Go to Them

Introduction: There Is a Person Behind the Name

Think about someone who helped you come to know Jesus.

What did that person do?

Maybe they invited you into their home. Maybe they listened during a difficult season. Maybe they opened the Bible with you and patiently answered your questions.

Someone made room for you in their life.

Today, we are the people Jesus is sending into someone else’s life.

That is why our question is personal:

Am I willing to get into people’s lives?

Am I willing to learn their story, make time for their questions, and care about what they are going through?

Our Who’s Your One prayer-list gives us a practical place to begin. Someone can enter a person’s name, and we have more than thirty people praying each week.

Behind every name is someone God loves. Someone with responsibilities, hopes, fears, and questions.

As we pray, we can also ask:

“Lord, help me recognize an opportunity to move toward this person.”

Paul connects prayer with opportunities to share the gospel in Colossians 4:2–6. He asks believers to pray for an open door for the message, then encourages them to walk wisely toward outsiders and speak graciously.

Colossians 4:2–6 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Prayer prepares us to recognize opportunities and respond to them.

In Acts 8, Philip shows us what that response can look like.

[Read Acts 8:26–40.]

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.

1. Make Yourself Available

Acts 8:26–29

Earlier in Acts 8, Philip was preaching in Samaria. People were responding, and there was great joy in the city.

Then an angel directed him toward the road from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Philip did not receive the whole plan. He received a direction.

Verse 27 says:

“And he rose and went.”

His willingness put him on the road where the encounter would happen.

There he found an Ethiopian official returning from Jerusalem, reading Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to approach his chariot.

God’s direction brought Philip toward a person.

This passage describes specific divine guidance. Our circumstances may be different, but Jesus has already given us a clear commission.

In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded.

That mission belongs in the ordinary places where we live.

Supporting Scripture: John 4:4–10

John 4:4–10 ESV

4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

Jesus stopped at a well and spoke with a Samaritan woman. A moment during a journey became an opportunity for a life-changing conversation.

Later, in John 4:35, he encouraged his disciples to lift their eyes and see the fields ready for harvest.

Sometimes the first change we need is in our attention.

We pass people every day. Becoming available means slowing down enough to notice them.

Life Application

Consider the people already within reach:

The coworker who has seemed discouraged.

The neighbor you greet but barely know.

The parent you see regularly at your child’s activities.

The friend whose name you entered in the prayer app.

Choose one person and make room for a meaningful connection this week.

You could say:

“I’ve been thinking about you. Would you have time for coffee?”

Then make room in your schedule for the answer.

Application question: Where could I make room for someone this week?

Key takeaway: Availability gives relationships room to grow.

2. Get Close Enough to Listen

Acts 8:30–31

Philip ran toward the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah.

He asked:

“Do you understand what you are reading?”

The Ethiopian answered that he needed someone to guide him, then invited Philip to sit beside him.

Philip listened before he explained. His question helped him understand what the man needed.

That matters because we can make assumptions about people from a distance.

We may assume someone is uninterested in God because they never mention church. We may assume their life is going well because they appear successful.

Listening helps us discover the person behind those assumptions.

Supporting Scripture: James 1:19

James 1:19 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James instructs believers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

That is essential wisdom for conversations about faith.

People need room to express questions honestly. Sometimes they need to tell us about a painful experience before they are ready to hear what we believe.

Supporting Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8

1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Paul tells the Thessalonians that his affection for them moved him to share both the gospel and his own life.

That gives us a picture of relational ministry. We share the message within relationships marked by genuine care.

Getting into someone’s life means being willing to share some of ours, too.

Life Application

Ask a question that gives someone room to talk:

“What has this season been like for you?”

“What has your experience with faith been?”

“Is there something you would like me to pray about?”

Listen carefully. Remember what they tell you. Follow up later.

If someone mentions a difficult medical appointment, ask how it went. If they share a family concern, remember it when you pray.

Respect their boundaries and their willingness to talk. Care grows through trust.

Application question: What do I still need to understand about the person I am praying for?

Key takeaway: Listening helps us love people personally.

3. Help Them Discover Jesus

Acts 8:32–35

The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah’s description of a suffering servant.

He wanted to know whom the prophet was describing.

Verse 35 says:

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

Philip began with the man’s question and helped him understand Jesus.

That is the heart of our mission.

Jesus entered our world, gave his life for our sins, and rose from the dead. Through him, we can receive forgiveness and become reconciled to God.

We want people to know him.

