They Walked With God: Ethiopian Eunuch

Text: Acts 8:26-39

Theme: No obstacle can place a person beyond the saving call of the Good News. God the Spirit brings all the essential elements together to bring a man to Christ.

Date: 07/09/2017 File Name: TheyWalkedWithGodEunuch.wpd ID Number:

The Royal Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Kush walked with God. You know him better as the Ethiopian Eunuch. It’s something he thought he’d never get to do.

His story is part of the larger story of the gospel going to the ends of the earth. Prior to his ascension, Jesus instructed his disciples to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Before the events recorded in chapter 8, the disciples had been successful as witnesses in Jerusalem, but they had not ventured far from the city. The situation changed, however, with the martyrdom of Steven. His execution sparked a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem that was led by none other than Saul of Tarsus. It forced many believers to abandon their homes in Jerusalem, and scatter to other parts of Israel — principally Judea and Samaria. Wherever they went they shared the good news of Jesus. Our text for this morning reveals that God was going to use a believer named Philip to get the gospel to “the end of the earth.” The providential will of God is going to put Philip on a collision course with a black man from Africa who needed to hear the good new of Jesus.

I. THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH ... A PUZZLED READER

1. let me give you the back-story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

A. THE EUNUCH’S CIRCUMSTANCES

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, [KAN duh see] queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,” (Acts 8:26–27, NIV84)

1. it has been perhaps a year since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus

a. the Church has experienced phenomenal growth

1) on the day of Pentecost, three thousand Jewish pilgrims are saved, most of whom are from other nations

a) they head home and the story of Christ begins to spread

2) in Acts, chapter four, we read that, with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus

a) thousands are being saved — even Jewish Priests and Pharisees are coming to the faith

3) at the same time the Jewish religious authorities are doing their best to keep a lid on the great awakening that has broken loose in Jerusalem

a) the Church is persecuted, believers scatter which only widens the territory of Gospel proclamation

b) the other major character in our story — Philip — goes to Samaria where the Holy Spirit opens a door of ministry and evangelism to him

b. into this spiritual milieu arrives an entourage from the Ethiopia

1) at the head of that entourage is the main character of our story — the “Ethiopian Eunuch”

2. The Eunuch Is the Treasurer from the Royal Court of Kush

a. Ethiopia in the time of Jesus is not the East African country known as Ethiopia today, but included most of what are now the African countries of Sudan, Eritrea, and the part of Ethiopia known as the Ethiopian highlands

1) in the Old Testament it is known as the Land of Kush

2) Meroe was its capitol

ILLUS. It was a wealthy metropolis situated on the Nile River, and located at the crossroads of major trade routes. The city flourished for a thousand years. It is referenced in the Book of Genesis (10:6) as Aethiopia, a name applied to the region south of Egypt in antiquity meaning "place of the burnt-faces."

b. this man was a powerful official that represented a kingdom rich in iron ore, gold, and silver

1) the kingdom was a conduit for these metals and many other commodities from the rest of the African continent

c. for 1,000 years his people have traded with the Israelites — ever since the Queen of Sheba established relations with King Solomon

1) they exported to Israel their gold and silver, ivory and fine fabrics

2) they imported the Hebrew faith in Jehovah God

ILLUS. Judaism has a long, rich history in Ethiopia. Today we know them as Bēta Israel, also known as Ethiopian Jews. They are a Jewish community, that developed and lived for centuries in the area of the Kingdom of Aksum and the Kush Empire. Because of the distance — 1,500 miles — and the rough geography, they became isolated from mainstream Judaism. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that Ethiopian Jews made contact with Jews outside their community, and they were astonished to discover so many fellow Jews in the world, and that Israel still existed.

d. the eunuch would have be well-educated, well-placed, well-off

1) he is “ ... an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace [KAN duh see], queen of the Ethiopians. ... ,” (Acts 8:27, NIV84)

3. The Eunuch Is a God-fearer

a. vs. 27 also tells us, “ ... This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship.”

1) the Treasurer of the Kingdom of Kush may have been either a proselyte or a God-fearer

a) a proselyte was a person who had fully come into the Jewish faith, obeying all the laws of the Torah, and being circumcised

b) a God-fearer was a person who sympathized with Judaism observing certain Jewish religious rites and traditions without becoming full a convert to Judaism

b. whichever he is he has come to Jerusalem to worship

1) but his worship would be limited which leads to our last characterization of the man

4. The Eunuch Is a Eunuch

a. the Treasurer of the Kingdom of Kush had been castrated, probably before puberty

1) as a result his voice would have remained high and thin

2) he would have had no facial hair

3) it seems cruel to us, but was a common occurrence in some ancient cultures

4) these were men who would never marry, and never have children and could devote their entire lives to service of the royal family

