Our YES to God reaches the ONE
Notes
Transcript
We say YES to a lot of things and we don’t say NO to enough things. When we do that, we drown ourselves in obligations we can never truly meet. What if we are saying yes to the things that truly matter to God but in order to do that, we have to hear from God and that can only come through a close relationship with God.
We were introduced to Philip who said yes. He was one of the 7 chosen to minister to the Greek speaking Jewish widows.
Both Philip and Stephen, as well as the other 5, said yes to waiting tables, serving the elderly, and heading up food distribution within the church.
They said yes to do the little things because it was the mission of the church.
So often we want the bigger things and we undervalue the little things. As long as there is a step up… as long as this is only temporary, I’m willing to say yes.
But God sees the little things as important and HE wants us to say yes and a step up is not a guarantee.
God is looking for people willing to serve and to be faithful in the little things.
Stephen and Philip’s ministry started off small but because they were faithful in Acts 6-8 they made a huge impact for Jesus and HIS Kingdom. Stephen’s yes cost him his very life, it cost them there comfort but they boldly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
We landed in Acts 8 where we introduced Philip the evangelist.
Philip went to Samaria after great persecution in Jerusalem to preach the gospel.
And Philip made a tremendous impact in the city of Samaria, drawing large crowds, many believed in Jesus and were baptized.
Then Peter and John came from Jerusalem. They laid there hands on the new believers and were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
We were also introduced to Simon the magician who wanted that gift and was willing to pay for it but Peter crushed those dreams and told Simon to repent or something bad was going to happen.
There was no doubt, God was using Philip to spread the good news throughout the region.
God used Philip to minister to the crowds in city of Samaria, the ministry, the energy, the miracles, the masses of people turning to Jesus… why would anyone want to leave?
But God had a special mission for Philip that was only going to reach one person. God always notices the one and God even prioritizes the one. If the one was going to be reached, Philip said yes to God and he had to trust God by stepping out in faith.
26 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. 27 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 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 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?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
PRAY
The book of Acts is filled with ordinary people that God used to do extraordinary things.
The Early Church was not quenched by fear or intimidation but persecution only embolden their message. The Holy Spirit was empowering them to press on.
The church faced a decision. Was this worth running and fleeing for there lives in order to make Jesus famous?
To them there answer was a resounding… Yes!
Even though they were forced to run and hide because of the persecution, we see that Philip, was willing to say yes to Jesus.
Philip could have folded under the pressure. He could have given up because it was too difficult and too costly.
He could have done something that prioritized safety and security but instead he said yes even when facing persecution.
I am so glad that they did not give up!
God used persecution to reach the unreached.
Up to this point, Jerusalem had been the center of the church but through difficult and challenging circumstances, the kingdom of God begins to spread rapidly—not because of strategic planning by the apostles, but because of persecution.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
God use difficult circumstances to reach the unreached.
These new believers has the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to be witnesses for Jesus.
As they were all empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish this “God sized” task God uses them because they were willing to say YES to Jesus.
God uses difficult circumstances to stretch our faith.
God uses difficult circumstances to stretch our faith.
I would Imagine that Philip and Stephen were pretty close.
They served together, they ministered together, they served the church together, I’m sure they spent time with each other‘s families and hung out together.
I’m sure watching Stephen die for his faith could have raised the white flag, Philip had a family of his own, there was great risk in following Jesus now. This could have been a valid reason to give up and go home.
BUT that’s not what Philip did… giving up and going home was not what happened. He knew that persecution was now the new normal.
So Philip and his family, leaves Jerusalem and heads to Samaria.
God used Philip powerfully in Samaria. Many lives were being touched and great miracles were taking place. Many were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout Samaria.
Philip’s YES gives him an Audience of One.
Philip’s YES gives him an Audience of One.
Then God called Philip to his next place of ministry. Phillip ministered to the crowds but then God called him to only one person.
26 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. 27 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 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
This seems like a strange place for God to lead this up and coming evangelist.
Scripture says that the angel of the Lord told Philip to go south, a desert road, between Jerusalem and Gaza… basically in the middle of nowhere.
Philip responds with a YES. Philip simply goes, not asking any questions, he just did it.
Philip then encounters an Ethiopian eunuch who was an official who was serving the Queen of Ethiopia.
As he was in his chariot, on his way back home from Jerusalem, still early on in his journey, Philip noticed this man.
29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Again, Philip said another YES by running to the chariot.
Philip was at that place where he could hear God speaking to him.
He did not have any doubt that it was the Lord speaking. He knew God’s voice because he responded without questioning… without fear… no doubt, just a resounding YES.
Jesus says in…
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
The Holy Spirit wants to lead and the HS is speaking to us but are we listening.
So often the voices drown out God’s voice… fear, doubt, insecurity, worry. Social Media. We can’t say yes to a voice we cannot hear clearly.
Philip saw this as a divine opportunity, which led this man to a divine conversation but he had to ask the right question.
He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
So the man responded to Philip’s question…
Acts 8:31–34 (ESV)
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
This was an underhand slow pitch soft ball… it’s a tee ball that seems to be perfectly set up for Philip to present the Gospel.
God set everything up for Philip, he just had to say YES.
When we say YES, God will give us HIS divine assignments.
When we say YES, God will give us HIS divine assignments.
God did not send the angel to help the Ethiopian but instead God sent the angel to direct Philip.
This man testified that he needed someone explain to him what he was reading (v. 31).
God invites us to partner with him in extending his kingdom in the earth.
God prepared the heart of the Ethiopian Eunuch as he was reading Isaiah 53 just as Philip arrived…
But God opened the door when Philip crossed his path.
We cross paths with people every day, but so often we don’t see that God is already setting the table.
God has divine moments in mind for you.
God still uses unqualified, inexperienced, even questionable people to extend his kingdom on the earth.
Throughout the book of Acts, we see God using average ordinary people to spread the gospel.
Philip was an unlikely candidates to reach this Ethiopian Eunuch.
This man from Ethiopia represents those who are far off, geographically and ethnically but also ceremonially and religiously.
Eunuchs were excluded from participation in Temple rituals and so this man was ceremonially and religiously far off.
But God… in HIS supernatural way, reaches this man who was searching.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Philip began where the Ethiopian was, but he did not stay there.
Philip gave the Ethiopian the rest of the story. He used Isaiah 53 and presented the good new about Jesus who fulfilled this.
This passage was all about Jesus and this man came to know Jesus and he was all in for Jesus.
He wanted to get baptized…
36 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?”
38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Phillip headed north along the coastal road, preaching the gospel. The Ethiopian Eunuch went home rejoicing because he found Jesus.
TAKE AWAY:
God wants to use you to reach your family, to your neighbor, your co-worker.
Pray for God ordained, Divine opportunities
Draw close to God every day so you can hear God speak.
Harvest is ready, need workers… GO!
Ask God for strength to live for Christ even when circumstances don’t make it easy.
Be thankful for those opportunities that stretch our faith.