THE EARLY CHURCH (15)

FOLLOWING HIS LEADING

Pray

recap on Philip and his journey to Samaria

Acts 8:26–28 CSB

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

TRUST THE LORD, HE HAS A PLAN

The LORD is sovereign and has Foreknowledge

He has knowledge of everything past, present, and future.

So can you trust the LORD with you future? (YES!)

Has God not already demonstrated this to Philip?

Has God not already demonstrated this in our lives?

If we trust and obey the LORD’s plan lives we be changed.

Acts 8:29–30 CSB

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

2.DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITIES

“Go and join the chariot”

Did Philip have any reason not to go up to the chariot?

But, what does Philip do when he hears this?

He RAN!!

Don’t forget the Foreknowledge of GOD, Philip got to the chariot right as the Ethiopian Official was reading the prophet Isaiah.

What an open to share the Gospel.

What if Philip would have said no or I will later?

Philip starts with a question.

“Do you understand what you’re reading?”

Acts 8:31–33 CSB

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.

3.WE ARE TO GUIDE OTHERS TO CHRIST

Philip showed up at the exact right time! (Foreknowledge)

Philip is now given this opportunity to guide.

This passage is found in Isaiah 53:7–8 “7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.”

If you knew nothing of JESUS would this passage make sense?

This was the problem that the Ethiopian Official had he don’t know who this passage was about.

But GOD, sent His servant Philip.

Acts 8:34–35 CSB

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.

4. BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON

“I ask you, who”

This is the question you dream of when trying to share the gospel!!!

How does Philip respond to this question?

He TELL him about Jesus!

He started with the Scripture.

This is a perfect example of great hermeneutics.

Philip bridge the gap for this man.

Acts 8:36–40 CSB

36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Because of Philip saying yes LORD, this eunuch life was change and he came to know Jesus.

Isaiah 53:10 CSB

10 Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.