KJ Washington
[0:00] Amen.
[0:02] Good morning. [0:03] Welcome to Village Church. [0:04] My name is KJ. [0:05] I serve on staff here at Village. [0:07] This morning, we’re going to take a quick break [0:10] from our sermon series in the book of Genesis.
[0:12] And we’re going to look at Acts chapter 8, verse 26 through 40 [0:17] during our time together this morning. [0:19] That’s Acts chapter 8, verse 26 through 40. [0:24] And what we see in the book of Acts [0:26] is that we find a story about a man who [0:29] was known for his ministry to the widows around him.
[0:33] He was a faithful follower of Jesus in his local church [0:36] who happened to see a need in his community of believers [0:40] and the gospel moved him to care for and to serve [0:45] the people around him well. [0:47] As we continue to read in the book of Acts, [0:49] we’ll notice that God continues to use
[0:53] who was previously mentioned as being full of the spirit [0:57] and of wisdom to go forward and to start a gospel [1:01] movement for different people groups. [1:05] And no, I’m not referring to the apostle Paul, [1:08] but I’m referring to Philip, whom God used to reach [1:12] the Samaritans and God used him in one conversation
[1:15] to spur on a gospel movement in the lives of Ethiopians [1:20] and African descendants in the early church. [1:24] It’s known throughout church history [1:26] that some of the early influencers of the early church [1:29] were of African descent, and namely, [1:32] Augustine and the rest of his counterparts,
[1:36] who were movers and shakers in the early church. [1:39] So God called Philip to this moment, [1:42] and it led to the spread out and to deeply impact the world [1:46] for the sake of the gospel. [1:48] And in Acts chapter eight, verse 26 through 40, [1:51] we’ll read the story of Philip engaging
[1:52] the Ethiopian eunuch with the gospel. [1:56] It’s clear that God in his sovereignty [1:58] orchestrated each moment of this encounter for his glory [2:02] and the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch. [2:05] This spirit led, God ordained and planned [2:08] gospel conversation played a part in the gospel movement
[2:12] starting in Africa. [2:15] I believe this passage is extremely relevant to us today [2:18] because God might be setting up a gospel movement [2:22] through your conversations about the gospel [2:24] here in Chesterfield County.
[2:29] The main idea that we see here in this text [2:30] is that the spirit of God will guide the people of God [2:34] out on mission while he’s drawing and reconciling sinners [2:38] to himself. [2:40] And that’s what’s happening here in this text with Philip [2:44] as he’s called to go out to reach the people around him.
[2:52] Join me in prayer as I ask God to encourage us, [2:55] to help us to understand his mission [2:59] and that we would just be compelled to go out [3:01] and to make disciples, pray with me.
[3:09] Father, we don’t know what’s next. [3:12] In the sense of we don’t know who you’re gonna bring [3:15] before us to encounter.
[3:19] But Father, I pray that we would have open hands [3:22] to the work of your spirit and to reach other people [3:26] for the sake of the gospel. [3:27] So I pray that you would help us to see the need [3:31] to trust your spirit, to guide us on mission. [3:34] That we would trust you and that we would see how good
[3:38] the gospel is and how the gospel then compels us [3:42] to go out and to make more disciples, Lord. [3:44] So we ask you to help us to understand your word [3:47] this morning. [3:49] I pray that we would allow this word to saturate our lives [3:52] that then we would go forward,
[3:55] intentionally making more disciples. [3:57] So we ask you to help us today, Lord.
[4:01] Help us to get it, help us to have eyes to see [4:03] and ears to hear. [4:05] And then we pray, amen. [4:08] This leads us to point number one this morning. [4:10] The spirit of God will guide the mission of God. [4:13] Stemming from verses 26 through 29.
[4:18] The word of the Lord reads as this. [4:20] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, [4:22] rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down [4:25] from Jerusalem to Gaza. [4:27] This is a desert place and he rose and went. [4:31] And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch
[4:33] and a court official of Candice, [4:35] queen of the Ethiopians who was in charge [4:37] of all her treasure. [4:38] And he had come to Jerusalem to worship [4:40] and was returning seated in his chariot [4:43] and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
[4:46] And the spirit said to Philip, [4:48] go over and join this chariot.
[4:52] See, prior to this moment, Philip was one of the men [4:55] who was scattered from persecution [4:58] and was led to different regions in the area [5:00] to preach the gospel. [5:02] See, we know that Philip was in Samaria [5:04] and where he had helped there to establish
[5:06] a gospel presence in that community. [5:10] And in our passage this morning, [5:11] we find Philip being confronted by the angel of the Lord. [5:16] The angel of the Lord was there to encourage [5:18] and to direct God’s plan for his life, [5:20] for him to be a part of the expansion of God’s kingdom.
[5:26] Through Philip’s interactions, [5:27] he was called to travel down south toward Gaza. [5:29] And what we know about Gaza is that it’s the last city [5:32] on the road from Jerusalem to Africa. [5:34] And so it was close to this desert place. [5:36] And so if you came to this stop,
[5:38] it was one of the stops where he said, [5:39] if I need some water, I’m going here. [5:42] And so God called him to go there. [5:45] See, what we see what was happening in this text [5:46] that God has taken Philip to a very unusual location. [5:50] He isn’t taking him to some fruitful, abundant,
[5:53] growing and thriving city, [5:55] but he’s taking him to a place where no one goes [5:57] unless they’re going to Africa. [6:00] See, Philip had no idea what God had in store [6:03] for his trip, but he was confident in going [6:06] because God had called him to go.
