A Yielded Witness

Philip was a deacon who was greatly used in the early church.

We are told that the word of God increased, that many were obedient to the faith, and that the number of disciples multiplied.

What was it about Philip that made him effective? He was a yielded believer.

Philip was in a ministry that was numerically, genuinely successful.

Then, He is led of the Holy Spirit for a specific task.

There is no audience that God cannot save. - v. 26-28

Explanation: Philip acted in obedience before knowing his audience. - v. 26-27

There is no audience that God cannot save. - v. 26-28

He was called to leave his place (Abraham) of service among the multitudes of people to help ONE in need.

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- God knew who the Ethiopian was, he knew his position, the unsatisfied hunger of his heart, that he was on his way home, which chariot was his, where he was on the road, and that he was reading , knew his questions and his wondering.

God knew who the Ethiopian was, he knew his position, the unsatisfied hunger of his heart, that he was on his way home, which chariot was his, where he was on the road, and that he was reading , knew his questions and his wondering.

Position: high in his country, secretary of treasury. - v. 27

Seems to have feared God (worshipping in Jerusalem) but wasn’t a believer because of the indictment against eunuchs in .

He must have been convinced about certain truths concerning God so his desire to go to Jerusalem was understood. - v. 27-28

He went seeking truth.

Left disappointed and still searching.

He didn’t find the answers in Judaism, so now he’s searching for answers in Scripture.

Side note: In Acts we are seeing the curse at Babel revearsed in the salvation of the Ethiopian (Ham), Saul (Shem), and Cornelius (Japheth).

Illustration: Humanistic witnessing selection as a salesman might look over some one that does not appear affluent. i.e. the 90 and 9

Refuse to judge or make assumptions about your audience.

He’s too rich and set in his ways.

It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man into heaven.

He will never believe the Gospel.

She will never listen to me.

He’s a blemished individual with serious problems.

A believer does not worry himself with who his audience is.

He also does not worry about being accepted or rejected.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. - v. 29-35

Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16

King James Version Chapter 1

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Explanation:

1. Philip listened to the Spirit - v. 29

Peter may have been intimidated by the power of this man but knew he was being led by the Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit, after all, is the Lord of the Harvest. It is a great thing to be so in touch with heaven that our witness and our attempts at soul—winning are directed by the Lord.” – John Phillips

o “The Holy Spirit, after all, is the Lord of the Harvest. It is a great thing to be so in touch with heaven that our witness and our attempts at soul—winning are directed by the Lord.” – John Phillips

2. Expressed urgency in running - v. 30

Phillip is urged to run by the Spirit that knew just how far the eunuch had read in Isaiah, what part of chapter 53 he was in, and that questions were being formed in the eunuch’s mind.

3. Listened to the eunuch - v. 30-34

The eunuch did not understand the message of the passage. He was perplexed by these statements in . He knew the facts but needed someone to unlock his understanding.

Nicodemus “how can a child be born when he is old?” Philippian Jailor “What must I do to be saved?” Crowd on the day of Pentecost “What shall we do?”

These questions are clear evidence that the Holy Spirit has brought someone to the point of salvation.

4. Opened the Scriptures and preached Jesus - v. 35

He is answer to every question.

§ These questions are clear evidence that the Holy Spirit has brought someone to the point of salvation.

These questions are clear evidence that the Holy Spirit has brought someone to the point of salvation.

Illustration: GBC Keys that looked alike

Preaching Christ is the key that unlocks the understanding like the eunuch sought for.

Philip explained to the eunuch Jesus Christ from , certainly he spoke of Calvary, the resurrection, Christ’s ascension and promise, the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, the Great Commission that was given, that believers were to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… which led to the eunuch’s question.

Know the Scriptures. Preach Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit.

Some plant, some water, but salvation is of the Lord. - v. 36-38

Preach Jesus.

Salvation belongeth to the Lord.

Explanation: Philip knew that he was to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit would use the preaching of Jesus Christ to bring him to repentance and faith.

Philip must have made clear that baptism was a public confession of one who had professed faith in Christ. - v. 36

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience.

He understood God’s order. That salvation was by grace through faith and baptism was a sign of that faith.

Philip answered the eunuch’s question. - v. 37

King James Version Chapter 10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The eunuch responded in faith. - v. 37b

He had found in Jesus what he could not find in Jerusalem.

o Think of how the Holy Spirit worked. (education, reading in Bible language, position and wealth allowing him to travel and have a copy of Isaiah, interest that caused him to travel to Jerusalem, desire to worship)

Think of how the Holy Spirit worked. (education, reading in Bible language, position and wealth allowing him to travel and have a copy of Isaiah, interest that caused him to travel to Jerusalem, desire to worship)

The preaching of Jesus was the key that unlocked his understanding.

o This eunuch was now identified with Christ.

