Never Settle

Bottom line

What if God’s will for your life is to simply obey him one step at a time?

Opening Line

We’re going to have some fun this morning, and will require a little crowd participation.

Introduction

To start off, where are my planners? Where are my people who need to have every detail laid out, even when you go on holidays? You can’t even relax if you don’t know what each day has in store?

Where are my go with the flow people? You just take each day at a time, whatever may come will come. When you are on holidays, you would be just as happy to sit down and put your feet up as you would be to be busy?

How many of my planners are married to go with flow people? That can either be a very blissful marriage or a stressful one.

Main Point

Regardless if you are a planner or not, this morning’s message is for you. This morning you are going to be reminded that God has great and amazing plans, and his will for your life is bigger than you and I could ever comprehend.

Why it matters

This is important for each of us to remember, especially when life feels out of control. Jer 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

We’ve been talking about memorizing scripture lately, and this is a good verse for you to memorize. God has good things in store for you, and even though you may not know all the details, you can rest assure that God is good and be trusted with the details. It is important reminder because when life seems the most chaotic, the only thing you really need to concern yourself with is to obediently take the next step. When it feels like you can only manage one step at a time, that is good news!

Scripture

Acts 8:1–4 NLT

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

Phase 3 of Jesus’ plan

In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascended, what did he tell the apostles that they would receive power to do?

Acts 1:8 NLT

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

So up to this point, they have obediently done the first two. It started on Pentecost with Peter and the followers preaching in tongues to those in Jerusalem. It continued in Jerusalem and even started to draw in people from around Judea to be healed by Peter’s shadow. The church has been growing rapidly within the city.

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How many people know that when things start to go well, it is easy to settle? We see this back in Genesis 11 with the story of Babel. God told humanity to fill the earth. Instead, they stayed in one place and started to build an impressive tower as a monument to what they can accomplish together. So God comes down and confused their languages and they are forced to spread out. It looks like punishment, but this is God’s discipline so that they can begin to obey God’s plan for them.

The same thing is happening here. The church is growing, and it easy to become complacent, but this isn’t God’s plan. So God allows persecution to come, and it results in the early church moving into a place of obedience. Now starts phase three of the plan, with the believers spreading out and taking the gospel with them.

With the believers spreading out, we are now introduced to Philip.

Acts 8:5–7 NLT

Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.

Philip in Samaria

Now phase 3 of Jesus’ plan for the church is a very big deal. Jerusalem and Judea are easy to share the message of Jesus with because these are their people. These are fellow Jews. But the Samaritans were considered enemies of the Jews. Though in many ways, they believed the same things as the Jews, there were some minor differences, more importantly during times of exile, it was the Samaritans who were allowed to stay. This created a generational rift between the two groups.

(unpack more if there is time)

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The big thing is that Philip has arrived in Samaria and does what the believers are called to do. He is preaching the gospel and signs and wonders are accompanying him.

Mark 16:17–18 NLT

These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Philip is right in alignment with that. But the key point I want you to note is the end of the description. The city was filled with joy. That is key as we move on.

Acts 8:9–13 NLT

A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

Philip vs. Simon

We are introduced to Simon the Sorcerer. Now one of the things we don’t actually about Simon is what he actually was. Was he actually a conduit for the demonic, able to curse people and call upon the spirits? Or, more likely, was he simply just a magician with a catchy stage name?

Regardless, Luke uses Simon as a means of context. Simon had already created an atmosphere where people were used to seeing signs and hearing great speaking. The difference is that when Philip starts preaching in the name of Jesus, joy results. Simon may have wowed people with his act, but Philip, by the power of God, is actually bringing life change, and joy is resulting throughout the city.

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As a result, people are getting baptized and starting to follow Philip instead of Simon. Luke even records that Simon himself is baptized. This should be a moment of celebrating and victory for the kingdom. Simon, who was more prone to bringing people to himself, is now following Jesus. But notice what he is doing. He watching Philip and is amazed by his signs and wonders. He hasn’t actually had a heart change; he is just captivated by the show. This is going to become evident as we continue in the story.

Acts 8:14–17 NLT

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

The apostles arrive

The church leadership in Jerusalem have heard what is happening in Samaria, so they send the big guns to the city to see what is happening. Why? Well remember, Samaria was considered the enemy. How could the Gospel be at work in such a place? So Peter and John are sent to make sure what is happening is legitimate.

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But when they arrive, they start laying hands on people so they can receive the Holy Spirit. This is significant. By doing this, Peter and John are acknowledging that the Samaritan church is in fact in alignment and part of the Jerusalem church, a major step towards tearing the generations of cultural rift.

It is also significant because it is a reminder that not everyone possess all the same gifts. Philip is clearly an evangelist, able to share the gospel with a large number of people. He also baptizes, as that is part of the mission for everyone. But he may not have possessed the gift of laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit. He may have asked Peter and John to come, recognizing that he didn’t have the gift to do so, but knowing that the filling of the Holy Spirit was vital if these believers were going to endure. Even the early church understood that everyone has their unique gifting, and everyone needs to use those gifts if the church is going to continue to grow.

Cue Simon...

Acts 8:18–24 NLT

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

Simon hasn’t changed

Simon sees the apostles laying their hands on people, and seeing them filled with the Holy Spirit. Clearly, something is happening to each of them that marks that something significant has happened in their life, and Simon wants a piece of the action.