[6:09] See, our struggle is when we hear that God is calling us [6:12] to go somewhere or to stay somewhere,
[6:17] we struggle with placing our confidence and trust in God [6:22] and to walk in obedience to him. [6:25] We must remind ourselves of Philip’s past [6:27] as him being known as a believer [6:29] who was full of the spirit. [6:31] And he obtained this type of notoriety
[6:33] because of his faith and his trust in God. [6:37] When God called him to live or to act in a particular way, [6:41] he responded to God’s authority and dominion over his life. [6:46] And it should be similar for us. [6:49] For when we hear God calling us to submit to his mission [6:52] in a very particular way,
[6:54] we shouldn’t struggle to walk in obedience [6:57] to the Lord’s calling for us to go out and to make disciples. [7:03] But often we do struggle to be obedient. [7:07] Friends, we have to realize that God is going to call us [7:10] to different locations and places to further his mission. [7:14] See, now I’m not denouncing the need to make disciples
[7:17] where we’re currently located at, [7:18] but I’m asking and advocating for a gospel-driven, [7:22] Holy Spirit-led perspective of mission.
[7:27] To live on mission, we must trust the work of the Holy Spirit [7:31] to guide us forward for the sake of Jesus’ mission.
[7:37] And the travesty for many of us in here [7:40] is that we don’t know how to hear, trust, [7:44] and to walk in obedience and in step to the Holy Spirit. [7:50] Just imagine if Philip never responded to God’s call [7:53] through the angel of the Lord to mobilize. [7:56] Would he have ever met the Ethiopian eunuch?
[8:00] No, he probably wouldn’t have met the Ethiopian eunuch. [8:03] See, if he was too occupied about his own life [8:06] in the current situation that he was in, [8:09] I guarantee you that he would not have listened [8:11] to the voice of the Lord calling him to go out [8:15] and to make disciples.
[8:17] He’d have been too caught up with his own plans [8:19] instead of listening to the plans of God’s messenger [8:21] on behalf of God for him to go out [8:24] and to make disciples.
[8:28] See, we have to make sure that we have lives [8:30] that we’re living there, they’re led by [8:32] and are marked by the gospel of Jesus Christ, [8:35] led by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the scriptures. [8:39] For some, you’re not able to walk in step with the Spirit [8:42] because you don’t sit still long enough to hear,
[8:44] to listen to the Holy Spirit [8:47] so that he could guide you on mission. [8:51] See, those people believe that they’re the means [8:53] of fulfilling the mission, but they miss [8:55] that the Holy Spirit is guiding us [8:58] and preparing our hearts to go forward on mission
[9:02] and as well preparing the hearts [9:03] of the people that we’re going to reach. [9:07] And I know that as Baptists, [9:08] we tend to be afraid of the Holy Spirit. [9:11] When we talk about the Trinity, [9:12] we act as if it’s God the Father, God the Son,
[9:15] and God the Holy Scriptures. [9:18] See, there are times when we are practically seeking [9:20] to eliminate the third person of the Trinity [9:23] because of cultures and churches [9:25] that have been abusing the work of the Holy Spirit [9:28] and have very attributed, very ungodly attributes
[9:32] and things to the work of the Holy Spirit, [9:34] but that should not stop us as followers of Jesus [9:38] in walking in full obedience [9:40] to a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit. [9:44] See, we need a biblical theology of the Holy Spirit [9:46] because the Holy Spirit is vital for us
[9:49] in following the mission of Jesus.
[9:54] Do you realize that there’s nothing profitable [9:57] that you’ve ever done for the mission of Jesus [10:00] outside of the work of the Holy Spirit? [10:05] Like, do you realize that anything [10:07] that you’ve ever done in your life [10:09] that is profitable even in the eyes of God
[10:11] through the work of, is done through the work [10:13] of the Holy Spirit? [10:15] It’s not what you bring to the table, [10:18] but it’s all that the Lord brings to the table. [10:20] And he’s so gracious to bestow that upon us [10:24] so that we can push his mission forward.
[10:28] It’s not what we bring to the table, [10:31] but it’s all that he’s brought to the table [10:33] through the power of the Holy Spirit. [10:36] And that causes us to die to ourself in that [10:38] because some of us are too prideful to admit [10:40] that you need the Lord to reach people.
[10:45] I think Acts chapter one, verse eight, [10:48] really affirms this idea, and it says this, [10:51] but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit [10:54] has come upon you and you will be my witnesses [10:56] in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, [11:00] and to the ends of the earth.
[11:03] This power is not in you, friends. [11:05] It’s in the Holy Spirit, but God has been gracious to us [11:08] and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. [11:11] See, the only reason why you’re a witness for Jesus [11:13] is because the Holy Spirit dwells inside of you [11:17] and it works through you.
[11:20] There isn’t mission without the Holy Spirit. [11:24] As the Holy Spirit is guiding us to reach our neighbors, [11:27] we have to remember that the Spirit is leading you [11:29] to the right people. [11:31] So you might be the person that just doubts [11:33] that God is placing the opportunities in front of you
[11:36] for you to reach the people for his glory around you. [11:40] But you actually might be missing out [11:42] on the people that he has placed [11:44] for you to reach right in front of you. [11:47] I’ve heard too many stories of people sharing [11:49] that God hasn’t been setting up opportunities
[11:51] before them for mission, [11:54] but those people are misunderstanding the way [11:56] that God is sovereignly orchestrating his plan [11:59] for those people to be reached right in front of them.
[12:04] And if you are walking in step with the Spirit, [12:07] the Lord will awaken your eyes and awaken your heart [12:11] to the people that are in front of you [12:13] and they will start to well up inside of you [12:16] a desire for you to reach your neighbors [12:21] and so that they would come to know Jesus.
[12:25] See, Philip didn’t know the reason [12:27] why God was sending him to Gaza. [12:30] He didn’t know why he was going [12:31] or even if he would encounter someone there. [12:34] God didn’t tell him to go and go there and to meet a man. [12:37] God just told him to go.
[12:39] And for many, that’s your pushback. [12:41] And the reason why you need God for mission [12:42] is that God has to tell you what he’s doing [12:46] and how he’s going to do it [12:47] before you’ll even be that faithful servant [12:50] for the mission of Jesus.
[12:52] It’s ultimately you trying to play God in the situation [12:55] that God has to tell you what he’s going to do [12:58] for you to be faithful. [13:01] Like how crazy is that? [13:04] That you need God to tell you his plans [13:07] and how he’s setting up and orchestrating everything
[13:09] for you to go.
