Acts 8:26-40 Obedience to The Spirit, the Word, and the Guide.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Good Morning .. Pause

I welcome you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Out Scripture Meditation is from

Psalm 19:1

English Standard Version (Psalm 19)

1  The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

PRELUDE — Use these moments to prayerfully consider the Scripture meditation above, so you may properly give God the glory due to His name.

THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM

*God’s Word of Greeting

INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.

And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.

We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

Call to Worship

Psalm 22:27 “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.”

PSALM OF PRAISE

Let us rise for the singing of Gods Word

Turn in your In your Trinity Psalter Hymnal to

Psalm 22A - My God, My God, O Why have You Forsaken Me St. 1-5

Responsive Reading

English Standard Version (Chapter 53)

53 Who has believed what he has heard from us?And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2  For he grew up before him like a young plant,and like a root out of dry ground;he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,and no beauty that we should desire him.3  He was despised and rejected by men,a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faceshe was despised, and we esteemed him not.4  Surely he has borne our griefsand carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted.5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.6  All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on himthe iniquity of us all.7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,so he opened not his mouth.8  By oppression and judgment he was taken away;and as for his generation, who consideredthat he was cut off out of the land of the living,stricken for the transgression of my people?9  And they made his grave with the wickedand with a rich man in his death,although he had done no violence,and there was no deceit in his mouth.10  Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;he has put him to grief;when his soul makes an offering for guilt,he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.11  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,make many to be accounted righteous,and he shall bear their iniquities.12  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,because he poured out his soul to deathand was numbered with the transgressors;yet he bore the sin of many,and makes intercession for the transgressors.

*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance

Lord Jesus Christ our God,

the Fountain of life and of immortality,

the Author of all creation,

both visible and invisible,

the Son who is coeternal with the Father and equal with the Father Which has no beginning,

Who through your great goodness

has offered Yourself a sacrifice for us ungrateful and evil-natured men,

and you renewed us with your blood.

Our nature which has become corrupt through sin:

We ask of you to accept us O King Immortal,

Accept our repentance and our sinful self;

We pray that you would incline your ear unto us,

and give heed unto our words:

For we have sinned, O Lord,

We have sinned against heaven and before You,

and we are not worthy to look upon the greatness of your glory.

We have affronted your goodness, in that we have transgressed your commandments,

And we have not obeyed your commands.

But you, O Lord, You are not vengeful,

Rather you are long-suffering and of great mercy,

And you have not delivered us over to destruction for our transgressions.

You who love your elect before the foundation of the World

desire not the death of us sinners,

You don’t desire, to destroy the work of your hands

neither the destruction of the human race,

but that all men should call on you for salvation.

And that they should come to the knowledge of the truth.

Accept us, O Lord,

Who loves his people,

And desires those who society looks down upon.

You who did accept the sinning woman, the thief, the publican, the prodigal son;

take our heavy burden of sin,

You Christ Jesus Who has taken upon yourself the sins of the world,

Who heals human infirmities,

Who calls us to Worship the true and living God,

and gives rest unto those who labour and are heavy laden;

Who did come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Purify us from all uncleanness,

both bodily and spiritual,

and teach us to fulfill holiness in the fear and knowledge of you

That we might approach you with a pure conscience,

Through the Blood of your Son and our Savior alone.

In Christ name Amen

Assurance of Pardon……………...……..……………...….. Hebrews 9:11-14 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

LET US RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Thanksgiving

THP -Psalm 22A - My God, My God, O Why have You Forsaken Me St. 6-11

LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer

Lord, teach us to be resigned to your will; teach us to delight in your law;

teach us to have no will but your will; teach us to be sure that everything you do is good

and is the very best that can be done.

Help us to leave our concerns in your divine hands, being persuaded that you have sway even over evil; that out of it you bring good,

till your high purposes shall develop in your own perfect glory,

and in the perfect bliss of all those who put their trust in you.

Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.

YOU MAY BE SEATED

THE LORD FEEDS US FROM HIS WORD

OLD Testament Reading Isaiah 53:1-12

Hear now the Word of God.

English Standard Version Chapter 53

53 Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2  For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3  He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

8  By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

9  And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10  Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

12  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and makes intercession for the transgressors.