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This is one of the points that suggest that SImon was nothing more than a magician. He’s been watching the believers do amazing things, and he has been impressed by the show. Now he sees a ‘trick’ that he wants to add to the arsenal and pulls out the pocket book. This is what magicians do, and still do today. They will go to other magicians and buy tricks off each other to further their show.

Peter rebukes Simon for the hardness of his heart. How dare you reduce the power of the Holy Spirit to nothing more than parlour tricks! Peter is calling out the selfishness, the jealousy that the believers can do something he can’t. He isn’t a believer, he is a charlatan, something he has always been.

How does Simon respond? Please pray that the things you said won’t actually happen! He doesn’t repent, he doesn’t ask for forgiveness, he is simply trying to avoid the consequences of his stupidity. It is a good reminder that even though someone may have gone through the actions and checks the boxes, they aren’t necessarily saved. Not until the Holy Spirit actually changes the heart.

Acts 8:26–31 NLT

As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 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, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

Philip leaves Samaria

Now hold the phone. Philip leaves Samaria? Why? He has a largley successful ministry happening. The city is being transformed by the message. They just scored a massive victory for the kingdom by uncovering Simon’s deception before he can get into the church and cause problems. Why in the world would Philip leave now?

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Because there’s always more happening in God’s plan than you and I may recognize or be able to comprehend. This is one of the traps a church can fall into, and something that I myself have to watch. When things start going good in ministry, church, or even life in general, it is easy to stop asking God what the next step is. It is easy to settle where you are because things are going good. It is what happened in Babel, it is where the chapter started, and what you seeing is Philip not allowing it to happen to him. He is simply walking in obedience to God, one step at a time.

In this case, a lot of steps. Look at how far the angel has asked him to travel.

I’ll try to zoom in here. So here is Samaria, where Philip is. The angel tells him to head to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Jerusalem is here, and Gaza is here. He had to walk 20 km to get to Jerusalem so that he could start walking the road.

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Couple of points of significance with this eunuch. First, Jews didn’t look favorably on eunuchs. According to Old Testament law, they were not permitted to serve in the temple. They could not pertpetuate the family line and so were seen as less than.

The other significance is the Ethiopian connection. In 1 Kings 10, the queen of Sheba comes to meet King Solomon and listen to his wisdom. When she leaves, she takes many things with her, and we think she probably took the teachings about God with her. Sheba is believed to be Ethiopia. The Jewish faith is so strong in the country that the treasurer for the queen has come to worship in the temple at Jerusalem.

So here is the scene. Philip is walking down the road towards Gaza. The angel just told him to walk on the road. As he is walking, the Holy Spirit tells him to walk beside the carriage. The Ethiopian is having trouble with the text, so Philip jumps in to help him out.

Acts 8:32–40 NLT

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. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 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. 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.

It is all about Jesus

The passage he is reading is Isaiah 53:7-8, and as New Testament believers, we know it is all about Jesus. Philip knows it is all about Jesus, and proceeds to tell the eunuch accordingly.

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The eunuch is so convicted that he sees some water and wants to be baptized now. This is a trend in Acts you will see again and again. Unlike today, people don’t waste time. They believe and are baptized right away. If you are here and have never been baptized, I encourage you to stop delaying. On September 27, we will be having another baptism service as part of our month of kickoff, and I really encourage you to take advantage if you haven’t yet.

The eunuch is baptized and filled with joy as he continues on his journey, and Philip pops up in Azotus, some 20 km away. From there, he continues up the coast until Caesarea, where we will cross paths with him again later.

Transition to Application

Philip’s life was an adventure to say the least. The exciting thing is that Philip’s life isn’t supposed to be the exception.

Main To Do

As believer’s, we are called to walk in step with God’s will for our life. I believe at times, you are waiting for the whole will of God to be revealed. But what if God’s will for your life is to obey him one step at a time?

Why it matters

Watch this. Philip actually started as one of the seven who were commissioned to take care of the widows. Philip was prayed for right alongside Stephen. Stephen started serving widows, and eventually gave his life for the kingdom, standing before the council and putting on a clinic in Old Testament understanding.

Philip starts serving the widows, and becomes the evangelist of Samaria, the apologist to Ethiopia.

It doesn’t matter where you start. It matters what you do next. Often people get in a rush to get to the next thing, while God is still orchestrating the pieces for the next thing to come together. Or you get comfortable where you are and wait too long to take the next step.

The key is remaining devoted to prayer in every season, and being obedient to move when the time comes. To my planners, you don’t always get to know what the plan is, but you can know the one who makes the plan and know that he is good. To my go with the flow people, just make sure that when God tells you it is time to move, you are ready to move.

Closing Line

God’s will for your life is to be obedient with the next step. There may be times when he shows you more, and that is exciting. But in the mean time, be obedient, one step at a time.

Discussion Questions

What stood out from the message?

How can we actively seek God's will in our daily lives, ensuring we are obedient one step at a time?

What does it mean to trust God with the details of our lives, especially during chaotic times?

In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to take the next step in obedience to God?

How can you develop a routine or practice that helps you discern God's guidance daily?

How can you find peace in knowing that God's plans for your life are good, even if you don't see the whole picture?

Why is it important to be open to God's leading, especially when it means stepping out of your comfort zone?

How can you encourage your peers to trust God and be obedient to His direction in their lives?

Can you share a time when taking a step in obedience led to unexpected blessings or lessons in your life?