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Introduction
This is the third message in which we have dealt with Philip and his preaching.
Unfortunately all of these messages have been separated by several weeks.
Allow me to recap where we are and what all we have discussed.
The Gospel has taken hold in Jerusalem and is now spreading through Judea and Samaria.
Philip is God’s instrument chosen to take the Gospel to a nation hated by the Jews.
He arrives in Samaria and they receive the Gospel!
They trust Christ and are baptized.
Peter and John come down from Jerusalem and through prayer and the laying on of hands, the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit.
You might think Philip’s work is done.
He has brought the Gospel to Samaria!
But God still has work for him to do.
What we are about to see is what I consider the strength of Philip.
He is always ready to preach the gospel anytime and anywhere.
Philip’s example challenges us to seize ever opportunity to preach the gospel.
However, we cannot seize what we do not recognize.
Therefore, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to recognize the opportunities He provides.
As we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He will direct us where to plant and water the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As we begin, let me share a very personal story.
There is a person connected to our church who does not know the Lord.
I have been praying for this person for a number of years.
A few months ago God provided a perfect opportunity to interact with this person and possibly share the gospel.
I have to be very honest with you, I completely blew it.
I didn’t recognize the opportunity and I missed it!
Later on it dawned on me and I was very frustrated with myself.
My failure to recognize the opportunity and act also wounded someone connected to the situation because they had every right to expect and hope that I would take advantage of this opportunity.
I share this for two reasons. 1 - I want you all to know that I am not perfect.
I am not up here sharing these things because I already have it all worked out. 2 - I want to go on public record with my failure to help motivate me to never let that happen again!
I believe that what we are looking at this morning is something all of us need to be challenged with.
With that in mind, let’s get into the Word.
We left our story with Peter and John returning to Jersualem preaching the gospel the whole way back.
Leaving them, our narrative refocuses on Philip and we find him…
2. Preaching Christ In A Chariot vv.
26-39
We are not told how long after the previous events this is.
The time frame doesn’t really matter.
What I want to focus in on is Philip’s heart.
In this portion of Scripture we get a glimpse into the heart conditions necessary to both share and receive the gospel message.
As Philip is being called to go and preach we see…
a.
The sensitivity of a heart to Christ vv.
26-29
What we are going to see in this passage is an incredible commitment to obedience.
Philip’s heart is tuned to God’s and when he is called to go, he does so without hesitation.
Philip is…
i. Sensitive to the Angel’s call vv.
26-27a
This angel is under the direction of Christ.
This is emphasized by the fact that this angel is called “an angel of the Lord”.
I have always imagined this scene with Philip asleep.
The angel wakes him up and he just goes.
That’s a Jonism, but it appeals to me.
Whatever his activity, an angel speaks to Philip giving him incredibly specific direction.
He is to get up and follow a particular road (S).
In the end of v. 26 a little factoid is thrown in there for us, “this is desert”.
Why did Luke, operating under the inspiration of the HS, feel it was necessary to reveal this little fact?
I believe it is because we need to understand that What Philip is being called to do is not a simple, easy task.
Philip can’t jump into his air conditioned SUV and drive down the hot, dry, desert road!
Also remember that he is being called away from a very successful ministry in Samaria.
What does Philip do?
When we are called by God to take action, from the moment He calls us, there are only three options (stoplight S). 1 - Say No (S).
When we tell God no, fellowship is broken, growth stops, discipline begins.
Philip could say no, but he doesn’t.
2 - Procrastinate (S).
Give God excuses about how you need to do this or that or how you have to prepare.
When we procrastinate, the opportunity is often lost.
What God wants to accomplish through us is done through someone else and we miss the blessing.
Reminds me of Esther when Mordecai tells her that God will deliver them no matter what, she can choose whether or not it will be through her.
Philip could procrastinate, tell God he needs more time to prepare, but he doesn’t.
3 -Say Yes (S).
When we say yes, it doesn’t mean the way will be easy, but there will be blessing, fellowship, and growth in Christ.
Phillip says yes. Kent Hughes writes
Humble submission to the Spirit of God is essential for joyful living and effective service.
I love the beginning of v. 27.
“So he arose and went.”
For Philip, it was just that simple.
God calls, he says yes, and he goes!
This is what a sensitive heart looks like!
This is what obedience looks like!
After being sensitive to the angel’s call we find Philip…
ii.
Sensitive to the Father’s knowledge vv.
27b-28
“Behold” is an interjection.
Its purpose is to grab our attention and make us focus.
What are we to focus on?
The incredible omniscience and sovereignty of God! Consider the knowledge of God revealed in these verses.
I came up with ten ways in which we see the omniscience of God here.
There may be more.
First, God knows the route this man would take.
He had sent Philip on that same route.
Second, God knew who this man was.
An Ethiopian eunuch with great authority.
This is an interesting word.
“Great authority” is the Greek word δυνάστης (dynastēs) meaning ruler; sovereign.
Powerful ruler.
A person who rules or commands; especially understood as having great controlling influence.
Great authority – δυνάστης (dynastēs)
This is a very important man!
You know what I have noticed about important men?
They need Jesus just like the rest of us.
God knows just how important and powerful this man is, that doesn’t change his need at all.
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