“God’s Servant”

Acts 8:26-40

 

bullet What a special day this is… over 20 people who trusted Christ and now choose to be baptized
bullet We’re recording everything and will hopefully have DVD’s made of the service

 

1.  God Sees Man’s Spiritual Desert

Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."

 

bullet An angel instructed Philip to go to the desert road… God was up to something… to reach people
bullet This was a desolate, barren area through the Gaza desert…
bullet God sees man’s spiritual condition… many people are on the desert road… trying to find fulfillment…
bullet Liken it as a God sized hole in our hearts… empty, desolate, arid… sinfulness… Only God can fill the void

 

 

2. God Calls Us to Join Him and Get Involved

Acts 8:27-29 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, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

 

bullet Philip, called the Evangelist in Acts 21:8 started to go under God’s direction… led to a man from Africa
bullet God is a BIG God who is actively working all around us… God was preparing a man’s heart…
bullet He was called an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of the treasury in S. Egypt / Sudan
bullet He was in Jerusalem & worshipped Yahweh… he also was very wealthy by phrase “sitting in his chariot”
bullet Often would read out loud… Isaiah… Interesting now the Holy Spirit directed Philip more closely…
bullet Go to THAT chariot and stay near it… he could hear the eunuch reading from Isaiah…
bullet Wonderful how God directs us to join Him as He works in lives around us…

 

 

3. God’s Servant’s Obey and God Works

Acts 8:30-35 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. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." 34 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.

 

bullet Noticed Philip obeyed and then asked a probing question… do you understand what you’re reading?
bullet He was reading from Is 53:7-8… describing the crucifixion of Christ, written 700 years before Jesus!
bullet Philip shared the good news, the Gospel – death, burial, resurrection of Jesus Christ…
bullet That is what this day is all about… the good news about Jesus.  The One who saves from sin!
bullet Jesus forgives us, He changes us from the inside out – to live with Him forever in eternity!

4.  Resulting in People Saved, Baptized and Growing Spiritually

Acts 8:36-39 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

 

bullet After you are saved God commands us to be baptized… why shouldn’t I be baptized…
bullet Notice Philip’s response… you may if you believe with all your heart… I believe… this man was saved
bullet Because of this man, the Gospel message was carried back to the African continent… REJOICING

 

bullet Baptism identifies us with Christ… death, burial, resurrection…
bullet It’s an outward, visible symbol of an inward invisible belief/commitment to Jesus Christ
bullet Baptism doesn’t save you, but shows you are already believe
bullet PTL over twenty people who has placed their trust in Christ will be baptized today – AMEN!

 

Those being baptized are the result of YOU being in the place God has you!

 

Together - Everyone - Accomplishes - More

THANK YOU for being a part of the T.E.A.M.

bullet I am so thankful today… because you prayed, you invested financially, you personally sacrificed, you gave of your time and talents… Wonder if Philip said NO to God… If he wasn’t willing…
bullet Thankful for God’s Servants… all of us making a TEAM effort to win one more for Jesus…
bullet Those who minister each week at County prison, Choices, First Hospital, Salvation Army…
bullet Sign changes every week, the yard workers each week, Audio/Visual guys… Those who invest in dinners, decorating, odd jobs, various construction crews, our Pastors, Deacons, Trustees
bullet Awana workers, VBS Team, College & Career, Celebrate Recovery, Food Bank workers, Teens, Men & Ladies ministries, Secretaries, Sunday School staff, Praise Team… week after week preparing, practicing their lessons and worship songs

 

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

bullet It’s easy to burn out or even rust & rot out - DON’T… It’s easy to become Discouraged – DON’T…
bullet YOU are making a Difference… Folks, look around at this beautiful facility, watch those being baptized whose life has been changed and understand the part you played in making this all happen…

 

Philip was sensitive to the Lord, we must be also…

bullet You are Making a Difference!
bullet You will be Blessed and Richly Rewarded!
bullet You are Called, Unique and Vital… and you are needed… Be God’s Servant!

 

LISTEN!  Can you hear God Calling You?  Become more involved in ministry…