5) they often rose to high government positions, and became wealthy

b. Jewish law allowed foreigners to convert to Judaism, but, because the Ethiopian was a eunuch, he could not fully participate in the temple worship

“No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 23:1, NIV84)

c. but he has hope ... the Old Testament predicted the day when foreigners and eunuchs would no longer be excluded from the fellowship of God’s people

“Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.” And let not any eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” 4 For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”” (Isaiah 56:3–7, NIV84)

5. that time has come because of Christ’s atoning death of the cross and his resurrection from the dead

B. THE EUNUCH’S CONFUSION

1. the Treasurer of the Kingdom of Kush is on his way home

a. he has with him a “souvenir” so-to-speak of his visit to Jerusalem — a copy of the scroll of Isaiah — and passes his travel time reading it

b. the bible tells us that he is reading from the fifty-third chapter of the Prophet Isaiah — specifically he is reading Isaiah 53:7-8

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.” (Isaiah 53:7–8, NIV84)

2. unfortunately, this highly educated, sophisticated man does not understand the scope and breadth of this passage that is part of the most magnificent chapter in the Old Testament

a. as he will discover, the passage is all about a man named Jesus

3. it’s at this point we have to introduce Philip

a. Philip first comes to our attention in the Book of Acts, chapter six

1) he is one of the seven men chosen by the Church to meet the growing congregation’s ministry needs

b. when the Church is persecuted by the Jewish religious authorities Philip is part of those who scatter to other parts of Israel

c. in Acts, chapter eight we find the Philip has gone to Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there (Acts 8:5)

1) revival breaks out so there was great joy in the city (Acts 8:8)

4. in the midst of this great awakening in Samaria, an angel of the Lord appears to Philip with an announcement ...

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”” (Acts 8:26, NIV84)

a. there is no explanation, no instructions beyond simply head for the wilderness road that leads to Gaza

b. this was the less-traveled route from Jerusalem to Gaza and once he’s on it, it probably doesn’t take Philip long to realize that this is a God-ordained, Spirit-led providential moment because as he approaches what is obviously a royal retinue he overhears someone reading from the book of Isaiah

“The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.” (Acts 8:29–30, NIV84)

c. and of course he doesn’t, but he’s about to have his eyes opened

5. we must never assume that a lost person will always understand the Bible

ILLUS. When I first began attending church with Linda, I went out and bought a Bible and began reading it. I enjoyed it, but like the eunuch of our story, I didn’t always understand it. Only when Bruce Rice, the church’s worship leader, shared with me the simple plan of salvation called “The Roman Road” did I begin to put it all together.

C. THE EUNUCH’S CLARIFICATION

“How can I, [understand]” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:31, NIV84)

“The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:34–35, NIV84)

1. the eunuch is reading a part of Isaiah’s prophecy that confuses him

ILLUS. It’s a passage that still confuses Jewish people. They believe that the Suffering Servant of the chapter is actually the nation of Israel. Philip reveals it as a Messianic prophecy that points to Jesus.

a. the eunuch’s spiritual eyes have not been opened

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV84)

b. this is one of the reasons God has gifted his Church with pastors and teachers

c. there is no greater gospel text in the Jewish Scriptures than this man could have been reading

1) it gives Philip a great opening

2. Philip takes this Old Testament text in Isaiah, and makes a bee-line for Jesus

a. he knows that God has placed him here at this moment to lead the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ

b. the last phrase in vs. 35 says told him the good news about Jesus, but literally it translates that Philip gospeled Jesus to him ... I just love that

3. the passage Philip clarifies for the Eunuch is taken from the fifty-third chapter of the Book of Isaiah

a. the Church has referred to it as The Gospel of Isaiah because it is virtually impossible to read it, and not see the redemptive work of Christ in it

4. the text tells of the Messiah silent before his shearers

a. Jesus is abused by the Sanhedrin ... yet he remains silent

b. Jesus is ridiculed by Herod Antipas ... yet he remains silent

c. Jesus is scourged by Pilate ... yet he remains silent

d. Jesus is mocked by Roman soldiers ... yet he remains silent

e. all his dignity is stripped away, yet he is silent as a sheep before its shearers

1) twelve legions of angels, swords drawn, spears shining are standing on Heaven’s battlements waiting to burst upon a planet that is on the cusps of crucifying the Son of Glory

2) one word from Jesus is all they need and they’re ready to stomp flat the hills of Judea and turn the waters of the Jordan red with blood

3) but that word never comes

5. the text tells of his condemnation and his death

a. as the Eunuch reads the text, he wonders why would this man’s own people deprive him of justice, the posterity of children, and ultimately his life?

