Sharing where the Lord Leads...
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Introduction
Introduction
Here we are already a month into the new year, and life is going forward day after day. What did you do during the first month of the year. What difference did you make for Christ.
Recently, we looked the role of husbands and wives, men and women as they live with each other and in front of God.
And last week we looked at Christ being the
And last week we considered the truth that Christ is the only true foundation for the home. And that foundation enables us to stand and have success.
But even beyond that, having Christ in our hearts, as our foundation empowers us to be able to go and do as the Lord leads us in this life.
Where is the Lord leading ? Where is the Lord leading you? For all of you here today, there are certain places the Lord is leading you and your family as a whole. Vocations, callings and so forth...
But day to day, where is the Lord leading? Where is the Lord drawing you to and who is the Lord drawing you too.
I am convinced that each day, if we are open and will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, He leads us to those around us, those whom the Lord would have us love on, share with and yes, most certainly care about...
This morning I want to take you to a NT picture where the Lord is leading a person in a certain direction for His glory.
So if you have your Bibles, lets go to , verses 26-40
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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
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. 6 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. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
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.
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.
Now as the early church is growing, as the Apostles and others are faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God, we see great things happening… but there is also persecution......they are facing intense persecution.
Stephen has been stoned and Saul is out for many of those of “The Way” But that didn’t stop those faithful evangelists… they pressed on… in the face of hardships?
Why? Some will say because the Lord commanded it.... and also because it could mean heaven or hell for that person. Eternal destinations could be held upon what we do or don’t do....
The Lord Directs
So lets consider this thought today...
1. The Lord Directs His People....
1. The Lord Directs His People....
Friends, I am convinced that the Lord can and will direct our steps if we are willing....
Now not every person believes that, not even every person who claims to be Christian believes that is possible, and that is ok, people have the right to believe or not believe...
Now
But I have seen it and I have experienced it personally in my life.... I have seen it in the lives of other people as well. The Lord leads or sends a person to do something particular, His mission, His will and it is always for His glory.
And it is one of the very things that we see in the Bible itself, and there is the proof in Scripture.
And when we look back at our text we can recognize this truth.
And when we look back at our text we can recognize this truth.
Lets go back.... Look at verse 26
But I have seen it and I have experienced it personally in my life.... And it is one of the very things that we even see in the Bible itself and when we look back out text we can recognize this truth.
and when we look back out text we can recognize this truth.
Look at verse 26
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.
Do you see what is being said here, the angel of the Lord. The Lord’s own messenger. an angel. We are just not told who this angel is, and that is ok. The most important truth is the Lord sent the angel to Phillip.
Now the angel comes to the place where Phillip was and speaks to Him. Phillip rise up and go south to the road .....
That is a definite direction, it is not a general statement it is very purposeful and direct....
Go south until you find the road, the one road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza..
Now we know from history, there was just such a road, a road across Mount Hebron, where Phillip could travel down toward the land of Gaza, whereby Phillip would not have to travel all the way to Jerusalem to begin.
Now Gaza is not the destination, it is toward Gaza, Gaza is a city which is the southern most city of Palestine, and at the tail end of verse 26, the Bible tells us that Phillip was supposed to head in that direction, but the true destination was a desert place.
See what is happening here, Phillip has been at work, great things have been happening, but now the Lord is directing him, telling him you need to be here… the desert toward Gaza…
The Lord is leading him but even more truly He is sending him for a very special purpose…
Phillip is on mission for the Lord.
Now this reminds me, the Lord desires the same for us. He desires to use us for His mission and for His purpose… He desires to lead us, to send us to the people He has placed before us...
We can be, we should be like Isaiah, a person who confesses, Here I am, Lord…Send me!
Let me ask you a question, have you ever felt the Lord speak to you, it may have not been a audible word, but you know in your heart He was telling you.. go see this person, go speak to that person…
If you did, were you obedient?
The Lord will direct His people.
Now this leads us to a second thought...
2. We Should Go Where the Lord leads....
2. We Should Go Where the Lord leads....
My friends, the best response to the Lord’s leading is obedience.
My friends, the best response
Honestly, we are not always obedient, and sadly we miss the greatest blessings of the Lord when we chose to not follow His direction, and sadly those whom the Lord is leading us to will miss that blessing as well because we were not obedient.
Lets go back to our text...
Verses 26-31
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.
Now from verse 27, we know that Phillip is obedient to the Lord’s leading; He rose and went..
