1.
Previously
on the topic of witnessing (Luke 24:36-53), we considered some necessary characteristics
to be a good witness for Jesus:
Ø
having
the right foundation in life; reflecting good character; showing consistency
& integrity; exhibiting purpose & hope;
Ø
this
time … being sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit – so that we can connect
with people (and be in the right place at the right time).
2.
Background
to text
(a) We are now in the post-Pentecost period
where the Gospel has started to be shared far and wide … part of the reason for
this was the persecution being suffered by the Christians in Jerusalem, causing
them to disperse throughout the region (8:1). So whereas persecution was a bad
thing, it did lead to Jesus-followers coming across the path of a broad range
of people.
(b) When the original disciples needed help
with practical pastoral care so that they themselves could continue with their
preaching of the Gospel and devotion to prayer, Philip was one of those chosen
– on the basis that he was “in good standing, and full of the Spirit and
wisdom”. (Acts 6:1-7).
(c) It obviously wasn’t long before Philip
graduated to being an evangelist (Acts 8:4-13)! Philip was now a roving
evangelist moving from place to place as the Spirit guided.
3.
Learnings
from text (Acts 8:26-40)
Ø
Refer
verse 26. Now let us consider the question of God’s leading! The only way
that you can sense God’s leading is how?? Being open to it – looking for
it; praying for it. God will call and guide us through big decisions; but also
God will call and guide us through everyday journeys … like going to see
someone, or making a phone call – that we never planned to do, but sensed the
need to do. Do we sometimes, however, resist Spirit promptings because they are
inconvenient? ... or because they are a disruption? … or because we are heading
in an unknown direction? It will often be in the disruptions that we sense the
presence and movement of God, rather than in what we had planned.
Ø
Philip
simply felt impelled to go down south, and although not knowing why …
there must be some really good reason to do so.
Ø
What
sort of trip was this likely to be for Philip?? “This is a wilderness road”!! Lonely,
potentially dangerous! Out of our comfort zones.
Ø
Refer
verse 27a. So, Philip ‘hesitated and thought about it a bit more’!?! So, Philip
‘put it off for tomorrow’!?! No – Philip “got up and went”. The “got up”
perhaps indicated that Philip was at prayer (or resting) at the time, but now
was hitting the road. How often do we procrastinate? For Philip, this was an
undeniable and irresistible call from God. If he had procrastinated, what
might have been the result?? An opportunity missed!?!
Ø
This was
all heading for a ‘right place right time’ sort of situation; or what we might
term a Divine appointment – refer verses 27b-28. Here was a quintessential
‘seeker’. Following whatever business he was transacting on behalf of his
employer, he attended worship in Jerusalem. And now, he was sitting in his car
reading the Bible … well so to speak! As we come to find out, this man was
wrestling with the meaning of what he was reading from Isaiah.
Ø
Who
was this “Ethiopian eunuch”? Being identified here as an “Ethiopian” designates
that he was a dark-skinned African, perhaps, given the geography, from the
region of Sudan. Being described as a “eunuch” could mean a couple of things: probably that he had been physically castrated; but also the
possibility that he had been culturally castrated in a metaphorical sense (i.e.
emasculated), in that he had been placed in a position of servitude to a female
ruler. Given that he had been worshipping in Jerusalem, and now was reading
from the Hebrew Scriptures (Isaiah), this African was either a Jewish convert
or one very much attracted to their religion [because of monotheism, high
ethical standards]. However it is also possible, that if he was regarded as
physically deformed, he may have been deemed unacceptable for full admission to
the religion of the Jews!! But there was no restriction to him becoming
… ??? … a follower of Jesus! If he was looking for somewhere to belong, then
Philip would be able to show him the way!!
Ø
Refer
verse 29. Sometimes we have made the move, but we still need to be sensitive to
the particular ministry God has in mind for us. Philip now understood why he
had been guided in this direction and ran over to the eunuch’s chariot.
I think here presented too is the general idea (for us to grab a hold of) that God’s
Spirit is moving – there is a high importance on us understanding this and
seeking to co-operate with this. Philip realised that this was a natural
moment for God’s Spirit to be working and he had better get with the program! The
Spirit is at work in the world drawing people to God, and it is up to the
people of God to discern that activity and join with God on his mission (Karina
Kreminski).
Ø
Refer
verse 30b. Where is the genius of Philip’s approach?? He started exactly
where this other person was! Philip understood that there was little chance
that this person from a much different background would be able to understand
the text of Isaiah. [So this was NOT any sort of negative ‘put-down’ that this
‘eunuch guy’ wouldn’t be able to understand Isaiah, but rather a genuine and
considerate offer of help toward such understanding.] Philip may have also
deduced a confused look on the eunuch’s face. With this in mind, Philip came up
with just the right question! Or we might say, he was open enough to God that,
despite any uncertainty or nervousness, just the right words came out of his
mouth. There is some skill and experience involved in saying the right things
at the right time, but even for the most experienced, there is the need to be
tuned in well to the Holy Spirit’s leading. As we practice this, it will become
more and more natural. And this opened a wonderful conversation that we know
had a great outcome.
Ø
We
should note that Philip, once he knew that he must converse with this man,
didn’t let the differing racial background, or different type of profession, or
anything else, get in the way.
Ø
Many
people today might enter a church worship service, or open the Bible, and be
puzzled and lack understanding; for they have little background to draw upon
that would help them. Philip’s gentle and sincere approach facilitated an open
door through which the Gospel was shared. The good question, followed by the
eunuch’s warm response “How can I, unless someone guides me” opens the way for
a relationship to begin. Notice also (in verse 31) the trust involved in
inviting Philip to sit beside him.
Ø
God
had already been preparing not only Philip for this interaction, but also the
‘eunuch’ – note the passage he was reading, and how this would easily lead to a
presentation about Jesus.
Ø
Why
Philip … why me?? The
coming together of two uniquely compatible personalities. There might be no one
else with quite the same connectivity with a certain other person. Watch out
for what God might be setting up. God’s Spirit may be preparing other people to
meet up with us! We might not be able to answer all the questions that follow,
but we can make ourselves available to assist in that mutual journey toward
understanding. Having said this, Philip was able to helpfully interpret Isaiah
for this ‘eunuch’; thus we should take every opportunity we can to
improve our biblical knowledge (and our wisdom in applying this).
4.
Opportunities
abound
It is one
thing to be ready for God to lead us to another person, it is another to
actually be anticipating it. We can also, if we dare, pray for these very
opportunities. This could be with people we already know in mind, or just with
anyone in mind that God might want to throw across our path. We can pray that
God will use us like he used Philip. We can pray that God will prompt us to be
in the right place at the right time. And we can pray this with the thought
that God will be preparing the other person for an upcoming interaction as well
(so that they will respond as warmly as did the “Ethiopian eunuch”).
Some
people have serious reservations about the Christian faith – emotional hurt,
philosophical objections, bad experiences. We can pray in these circumstances
for some new creative way of communicating that helps reveal God’s grace.
Perhaps we need to listen better, or be more vulnerable in sharing our own
story. Perhaps we need to find other ways of serving their practical needs
first, developing the sort of trust that will begin a growing relationship.
Let us be
encouraged by those times when we have said something helpful in season. Let us
rejoice when we have been able to travel out of our comfort zones into
someone’s else’s “chariot”, and found that God’s Spirit has given us the words
and the resources that we have needed. Let us be thankful when others have been
able to experience God through their interactions with us. Let us be
encouragers of one another on this journey of being God’s hands, feet and
mouthpieces in our local communities.
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