Teaching Series: Keep Walking-“Seeking and Finding”

Seeking and Finding

Acts 8:26–40 (ESV)

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.

Introduction

For the past several weeks we have been in a teaching series title Keep Walking. We have been talking about different people from the Bible who made it their goal to Keep Walking, Keep obeying God, keep fulfilling the call God placed on their lives.

Tonight we are going to be talking about

We read the scriptures now let me tell the story.

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means 'queen of the Ethiopians'). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked.

'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.'

The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. What can 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 suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Now as we start this lesson, I hope you observed that Phillip was given a “Divine Appointment” from God but not without “Divine Directions”.

Divine Directions

In the passage we've just read, we see Philip receiving a divine direction. An angel of the Lord instructs him to go south to the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. Now, this wasn't a popular route. It wasn't a road bustling with people. It was a desert road, a lonely road. Yet, Philip obeyed. He didn't question the instruction. He didn't ask for a reason. He simply obeyed.

This obedience is the first aspect we need to consider when it comes to discerning divine directions. God's instructions may not always make sense to us. They may not always align with our plans or expectations. But are we willing to obey, even when we don't understand? Are we willing to trust God's wisdom and guidance, even when it seems to lead us on a lonely desert road?

The second aspect we need to consider is the timing of God's directions. The angel of the Lord didn't give Philip a heads up days or weeks in advance. The instruction came at the exact time it was needed. God's directions are always timely. They come at the precise moment we need them. We may not always see it in the moment, but in hindsight, we can see God's perfect timing at work.

Now, let's consider the Ethiopian eunuch. He was an important official, in charge of the treasury of the queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was now returning home. On his journey, he was reading the book of Isaiah. This is significant. The eunuch was seeking God. He was reading the scriptures, trying to understand them.

This brings us to the third aspect of discerning divine directions - recognizing God's work in others. Philip could have easily overlooked the eunuch. He could have dismissed him as just another traveler. But he didn't. He recognized the work of God in the eunuch's life. He saw a man who was seeking God, who was hungry for His word. And he responded to that.

The final aspect we need to consider is the role of the Spirit of God in discerning divine directions. It was the Spirit who told Philip to go to the chariot and stay near it. It was the Spirit who guided Philip in his conversation with the eunuch. It was the Spirit who enabled Philip to explain the scriptures and share the good news about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is our guide, our counselor, our helper. He is the one who helps us discern God's directions. He is the one who gives us the courage to obey, the patience to wait for God's timing, the discernment to recognize God's work in others, and the wisdom to share the gospel effectively.

So, as we reflect on this passage, let's ask ourselves: Are we listening to God's directions? Are we willing to obey, even when we don't understand? Are we trusting in His perfect timing? Are we recognizing His work in others? And most importantly, are we relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things?

These are challenging questions, but they are also essential ones. For it is only when we discern and follow God's directions that we can truly be effective in sharing the good news about Jesus. And isn't that our ultimate goal? To be bearers of the Good News, to be instruments of God's grace and love, to be soul winners for His kingdom.

May God help us all to discern His divine directions and to follow them faithfully.

Now God’s divine directions lead Phillip into the desert.

The Desert Encounter

As we continue to reflect on this passage, we find Philip on the desert road. This is not a place where one would expect a divine encounter. Yet, it is here that Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in the court of the Queen of Ethiopia. The desert, often seen as a place of desolation and isolation, becomes a place of divine revelation and transformation.

The desert road is a place of unexpected encounters. Philip, guided by the Spirit, finds himself in the presence of a man who is seeking to understand the Scriptures. The Ethiopian eunuch, despite his high position, recognizes his need for guidance in understanding God's word. This encounter is a reminder that God's word is not limited to certain places or people. It reaches out to all, even in the most unexpected places.

The desert road is also a place of divine revelation. As Philip explains the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch, the truth about Jesus is revealed. The eunuch's heart is opened to the good news of Jesus Christ, leading to his decision to be baptized. This revelation is not just for the eunuch, but also for Philip. He sees firsthand the transformative power of God's word, a power that transcends social status, cultural differences, and geographical boundaries.

