The Ethiopian Treasurer

Acts 8:25–40 KJV 1900

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

Ask Kim to read Acts 16:31 backwards. Interrupt Kim. “Folks do you understand what she is reading? Maybe you feel frustrated or confused, In our Bible story today we will meet a man who has trouble understanding too - Let’s see what happens.

LINDA READS THE SCRIPTURE TEXT FOR TODAY.

Introduction

Throughout 2022 we have been exploring a variety of themes. These have included Prayer, Ministry, Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship and Evangelism.

Philip is called Philip the Evangelist and he provides a Biblical Example of how we can reach people with the truth of Christ.

Acts 8:25 KJV 1900

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip is preaching in the villages in Samaria and a revival is taking place. While he is there something happens

Acts 8:26 KJV 1900

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

The angel of the Lord sends Philip to Gaza

Link: Philip chose to obey God when the angel sent him to Gaza.

If you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior you will want to obey God too. Maybe God is speaking to you about telling a friend about Jesus, or maybe you realize that when you obey your parents or your boss at work you are also obeying God.

Acts 5:29 KJV 1900

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Link: Philip chose to obey God when the angel sent him to Gaza.

The Ethiopian returns from his trip to Jerusalem to Worship. As he does he is reading from the Bible from Isaiah. The Holy Spirit leads Philip to the Ethiopian.

LINK - God loved the Ethiopian and demonstrated his love by sending him a friend.

God love you too!

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God made you, this world and he made heaven for you. God is holy. God loves us and demonstrates his love to us.

LINK - God loved the Ethiopian and demonstrated his love by sending him a friend.

Acts 8:30–31 KJV 1900

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Just like when Kim read the Scripture earlier you could not understand it, The Ethiopian does not understand what the Bible says.

LINK: The Ethiopians lack of understanding separates him from God.

Something Separates us from God too! Sin

Sin is anything we Think, Say or Do that disobeys God.

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

LINK: The Ethiopians lack of understanding separates him from God.

Philip helps the Ethiopian understand

He opened his mouth at this Scripture and preached Jesus

Acts 8:35 KJV 1900

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

LINK: Philip explained who Jesus was.

Jesus is the perfect son of God

He took our punishment

Hebrews 9:22 KJV 1900

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins

Was buried

Rose again

Because of what Jesus did we can be forgiven.A

LINK: Philip explained who Jesus was.

Acts 8:36–37 KJV 1900

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Ethiopian believes Jesus is the Son God

He says to Philip, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”

Acts 16:31 KJV 1900

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Today if you have never been saved, this is what you must do.

I have explained that God Loves you and wants you to go to heaven. That something separates you from God and that is sin. I have explained that God made a provision for your sin, Jesus. And that to be saved you must believe in HIm.

Today you must make that choice. If you want to do this then right now Bow your head, close your eyes and ask yourself, “Will I receive the Lord Jesus as my savior today? If your answer is yes. Then I invite you to pray with me. It is not the prayer that saves you. But what is in your heart.

Let’s pray.

As a Christian, today you have seen from Philips example, if we will seize the opportunity to obey God, follow his call, seek someone who needs a friend and answer their questions from the Bible about God, we too can lead them to faith in Christ. Will you choose to obey God and do this. If so during this closing invitation hymn, come and make your commitment to God.