostle Paul's first ministry partner, a lesser-known leader named
Barnabas.

Barnabas had a knack for seeing the potential of emerging leaders,

including Paul, and supporting them as they grew toward maturity and
godly influence. He also helped to found and lead one of the most vitally
essential churches in the first century – the church at Antioch.

But what makes Barnabas a hero worth imitating is that he was

anencourager. His name means "son of encouragement." Were it not for
Barnabas' active encouragement; Paul may never have had the impact on
the early church that he did!

Page 7
TAKEAWAY:
Who in your circle of influence do you see as having potential that you can
actively encourage? And what might that encouragement look like?

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES PHOEBE A HERO?

Text: ROMANS 16:1-2

As we read the Bible, we sometimes miss women's crucial role in leading

and serving the early church. One such leader that the apostle Paul
admired was Phoebe. She is identified as "a minister in the church in
Cenchrea," who Paul had deliberately sent to the church in Rome – most
likely to deliver and explain his vitally important letter to that strategic
community of believers (we know it today as the book of Romans).

Women were seldom respected in leadership roles in those days, so it took

courage and humility on Phoebe's part to help lead her church and be
willing to serve Paul in this unique way. While it would be centuries before
the metaphor of "glass ceilings" would become known, Phoebe was one of
the first to break through – because she loved Jesus and longed to serve
him with her gifts.

Page 8
TAKEAWAY:
Where in your life do you need courage and humility to follow through on
something you are convinced God is nudging you to do – despite the
criticism and belittling that may follow?

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES PRISCILLA A HERO?

Text: ROMANS 16:3

Top billing. You know, that name appears first or stands out, among others.
In movies, it's usually to draw attention to the biggest star. Similarly, in the
first century, it was often to identify the more essential or gifted person in
the group.

It's all the more surprising that when Priscilla and her husband Aguila are
mentioned in the Bible, her name usually comes first. Over the years, this
gifted couple hosted churches in their home in various cities. Priscilla was
free to use her extraordinary gifts to help guide and lead these faith
communities. And Aquila, it seems, was not threatened by that. They were
a great team!

Page 9
As today's verse reveals, Paul was deeply grateful for this first-century
"power couple," as we're all of the churches of that day. And this surely
means that nobody was vying for top billing

TAKEAWAY:
Do you ever find yourself holding back from using the gifts that God has
given you? Why is that? And how might the example of Priscilla encourage
you to step out in faith?

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES JUNIA A HERO?

Text: ROMANS 16:7

When Captain Marvel came out, many were surprised to see a woman in
that role. And the Bible has a similar character, whose name was Junia.

For centuries, translations suggested that the name was not Junia, a
woman, but Junias, a man. And the reason is that she seems to be
identified as an apostle, which, so it has been thought, is a role only a man
would have fulfilled. But it's now clear that it is a woman. And Junia is
perhaps the Roman name for Joanna, who was part of the larger group of
Jesus' disciples and among the women who were the first to see the risen
Jesus and commissioned to share that good news with others (see Luke
8:3 and 24:10).

Page 10
Today's verse shares everything we know for sure about Junia. Still, one
significant tidbit is that she was in prison with Paul. And you don't round up
people who don't matter. Just like Paul, this courageous woman was
devoted to introducing others to the risen Jesus!

TAKEAWAY:
Who in your life today needs to hear your story of becoming a life changed
by Christ? Why not pray for God to give you the courage and wisdom to
follow through with that conversation, following the example of Junia?

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES EPAPHRODITUS A HERO?

Text: PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30

The apostle Paul is often viewed as a hero of the Christian faith, and rightly
so, but did he perhaps have a hero that he wanted to emulate? In other
words, whose life story would he have deemed "movie-worthy"?
Epaphroditus, a leader in the Philippian church, may very well have been
first on his list.

Paul hailed him as "a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier," and it's
impossible to miss how much the apostle admired and loved this man.
Everywhere Epaphroditus went, it seems, he brought comfort and joy to

Page 11
those in distress. And nothing could stop him from doing so, for, as Paul
marveled, "he risked his life for the work of Christ."

What might God do in and through your life if you were willing to be as
devoted to the cause of Christ as this "true brother" was?

TAKEAWAY:
Epaphroditus was tuned in to people's needs and anxieties and was
devoted to providing relief and hope. Who in your life right now would
benefit from you doing the same?

SERIES: “UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BIBLE”

Dive into the stories of overlooked and unsung heroes of the bible. Find out
what makes them a hero and what you can take away and apply to your
life.

Topic: WHAT MAKES EPAPHRAS A HERO?

Text: COLOSSIANS 4:12-13

Many biblical names continue to be popular when naming babies, but

Epaphras is not one of them! And yet, most parents would love to have had
a child who grew up to be like this unsung hero of the early church.

The apostle Paul was fond of Epaphras, calling him a "beloved co-worker"
and "faithful servant" (Col. 1:7). But what blew Paul away about this dear
friend was his unrelenting commitment to pray for the needs of those he
had the privilege of influencing. In particular, Paul noted, Epaphras "always

Page 12
prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully
confident that you are following the whole will of God" (Col. 4:12).

Wow – the passion and devotion are palpable! What might our
relationships look like if we faithfully wrestled in prayer along similar lines
for those we love?

TAKEAWAY:
Epaphras indeed grew toward such faithfulness in prayer. Where do you
think is the best place for you to start growing in this area? Who can you
begin praying for today?

Page 13