This blemished, religiously and nationally, physically flawed eunuch was now identified with Christ in baptism.

Trust the Holy Spirit.

Yield to the Holy Spirit, rely on the message of Jesus Christ, and rejoice when He brings forth the increase.

Acknowledge that there is nothing you can do anyway to prepare a heart for salvation. You are only responsible to yield to the Spirit yourself.

The Holy Spirit is working in hearts to prepare them to hear Christ from a yielded witness.

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a true believer should be ongoing. - v. 39-40

Explanation: The eunuch rejoices that he was born again of the Spirit even though Philip is absent. - v. 39a, v. 8

Joy is an assurance of who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

His decision was authentic as was the work of the Spirit in his own life.

His decision was authentic as was the work of the Spirit in his own life.

Joy is an assurance of who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

Joy is an assurance of who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

Philip didn’t have to disciple him to make sure he had been born again.

The Spirit also continued to work in Philip’s life as he continually yielded to Him. - v. 39b-40

He was taken to Azotus and then to Caesarea preaching the whole way there.

Examine your life for continual spiritual growth and leading. - v. 39-40

There is no spiritual life without the Holy Spirit.

King James Version Chapter 4

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

King James Version Chapter 6

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

There is no spiritual growth without yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Don’t mistake activity with spiritual life or growth.

Application

Are you completely yielded to Him?

We can focus on how to tell, who to tell, when to tell.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT THE GOAL.

We are called to be with Him. To be yielded to Him.

King James Version Chapter 3

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

God's plan of salvation is being shown forth in the salvation of the unlovely, unworthy outsider. / The Holy Spirit was at work in the salvation of the eunuch before Phillip ever arrived. Jesus was the key that unlocked understanding of the Scriptures in salvation.

We are called to be with Him. To be yielded to Him.

WITNESSING IS NOT A CHECKLIST

Unbeliever: Righteous, religious deeds may "lift" a little guilt for a period of time but apart from believing in the resurrected Christ there is no salvation. Some people need to be saved from religion.

Christians: There is no demographic, financial bracket, or "too far gone" sinner that cannot be reached. Share Christ with all.

It is a direct result of being with Him and yielding to His indwelling Spirit in your life.

There is no co-worker or boss that cannot be reached through a vessel yielded to the Holy Spirit.

He is shown to be the key to understanding and salvation. His salvation is for all peoples and He is to receive all glory.

Christians should be encouraged that when Phillip yielded himself to the Holy Spirit, someone that "shouldn't" have been saved was saved. When I yield myself to the Holy Spirit, He will work through me.

Non-Christians: There is no religion or sin that Jesus Christ cannot save you from. Believe in Christ today.

Christians should be encouraged that when Phillip yielded himself to the Holy Spirit, someone that "shouldn't" have been saved was saved. When I yield myself to the Holy Spirit, He will work through m

Non-Christians: There is no religion or sin that Jesus Christ cannot save you from. Believe in Christ today.

The danger is in refusing the truth that is presented in Scripture of Jesus Christ.

I cannot but speak the things which I have seen and heard.

The danger is in refusing the truth that is presented in Scripture of Jesus Christ.

Invitation: God is alive and at work in the world through His Holy Spirit.

Are you completely yielded to Him?

We can focus on how to tell, who to tell, when to tell.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT THE GOAL.

King James Version Chapter 3

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

We are called to be with Him. To be yielded to Him.

Yielded members of GBC would be preaching Christ to ALL peoples for God's glory. A work unified in the Spirit of Christ in which He would bring forth the fruit of salvation, growing His body with souls for which He died for.

Yielded members of GBC would be preaching Christ to ALL peoples for God's glory. A work unified in the Spirit of Christ in which He would bring forth the fruit of salvation, growing His body with souls for which He died for.

WITNESSING IS NOT A CHECKLIST

It is a direct result of being with Him and yielding to His indwelling Spirit in your life.

I cannot but speak the things which I have seen and heard.

He is shown to be the key to understanding and salvation. His salvation is for all peoples and He is to receive all glory. Are you trusting in Him?

He is shown to be the key to understanding and salvation. His salvation is for all peoples and He is to receive all glory.