The Ethiopian Eunuch

Opening Scripture

Acts 8:26–35 NKJV

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

The Title of my message that I’d like to introduce to this audience tonight: THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH

PRAYER

Intro

We are introduced to this narrative of the eunuch with the Words “Now an angel of the Lord Spoke to Philip”

Straight way in this narrative we find something so majestic, something so supernatural.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt we see God using Philip, angels are ministering to Philip.

So who is Philip, how did he get here?

Well Philip is a common Greek-Roman name.

And where Philip was from, there was a Greek Jewish and Hebraic Jewish populous.

We see in Act Chapter 6, the clash of these two parties within the Christian body. This is where we introduced ourselves to Philip.

Acts 6:1–6 NKJV

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

From what we see about Philip’s life found in the Bible is that he began as a servant!

The apostles demanded that they needed seven men, to “serve tables!

We are introduced to Philip as a servant.

And what’s so interesting, latter on in the book of Acts we see him with the Title “Evangelist”

Acts 21:8 NKJV

8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

Can I Preach it this evening about Philip!

Could it be that he was called as a servant first, and God attested to their faithfulness in little and gave him much!!!

IN OTHER WORDS: If you got the walk of Jesus the Miracles Signs and wonders will follow!

Fastforward to Acts chapter 8: after Stephen one of the seven is martyred for the Faith in Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:4–8 NKJV

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

“Many who were possessed” the Bible says were delivered of their unclean spirits.

That city where God used Philip mightily had many that were possessed with unclean spirits because it was Simon the sorcerer that had the whole town bewitched.

Acts 8:9–11 NKJV

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

Acts 8:12–13 NKJV

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Can I tell you church what we see here in scripture is a good old fashioned turf war.

The Devil against Jesus!

I’m sure Philip felt the demonic pressures entering that city!

I’m sure Philip may have even had moments thinking he was way over his head!

But I believe there was a still small voice in Philip urging him to Trust in the Lord!

I believe there was ringing in his Spirit, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!”

I believe there was a boldness in Philip founded on the Promises of Jesus!

Mark 16:17–18 NKJV

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

IM HERE TO TELL SOMEONE TODAY, ONE PERSON CAN CHANGE A CITY!!!

IM CALLING OUT A PHILIP TODAY!

YOU’VE BEEN SERVING! YOU’VE BEEN WAITING ON THOSE TABLES!

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH I IMPART MIRACLES SIGNS AND WONDERS RIGHT NOW!

BE BOLD IN YOUR FAITH!

DON’T STAND DOWN TO NO DEVIL!

HEY, THE DEVIL DOESN’T OWN YOUR DADDY!

HE DOESN’T OWN YOUR MAMA!

HE DOESN’T EVEN OWN YOUR FAMILY!

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!!

WE GOT A GOD THAT DIED FOR EVERY SOUL IN THIS WHOLE WORLD!

AND HE’S CHASING THEM DOWN RIGHT NOW!

KEEP PRAYING PHILIP!

KEEP FASTING PHILIP!

I PROPHESY THE WALLS AND BARRIERS BETWEEN OUR LOVED ONES AND GOD COME DOWN RIGHT NOW!!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Amen, this is Philip.

This is who we see being ministered to by an angel to encounter this Ethiopian Eunuch.

That God would have such a servant of His kingdom go out of his way to encounter this Ethiopian Eunuch amazes me.

This has led me to wonder who is this Ethiopian Eunuch?

1 Who is this un-named eunuch we find in the Bible?

(give a background of eunuchs in that day)

(give background of their disqualification in the Jewish realm)

(Transition to 2 by Phillip catching up to him through the Holy Spirit)

2 Expound on Isaiah in the scriptures

(But here came Phillip! The Eunuch didn’t see him as a pharisee)

(Preach Jesus; Death, Burial, and Resurrection)

(how that it led the Eunuch to say “there, here is water”)

3 We can’t preach the Eunuch without talking about Paul

(the writer of Acts [Luke] uses has been on a role with redemption story after redemption story to get us ready to hear the chief of all sinners being redeemed)

(it first started in acts 2 with God’s people, then we see shades of Hellenistic Jews in the picture till finally we are caught with a couple of those Greek Jews being used by God in a mighty way (Stephen and Phillip))

(which leads us to how that sorcer in sameria, the one that controlled that whole town with witch craft and the power of darkness… we even see that sorcer get baptized in Acts chapter 8.)

(we find ourselves at the Eunuch, then we get to Paul...)

(I can’t preach the Eunuch without preaching Paul because Paul is the culmination of a Hallmark redemption.)

(see these were all law breakers, and people who had no business ACCORDING TO OT LAW communing with God and His people. God did a work there… but Paul… Paul killed, Paul persecuted, Paul was out to destroy every part and trace of JESUS.)

(Jesus met Paul on the Road. Jesus met the Eunuch on the road. And Jesus is ready to met you on your road too)

OR 3 The Eunuch was Baptized in the only saving name

(Some would say he received the Holy Spirit, He was full of Joy)

(Talk about the Joy of being set free!)

(Preach about freedom)

(Find something in Isaiah that will reflect this moment!!!!)

Conclusion

(your not disqualified)

(You don’t have to get good to get God, you have to get God to get Good)