[13:16] We can’t be stubborn about this, [13:19] but we have to allow the Lord to use us [13:22] and to propel us forward. [13:25] See, I fully believe that it was God’s sovereignty [13:28] in determining the situation [13:29] so that Philip could meet the Ethiopian eunuch,
[13:31] and I think you can see that in this text. [13:34] You never know who God is going to allow you to meet [13:37] in order to reach the people around you with the gospel. [13:40] See, Philip didn’t know that God was going to allow him [13:42] to meet a very influential treasurer [13:44] of a queen of Ethiopia.
[13:46] He didn’t know that that was going to happen. [13:48] He didn’t know that he’s going to be able to allow [13:49] the gospel to have access into a new people group [13:53] by his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. [13:55] He didn’t realize that, but God did. [13:59] God knew what he was setting up.
[14:00] When the Holy Spirit guided the angel Lord to be there, [14:03] to encourage him to go, [14:05] the Lord knew what he was setting up
[14:10] in that conversation.
[14:14] It wasn’t one of those moments where, well, [14:17] it just so happened to go this way. [14:21] He just so happened to be traveling down from, [14:25] back from Jerusalem as he was seeking to try [14:28] to worship God in that moment, [14:30] as he was trying to figure out the God of the Israelites,
[14:33] and that Philip just so happened to be going down [14:36] the same path, and you just so happened [14:38] to be sitting in the chariot, [14:40] and just so happened to be reading the Bible out loud, [14:43] and Philip just so happened to walk up and hear him, [14:48] say, do you understand this?
[14:50] No, God was setting this up. [14:52] He was orchestrating this plan.
[14:56] He was just a gentleman seeking out God, [14:59] trying to understand the God of the Israelites, [15:03] and what it looked like to have faith in him. [15:06] This fall, I had an opportunity to interact [15:08] with our local YMCA. [15:09] I live in the Chester area,
[15:11] and we were working with them, [15:12] trying to partner alongside them [15:13] to have a movie night down there, [15:14] and by God’s grace, we were able to do that, [15:17] and me and another gentleman went in there one evening, [15:20] and we were having a conversation with them,
[15:22] and I was like, hey, are there any other ways [15:23] that we can help to serve the community? [15:27] He’s like, man, just let you know, man, we have a need. [15:30] Well, okay, what’s the need? [15:32] He’s like, I need a soccer coach, [15:35] and if any of y’all know my story a little bit,
[15:37] I love playing soccer. [15:38] I’ve coached the high school soccer team [15:39] for the past few years. [15:41] Right prior to that moment, [15:43] I just stepped away from coaching [15:45] the high school soccer team,
[15:47] and so the guy that was with me, [15:49] we looked at each other, [15:49] and we were just kinda like, ha ha, this is funny. [15:52] Like, man, Lord, what are you doing? [15:54] So I was like, I think I might be able to find a coach [15:57] or something for you, you know?
[15:58] So I had the conversation, [15:59] and when we started talking about it, [16:01] he’s like, okay, great, great, [16:02] but the story doesn’t end there, though. [16:06] So through God’s psalm, [16:07] orchestrating that conversation,
[16:10] my wife and I have been having the opportunity [16:13] to be able to interact with a few families [16:15] that are on our soccer team that I’m coaching, [16:18] and we’ve been able to love on them and care for them well, [16:20] and so many conversations have came about because of that. [16:24] And it was funny, because I met this gentleman
[16:27] at the soccer field one day. [16:29] I coached his son, and we were just talking, [16:32] and we just kinda connected, [16:34] and he found out what I do for a living. [16:36] He said, oh man, that’s cool, man. [16:37] I don’t really want anything to do with church.
[16:41] He’s like, I’m not really for that. [16:44] And so we started building that relationship. [16:46] I walked back to my wife later on, [16:48] I was like, I think the Lord might be up to something.
[16:55] Long story short, [16:56] we’ve been able to connect with his family, [16:59] him and his wife, they came to church. [17:02] Now they’re part of our community group.
[17:07] I don’t think that God just so happened to allow [17:09] me and another guy to walk into the YMCA that day [17:12] to have a conversation, ask you, ask them, [17:14] hey, do you need somebody to serve in incapacity? [17:16] Oh, I need a soccer coach. [17:17] Just so happened that I got this one kid to be on my team,
[17:20] that I met his dad, and his dad was saying, [17:22] I don’t want anything to do with the church, [17:23] but I kinda wanna hear a little bit. [17:24] I don’t think it was just so happened [17:25] that he ended up coming to our church, [17:27] and now he’s a part of our community group.
[17:29] No, that’s God sovereignly orchestrating, [17:34] setting the stage for that plan to happen, [17:39] praying that he would come to faith, [17:40] that he would trust the gospel as being true.
[17:46] I don’t share that story for you just to think, [17:48] oh, look what I’ve done, [17:51] but to say, what is God doing in the midst [17:53] of your life right now? [17:55] Orchestrating and setting up conversations [17:58] so that you can have with other people about the gospel.
[18:01] Who is the Lord bringing into your life? [18:05] What is God doing so that you can mobilize [18:08] out there on mission, so you can walk in obedience [18:11] and entrust to the Holy Spirit for God to move?
[18:19] So as we’re having these conversations with people, [18:23] we should be joyful and we should be praying [18:25] for God to work and to move, [18:27] and we should ask for the Lord to bring about [18:28] these types of conversations in our lives. [18:33] We should plead to him, ask him to work
[18:36] and to move in this type of way. [18:39] We should look forward to the opportunity [18:40] to share about Jesus to our neighbors [18:43] and to the people around us. [18:45] And one of the best ways for us to do that [18:47] is to be prepared and ready.
