FOUND Acts 8:26-40

Acts 8:26–40

INTRODUCTION — LOST & FOUND

Looking for something can be stressful and frustrating.

Being lost is not only stressful and frustrating, but also terrifying.

When we don’t have a relationship with Jesus we Lost, often times looking for answers to questions we don’t fully realize we have. We’re looking for hope and meaning and purpose in our lives, and we find it in things that are good but will never fully satisfy the deepest longings that we have.

The ministry of Jesus Life, Death, and Resurrection has put into motion the greatest rescue mission that has ever taken place on the planet, and not only is God seeking you, he’s invited those who have been Found to participate in this rescue mission.

Scripture repeatedly reveals a God who searches for the lost:

The shepherd searches for the lost sheep — Luke 15:4

Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost” — Luke 19:10

Disciples are “looking for when Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel?” - Acts 1:6

Jesus says, “Not for you to know, but you will receive power…. and you will be my whitnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:7-8

Acts 8 gives us a picture of just how far God will go for one person.

The Ethiopian doesn't realize it yet, but while he is searching the Scriptures, God is searching for him.

The value of what is lost is revealed by the lengths someone will go to find it.

I. THE STORY

Acts 8:26–40 ESV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

“Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” — v. 26

A. Philip the Evangelist

Philip has been experiencing remarkable ministry in Samaria.

Crowds are listening — 8:6

Miracles are occurring — 8:7

People are being baptized — 8:12

There is “great joy” in the city — 8:8

“Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” — 8:26

Then God sends Philip away from the crowd to find one man.

God cares about crowds, but He never loses sight of the one.

A. God Uses Ordinary Obedience To Bring About Supernatural Transformation [WRITE DOWN]

God Calls:

Get up. He South “At Noon” …To the Desert/Wilderness. 60-70 Mile Desert “Road”.

Look at what Philip actually does:

He gets up. (Activity) He goes. He runs. He listens. (Intentionality) He asks. He explains.

It isn’t complicated, but it is difficult.

But God uses all of it.

God uses ordinary obedience to accomplish supernatural transformation.

Where is God calling you?

Missions?

Co-Workers?

Family?

B. The Ethiopian

The Ethiopian is:

Actually Nubian (Modern Day Sudan)

Wealthy Nation, that was so wealthy and powerful that Rome actually failed to conquer it and ended up leaving it alone.

Pagan.

Eunuch/Wealthy Treasurer-

Typically taken and castrated as young boys.

On his way back from Jerusalem because he is a “God Fearer,” He’s searching for God.

What he doesn’t realize is that God is searching for him.

He was forbidden from worshiping in the temple because he was a Gentile, and couldn’t become a full proselyte, because he couldn’t be circumcised.

He's not merely reading Isaiah.

He's reading Isaiah 53—the suffering servant.

Before Philip ever reached the chariot, the Spirit had already reached the man.

C. Finding Begins With God's Activity, Not Ours [WRITE DOWN]

Acts 8 is saturated with divine initiative:

Angel: “Go…” — v. 26

Spirit: “Go…” — v. 29

Philip: obeys.

God: transforms.

We don't save people.

We don't change hearts.

We don't manufacture spiritual moments.

Philip didn’t have the music just right on the keys, he didn’t have a magical sermon that he had prepared ahead of time. In fact he didn’t even know why he was on the road in the first place. He was just operating in daily, moment to moment obedience of the Spirit of God that told him Go.

You don’t have to be talented, you just have to be available.

D. Finding Requires Availability [WRITE DOWN]

We often want God to use us while maintaining complete control over:

Our schedule

Our comfort

Our relationships

Our reputation

Our plans

Philip demonstrates a different posture:

“Wherever You send me, I'll go.”

C. Philip Starts With a Question

“Do you understand what you're reading?” — v. 30

He doesn't immediately preach.

He listens.

The eunuch responds:

“How can I, unless someone guides me?” — v. 31

Sometimes evangelism begins simply by being curious enough to ask someone about their life.

II. IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS

Acts 8:30–35

The Ethiopian is reading Isaiah.

Scroll not a book.

No Verses.

Likely drawn to the scroll because of this.

Isaiah 56:3–5 ESV

3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 53: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter…”

Then he asks:

“Who is the prophet saying this about?” — v. 34

Philip has the perfect opening.

“Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.” — v. 35

A. The Center of Evangelism Is Jesus

Philip doesn't give him:

Self-improvement.

Religious advice.

Moralism.

Politics.

Philosophy.

He gives him Jesus.

Isaiah's suffering servant has come.

Jesus:

Took our sin.

Suffered in our place.

Died our death.

Rose victorious.

Offers forgiveness and new life.

III. FOUND, TO FIND

Found People Find People. [Write Down]

Acts 8:35

Acts 8:35 ESV

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

This is where the story becomes our story.

Philip has already been found by Jesus.

Now the Spirit sends Philip to someone else.

Salvation Was Never Meant to Stop With Us

Jesus told His disciples:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses…” — Acts 1:8

Witnesses Testify.

Acts 2 — God Pours His Spirit on Everyone

God puts His Spirit in His people and sends His people into the world.

Your Story is Meant to be Shared

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship (Poema), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We aren't just saved FROM something; we're saved FOR something.

Salvation brings us into:

A new relationship with God.

A new family in the Church.

A new Purpose and Mission in the world.

APPLICATION

Someone helped you find Jesus.

Who might the Spirit want to find through you?

V. FINDING YOUR STORY IN THE WATER

Acts 8:36–39

Acts 8:36–39 ESV

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Philip Shares the Story of Jesus.

The Ethiopian Finds His Story in Jesus’ Story.

He Is Baptized.

“As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, ‘Look, there's water. What would keep me from being baptized?’” — v. 36

This is the natural response to hearing the gospel.

What Does Baptism Mean Here?

1. Baptism Is about Responding Not Receiving.

First Philip:

“told him the good news about Jesus.”

Then the man asks about baptism.

Jesus comes before the water.

Baptism isn't disconnected religious ritual.

2. Baptism Is Public Identification With Jesus

Most Likely with his Servants.

His Baptism was an Immediate Testimony of the Gospel to those around him.

This man publicly identifies himself with the Jesus Philip has just proclaimed.

3. Baptism Marks Belonging to God's New People

This is an Ethiopian eunuch.

He represents multiple boundaries:

Geographic

Ethnic

Cultural

Physical/religious

Yet after hearing about Jesus, his question is:

“What would keep me from being baptized?”

And the narrative's answer is beautiful:

Nothing.

The gospel has reached him.

He belongs to Jesus.

This connects beautifully with Acts 2:

“For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off…” — Acts 2:39

Acts 2 promises “those far off.” Acts 8 shows us just how far God is willing to go.

No One is Too Far Gone.

Closing Challenge

There are two questions in this passage worth taking home:

1. Have you been found?

If you have trusted Jesus but have never followed Him in baptism:

“What would keep me from being baptized?”

And then:

2. Who is God asking you to find?