May the Lord add his Blessing to this reading of His Word

SERMON

Acts 8:26-40

Turn in your copy of Gods Word to Acts 8:26-40

thats Acts 8:26-40

Hear now the very Word of the Lord

English Standard Version Chapter 8

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. 29And 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.

The Grass withers the Flower Fades But the Word of Our God Will Stand Forever.

HP - Obedience to The Spirit, the Word, and the Guide.

Verses 26-31 Obedience to the Spirit

Our narrative begins this morning with a visit to Phillip from the Angel of the Lord.

The Angel of the Lord is commanding Phillip.

And he says Phillip this is your mission.

This is your duty today.

This is you job or Work for today.

Rise and go towards the South to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza.

the angel doesn't tell him how this journey will end.

And isn’t this how God seems to work with his servants in their lives?

He asks us to do something

Without telling us how it will end up.

Which will prove our obedience to him

I can think of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah as an example.

This is one of Phillips Mount Moriah’s encounter’s

The Angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from killing Issac.

The Angel of the Lord says Phillip get moving towards Gaza.

God has kingdom work for you there.

Phillip didn't know who he was going to meet.

What or who he was going to encounter

All he knows is I must go.

As a servant of the King of Kings

I must go.

That is how we must be in our walk with the Lord, people of God.

The Word of God says you shall have No other Gods Before me

The Word of God says Honor your Father and Mother.

The Word of God says Keep the Lords Day Holy.

The Word of God says don’t take the name of the Lord in Vain.

The Word of God says to not commit Adultery.

The Word of God says to Not Lie, Steal or Covet.

Church this is the Word of God to you.

In our Narrative Phillip is commanded to go south to Gaza.

So just as Phillip obeys the Word of God

Let us be content with the commandment of God alone to direct our decisions in life.

And let us show the fruit of obedience in our daily lives as Phillip does.

Becasue all the commandments of God contain a hidden promise,

So the Command of God should be sufficient for us.

We should take nothing in our lives or actions rashly or without God’s commandment.

Isnt that what the Word of God teaches us

2 Peter 1:19 “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,”

So if you ever say to yourself I wonder what God’s will is for my life?

Remember 2 Peter 1:19

So If any man

Woman

Snake

Or angel

comes down from heaven

Or is a so called tv evangelist

Or claims they speak in tounges

Or someone claims they have a Word from God

Or a vision from Heaven after they supposedly had a trip to heaven while they were on life support.

Or a trip to the Emergency Room

the answer is always,

we are all together sufficient with direction on how to live from the Word of God.

And the Word of God is never destitute in its counsel for those who ask counsel of the Lord.

But its not only wise to receive counsel.

But to take it?

Im going to repeat that.

It’s not only wise to receive counsel.

But to take it?

Can I get an Amen?

So we must submit ourselves to the government of the Word and Spirit.

And we shouldn't let anything hinder us or keep us back from being ready to follow God,

Not even our own slothfulness and coldness in prayer towards him.

Let us never grow cold of the Commandments of God.

Isn’t that what Job and the Psalms reiterate.

Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Psalm 19:10-11 “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Our text describes where Phillip is going.

He is going to a place that is a desert like place according to the Word of God.

Many scholars say that Gaza was twenty miles from the sea coasts

So this is why this is a desert like place according to verse 26

So Phillip is headed South.

And who does he meet.

The text tells us an Ethiopian

A Eunuch

This is a Man who has had his Gentiles removed.

He can’t have children

We are never told his name

But this is the description we have of Him.

We are told He is in charge of the Queens Wealth

Candace Queen of the Ethiopians.

Candace is a term Like Cesar for the Romans

President for Americans

It’s a title that is passed on to the next person who takes on the office throughout the ages of a nation.

And he is seated in a chariot.

And what was he doing with his time.

He wasn’t wasting his time for sure

He was reading the Word of God.

He was reading the Book of Isaiah.

Isaiah is one of the Major Prophets children.

And the Spirit said to Phillip to go over to this man on this chariot.

And verse 30 tells us that he heard him reading the Book of Isaiah out loud in a public place.

So we have a non Hebrew

Ethiopian

Eunuch

In a desert

on a chariot

Reading the Word of God aloud.

Is this something we find ourselves doing with our spare time?

Reading the Word of God?

