A Eunuch Experience

Because in verse 26 an angel basically told Philip to stop what he was doing and go take a hike.

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out. . .” Acts 8:26-27

Now, I believe this “angel” is actually Jesus himself. I did not graduate with a Bible Major. So I don’t know for sure. It just seems like it to me because these Bible people and Jesus still had this sort of connection. At least that is my thought.

But anyway – Philip is told to leave his successful church and seek out this person in the desert. See, God does not use angels or even his own son to spread His word. God uses sinful, redeemed people to do His work. God used Philip. God can use Paul. God can use Debbie. God can use Kyle. God can use Keith. God can use Charity. God can use Krista. God can use – Insert your name here.

So this city wide campaign is changed to a single sinner in the dessert in this Baffling Breakaway. From a miracle-ministry to just one individual. Now, the message is the same for many as it is for one. The method is just a little different – a more personal touch.

Notice how much of a fight Philip put up. Basically, the angel said to go and Philip went. What about you guys? Have you ever put up a fight with God? I have. And why do we do that? I know that God knows best and that God knows all. I am sure you do too. But if God says to go, why are we so reluctant sometimes?

“Well, God, I would ask Jimmy to come to Extreme, but he sits at the table that the freaks hang out at and I am sure you don’t want them here.” “Well, God, I would ask Sally to come to church, but she sleeps around, and I am pretty sure that you don’t want those types of people in this building.” “Well, God, I would ask Matt to come to CIY, but he gets drunk on the weekends and only Christians should go to something like CIY.”

Wanna’ know what God says to those excuses? “That is a bunch of bologna!” See, God himself hung around the freaks. God himself hung around those that got around. God himself hung around the drunks. So if God says to you, “Go to that person.” You should go. Two reasons – He would not send you somewhere to fail. And He has done it also.

So when God tells Philip to leave and go seek this person in the desert, we see that Philip immediately goes. And he meets this Ethiopian.

I want to take a look at him and why he was put into scripture. And let me tell you my thoughts as to why first. I believe that God can have a greater blessing result from a single conversion than from scores of “decisions.”

This Ethiopian was an interesting guy. See, he was probably excluded from the temple because of his race and his physical condition. But, this Ethiopian was an important man. He had authority over the treasury of the Queen of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is located in Africa south of Egypt. This Ethiopian obviously was very dedicated to God because he traveled such a long distance to worship in Jerusalem.

And now, this Baffling Breakaway is no longer baffling. God needed a church and a witness in Africa. History and tradition agree that this man became the “first fruits” of Africa. Sometimes following God’s lead may seem like a demotion. At first, you may not understand His plans, but the results will prove that God’s ways are always right. God’s ways may be baffling to us and His purposes above our understanding, but the results are always blessings.