June 23, 2019

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Acts 8:26-40
Service Type:

Introduction

  • The song is especially for those going overseas
    • [We have heard a Joyful Sound]
  • The Church is always to be an outward looking missionary church
  • Looking at 1:1 evangelism
    • Consider two rivers - two different beginnings but converge to become one mighty flowing river
    • This evening tracing the paths of two men
  • Map - explanation
    • Jerusalem to Samaria
    • v26 - to travel South to Gaza
    • The Ethiopian Eunuch traveling from Jerusalem back home
    • God had planned a great meeting in the desert
  • Considering
    • God's love for the individual
      • The Good Shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep
    • Psalm 68:31
      • This was to be the first convert from Ethiopia
      • Surely he would be a great influence on others
  • Overview:
    • Philip - the Evangelist
    • Eunuch - the Ethiopian
    • The Encounter

The Evangelist (Philip)

  • He had been instrumental in a great awakening
    • They needed a pastor, someone to look after and train them
    • God had purposes to move him on
    • God sent an angel
      • God speaks through providence
      • God speaks through an angel
      • God speaks via the Holy Spirit
  • Each time the servant of God was ready to move
    • He was a married man
      • He had four daughters who were prophetesses
    • Yet he was always willing to move on as God led him
  • God instructs Philip to go without explaining why
    • Philip arose and went
      • Similar to Abraham who rose early in the morning
    • Faith - is obedience to the word of God, even when we don't understand everything
    • We ought to be planning and thinking - but we ought to be ready for our plans to be changed by God
  • God's word speaking to Philip through an angel
    • We ought to always obey the word of God - what is written in the Bible
      • To look after widowers
      • Be concerned for the prisoner
      • Pray for those in authority and government
  • There are other areas where there is no particular instruction
    • God may place a particular burden on your heart
    • Always we should say - 'Lord, Your will'
    • Example of lady missionary
  • Philip was ready to do what God wanted him to do
    • Are we willing to do what God wants us to do
  • "Behold" (v27)
    • God has a purpose
    • Sometimes there are many unknowns but God fills in the details
    • Example of the Norwegian Ffords
    • We are often led step by step
      • Do we get stuck at the beginning because we want everything mapped out for us?
      • Many Christians don't get past the first step
  • Philip runs
    • He runs in the hot desert
    • He seizes the opportunity
    • A 'chariot'
      • He had an entourage
      • He was an important person
      • He had a scroll
    • Philip could have been intimidated but he seized the opportunity
      • In Tabor we have seized the opportunity
      • Do we seize opportunity?
      • Example from Warren Weirsbe
      • May it be that we obey the Spirit's prompting
        • Not audible voices but constraints upon our hearts
  • Philip is very wise
    • He simply asks a question
    • He is very respectful
    • He sees the scroll and asks if he understands
    • He was a wise evangelist
    • He loved, respected and helped
  • Philip preaches about Jesus Christ
    • Not about other matters
  • Application:
    • A good witness and evangelist is someone who understands God's word
    • A person who will listen, answer questions and be patient
    • A wise evangelist
    • Not quoting our own thoughts but quoting Scripture

The Ethiopian Eunuch

  • He was an important official
    • A black Jewish Man
    • Probably not a gentile, probably a Jew
    • He worshiped the God of the Jews
    • He was zealous - he had come to Jerusalem to worship
  • God had put eternity in his heart
    • He wants to understand the Bible
    • He wants someone to teach it to him
    • He is reading the scroll before he gets home
  • Perhaps he had heard something of Jesus
    • The apostles had filled all of Jerusalem with their doctrines
    • Maybe he had heard of Jesus
    • Maybe he had seen baptisms
    • Maybe he was prejudiced or suspicious of Christians
  • Through 1:1 evangelism he was to be saved
    • This can be more powerful than preaching
    • The apostles preached publicly and from house to house
  • Philip allowed this sole convert to return to Ethiopia
    • Example of the Demoniac
    • God can work mightily through one person
    • Isa 56:3-5

The Encounter

  • Not just Philip and the Ethiopian - the Lord Jesus Christ was there
  • This man is so persuaded he asks what hinders him from baptism
    • Something divine has happened
    • He has had an encounter with Jesus Christ
    • He has believed
    • He wants to be baptised (and is)
    • He goes on his way rejoicing
    • A divine appointment - an instantaneous conversion
  • May the Lord use us in the work of evangelism
  • Example of John Eglan & Charles Spurgeon