This man is an unbeliever as far as we know at this point in the narrative.

Men can read the Word and not understand it.

Not have a saving knowledge of it.

It’s not that the man in unlearned.

Or ignorant

The Lord just hasn’t opened his understanding yet.

It’s the Lord who gives spiritually blind have sight.

And the Ethiopian Enuch is currently in a spiritually blind state.

And he is reading the Word of God.

Do we desire to understand the things of God like he did?

Is our time taken up with other things in Our spare time?

Not that you would be reading and meditating on the Word of God every minute of every day.

But the Word does speak about teaching your children when you rise up when you walk in the way and when you lie down.

Deut 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Do we desire to understand the things of God?

Do we read the Word of God aloud in a public place?

This Ethiopian Eunuch was?

He didn’t care what others thought of the Word of God

He wanted to understand it?

And at this divine interaction

God sent Phillip to help explain the Word of God to this Ethiopian.

God not only gave him the desire.

But God is going to give him a teacher for exactly what he needs to understand.

And the Ethiopian recognizes this when he says in verse 31

“How can I understand the passage unless someone guides me?

So he invites Philip to come sit with him.

This story condemns our modern American culture.

Where everyone thinks themselves to be a prophet

Everyone thinks themselves to be the authority on truth.

How can we be an authority on something if we spend only a small amount of time studying it.

How can we be an authority on something if we have just begun to learn about it.

Thats why there are levels in the trades of apprentice, Journeyman, and Master.

Thats why there are levels in Academia of Associates, Bachelors, Maters, and Doctorate.

Godly Education and learning should be something we strive for.

Not something we make fun or disregard because we have not devoted much time to education.

If you don’t understand something ask for help

find a godly teacher Who can disciple you in the things of God.

And study is a two way street.

You must read and follow your teachers instruction if you are to learn.

what does the author of Hebrew warn us of

Hebrews 5:13-14 “for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

so let’s not stay ignorant brothers and sisters.

and follow the direct command of God to learn And develop the powers of discernment.

and the good example of the Ethiopian eunuch.

The Ethiopian recognized I know all about being a court official AND MANAGING THE WEALTH OF THE QUEEN.

And I have been reading the Word of God.

But this passage in Isaiah has me puzzled.

And he says I need someone to explain the deeper things of God to me.

Someone who understands the Scriptures.

Someone who has studied these things.

Especially when these things points to a savior I don’t know yet.

So Brothers and Sisters let us follow the example of the Ethiopian in seeking out the things of God.

And asking those who have dedicated themselves to the study of them when we need help or clarification.

Or more understanding.

That is why God has given you Pastors, and Elders in the church, to ask the hard things of God to them.

Let us keep this in per-view when we need help in understanding the Word of God.

So the Eunuch had a knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures like the Jews.

He read it but without understanding.

He New that God was one.

Deuteronomy 6:4 ““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

He knew of the people of God he is reading about them in the Scriptures.

But just as the Jews this Gentile didn’t know the Messiah had come yet.

And what the passage was speaking about.

Lets Read Verses 32-34

Verses 32 -34 Obedience to the Word

English Standard Version Chapter 8

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?”

And this is a good question that the Ethiopian asks?

Who is this Sheep that is led to the Slaughter

The Prophet

Or Someone Else

And who would be silent as they were about to be killed

And why would they be silent as they were going to be killed.

And as he is being humiliated and killed why is Justice denied him?

Is the prophet Isaiah speaking about himself or Someone Else?

So the Eunuch is being a good apprentice

He is asking the right questions.

He is asking what many Jews deny today.

The forbidden chapter in synagogues.

Isaiah 53

Is this speaking about the Messiah

The things regarding the reconciliation of the relationship between God and Man.

And how does Phillip answer the Eunuch?

lets looks at verses 35

English Standard Version Chapter 8

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus

Phillip said the one whom the Romans crucified Jesus

Jesus is the Lamb that Isaiah is speaking about

Jesus is the lamb who was on the Cross who was Silent.

Jesus was the one humiliated

Jesus is the one who did nothing wrong.

Jesus is the one who never sinned

Jesus is THE LAMB who takes away the sins of his people.

The God MAN

THE One who is not Born By ordinary Generation.