[18:49] And I wanna offer to you a way to do that [18:52] is by you knowing the scriptures. [18:55] That leads us to point number two, [18:56] be ready to explain the scriptures [18:58] coming from verse 30 through 35. [19:01] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading
[19:04] Isaiah the prophet and asked, [19:06] do you understand what you are reading? [19:09] And he said, how can I unless someone guides me? [19:13] And he invited Philip to come up and to sit with him. [19:16] Now the passage of scripture that he was reading was this, [19:20] like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
[19:22] and like a lamb before a shear is silent. [19:24] So he opens not his mouth and his humiliation [19:27] just as was denied him, who can describe his generation? [19:31] For his life is taken away from the earth. [19:35] And the eunuch said to Philip, [19:38] about whom I ask you does this prophet say this,
[19:41] about himself or about someone else? [19:45] And then Philip opened his mouth [19:46] and began with the scriptures. [19:48] And he told him the good news about Jesus. [19:53] See many believers have become cautious [19:55] when it comes to having conversations about the gospel.
[19:59] Because they’re worried about the opportunity of having [20:03] to be able to explain the scriptures to people. [20:06] See people become worried that they won’t have [20:08] the right answers to the questions they are being asked. [20:10] And as believers one of the best things that we can do [20:14] to be prepared for the conversations
[20:16] that we’re gonna have with people about the gospel [20:19] is for us to read and study the scriptures. [20:24] Firstly that you can know more about God [20:25] in his plan of redemption set forth through his son [20:28] to allow his word to shape us [20:30] in the sanctification process in our own lives.
[20:33] But secondly so that we can help other people [20:36] learn about Jesus and what it looks like to follow him. [20:40] See think about the situation in this passage. [20:43] See Philip hears the eunuch reading the scriptures out loud [20:46] and he ran to him for the opportunity to ask him [20:50] did he understand what he is reading?
[20:54] Philip wasn’t scared about the opportunity [20:56] to explain the scriptures but he was excited [20:58] to explain to him how the scriptures point to Jesus. [21:03] And for us sometimes we just get very timid [21:05] and it’s because we’re not studying the word, [21:07] we’re not saturating our lives in the word.
[21:10] And it’s still true for us in our culture today [21:14] that when someone is looking for hope in life [21:18] that they’re going to the Bible [21:19] trying to find that hope in life. [21:22] And I really believe that presents us [21:23] with a great opportunity to get them to Jesus.
[21:27] Because a lot of times when they’re struggling [21:29] with these tough passages in text, [21:33] they’re trying to figure out how does this all go together [21:35] in light of what you’re telling me that Jesus has done.
[21:39] And what Philip was able to do in that moment, [21:42] he was able to expound upon the scriptures. [21:44] He was able to dive into the text and say, [21:46] hey, let me tell you about how this and this and this [21:49] points to Jesus. [21:51] And yes, that means that we need to be able to read
[21:55] and understand the book of Leviticus in Numbers [21:58] to be able to share with others about Jesus. [22:03] And I really think that’s what’s happening here [22:06] in this text is that Philip was ready [22:08] and that he was prepared.
[22:11] But for this to happen, you must be someone [22:13] that knows and studies the scriptures. [22:16] See, what has been happening in churches [22:18] that believers haven’t been spending time in God’s word [22:21] because they don’t desire to know more about God. [22:24] So if believers aren’t desiring to study the Bible personally,
[22:27] then how are they going to be able to explain [22:29] the scriptures to others?
[22:32] Like think about that. [22:34] So my biggest encouragement for each of you, [22:36] for you to be faithful missionaries in the context [22:39] is that the Lord has sovereignly placed you in
[22:44] is for you to fall in love with the scriptures. [22:49] See, God uses the scriptures to show us how glorious he is. [22:55] And that will give us even a greater vision for mission. [23:00] But you have to allow the scriptures, [23:03] the word of God to shape your life [23:06] so you’ll be ready to go out and to reach other people.
[23:12] So when you know the scriptures, [23:13] you will only grow in confidence in those moments [23:15] that God has placed before you to reach other people. [23:19] You see, too many people hide behind the fact [23:21] that they don’t feel like they’re gifted [23:22] as the evangelists in the culture
[23:24] instead of being honest with themselves [23:26] about how much they know they don’t desire [23:29] to know and to understand the Bible.
[23:33] There have been moments in my life [23:34] where I can think about the conversations [23:36] I’ve been having with people [23:37] and the Lord just brings back to the forefront of my mind [23:41] scripture that I’ve read as I’m interacting with people, [23:45] as they’re asking questions about life,
[23:47] I’m able to comfort them by the word of God. [23:51] The Lord’s gonna use your time in the word [23:53] to prepare you to be more effective missionary [23:56] in our culture.
[23:59] How do you think it would have been [24:00] if Philip would have went up to you [24:01] and goes, I don’t even know what you’re talking about, man. [24:03] I’ve never read that before. [24:05] I don’t know where else to point you to. [24:09] It would have been a tough conversation
[24:10] for him to point him to Jesus.
[24:14] The eunuch didn’t understand the fact [24:15] that this text was pointing to the messianic prophecy [24:19] that Jesus was gonna die and to suffer on the people’s behalf. [24:25] He needed somebody to be there [24:27] and to explain to him the scriptures.
[24:31] And I’m encouraged by his response in this text
[24:36] because the eunuch was a seeker. [24:40] He wanted to know more. [24:42] And I really believe that there’s so many seekers [24:44] around us in the culture, in our county, [24:46] that wanna know more about Jesus. [24:48] They’re trying to figure out what it looks like
[24:49] to worship God and you might be the person [24:52] that the Lord has placed right in front of them. [24:54] So they could come to faith and to knowledge [24:56] of who Jesus is and what he has done for people [25:01] to save them, to redeem them from themselves. [25:04] That might be you.
[25:09] So that’s why I’m encouraged by the eunuch’s response [25:11] because he’s a seeker.
[25:14] Like know that your neighbors, the people around you [25:16] that you’re engaging are waiting for you [25:19] to be bold, to share the gospel.
[25:26] See, Philip helps the eunuch to understand the scripture [25:28] starting with the book of Isaiah. [25:30] And the text he read was talking about the suffering servant [25:32] as I previously mentioned and how he died [25:35] on behalf of the people. [25:37] So think about that.
