03.21.2021 | WHEN GOD SAYS GO
WHEN GOD SAYS GO
Acts 8:5-8 – “Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So, there was great joy in that city.”
Acts 8:26-28 – “As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So, he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.”
Acts 8:29-31 – “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage.’ Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.”
Acts 8:32-33 – “The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, He did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of His descendants? For His life was taken from the earth.’”
Acts 8:34-38 – “The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?’ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?’ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”
Acts 8:39-40 – “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.”
1. When God says go, go!
Acts 8:26 (MSG) – “Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: ‘At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.’ He got up and went.”
2. As you go, look for opportunities.
Acts 8:30 – “Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’”
3. Leave no one behind.
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2 Peter 3:9b – “Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Rate your current stewardship of the Gospel on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being revival like Phillip and 1 being no real stewardship at all.
2. What stands out to you in this part of Phillip’s story? Why?
3. Share of a time you said “yes” to God.
4. What are some things you could begin to implement in your weekly routine to advance the Kingdom?
5. What group of people or individuals do you find yourself most prone to write off or “leave behind”? Who is it the hardest for you to love? Talk about why, forgive, and invite a revelation of God’s love into this area of your life.