Phillip did as the Lord told him, he started on that journey and this is what he finds.
Now verse 27 tells us that there is another person on this same road, an important person, one whom the Lord has prepared as well for that moment. An official, a eunuch who is a treasurer from Ethiopia, and he served his Queen, Candace. So he is a part of her court, her royal circle. He is an important person and he has freedom to travel across the world.
And right now he is on his way back from Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that he has been to Jerusalem to worship. So we can call him a God-fearer… He is spiritually close to the kingdom of Heaven, he only needs to hear the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Now we know why the Lord is sending these two men together on this particular day… That the kingdom of God might come to the heart of this man. A eunuch from Ethiopia, Candace own treasurer.
If Phillip had been disobedient, then this important meeting wouldn’t have taken place… and much would have been lost, physically and spiritually.
Do you see with me just how important it is to follow where the Lord leads… disobedience might cause to miss some of the greatest intersections of life...
I would have missed a great deal if someone had not been obedient, if there was no one to meet at that all important intersection in life.
Again here is a question...
Have you failed to rise up and follow where the Lord leads....
Our choices about life has eternal consequences my friends....
Now, just one last thought my friends....
Are you ready?
When we are obedient, we have the joy of :
3. Enjoying the Blessings of God’s Goodness....
3. Enjoying the Blessings of God’s Goodness....
Phillip finds himself traveling toward Gaza, but not reaching it. and then suddenly we find why the Lord has called him to travel this way.
There is one divine meeting the Lord has prepared Phillip for..... and another as well… this one man we simply know as a Ethiopian Eunuch.
Let go back to our text....
Verse 29-31
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.
Do you see the clear direction…
The Holy Spirit said to Phillip, go run and catch up with that Chariot....
Now listen, there are times everyday where the Lord says to us… reach out to that person or this person.... and when He does, will you do it? Or will you allow that all important opportunity to pass.
Now this might have been awkward, this might have been a little stressful, but nonetheless, Phillip ran and ran alongside of the Chariot of this important man...
Here is where it is even more interesting… When Phillip ran over, he heard the official reading from the book of Isaiah.... He is reading one of the OT …
Do you want to know what is happening?
I will tell you what’s happening....
The Lord has prepared this person’s heart for this day. He has prepared Him for the meeting with Phillip and likewise He has prepared Phillip for this day.
Now back to our passage....
Phillip runs alongside and joins the carriage as the Lord has instructed him, and as he does so, he can hear this Ethiopian official reading from Isaiah the prophet. And Phillip speaks up,: “ Hey, do you understand what you are reading? “
And listen to the Official’s reply.....verse 31
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
And there you go.... How can I, unless someone guides me… literally unless someone teaches me.
That word guide is special, it reminds us of the truth of the work of the holy Spirit..
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The Holy Spirit is the one who is called alongside of you and He will guide you, teach you and prepare you for each day… listen to him. When you hear the Holy Spirit direct you, lead you , then you should be obedient…
Now the Scriptures tell us what the Ethiopian was reading...
Verses 32-33
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.”
The Official was reading about Jesus… in particular the Holy Spirit has lead him to read about Jesus as the suffering servant, the lamb who would be slain for the sins of the world.
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.
And without a doubt, Phillip was pleased when He understood how the Lord was at work in this man’s life.
Understand the Lord is always at work in the lives of those around us and YES in us as well. Trust Him when he leads you here or there. He has your back!
Now lets finish this....
verses 34-40
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.
Now my friends, the Eunuch Official asked Phillip who am I reading about and Phillip takes this and begins to tell him about Jesus. Wow!
The word good news is the Greek word evangelion, and it it is truly the good news, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and the eunuch believes!..
So the heart of this Eunuch is changed and then he is baptized… not to complete his salvation, but in obedience to having followed Jesus…
The kingdom of heaven has just grown by one...
Phillip had the joy of sharing the good news and the officials life is changes and guess what… He goes away rejoicing...
And you know what will happen.... he will carry the message into Ethiopia… and more lives will be changed there in the days to come....
Now, none of this would be possible if the Phillip had not followed where the Lord had lead him.
The Lord is pushing us daily to share, invite and pull people to come and believe the blessing of His message.
How is the Lord directing you to speak too?
How is the Lord leading you too?
Now as for Phillip, the Lord carries him away…
It is our job to communicate the good news daily to those who the Lord places in our pathway.
Let us pray!
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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
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. 6 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. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
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 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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
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. 6 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. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
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.