Who was Born of a Virgin

who, is the eternal Son of God,

Jesus became man

Jesus is this Messiah

And Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving Faith

And we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation and this is the Gospel offered to us.

This is the Gospel that Phillip explained to the Ethiopian Eunuch.

This is the only Gospel that can save you Bothers and Sisters

If you deny this you are still dead in you sins.

And you have no Hope.

Apart from belief in Jesus Christ there is no hope.

Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

We also see that Phillip taught the Eunuch you must not only believe

but you must profess me among men.

You must not deny me among all these unbelieving Ethiopians around you in.

You must attest to Jesus as your Lord before the Queen in whom you are a servant of.

This is not a small thing to do for the Eunuch.

And what is the Eunuchs response?

Was it I’m not good at communicating to strangers what I believe.

I’m more of a pew believer.

Or Im a chariot believer .

I read it and understand it but I’m not going to let anyone know what I believe.

My faith is a private faith.

My faith is between me and Jesus and know one else.

Lets see how this Eunuch responded

Lets read Verses 36-40

Verses 36-40 Obedience to the Guide

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

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.

The Eunuch declared to all those in the royal procession.

To the Ethiopian Queen who would surly hear of this if she wasn’t already present.

All the servants of the queen would have known.

All his countrymen would find out.

The Eunuch commands the chariot to STOP

Christ Commands me to be Baptized.

Jesus Is my Messiah

Jesus is the Christ

Christ has Saved Me

Christ Commands my allegiance.

Jesus Commands me to be baptized.

And Phillip here is Water.

Lets obey the Lord in Baptism

Lets go down into the water

Christ has commanded this and I will Obey Jesus.

The Eunuch is Baptized

The Eunuch declares to all I serve The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

And this Baptism is a symbol that I am now his apprentice and I will sit at the feet of Jesus all my days.

So conversion mean not only learning about Christ.

But obeying him as well.

In thought Word and Deed.

As all who claim they are disciples of Christ should do as well.

So if you are a Christian

Don’t be ignorant of your faith.

Get a teacher grab a mentor in the faith.

Talk to your Elders.

Ask them to disciple you in the faith.

Ask them to Catechize you in the faith.

And then do

Do what Christ has called you to do.

Learn of him and follow him.

Follow him boldly

Follow him in tough times’ and in easy times.

But follow him by obeying his Word.

Heed his direction

Thats how you follow Jesus

The one who has saved you from hell.

You learn of him and you don’t ignore him.

So how does our narrative end for the Eunuch.

This story of the Eunuch ends as quick as it started.

Lets read verses 39-40

Because Phillip is carried away

Verses 39-40 say

English Standard Version Chapter 8

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.

This Story is not about Phillip

Its Not about the Eunuch.

It’s about Jesus the Redeemer

Jesus the King

Jesus the Messiah

Who gave salvation to the Eunuch

Who he went on serving Joyfully when Phillip left.

And its about Jesus who Phillip continued to preach to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Its about Jesus the Lamb

Its about Jesus the one whom the Romans Crucified.

Its about Jesus the only redeemer between God and Man.

Its about Jesus the way the truth and the life.

Its about Jesus the one who took on himself the sins of the World

Its about Jesus who took the Wrath of the Father which was due to us.

What Savior

What a God.

What a Redeemer.

And lets now go to our Savior Jesus in Prayer.

Let us Pray.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father I pray that today your people have heard you speaking to them this morning.

Help us to apply this passage in Acts to our walk with you and with our brothers and Sisters in Christ And those around us who are unbelievers.

Help us to show the Love of Christ to others in sharing your Word and Gospel Call to Salvation with this lost and this dying world.

Help us to be witness for you Lord here in Wichita Falls and good disciples.

Help us to have comfort in the knowledge that we will live forever with you.

And help us to look forward to that day when you will say well done you good and faithful servant enter into the rest of your Lord.

And we pray in Jesus Christ name.

Amen

LET US RISE

*Psalm of Response

TPH Psalm 19A The Heavens Above Declare

WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

Let us Pray

Father in heaven be with and keep this your people throughout the week.

Father in heaven encourage these your people to discuss with their families the sermon and how they can apply this to the people who they run into through the week.

And father help them through your spirit to have a stronger walk with you and to make this word preached effectual in their lives.

In Christ name

Amen