[25:38] Isn’t that kind of like a slow pitch softball [25:39] type of thing for you? [25:41] Like he set him up to knock that out the park, right? [25:44] It’s like the text that he’s like, [25:44] hey, help me understand this is the one about Jesus. [25:50] It wasn’t even a tough text.
[25:51] It’s like, well, all right, let me tell you, [25:52] this is all about Jesus. [25:55] So I’m encouraged by that, [25:56] but we just gotta be ready regardless, [25:58] being able to understand and to explain [26:00] how everything in the Bible is pointing to Jesus.
[26:04] And I think Jesus himself solidifies this [26:07] in Luke chapter 24, verse 27. [26:10] He says this, in beginning with Moses, [26:14] all the prophets, in all the prophets, [26:17] he interpreted to them in all the scriptures, [26:20] the things concerning himself.
[26:24] Literally, Jesus looked to the disciples and said, [26:27] hey, let me let you know this, [26:29] is that everything that you’ve ever read in the Bible [26:31] is all concerning me and is pointing to me. [26:35] So from Genesis to Revelation, [26:38] the whole story and narrative is pointing to the cross
[26:41] that redeems sinners, though all the entire word of God [26:45] is about Jesus and our need to be redeemed [26:49] from ourselves.
[26:53] So we need to be ready to share from the word, [26:57] to be able to respond to questions [26:59] that come out of the word, [27:00] to share how it points to Jesus.
[27:05] See, all the Bible is centered around the cross, [27:08] so we have to keep that in the forefront of our mind [27:10] as we’re reading the Bible. [27:11] And I understand it’s tough at times, [27:13] as you’re reading, you’re like, [27:14] man, I just don’t wanna read this
[27:15] because I don’t wanna read so and so, [27:17] but God, so and so, and so, so, but God, so and so, [27:19] there’s no point about this, but there is a point. [27:21] When you read those texts and those narratives, [27:24] it’s getting to the fact of, hey, Jesus is coming. [27:27] So even when you’re reading some of these texts
[27:29] that you’re struggling with, [27:30] God is showing you simultaneously through that process of, [27:34] hey, this is all building up to my son coming [27:37] and dying on my behalf, [27:39] and after he came and died on your behalf, [27:40] it’s all pointing to the fact that he did do it,
[27:42] that he rose from the grave, [27:44] that he’s alive and that it is well, [27:45] so we must be able to explain the scriptures, right? [27:51] We gotta be ready for that.
[27:54] Something that I’ve seen in the midst of my life [27:57] and lives of others, that something that really matters [27:59] is that we have to remember [28:00] that we’re not alone in this process, [28:02] that God has bought his church through the blood of his son, [28:07] so we’re brought together alongside other believers
[28:09] to grow alongside of one another, [28:10] to walk alongside one another, [28:12] and encourage each other to grow in the gospel. [28:14] That means reading the word together.
[28:17] And something that I’ve seen be extremely effective as well [28:20] is that when discipleship groups, [28:22] I’ve experienced this myself, [28:24] start to meet in public places,
[28:28] and they read the Bible out loud, [28:30] because you never know what the Lord is going to do. [28:35] So my encouragement for you is to even think through this, [28:38] is that you start meeting with your discipleship group [28:40] in public places, [28:41] read the word of God audibly,
[28:43] and seeing what he does. [28:45] The discipleship group that I’m a part of [28:46] has experienced this firsthand, [28:47] where in the past month and a half, [28:49] we’ve seen people just come up to us, [28:50] and they’re saying,
[28:51] I hear you talking about the word, [28:53] and I’m just kinda compelled to hear [28:55] and to learn more about this.
[28:58] We’ve had people, as we’re reading the word, employees, [29:02] because we’re there kinda close to closing time, [29:04] they’re saying, hey, is it okay [29:05] if I just turn on some Christian music here? [29:08] See, the word was at the center, [29:10] they heard the word being read,
[29:11] they heard the word being talked about, [29:13] and it started to build relationships, [29:15] it started to start conversations [29:16] with people that are in the places that we’re going. [29:21] I consider that us going somewhere, right? [29:25] We’re going to a Starbucks,
[29:26] you’re going to a Panera, [29:27] you’re building relationships, [29:29] you’re reading the words together in those spaces, [29:32] and then you’ll be able to watch [29:33] and see all that the Lord does. [29:35] See, the temptation for us is that we wanna just kinda
[29:37] hide away and study the word in our homes, [29:40] but we don’t wanna be in public spaces at times [29:42] to study the word. [29:44] And I fully believe all those moments [29:46] the Lord is sovereignly orchestrating [29:49] to bring those conversations about.
[29:52] But we had to go, we had to be present in the community, [29:56] ready for those conversations to happen. [29:59] So I want you to pray and ask God [30:01] to set up those conversations for you in your life, [30:05] that you’ll be able to talk to other people [30:08] about the good news of the cross,
[30:09] that the Holy Spirit will guide you in those conversations [30:13] ready to engage non-believers, [30:17] and just wait and see and watch what the Lord does.
[30:24] Just wait and see. [30:26] He’s gonna do something through it. [30:29] And I just wanna encourage you to say [30:31] that this is something that happened [30:33] back in biblical times as well, [30:36] because our story is sharing this, right?
[30:38] The guy was just reading the Bible out loud, [30:41] and then he got to explain to him who Jesus was. [30:46] So I encourage you to take that step. [30:49] So my desire for you is that you would long [30:51] for gospel conversations, [30:54] and when you long for those conversations,
[30:55] you will then become to be more aware of those moments [30:59] that are set before you to have conversations [31:03] with people about Jesus. [31:05] And to bring this in full circle, [31:08] you must realize that the Lord prepares you [31:10] for those conversations by you reading the word,
[31:16] and that will prepare you so you’ll be ready [31:18] to share with other people about Jesus. [31:21] So with all that being said, [31:23] I know some might be worried about what I’m saying [31:25] because you feel like you’re inadequate [31:26] in reaching people with the gospel.
[31:29] I just wanna remind you that God has prepared you [31:32] to reach other people because he saved you, [31:35] he’s redeemed you from your sin. [31:39] So that’s all you need to be able to share [31:40] the good news of the cross. [31:43] Therefore, he’s prepared you to reach other people.
