Witness Boldly

Me

When I was a kid I was obsessed with all things NASA. I loved the idea of the space shuttle. I took books from the library at my school as often as I was able to read about the history of space travel, and most notably the first lunar landing. I have often asked myself “What would it have been like to witness such a feet?”

One of the statements that can catch your attention in the middle of an ordinary day is “Breaking news”. I wonder what it was like as an estimated 600 million people around the world were interrupted from their daily routine and watched the Apollo 11 mission's moon landing on July 20, 1969. This historic broadcast, where Neil Armstrong famously took his first step on the Moon, was one of the largest global television audiences at the time. How terrified and unnerved would we have been? That first step risked everything.Neil Armstrong famously stated, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind," on July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT

The Apollo 11 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. The goal of this mission was to perform a crewed lunar landing and return to Earth safely. Americans were interrupted and witnessed the climax of achievements with human ingenuity. The effects of the Apollo 11 mission impacted our world for decades.

Shared sense of wonder and amazement of human achievement.

Technological achievement.

Existential reflections (what is our place in the universe?)

Inspiration for students to participate in S.T.E.M. to become scientists and engineers.

Great interruptions have life changing impact!

Question: What can happen when we are interrupted?

We

How do you receive interruptions? Road closings, Pharmacist is on lunch, appointment was late? Not every interruption is a “Breaking News” but still we all have experience with interruptions.

How have you experienced interruptions in your life?

Divine interruptions often make us pause, allowing us to shift from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

What is keeping you from participating in God’s interruptions? Divine interruptions can be an opportunity to share the Gospel.

Divine interruptions bring extraordinary opportunity.

What does the Bible say?

Let’s talk about Philip

First introduced in Acts 6 as one of those selected to serve in mercy ministry. Acts 21:9 tells us he had four daughters that prophesied. Also, in Acts 6 we witness the first Christian martyr when Stephen is stoned and Saul of Tarsus looked on. The persecution of the Church of Jesus Christ has begun.

Acts 8 is a detailed narrative of Philip’s exploits. First in Samaria (because of the pressure within Jerusalem he is one of the scattered) he mounts an effort of evangelism. During this time he displays authority in teaching and works of power. Simon the Magician is converted because of Philips efforts in sharing the message of Jesus. Philip is having such an impact that Peter and John come and assist him.

Philip returns to Jerusalem but is not there long before he experiences a “Divine interruption” and we read the second narrative of his evangelistic efforts. Philip is directed by an angel of the Lord to go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Philip sets out in travel and in his going met an Ethiopian eunuch, the head of the treasury of the Queen of Ethiopia.

What do we know:

The Ethiopian eunuch was a worshipper of Yahweh. Who had gone to the Temple to worship. But was not allowed in the Temple. This is a strange scenario. We have an ethnic outsider (Ethiopia means one whose face has been charred) and a ceremonial outsider specifically forbidden by Mosaic Law to enter the Temple of the Lord.

Eunuch is addressed in Deuteronomy 23:1 “No one whose testicles are crushed or whose penis is cut off shall be admitted to the assembly of the Lord.”

Philip was in a weird place. This twice outsider was resting along the road and reading the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. Philip was probably wondering why he was there and what he was supposed to do.

The Holy Spirit prompts Philip to stand next to the chariot and wait.

When God interrupts us it is not about clarity but humility—will we just go and wait?

God is not concerned if Philip is able, God cares that he is willing.

God provides interruption not for our frustration but for our transformation and opportunity to align with His greater purpose.

God provided the power and ability for Philip to witness to those whom God desires to be in His family. God’s desire is for all his creatures to hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us of God’s rich history in working with his creature to bring fruitfulness to creation. Adam and Eve shared in stewarding the Garden, Moses to bring Israel out of slavery, David to create a nation, the prophets and priests to speak truth and offer worship, Jesus chose his disciples to share his work, and now God shares this task with His church.

You

How difficult is it for you to share your faith? What stands in the way? For many Christians it begins with:

Fear of being inadequate or rejection.

Fear of offending others

Fear of judgment.

Fear of being hypocritical.

insecurity

misunderstanding of what evangelism is and who is supposed to do it.

We are called to be a people who bears witness to our faith. We witness to the world around us the life saving power of Jesus Christ. What Christ has done for us, in us, and through us. We are a witness.

As Christians we are called by Jesus to share the Gospel Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Matthew 9:37–38 “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

"Evangelism is like planting the first step in someone’s spiritual journey. Just as Armstrong’s small step led to greater exploration, a conversation about Christ can lead to a lifetime of growth in faith."

Evangelism is not a question of if we should do it but how can we do it? What do I need to do so that I can be ready when God provides the Divine Interruption?

We Method

Learn God’s story is your story. Mark Teasdale “My greatest hope is that they will become public witnesses, inviting those who are not Christians to know God through Jesus Christ and strengthening the church”

1. Obedience to the Holy Spirit's Leading

Your interruption could be God’s opportunity.

- Philip’s responsiveness: Philip is sensitive to God's leading when the angel of the Lord tells him to go to the desert road (v. 26). He doesn’t question the unusual instruction but obeys immediately.

- Being Spirit-led: In verse 29, the Spirit prompts Philip to approach the eunuch's chariot. Philip’s obedience models the importance of following God's guidance, even when the situation is not fully understood.

The Words of Life should be in your life.

2. Understanding the Scriptures:Deuteronomy 6:6-9

- The eunuch's desire to understand: The Ethiopian eunuch is reading from Isaiah 53 but doesn’t fully understand its meaning. This illustrates the importance of Scripture in evangelism, as it opens the door for deeper spiritual conversations.

- Philip’s ability to explain: Philip begins by explaining the Scripture the eunuch is reading, using it as a starting point to share the Gospel of Jesus (v. 35). Evangelism often involves being prepared to explain biblical truths clearly and accurately.

Your elevation is for elevating others. 1 Cor. 9:20-22

3. Meeting People Where They Are: The Eunuch was nothing like Philip. A foreigner, an outsider, a darker skin tone, a worshipper but not accepted. Eunuchs were considered unclean for Temple worship (Deut 23:1)

- **Starting with the eunuch's question**: Philip doesn’t launch into a rehearsed speech but meets the eunuch at his point of need, answering his questions about the passage of Isaiah. This shows the importance of listening and understanding where people are in their spiritual journey before sharing the Gospel.

So the world will know. Matthew 28:20-22

4. Preaching Christ

- Philip shares the Gospel: Beginning with the Scripture the eunuch was reading, Philip “preached unto him Jesus” (v. 35). The focus of Philip's message was Christ, demonstrating that the heart of evangelism is pointing people to Jesus.

Wrap up

Just as the world paused to witness an extraordinary event like the moon landing, God sometimes interrupts our lives with opportunities to share the gospel. These moments may seem unexpected or disruptive, but they are actually openings to share the hope and love of Christ.

"When God interrupts our daily routine, it’s an invitation to be His hands and feet, sharing the gospel in ways we may not have planned but which carry eternal significance—just like the world paused for something greater during Apollo 11." So:

Look for Divine opportunity.

Be ready with the Word of Truth in you.

Cast the net wide.

Christ is not for ourselves but So The World Will Know!

We Are A People Who Witness Boldly!