The desert road is a place of transformation. The Ethiopian eunuch, after hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, is not the same. He goes on his way rejoicing, transformed by the power of God's word. Philip, too, is transformed. His obedience to the Spirit's guidance leads to a powerful witness of God's love and grace.

The Greek word for "rejoicing" used in this passage is "χαίρων" (chairo). It is a word that signifies more than just happiness. It conveys a deep sense of joy and delight. This same word is used in Luke 10:21, where Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit. It is also used in Philippians 4:4, where Paul encourages the believers to "Rejoice in the Lord always." This deep sense of joy is a common thread in these passages, indicating a joy that is rooted in the Lord, a joy that transcends circumstances.

In addition to the dynamics of unexpected encounters, divine revelation, and transformation, the desert road is also a place of obedience and proclamation. Philip's obedience to the Spirit's guidance leads him to this divine encounter. His willingness to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ leads to the eunuch's transformation.

Finally, the desert road is a place of continued mission. After this encounter, Philip continues on his way, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reaches Caesarea. The desert road is not the end of Philip's mission. It is a part of his journey, a significant part that equips him for the rest of his mission.

The Seeker's Journey

As we turn our attention to the dedication to a seeker's spiritual quest, we find ourselves in the company of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch on a desert road. This is no ordinary encounter, but a divine appointment orchestrated by God Himself. The setting is stark, the atmosphere charged with divine purpose. It's here, in the desert, that we witness the transformative power of God's word and the relentless pursuit of a seeker's heart.

Philip, guided by the Spirit, approaches the chariot to find the eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah. The eunuch's thirst for understanding is evident in his question to Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" This question, asked in the solitude of a desert road, echoes the cry of every heart that seeks to understand the truth of God's word.

In the eunuch's question, we see the first sub-point: the importance of discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well, to understand the deeper meanings and implications of a situation or text. In the context of our passage, discernment is the bridge that connects the eunuch's reading of Isaiah to the understanding of Jesus as the Messiah. Philip, filled with the Holy Spirit, provides the discernment the eunuch needs, explaining that the passage is indeed speaking about Jesus.

As we continue to reflect on the dedication to a seeker's spiritual quest, we find two more sub-points embedded in the narrative.

The first is the importance of action. Upon understanding the message of the scripture, the eunuch immediately seeks to be baptized. His understanding leads to action, a crucial step in the journey of faith. The eunuch's decision to be baptized is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's word, and a challenge for us to let our understanding of God's word lead us to action.

The final sub-point is the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our spiritual quest. It was the Spirit who led Philip to the eunuch and gave him the words to explain the scripture. And it was the Spirit who opened the eunuch's heart to receive the message. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our teacher, our helper in our spiritual quest. We must learn to listen to His voice, to follow His leading, to rely on His wisdom.

So, dear friends, as we reflect on the dedication to a seeker's spiritual quest, let us be inspired by the eunuch's thirst for understanding, his immediate action upon understanding, and his openness to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Let us also be challenged by Philip's obedience to the Spirit's leading, his ability to explain the scripture, and his willingness to be used by God in the desert road. Let us, like Philip and the eunuch, be dedicated to our spiritual quest, guided by the Spirit, grounded in God's word, and ready to take action.

Conclusion

As we close today, let's remember the heart of this message. Like Philip, we're called to be soul winners, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those we encounter. We're called to be instruments of God's grace and love. And isn't that a beautiful calling? To be used by God to share His love, His mercy, His salvation with others.

Friends, we're not alone in this. God is with us every step of the way. He guides us, just like He guided Philip to that desert road. He equips us with His word, just like He equipped Philip to share the good news with the Ethiopian eunuch. And He rejoices with us when another soul comes to know Him, just like He rejoiced when the eunuch was baptized and went on his way rejoicing.

So, let's go forth with confidence, knowing that we serve a God who is relentlessly pursuing His children, who is ready to guide us, and who rejoices in our obedience. Let's be bold in sharing the Good News, knowing that God is with us, and that there's no greater joy than seeing a soul come to know Jesus.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word today. Thank you for reminding us of our calling to be soul winners. Help us to be bold, to be obedient, to be loving as we share your Good News. Guide us, equip us, and rejoice with us as we serve you. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord with gladness, and remember, you are loved more than you can ever imagine. God bless you all.