Look! There’s Some Water!

Special Service  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 14 views
Notes
Transcript
Opening
Today is a day to rejoice! Baptism is not just a ceremony—it’s a celebration of new life. It’s a public declaration of faith in Jesus, and every story we witness today is a story of transformation. As we open the Word of God, we’ll see that baptism has always been the joyful response of people who have met Jesus.
Prayer
Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26–40 (NLT)

As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.

And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

33 He was humiliated and received no justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

I. God Is Already at Work (vv. 26–29)
“As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” (v. 26)
God orchestrates divine appointments.
Philip didn’t know who he’d meet—but God had a plan.
The Ethiopian official was a seeker, and God sent someone to meet him right where he was.
Truth: No one is too far, too unlikely, or too different for God to reach. If you're here today, it's no accident.
II. The Gospel Is All About Jesus (vv. 30–35)
“The man replied, ‘How can I [understand], unless someone instructs me?’ … So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” (vv. 31, 35)
The man was reading Isaiah 53—a prophecy about Jesus’ suffering.
He had the Scripture, but he needed someone to help him connect the dots.
Philip didn’t give a lecture—he gave him Jesus.
Truth: Before there’s baptism, there’s belief. And belief begins when we see that Jesus died for us, rose again, and offers us forgiveness and new life.
But belief by itself isn’t enough…even the demons believe and tremble
James 2:19 “19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”
III. Faith Acts with Boldness (vv. 36–38)
“As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?’” (v. 36)
He heard the message, believed it, and immediately wanted to respond.
No delay. No waiting for perfect understanding. Just eager, obedient faith.
Philip replies in verse 37 (included in some manuscripts): “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.” And the man replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
“He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” (v. 38)
Truth: Baptism is not what saves you—but it is what believers do. It’s our first act of obedience to show that we belong to Jesus. It’s faith in action.
IV. Joy Follows Obedience (v. 39)
“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.” (v. 39)
The man left full of joy—not because of the water, but because he met Jesus.
He had a new life, a new identity, and a new story.
Truth: There is joy on the other side of obedience. Baptism is the beginning of a journey filled with grace and purpose.
Closing Invitation
“Look! There’s some water!” That was his joyful cry—and maybe it could be yours too. If you’ve trusted in Jesus, but never been baptized, what’s stopping you? Not fear. Not doubt. Not waiting for the perfect moment.
If God is stirring in your heart today, come speak to a pastor or leader. Baptism isn’t just for today’s candidates—it could be your next step too.
Transition to Baptisms
"Just like Philip and the Ethiopian went down into the water, we now witness our brothers and sisters step forward in faith. These are not perfect people—they’re saved people. They are declaring, through baptism, that Jesus has changed their lives."
"Let’s celebrate together—because heaven certainly is."
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.