[31:48] People who’ve been saved through the blood of Jesus [31:50] want to know more about the Father’s love for his people [31:53] so that they can rest in the truth of the gospel [31:56] as well for they can share that truth with other people. [32:01] So we must immerse our lives in the Bible [32:04] so that we can understand the depths
[32:06] of the Father’s love for his people, [32:09] and so we can share with other people about Jesus.
[32:15] But let me share this is that when I’m referring to [32:18] you reading the word and gaining this type [32:21] of mental knowledge, I’m not saying that for the sake [32:23] of just gaining mental knowledge about the scriptures, [32:27] but we’re saying in such a way so that your mental knowledge [32:29] will then lead towards heart transformation.
[32:33] And this heart transformation will pour out into the lives [32:36] of other people because you want those other people [32:39] to know the risen savior. [32:42] It’s not about just being able to quote the scriptures. [32:46] Many of you can quote the scriptures, [32:48] but it has to penetrate your heart first.
[32:51] You have to be transformed by the gospel [32:54] to then go forward and reach other people [32:56] for the sake of the gospel.
[33:01] You’re not marinating on the word for the sake of knowledge, [33:05] but because you love the Lord, [33:07] because you want to know more about the Lord, [33:10] and that’s gonna compel you to go out [33:12] and to make more disciples. [33:15] So you read the word because you believe
[33:16] that the God of the universe sent his son [33:18] to die on the cross to change the world. [33:20] You know that the world has been changed [33:22] through the resurrection and death of Jesus. [33:27] For some of you, you don’t enjoy the resurrection [33:28] or you don’t enjoy reading the word
[33:30] because you don’t enjoy the fact that Jesus rose [33:33] from the dead and you don’t believe [33:35] that that changes everything. [33:38] But maybe for some of you, [33:39] you might believe that changes some things, [33:41] but you don’t believe that changes everything.
[33:43] And that really does impact the way [33:45] that you come to God’s word, [33:47] because you won’t see the totality [33:49] of what God is doing through his word [33:51] for his people to share with them, [33:53] to explain to them how good Jesus really is.
[33:57] You have to have that passion for the word [33:59] and you have to believe that the cross, [34:02] that the resurrection changes everything.
[34:06] And we see here in this text [34:07] that Philip uses the whole counsel of the scripture [34:10] to share with the eunuch about how everything points [34:13] to Jesus.
[34:16] And I believe that the eunuch responded really well [34:18] in this process and came to faith in Jesus, [34:20] and it brought him into a process of discipleship. [34:24] And that leads us to point number three, [34:25] this morning gospel conversations will lead to discipleship [34:28] something from verses 36 and 39.
[34:35] And as they were going along the road, [34:37] they came to some water and the eunuch said, [34:40] see here is water, what prevents me from being baptized? [34:44] And he commanded the chariot to stop [34:45] and they both went down into the water, [34:48] Philip and the eunuch and he was baptized.
[34:50] And when they came up out of the water, [34:52] the spirit of the Lord carried Philip away [34:54] and the eunuchs saw him no more [34:57] and went on his way rejoicing. [34:59] But Philip found himself at Asiatus [35:02] and as he had passed through,
[35:05] he preached the gospel to all the towns [35:08] until he came to Caesarea.
[35:12] So it’s encouraging for us to be able to read this passage [35:15] and to see how God had been working [35:17] and moving through the Ethiopian church, [35:21] so sorry, through the Ethiopians [35:22] so that he can come to hear the gospel. [35:24] Actually then spurred on the Ethiopian church.
[35:28] But God worked in the heart of a skeptical non-believer [35:31] by bringing him into contact with the man [35:33] who wanted to make Jesus known [35:35] to all the people around him. [35:38] A man who was guided by the Lord [35:40] into all of his conversations.
[35:42] And in this passage, we get to see the fruit [35:44] of God’s sovereignty in Philip’s faithful witness. [35:48] And by God’s grace, the Lord used Philip’s explanation [35:51] of the scripture through the Holy Spirit [35:53] to save a sinner and for him to take steps in obedience. [35:59] See, we need to remember that Philip thought
[36:01] he was a worshiper, sorry, the eunuch thought [36:04] he was a worshiper of God, but God revealed to the eunuch [36:07] his need to worship Jesus. [36:10] And when the eunuch came to faith in Jesus, [36:12] he wanted to take steps forward in learning about Jesus. [36:16] But he needed somebody to be there to explain to him
[36:19] what it looks like to follow Jesus. [36:23] And I can only imagine just Philip riding alongside of him [36:26] in this moment and explaining to him [36:28] what it looks like to have faith in Jesus, [36:30] what it looks like to walk out his faith. [36:33] He probably explained to him the significance of baptism
[36:35] because it was an outward reflection [36:37] of the inward workings of his faith [36:39] that he had newly professed. [36:41] See, that’s discipleship. [36:43] When you come alongside somebody [36:44] and you’re doing life with them,
[36:46] and you’re sharing with them [36:47] what it looks like to follow Jesus. [36:50] See, Philip could have just came to him in that moment [36:52] and said, hey, here’s the gospel, start following Jesus, [36:54] and then see you later.
[36:57] But he said, no, let me explain to you [36:59] what it looks like to follow Jesus.
