Sermons

Obeying Unique Instructions (Acts 8:25-40)

Gearl Spicer Gearl Spicer, November 6, 2022
Part of the Heart of Our Story series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Acts 8:25–40 (Listen)

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

26 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. 29 And 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.

(ESV)

Sermon Notes

Heart of Our Story
Obeying Unique Instructions
Acts 8:25-40
11/6/22

Have you ever received unique instructions?

*God places us in opportunities where obedience is not optional but vital!

We obey in order to:
*Experience His presence in our lives
*Live inside His power
*Encounter His living ways

*So when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel in many villages of Samaritans. But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." Acts 8:25-26

*Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31

*Then Philip opened His mouth, and beginning from this scripture he preached Jesus to him. Acts 8:35

I. Turning in the direction of obedience is always wise - Acts 8:29-31
A. Unique instructions were given to insure God's plan
B. The challenge of understanding is always linked to our personal faith

II. Realizing the power of teaching to transform - Acts 8:32-35
A. Asking clarifying questions will lead to applicable insights
B. All Scripture leads us to a greater awareness of Jesus our savior

III. Watching the power of the Gospel is life changing - Acts 8:36-40
A. Confession led to transformation
B. Transformation led to obedience
C. Obedience led to His supernatural ways

Are you walking in obedience?

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