Key Verse: Acts 8:26-40, " 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.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian
[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake
(which means “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.”
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 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
33 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.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “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. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea."
"Be Prepared." This has been the Scout motto for 100 years. Millions of young people around the world have been raised to be ready for any opportunity that may present itself...at least in theory. (Trying and untying knots may not be quite as essential a skill as it was back in the day). From Hank Aaron to Steven Spielberg, Martha Stewart to Bill Gates, people from all kinds of backgrounds grew up with this simple idea echoing in their minds. But maybe Scouts was never your thing. Sure, the cookies may be great but badges and uniforms had zero appeal. Regardless of how comfortable you feel in shorts and tall socks, the concept of being prepared is one we all need to embrace.
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 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
33 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.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “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. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea."
"Be Prepared." This has been the Scout motto for 100 years. Millions of young people around the world have been raised to be ready for any opportunity that may present itself...at least in theory. (Trying and untying knots may not be quite as essential a skill as it was back in the day). From Hank Aaron to Steven Spielberg, Martha Stewart to Bill Gates, people from all kinds of backgrounds grew up with this simple idea echoing in their minds. But maybe Scouts was never your thing. Sure, the cookies may be great but badges and uniforms had zero appeal. Regardless of how comfortable you feel in shorts and tall socks, the concept of being prepared is one we all need to embrace.
Read Acts 8:26-40. Philip was
prepared to obey God immediately, going to a desert road and then running up to
a man traveling home. When Philip approached the Ethiopian eunuch, he stepped
right into a situation to share the story of Jesus. He was prepare to answer
the man’s question about Scripture. When the royal official responded to the
gospel in faith, Philip was prepared to baptize the new believer. Then, he was
on his way again, ready to go anywhere God led him and to talk with anyone who
crossed his path.
Are your prepared? If God provided the
opportunities would you be able to step in and respond with faith and
obedience? With Philip, God provided the direction, the opportunity, and the perfect
timing. (They just happened to be passing water in the desert deep enough for
both of them to go down into for baptism!) Are you listening to the Spirit,
looking for God to open doors, and running through them when He does? When
opportunity knocks, are you prepared to share the good news of Jesus Christ
anytime, anywhere, with anyone?
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