D. THE EUNUCH’S CONVERSION

1. obviously Philip made the gospel clear to the eunuch, and his faith in Christ called for public confession of the Christ and baptism

2. the Ethiopian had found in Jesus what he had not found in Jerusalem

a. all his life had been a preparation for this moment

1) his education enabled him to read

2) his scholarship enabled him to read the language of the bible

3) his high position made it possible for him to travel to Jerusalem

4) his wealth made it possible for him to buy an Isaiah scroll

5) his disappointment in being excluded from the Temple brought a hunger to his heart

b. in God’s providential work to bring redemption to a sinner’s life, nothing is wasted

3. for the treasurer from the Kingdom of Kush Isaiah 56:3-5 is now a reality

a. that day the prophecy was fulfilled in his life

“For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.” (Isaiah 56:3–5, NIV84)

II. THE LESSONS OF ETHIOPIAN ... A PUZZLED READER

A. IMPORTANT PEOPLE NEED JESUS

1. God calls us to gospel Jesus to all people

ILLUS. In 1969 Chuck Colson, a former marine, and now a lawyer, become one of the most powerful men in America. President Nixon had appointed Colson to be his special counsel. It was the ultimate political prize. At thirty-eight years old this brilliant young lawyer had the ear of the President of the United States of America. Colson quickly became the President’s go-to guy. He soon gained a reputation of getting things done, no matter what the cost. One word described Chuck Colson in those days ... ruthless. His opponents called him the “evil genius” of the Nixon Administration. In the fall of 1972, Nixon was reelected in a landslide, in large part, to Colson’s political maneuvering, some of which was certainly unethical and borderline illegal. But in the dark, pragmatic world of the Nixon White House, Colson became seen as a liability with the Watergate scandal beginning to mushroom. Colson was made a scapegoat and let go. Chuck Colson went back to being a private lawyer and building his law practice. In early 1973 he was sitting in the office of Tom Phillips, president of the Raytheon Company, a major U.S. defense contractor attempting to woo them as a client. What Colson didn’t know was that Tom Phillips had recently become a believer, accepting Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade a few weeks earlier. At then end of their meeting, Phillips told Colson, “I’d like to tell you the whole story someday of how I came to Christ. I had gotten to the point where I didn’t think my life was worth anything. Now I have committed my life to him, and everything has changed — attitude, values, the whole bit. If you’d like to hear more, give me a call.” At first Colson was skeptical, but in time he did call, and Phillips shared more of his faith, explained the redemptive work of Jesus to him and gave him the book Mere Christianity to read. Some months later, Colson laid aside his pride and prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. His mid-life religious conversion sparked a radical life change, and by the time of his death in 2012 he had become one of the most respected and most influential Christians in America.

2. like the Royal Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Kush, Chuck Colson was well-educated, well-placed, and well-off, but he needed Jesus

B. ALIENS, STRANGERS, AND PEOPLE NOT LIKE US NEED JESUS

1. we have a fancy name for that these days

a. it’s called cross-cultural evangelism

2. it’s just another way of saying aliens, strangers, and people not like us need jesus

C. THE NECESSITY OF EVANGELISM

1. God providentially used Philip to evangelize a eunuch who was reading the Scriptures, but who was having difficulties understanding them

a. some of us might think that since a person reads the Bible, they automatically understands it and are saved

1) Wrong!

2. the eunuch would likely be a man of intellect, since he would require it to manage "all [the queen's] treasury," but his intellect was not enough to make him understand Scripture

a. his words "How can I, unless someone guides me?" should make us think

“for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”” (Romans 10:13–15, NIV84)

3. never assume that someone who is reading the Scriptures understands the Gospel message

a. the truth is often veiled to them until someone explains it to them

D. CHRIST IS THE MESSAGE

1.when we evangelize and share the Gospel to others, we must always remember that Christ is the message we preach

a. many churches today use all sorts of gimmicks to bring people to church

b. sadly, when churches use gimmicks to bring people to church, those churches rarely preach the Gospel

c. in many churches in America you’ll never hear about

1) the real weight of sin; the true and unredeemed condition of mankind

2) the necessity of Christ's coming, suffering, death and resurrection; and

3) the importance of repentance and sanctification

2. we've got to go back to the message we were commissioned to preach — Jesus saves, and Jesus alone

a. that's the message Philip preached and that's what we need to preach

E. ONE CONVERT CAN BECOME A GOSPEL MOVEMENT

1. the story in Acts ends with Philip going back to Samaria to continue his ministry there, and the Eunuch going on his way rejoicing

ILLUS. History tells us that within a relatively short period of time, Ethiopia become the epicenter for Christianity in East Africa. By the early 4th century, Christian churches were so widespread in the nation that King Ezana the Great declared Christianity the state religion making Ethiopia that first “Christian nation.” And all because one Christian, obedient to the will of God helped a man understand the Scriptures.