Say YES to Spirit Led Evangelism

There was once a Pastor that went on vacation. While he was gone the Associate Pastor preached on Sunday morning. When the Senior Pastor got back he asked one of the members how it went on Sunday. The member said, “it was a terrible sermon!”

Well, the Pastor had a meeting with the Associate and asked him how the Sunday message went. The Associate Pastor said, “Excellent, I didn’t have time to prepare my own message, so I preached one of yours.”

You know what? All of us have a message to tell. We need to be faithful to the message the Holy Spirit give to each one of us. We shouldn’t try to be like others because we think they are better some how. The Lord created you to be used in His ministry just as you are. You have a part in His work.

The book of Acts is a roadmap of how God intends for the church to operate. We have examples of how the Spirit of God has moved in the past. If we study this we can build a community empowered by the Spirit of God to change our world. More than anything else I want people to be saved. I want people to know the Jesus who gave His life for them.

Today we turn our attention to a powerful story of how the Holy Spirit directs, empowers, and confirms evangelism in the life of a believer. In Acts 8:26–40, we read about Philip—a Spirit-filled man—being led by divine direction into what seems like a barren place: a desert road. But in that dry place, God had prepared a divine appointment.

Evangelism is not only our human effort—it is a Spirit-empowered mission.

Theme: God empowers and directs believers through the Holy Spirit to share the gospel—even in unexpected, inconvenient, or seemingly barren places—because He is already at work preparing hearts to receive Christ.

Aim: God is calling you to be a witness who is being directed by the Holy Spirit to bring people to Christ. I want you to be able to Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and then walk in boldness knowing that He is going to use you to bring people to Jesus. I want you to say YES to Spirit Led Evangelism!

You’re Going Places!

The Holy Spirit leads us to places that we can never see coming. And sometimes it’s to places that we don’t want to go. Part of being a Spirit Empowered church is that we are promised that our lives will be used to expand the Kingdom. Jesus made a promise to the disciples and that promise is for us too:

Acts 1:8 CEV

8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”

Holy Spirit empowerment leads to global witness. WOW - this is so cool. If you want purpose in your life, allow the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to GUIDE you to new places.

It could be here in our town or on a mission trip half way around the world, but when you are empowered one thing is for sure. You GO!

In our scripture today we see Phillip the Evangelist doing just that. His encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch is a direct fulfillment of this verse - going beyond Samaria to the Gentile world.

Acts 8:26 NLT

26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

There was a revival in Samaria under Philip the Evangelist and it was a powerful moment in the early church. It was the first major gospel breakthrough outside of Jerusalem, and it marked a key moment in fulfilling Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8—to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

After Stephen was martyred, persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Believers were scattered, and everywhere they went, they preached the Word. Philip went to Samaria. This was a big deal, because Jews and Samaritans traditionally despised one another. Yet, Philip boldly preached Christ to them, and the people listened.

What happened during this revival:

Christ was proclaimed clearly

Miracles and signs accompanied the message

Evil spirits were cast out

Paralyzed and lame were healed

There was great joy in the city

Good job Philip! Look at him go. He was crushing it! Miracles. Salvations. Joy.

But then something happened. The angel of the Lord tells Philip to leave the crowds and go... to the desert.

This shows us:

The Spirit doesn’t just lead us to platforms—He leads us to people.

The DESERT! That’s no place for such a POWERFUL Evangelist, right? It wasn’t a place you'd expect to see much action.

Let me remind you of something that you NEED to hear!

God sees what we Cannot

He knew a man—a seeker—was traveling that way, reading Isaiah, searching for truth.

Application: Sometimes God will call you to speak up in places that seem spiritually dry. In your school. Your workplace. An Uber ride. Don’t resist the detour—divine appointments are often disguised as interruptions.

God works in the “Right Now” Moments of Life

Acts 8:27–30 NLT

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?”

“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go over and walk beside that carriage.’”

