April 29, 2018 - Doing God's Good Works

04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! See if you Recognize these babies? (6 later in life famous babies along with their adult pictures). Video of a baby being baptized When you're standing at the baptismal font, as parents, holding your little one, are you envisioning what this child will become? I think most parents are only hoping and praying that they will be healthy and happy, and prayerfully will enjoy a long life here, and inherit eternal life sometime much later down the road. Although, as I watched my son-in-law become a father, some of the toys he bought early on for his first born, could lead you think he is planning for a professional baseball player or golfer. It’s a little too early to tell. 80% of all Christians in world began their life in Christ here, at the baptismal font, before they were able to speak. Even if you didn’t step into the Christian as a little one, you may not have immediately known what the LORD had in store for you. But Paul assures God our Father knows, Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. God has prepared good works for you to do, works He created for you, before you were born again. Have you ever pondered what that means in your life? Have you Ever wondered what good works God had in mind for you to do? 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! In Acts 8 chapter 8, in the life of Philip we see what it can look like to be God’s workmanship created in Christ for Good Works. Doing God’s work…begins with being His child Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) 1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Being precedes doing, always. Before you can “do” something you have be. When come to our good works as a believer in Jesus, Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. You can’t please God unless you are His child. Therefore, you can’t do His work until you are His child. The church selected Philip, one of the Seven, because he was known to be “full of the Spirit” and wise. After faith was formed in His heart, He became a candidate to do the Works of God. After becoming… Doing God’s work …requires listening for His call and discerning His will. Like Samuel did when He as just a boy. 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) 10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! If you can’t hear the voice of God calling you, you can’t follow His will. Back to Acts 8. After the death of Stephen, Acts 8:1 (ESV)1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. The Apostles’ stayed in Jerusalem, and the everyone else, including Philip were scattered. Acts 8:4-5 (ESV)4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. They left with a purpose to Go and make disciples of all nations. Persecution made urgent their swift exit from Jerusalem and with them went the Gospel. When Philip arrives in Samaria, Acts 8:6, 12 (ESV) And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did….when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Samaria is where Jesus met the woman at the well. The preparatory work Jesus began nearly 3 years prior, made the post-resurrection work of Philip successful. After Philip’s work was done in Samaria. Acts 8:26 (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. 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! Doing God’s work……demands unquestioning obedience Acts 8:27 (ESV) 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 I don’t get the impression that Philip thought “about it” first, or tossed a coin in the air to decide if he should go. Luke records, He rose and went. You’ve probably seen this bumper sticker. Here’s one you haven’t seen! 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! John Maxwell, said a number of years ago… 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! John 14:15 (ESV) 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! Philip is given nothing more than directions to go. He has no idea where his journey will take him. He walks by faith… Doing God’s work……is learning to walk by faith with God’s Spirit guiding, guarding and keeping us in His grace, mercy and love. Philip’s heart is open to going wherever God sends Him. He will do whatever work God calls him to do, to whomever God brings into his path. Faith is … 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! Acts 8:30 (ESV) 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” What do you suppose are the odds that out of the 39 books of the Old Testament, and the 66 chapters in Isaiah, that this Ethiopian is reading the ONE chapter that points HIM clearly to innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Jesus? This Ethiopian "seeker" doesn’t understand what or about whom He is reading. Yet, his seeking heart, his humble heart became an open door. Acts 8:34 (ESV) 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Evangelism at its purest, simplest, sweetest moments. Doing God’s work……is being ready at all times to share Jesus Christ. 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 04.29.2018 - Acts 8 - Philip & the Ethiopian – Doing God’s Good Works! for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, Acts 8:35 (ESV) 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Doing God’s work calls us to be ready at all times so that when God opens a door we are ready to open our mouth to tell the good news. How available are you to do God’s work? Video: 04.29.2018 message closing You don't have to go to another county or country to be available to God. You simply need to be His child, who is listening for His voice when calls you to go. Obedience that comes from your faith is demand so you will trust the Spirit to guide where you need to go, to guard you from the evil that will surely try to stop you, yet all well knowing that the LORD of cross and the empty tomb, will keep you safe in His care and give you grace sufficient for all your needs, His mercy for all times you fail, and His love that carries you through the darkest shadows and deepest valleys, holding to this promise, John 14:3 (NIV) 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. The place He has prepared for all who believe. Grant this LORD, unto us all!