The Surrendered Life- Part 4

Introduction- Acts 8:5-8 & Acts 8:26-40

Over the last few weeks we have considered several examples from the scripture of men and women who surrendered their lives to God.

We have considered the example of the apostles who faithfully preached the gospel in spite of much persecution and opposition.

We considered Mary the mother of Jesus and here surrender to God’s plan even though it meant that she would have to set here own plans aside.

Then last week we considered Stephen a man described on numerous occasions as being filled with the Holy Ghost—a man totally yielded to God even to the point of laying down his life for the cause of Christ.

Today we will consider another example of one who was surrendered to God—a man named Philip whom God used in a variety of ways to further the cause of Christ.

Philip demonstrates his surrender in the fact that he is willing to go anywhere and to do anything at God’s direction.

It is evident in this scriptural account of Philip’s actions that he was entirely yielded to God and willing to follow His leading even if he didn’t necessarily understand or agree with it.

Ministry Success (Vs. 5-8)

Philip was one of the men selected by the church to minister to those who had been neglected.

Acts 6:5 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”

It is important to again consider the qualifications for this selection—the Apostles instructed the congregation to appoint men of honest report (who had character and integrity as evidenced by their testimony) and who were full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.

Just like Stephen, Philip met these qualifications in the eyes of the congregation and was selected to fill this role.

We do not meet with Stephen again until we arrive here in Acts 8—this passage opens with a great persecution against the church in which Saul was involved.

This led to the scattering of believers throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria and as a result the Word of God was preached in various places across the region.

Philip specifically went down to the city of Samaria where he faithfully preached Christ to the inhabitants there.

We know that there were some believers in Samaria because of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well and the events that followed the encounter.

As Philip begins to preach Christ there, he is met with a wonderful response—the scripture describes the fact that the people “with one accord gave heed unto the things which Philip spake.

They listened intently to his preaching and responded positively to it having heard and seen the miracles which he did through God’s power.

God apparently empowered Philip to cast out unclean spirits and to heal various ailments among the people of Samaria in order to validate his message.

This portion of the passage concludes with a simple statement— “there was great joy in that city.”

This would seem to indicate that overall the people of Samaria were very receptive to Philip’s ministry among them.

There is no indication that Philip is here met with any significant opposition or persecution.

This would seem to be the ideal situation for Philip—he is preaching and people are responding and furthermore there is no persecution to hinder his ministry in Samaria to this point.

It is evident that Philip is acting in accordance with the will of God and that he is simply doing what he is convinced God has called him to do in Samaria.

There was even a notorious sorcerer named Simon who had formerly bewitched the people who was then gloriously saved through Philip’s ministry in Samaria.

Though he mistakenly sought to have the power of the apostles through purchasing it, there is no reason to doubt that his conversion was genuine.

An Unexpected Redirection (Vs. 26-27a)

At this point it seems as though everything is going right for Philip—he is enjoying great success in ministry and thus far he has not been targeted by those who were persecuting Christians.

Yet suddenly the angel of the Lord speaks to Philip and instructs him to arise and to go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza—a path which leads through the desert.

Surely Philip must have questioned why it would be that God would have him to leave a place where he had experienced so much success in ministry.

Surely he must have wondered by God would send him to a desert place such as this.

I know that I would likely have tried to convince God why I should simply stay in Samaria and continue the ministry there rather than go to some unknown place without any knowledge of what might be awaiting me there.

What makes this all the more difficult is the fact that the angel does not give Philip any indication at all as to why it is that God would have him to move in this direction.

How difficult it must have been for Philip to leave a place where he was seeing such great response to go into a desert place where he could not even be sure that there were any people to whom he might minister.

Yet the scripture does not give any indication that Philip hesitated at all—he is told to arise and go and the scripture says simply that he arose and went.

This is a true demonstration of what it means to be surrendered to God!

Philip may not have understood why it was that God was directing him in this manner and he may have had more questions than answers regarding this sudden change of plans—but in spite of all this he arose and went being sure that it was what God had directed him to do.

If you or I surrender to God there will most certainly be moments when we are sure what God has said and yet we can’t seem to make sense of his leading.