[37:04] See, discipleship matters in the life of a believer [37:07] so we can help other people grow in faithfulness to Jesus [37:11] in his mission while they seek to live their life [37:14] to honor the Lord. [37:17] As Christians, we aren’t just satisfied [37:19] with the professions of faith,
[37:20] but we wanna see people’s lives [37:23] become fully devoted to Jesus. [37:26] We want this because we believe Jesus’ death, [37:28] burial and resurrection, [37:29] and changes to all aspects of our lives. [37:33] Through discipling people,
[37:33] we will soon realize where their hearts really at, [37:36] that they actually have a desire to grow in the gospel [37:38] and they have a desire to grow in following Jesus. [37:42] See, there’s two facets to discipleship. [37:44] The first one is that it takes someone [37:45] who’s willing to invest in and to pour into the life
[37:48] of another person. [37:51] And it takes a person who’s willing to grow [37:53] in their faith and to walk in obedience. [37:56] And our passage does a great job of explaining this [37:58] because God put Philip in this moment
[38:02] so that he could engage the eunuch, right? [38:05] So he could do life alongside of the eunuch. [38:08] And the eunuch wanted to know more [38:10] about what it looks like to follow Jesus. [38:13] It takes time. [38:15] We have to create the time in our schedules
[38:17] to be ready to be in these opportunities [38:20] and these moments for discipleship. [38:23] And he made the most of it. [38:25] That’s what Philip did. [38:25] He said, this opportunity is presented here for me. [38:28] I need to step into this moment
[38:30] and actually invest in the people.
[38:34] So friends, I hope that we see [38:36] how gospel conversations lead to discipleship. [38:38] See, we have to have gospel conversations [38:40] because we want to invite other people into relationships [38:44] that are actually discipleship relationships. [38:46] See, many of us here are content
[38:47] with just having friends that are Christians [38:50] and not having discipleship relationships. [38:53] See, Philip could have left him immediately, [38:54] like I mentioned, but he said, [38:57] no, I want to invite you into discipleship. [39:00] So the struggle for some of us in here
[39:02] is that we do a good job of inviting people [39:04] into relationships, but we never had the intention [39:07] of having gospel conversations [39:09] with the people that we encounter. [39:11] So you might be the person that greets them [39:13] that talks to them, that you see them all the time,
[39:16] but you never had the intention of saying, [39:18] hey, how do we get to Jesus?
[39:23] See, some of us in here would have been like Philip [39:25] and been encouraged and excited to engage the unit, [39:29] but you’ve been waiting though [39:31] for this deep robust relationship to happen to be formed [39:35] before you will then get to the gospel. [39:38] But Philip realized because he was walking in step
[39:40] with the spirit that the harvest was ripe in this moment, [39:45] that he needs to take advantage of this opportunity [39:47] to share with the unit, the gospel and who Jesus is. [39:52] Friends, we need to be able to have the type of discernment [39:54] to know what those moments are, but as I mentioned earlier, [39:57] you have to be able to walk in step with the spirit
[39:59] and hear the Lord work, right? [40:02] As the Lord’s guiding you to have these conversations.
[40:07] But in today’s culture, [40:09] it should only take a matter of a few conversations [40:12] before someone should be able to figure out [40:13] you’re a Christian anyways. [40:16] That’s how different our lives are from the world. [40:19] Once someone figures out you’re a Christian,
[40:21] you might as well start having those gospel conversations. [40:26] But this is the issue though, [40:27] that too many people are so worried [40:29] about keeping non-believing friends [40:31] because they don’t want to offend them by the cross. [40:35] They don’t want to have those tough conversations with them
[40:39] or even just to be honest about their lives [40:41] and the lives that they’re living [40:42] about why your schedule looks different [40:45] since you’re following Jesus. [40:48] And it actually might not be a difficult thing for some [40:50] because you might not even have any differences
[40:51] in your schedule than theirs. [40:53] So that might be why the conversations aren’t coming about. [40:57] But my point is this, is that some of you are so worried [41:00] about relationships with people [41:03] that live in opposition to what you believe [41:06] and you’re worried about offending them
[41:09] because you don’t want to lose their friendship, right? [41:12] But I guarantee you, if you offend them in such a way [41:14] that you lose their friendship, [41:16] they’re probably would never be your friend [41:17] in the first place.
[41:20] And you should come to that realization
[41:25] and understand that truth. [41:28] As people of the gospel were called to go out [41:30] and to build relationships with other people with intentions, [41:33] that means your family members, that means your coworkers, [41:35] that means your neighbors. [41:38] We have a slant to us, that’s the gospel.
[41:41] So we have to allow that to propel us to go forward.
[41:46] So friends, don’t be worried about that. [41:48] Don’t be worried about being the cool Christian [41:50] in your community that has it all together [41:52] and that you can kind of hang out with the best of them. [41:56] Your life’s gonna look different [41:57] because the gospel is defining your life.
[42:02] Just think about how twisted that is though, [42:04] for you to want to try to please them [42:05] instead of being faithful to the mission. [42:08] The Lord’s calling you to a mission, [42:09] but you’re like, I actually want to please the people [42:11] I’m trying to reach.
[42:13] That doesn’t make sense. [42:16] See, many of us have a desire [42:17] to be in discipleship relationships with people, [42:20] but we aren’t willing to do what it takes [42:23] in order to make disciples.
[42:26] You have to go and to tell to make disciples.
[42:31] Where are you going and who are you telling? [42:34] That’s my question for you to really ponder one. [42:37] Where are the places that the Lord has placed you [42:40] so you can be a faithful witness [42:42] of all that the Lord has done? [42:44] It’s actually funny to me sometimes
[42:45] because I have conversations with people [42:47] that have a desire to make disciples, [42:49] but they don’t want to do anything. [42:51] It’s actually to make disciples. [42:53] They just want somebody to walk up to them [42:54] and say, hey, will you disciple me?
[42:57] And yes, that happens sometimes, [42:59] but that person is an outlier, to be honest. [43:02] God has called us to be a sent people [43:04] with the intentions of seeking to reach other people [43:07] for the glory of God. [43:09] Remember, God has called you to be a faithful vessel
[43:11] for his glory who happens to go out [43:13] to make other faithful vessels for his glory [43:16] so they can then go out and reach other people [43:19] for the sake of the gospel. [43:21] See, we can’t just be content with people, [43:24] just being happy with people just being merely Christian,
[43:27] them just converting to Christianity. [43:31] We can’t settle for that. [43:34] We want to see people live a life that’s devoted to Jesus.
[43:40] And I’ll be real with you that [43:42] discipleship can be an inconvenience at times [43:44] for you to actually get into the messiness of people’s lives, [43:48] to be there with them as they’re growing. [43:50] That’s a struggle sometimes. [43:51] I’m gonna be real with you about that.