Supporting Scripture: Romans 10:14–17

Romans 10:14–17 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Paul connects hearing the message about Christ with coming to faith.

Our conduct matters deeply. People also need an opportunity to hear and understand the gospel.

There comes a time to explain whom we trust and why.

Supporting Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Peter calls believers to be ready to explain their hope with gentleness and respect.

Readiness involves preparation. Gentleness shapes how we speak. Respect shapes how we treat the person, including when they disagree.

You do not have to know every answer before you begin. You can honestly say:

“That’s a good question. Let’s look at it together.”

Life Application

Prepare a brief explanation of your faith:

What have you come to understand about Jesus, and how has following him changed your life?

Keep Jesus at the center. You might talk about forgiveness, a changed purpose, or the hope that has sustained you through difficulty.

When an opportunity comes, offer a simple invitation:

“Would you be interested in reading one of the Gospels together?”

Then open Scripture and let the person ask questions.

Application question: If someone asked about my faith this week, what would I want them to understand about Jesus?

Key takeaway: Be ready to explain your hope with gentleness and respect.

4. Help Them Take a Faithful Next Step

Acts 8:36–40

As they traveled, they came to some water.

The Ethiopian asked:

“See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Luke does not record everything Philip taught. The man’s question shows that baptism had become part of his understanding of responding to Jesus.

They stopped the chariot, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

The Ethiopian then continued his journey rejoicing.

Supporting Scripture: Acts 2:37–41

Acts 2:37–41 ESV

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

At Pentecost, people who heard the gospel asked what they should do.

Peter called them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Those who received the message were baptized.

The gospel calls for a response.

Supporting Scripture: Romans 6:3–4

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Paul describes baptism as participation in Christ’s death and burial, followed by walking in newness of life.

We need to help people understand both the response and the life of discipleship that follows.

Jesus’ commission includes teaching people to obey him. Our care continues as new believers learn to follow Jesus within the church.

Life Application

Think about the next step that fits the person’s understanding and readiness.

Someone may be willing to share a prayer request. Another may be ready to study the Bible. Someone else may understand the gospel and be ready to repent and be baptized.

Ask:

“What would help you take your next step toward Jesus?”

Offer help, answer questions, and give them room to respond freely.

We are responsible for faithful witness and loving care. First Corinthians 3:6–7 reminds us that God gives the growth.

Application question: How can I help someone take their next faithful step?

Key takeaway: Help people understand and respond to Jesus, trusting God with the growth.

Putting It Into Practice: One Name, One Connection

Our prayer app can help us put this sermon into practice.

[Display the app or QR code and briefly demonstrate how to submit a name.]

This week:

Choose a name. Think of someone you want to know Jesus and add that person to the prayer list.

Pray specifically. Pray for their needs, an opportunity to connect, and courage to speak graciously.

Make a connection. Send a message, arrange a meal, or follow up on something they shared.

Pay attention. Listen for ways to care and opportunities to talk about faith.

More than thirty people are praying each week. Imagine how those prayers could shape our congregation’s attention, conversations, and relationships.

We may begin to notice people we have hurried past. We may become more willing to ask a thoughtful question. Someone may discover that they have a friend who will listen and help them understand Scripture.

Conclusion: Who Will You Move Toward?

Return to the person who helped you come to faith.

Their willingness mattered. They gave you time, shared their life, and helped you understand Jesus.

Now someone else’s name is before you.

Philip made himself available. He approached the chariot, listened to the question, explained Jesus, and helped the man respond.

Our key takeaways are simple:

Make room for people.

Listen to understand their lives.

Be ready to share Jesus.

Help them take a faithful next step.

Am I willing to get into people’s lives?

Before you leave today, choose one person and one action you will take this week.

Pray for them by name.

Then go to them.

Invitation

If you are exploring faith, we would welcome the opportunity to hear your questions and study Scripture with you.

If you believe in Jesus and are ready to repent and be baptized into Christ, we are ready to help you respond.

For those of us who follow Jesus, let’s offer him our availability.

Think of the person whose name is on your heart.

Ask God to help you love them well and recognize an opportunity to connect.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for the people who helped us come to know Jesus.

We bring before you every person on our prayer list. You know their needs, their questions, and their stories.

Help us make room for them in our lives. Teach us to listen carefully and speak with gentleness. Give us courage to explain the good news about Jesus and wisdom to help people take steps of faith.

As we pray, help us recognize opportunities to act with love.

In Jesus’ name, amen.