It is in these moments that our surrender will be tested and we must yield to God even though we may not understand what He is doing or why He is leading us in a particular direction.

Those who will truly surrendered to God must understand that God often leads us in unexpected directions and that His plan is not always fully revealed to us beforehand.

Part of surrendering to God is trusting that His way is always best and being willing to step out in faith to follow Him even when we aren’t sure what He is doing.

Philip could not possible have known what awaited him on this desert pathway from Jerusalem to Gaza—and yet he arose and went because he was sure that this was where God was leading him.

You and I ought to do the same—once we are convinced of the direction we have received from God we should immediately act upon it without reservation.

The Outcome (27b-40)

As Philip journeyed according the the direction that he had received from the Lord “behold” he came across a man of Ethiopia—one who had great authority under the queen of the Ethiopians and who had come to Jerusalem for the purpose of worship.

Who would have guessed that in this barren desert there would be a man much less one of such a character as to have a desire to worship God.

This man was sitting in his chariot and quietly reading the book of Isaiah—chapter 53 it turns out—a prophetic passage which describes the coming Messiah.

As Philip saw the man the Spirit of the Lord spoke to him—once again giving direction to him saying— “go near and join thyself to his chariot.”

Again thoughts may have run through Philip’s mind—thoughts like: “Who is this man?” “What if the man wants nothing to do with me?” “What will I say to him when I draw near to him?” and maybe others too.

Yet once again Philip demonstrates that he is genuinely surrendered to the Lord—he immediately ran to the man and as he approached he heard him reading Isaiah’s prophecy.

Philip boldly begins to question the man as to his understanding of the passage he was reading.

Surprisingly the man answers that he desires to understand but that he is presently longing for someone who could guide him as to the meaning of the passage.

He then invites Philip to draw nearer in the hope that he may be able to offer some explanation of the passage.

The primary question which troubles the man is who the prophet is speaking of—in this moment Philip senses his opportunity and begins at the same passage and preaches to the man Jesus.

As they continued on their journey the eunuch expresses a desire to be baptized and Philip gladly complies once he is sure that the man has believed on Christ.

Then suddenly the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip and the eunuch of Ethiopia continued his journey rejoicing in his newfound faith.

Philip is next seen at Azotus where he continued to follow God’s leading preaching in each city along his journey to Caesarea.

Philip could not have known what would befall him along this desert highway—but God knew all along that there was a man there desperately longing for someone to explain the scriptures to him.

That is the point of surrendering to God—God knows much that we do not—we see only that which is in front of us while God sees all things.

God knows precisely where there may be men and women that we can minister to and if we will be sensitive to His leading, He will direct us to them.

God wants to use each of us to affect the lives of other.

It may be that God would lead us to someone who is lost and hopeless who needs someone to share the truth of the gospel of Christ with them.

It may be that He would lead us to someone who is discouraged and in despair that we might have the opportunity to encourage and uplift them with the Word of God.

It may be that He would lead us to someone struggling in sin that we might show them how that Christ can give them victory over it.

If we will surrender to God, we can be sure that He will lead us to some unexpected places and into unusual circumstances that we may minister to those who are in need.

You may not understand why God is leading you in a particular direction and it may not make sense to you at all—but if it is God who is leading you—you can be sure that He has a plan and a purpose for you there.

Too many people live their lives according to their own wisdom and never consider the fact that God may lead them in a direction that they never would have chosen for themselves.

If you and I will surrender ourselves to God—we will have the wonderful opportunity to be a part of His working in this world!

Conclusion

The question today which I pose to you is simple— “Are you genuinely surrendered to the Lord?”

Are you acting according to your own wisdom or according to His leading?

Could it be that there are men and women in various places who are just like the Ethiopian man—longing for someone to share the truth with them—waiting for someone to come and tell them of Christ?

Do you want to be a part of God’s work in this world or are you content to be a spectator—a bystander consumed with themselves who will never really impact others for Christ?

If you have never believed on Christ—let me encourage you today to surrender first to Him as Savior and then to take the next step to surrender to Him as Lord and Master.

How will you respond to the invitation to surrender your life to Christ today?