[43:54] But that’s what the Lord’s calling us to. [43:56] I don’t know what the eunuch brought up to Philip and said, [43:58] oh man, this is what I got going on in my mind. [44:00] This is how I think about the world and this way. [44:02] But no, Philip walked alongside of him in that moment
[44:07] to encourage him in the gospel. [44:10] So ultimately where he took that step out and said, [44:12] hey, I want to be baptized. [44:15] He saw that, he said, I don’t want to wait.
[44:19] I’ve heard what you’ve been sharing to me [44:21] and I want to take that step forward [44:24] and make this public profession of faith. [44:27] The Lord is working in that type of way [44:30] and we’re called to be in the midst of those relationships [44:32] to see people come to know Jesus and people to grow, right?
[44:36] So we have to be committed to that. [44:39] But the big issue for most of us is our time.
[44:43] We feel like we don’t have enough time to make disciples [44:46] and that’s on us to create room in our own schedules [44:49] so that we can do that. [44:51] You want to disciple people, but you have no time. [44:55] You’re not willing to get up early in the morning. [44:58] You’re not willing to go meet somewhere
[44:59] because you’re like, oh, I need me time. [45:02] You think Philip was worried about me time in that moment? [45:05] He was riding in a chariot going in the opposite direction.
[45:10] But he wanted to trust the spirit in that moment, [45:14] engage in the conversation and see what the Lord would do. [45:18] And that’s the type of people that we need to be.
[45:23] See, the church is here to walk alongside of you [45:25] in this process. [45:27] Always remember you’re not alone. [45:29] You have other people that you can bring alongside of you [45:31] in the process of discipling people. [45:32] You might not connect with the person in the same way
[45:35] that you feel like you need to. [45:36] Allow the church to help you to disciple other people. [45:40] It’s not about you doing this on your own, [45:42] but we’ve been brought into the church.
[45:46] I always have to remind myself that I’m not alone. [45:48] I have to. [45:50] I think in this moment, Philip trusted that [45:52] the unit would come alongside of other believers [45:54] because he left them, right? [45:56] And the spirit compelled him to another place.
[45:59] And that’s prime for us to remember that the mission [46:01] just doesn’t end with us reaching one person, [46:04] but the mission that allows us to go forward [46:06] to continue to reach other people. [46:08] It doesn’t end there.
[46:11] It doesn’t end with you just reaching that one neighbor, [46:13] but you reach somebody and then you try to reach [46:15] another person. [46:16] It just doesn’t stop with one person. [46:18] You don’t just pat yourself on the back and say, [46:19] hey, I’m a missionary, but it’s a lifestyle.
[46:21] And I think that’s what we see from Philip in this text
[46:25] because he reached the unit and then the spirit [46:27] guided him somewhere else [46:28] because he wanted to go reach more people. [46:30] And that’s the life we’re called to live [46:33] as followers of Jesus. [46:35] And so the big takeaway that I want you to have this morning
[46:37] is that the Lord is always leading and guiding us [46:40] on mission through the Holy Spirit. [46:41] And the mission never ends with us just reaching [46:44] that one person.
[46:47] I want you to take that. [46:49] That has to be your takeaway from this morning [46:51] is that he hasn’t called you just to reach that one person, [46:53] but he’s called you to go out and to reach more people [46:55] and to be faithful in this endeavor.
[46:58] And so that’s my challenge for you this morning. [47:00] I hope that you’re encouraged by the call for us [47:02] to go out and to make disciples, [47:04] the call for us to go reach other people, [47:06] but that means you have to be willing to go. [47:08] You have to be willing to trust the Holy Spirit
[47:10] and to take those steps forward.
[47:13] I think the Lord is calling you to do that, [47:15] but will you respond in faith and trust that God knows [47:19] what he’s setting up in your life [47:20] for you to reach other people. [47:22] So as the band comes up, my prayer for you [47:26] is that we would take all of this into consideration,
[47:30] but that we would realize that we simply just can’t be [47:33] about this in a form of lip service,
[47:39] but that we really legitimately be about this life, [47:44] that we don’t just talk about, [47:45] hey, I wanna be a person that lives a life [47:48] marked by Matthew 28, 18 through 20, [47:52] go out and making disciples,
[47:55] but you can share and talk about the fruit [47:57] of you making disciples in the context that you’re in, [48:01] that the Lord has sovereignly orchestrated [48:03] and placed you in. [48:05] Friends, you have to trust the gospel [48:07] as being true in those moments,
[48:09] because he’s called you to reach somebody.
[48:12] Just ask him to awaken you to see who the people are [48:15] in front of you for you to reach.
[48:18] On Sunday mornings at Village Church, [48:20] we take communion here, [48:22] and this is a call for believers to be able to identify [48:25] if the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus. [48:28] And so for believers, when we come to the table, [48:31] we take the bread that represents his body
[48:33] that was broken for us on our behalf, [48:35] and the blood which represents the cup [48:38] that was poured out for us, [48:40] his blood that was poured out for us on our behalf.
[48:43] And so when we come to the table, [48:45] we come grateful, rejoicing that Jesus saved us [48:48] and he’s redeemed us from our own sins, [48:52] but as well, we should come pleading for him [48:55] to save other people as well, [48:58] and that he would do that work in your own heart
[49:00] so that you would have a desire and a vision for your life [49:02] to go out to reach other people. [49:04] And if you’re a non-believer here this morning, [49:06] you’ve heard the gospel, [49:08] and you wanna hear more about who Jesus is, [49:11] what he has done,
[49:12] you just wanna hear somebody talk more, [49:14] talk to you more about the scriptures. [49:16] There’s some people out on the floor [49:17] that would love to have a conversation with you [49:18] about Jesus and what he’s done on our behalf, [49:21] and to be able to explain with you all about the Bible
[49:24] and how it points to Jesus. [49:27] So I wanna encourage you to take that step out here [49:28] if that’s you. [49:29] But at this time, if you’re a follower of Jesus, [49:31] I just wanna call you to come to the tables [49:34] to have communion together.