Philip went to this desert place, but he didn’t know why. He had to WAIT for the “Right Now” moment of direction.

Waiting is so hard, but it’s EXTREMELY important. God is working things out. Don’t give up. Keep trusting. Praying. Listening. Watching. Seeking.

The Holy Spirit told Philip to walk over to the carriage.

Here, we see the partnership between obedience and spiritual sensitivity.

And who was in that chariot? An Ethiopian eunuch, a royal official from ancient Ethiopia (modern Sudan), riding home from Jerusalem. He’s reading the scroll of Isaiah—out loud.

Philip was close enough to hear and bold enough to ask, “Do you understand what you're reading?”

The Spirit gives us boldness and discernment—to ask the right questions, to step into conversations, to recognize when someone is ready for truth. Spirit-led evangelism requires staying in sync with the Spirit’s timing and direction.

Galatians 5:25 CEV

25 God’s Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 CEV

1 If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished.

God sets them up, We knock them down

Acts 8:31–35 CEV

31 The official answered, “How can I understand unless someone helps me?” He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him. 32 The man was reading the passage that said, “He was led like a sheep on its way to be killed. He was silent as a lamb whose wool is being cut off, and he did not say a word. 33 He was treated like a nobody and did not receive a fair trial. How can he have children, if his life is snatched away?” 34 The official said to Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?” 35 So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.

The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53—the prophecy of the Suffering Servant. He was curious: “Who is this about?”

And Philip, full of the Spirit, began to preach Jesus. Here’s a key thing for us to see:

He didn't just explain Scripture—he pointed to the Savior.

Here’s what you need to know about when you are witnessing to someone: JESUS. Just talk about Jesus.

Spirit-led evangelism always leads to Jesus

Philip didn’t need to manipulate or force anything. The man was hungry. All Philip did was show him that the One he was reading about—had already come, had already suffered, had already risen.

Application: When the Spirit is at work, the Word and the witness will meet a ready heart.

How can you do this? Jesus gave you a promise:

John 16:13–14 NLT

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth….

TRUST in the Holy Spirit to give you the RIGHT words. Just OPEN your mouth. Partner with the Holy Spirit. Can you remember the conversation or sermon or moment when you gave your life to Jesus. What it the convincing words of the person talking or was it the inward witness of the Holy Spirit?

Things are GOING to Happen when we say YES!

Acts 8:36–40 CEV

36 As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, “Look! Here is some water. Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 After they had come out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way. 40 Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.

The result of Philip’s Spirit-led obedience was immediate: conversion, baptism, and rejoicing.

The eunuch goes on his way full of joy, while Philip is supernaturally transported to another mission field.

This was a major move of God: reaching not just Samaritans (half-Jews), but a Gentile outsider. This is Acts 1:8 in action—“to the ends of the earth.”

Philip didn’t stay in one spot. The Spirit moved him on to Azotus and Caesarea, preaching the gospel wherever he went. Evangelism didn’t end—it multiplied.

Conclusion: Are You Listening to the Spirit’s Promptings?

Church, here’s the heart of this message:

God is still speaking. The Spirit is still sending. The question is—are you listening?

The world is full of seekers like that Ethiopian. People with power and influence. People with questions and pain. People reading, scrolling, wondering if there’s more.

Will you be like Philip?

Will you leave the crowd for the one?

Will you draw near to the person in the “chariot” next to you?

Will you preach Jesus when the moment opens?

We are Pentecostal not for spectacle, but for service. We are empowered not just for Sundays, but for everyday evangelism. The same Spirit who sent Philip sends us today.

Call to Action / Altar Response

If you want to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice in your everyday life—come and pray.

If you want boldness to speak like Philip—ask the Lord for it. The Holy Spirit was poured out not just for tongues and gifts, but for power to witness.

And if you’ve never responded to the gospel yourself—if you’re like that Ethiopian, reading, searching—Jesus is the One you’ve been looking for. Come to Him. Be baptized. Go on your way rejoicing.