Introduction

Some of the most beautiful moments in Scripture happen on ordinary roads. Dust on the sandals. Sun on the horizon. A heart with honest questions. That’s where we meet a man in a chariot and a disciple named Philip. And that’s where so many of us live these days—somewhere between questions and clarity, between restlessness and relief, between “I want to know” and “Now I know.” Have you ever felt that way? Have you had days when you sensed God was whispering, “I see you. I’m near. Keep listening.” This scene in Acts is God’s gentle hand on your shoulder.

Picture it: a desert road that looks like a dead end. A chariot rolling along with a man who’s been reading the Bible and yearning for more. Then, at the right time and in the right place, God sends a friend. Philip doesn’t bring smoke and mirrors. He brings Jesus. Simple. Strong. Saving. He starts with Scripture and leads to the Savior. And somewhere between the scroll and the sand, a thirst rises: “See, here is water.” Can you sense it? The Spirit of God still sets up these moments. He still brings seekers to the water and the willing to the work.

Tim Keller captured the core of this good news so well: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” (Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage) That’s why this desert road becomes holy ground. A man who had questions meets the grace of Christ. A man who felt far from home finds a Savior who comes close. And it all leads to a quiet, courageous confession and water that carries a witness.

Maybe you feel a tug today. Maybe you’ve wondered, “What’s holding me back?” Maybe you believe, but you’ve put off going public. Friend, God is kind. He is patient. And He is present. He meets you where you are—on highways and hallways, in pews and parking lots—with a message that still melts fear and mends hearts. He turns hesitation into hallelujahs. He trades confusion for clarity. He writes hope into places we thought were too dry to bloom.

As we open this passage, let’s ask a few honest questions: - What stands in the way of simple obedience? - What keeps us clinging to the chariot when Christ is calling us to the water? - What might happen if today becomes the day we say, “I believe,” and then let our bodies follow where our hearts have gone?

This scene is full of grace and full of movement. It begins with God’s nudge, continues with Scripture’s light, centers on Jesus’ name, and culminates in baptism’s bold “Amen.” It’s a story of seeking and finding, hearing and heeding, believing and behaving in a way that matches belief. And at the end, there’s joy. Not a thin smile. A deep well. The kind of joy that rides with you into Monday morning and lingers in your living room.

So take a deep breath. Bring your questions. Bring your past. Bring your hopes. If you’ve never trusted Christ, I pray you will. If you’ve trusted Christ and have not yet stepped into the water, I pray your courage will rise. If you’ve long walked with Jesus, I pray your delight in His saving power will be refreshed. God loves to meet sincere hearts on ordinary roads.

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26–39 (KJV) 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Opening Prayer: Father, thank You for meeting us on ordinary roads with extraordinary grace. Open our ears to Your Word, steady our hearts with Your peace, and stir our wills to trust and obey. Remove whatever hinders. Lift our eyes to Jesus, who saves completely and loves perfectly. For those who are seeking, give light. For those who believe, give boldness. For those who are weary, give joy. Lead many today from questions to confession, from hesitation to holy action. And as we hear Your voice, help us say, “Yes, Lord,” and step toward the water. In the strong name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Identify What Stands in the Way

In Acts, a man reads the Bible and admits he needs help. He says, How can I understand, except someone guide me? That is honest. That is brave. The need is clear. He has Scripture in his hands, but the meaning is still foggy. Philip hears him reading Isaiah and asks a simple question. Do you understand what you are reading? Then he sits with him. He listens. He opens the text. He points to Jesus. Confusion begins to lift.

Many of us stall here. We read and hit a wall. We nod, but inside we are stuck. We worry that asking for help will make us look weak. We keep our questions to ourselves. That silence turns into a barrier. The passage shows another way. Say the hard words. I need help. Invite someone to sit with you. A friend. A trusted leader. A mature believer. Ask for plain words. Ask, Where does this point to Christ?

Start small. Pray before you read. Lord, open my eyes. Read a short section. Read it twice. Circle words you do not know. Write down what you see about Jesus. Ask, What does this tell me about who He is and what He has done? Share what you find with someone who loves you. Let them share what they see. God often clears the fog through simple, honest talk around an open Bible.

Notice the starting point Philip chooses. He begins where the man is reading (Isaiah 53) and moves to the gospel (Acts 8:35). That matters. You do not have to start somewhere else. Start with the text in front of you. Start with your real question. Keep the focus on Christ. He is the thread that ties the pages together. When Jesus is clear, next steps get clear too.

There is also the question the man asks when they reach water. What keeps me from being baptized? He wants to obey. He wants to respond. He wonders if something disqualifies him. He expects a barrier. Philip gives a simple answer. If you believe with all your heart, you may (Acts 8:37). The man says, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then the chariot stops. They go down into the water. He is baptized.

Many of us stack up extra rules here. We tell ourselves we need perfect knowledge first. Or a long track record. Or a certain feeling. Or a spotless week. We invent delays. The passage gives a clear path. Trust Christ with your whole heart. Confess Him with your mouth. Step into the water as a sign of that faith. Baptism is not a prize you earn. It is a clear act that shows your faith in the risen Lord.

If this is where you feel stuck, name it. Say what you think you must fix first. Bring that to Jesus. Ask a leader to walk with you. Learn what baptism means. Learn what it does not mean. It shows you belong to Jesus. It shows you share in His death and resurrection. It is a step of simple obedience. It is meant to be close to belief. It is meant to be public. It is meant to be joyful.

Hear the words again. With all your heart. This is about trust. This is about a real yes to Christ. Not perfect performance. A real yes. If that is there, the next step is open. Like the man in the text, you can say, Here is water. And then you can move your feet.

Another barrier in this scene is the man’s past and status. He is from another nation. He carries a mark on his body that would have kept him at the edge of the gathering in Jerusalem. He holds a high office, yet he stands outside many doors. That kind of history can weigh heavy. Shame can feel like a chain. Old labels can talk loud. They say, You do not belong. They say, Stay quiet. They say, Keep back.

God answers that ache with a word from the very book the man is reading. Isaiah speaks of the Servant who suffers, bears sin, and makes many righteous. Isaiah also speaks of a day when people like this man will be welcomed by God, given a name better than sons and daughters (Isaiah 56:3–5). The text Philip opens is part of that larger promise. The crucified and risen Jesus gathers the left out. He makes room. He cleanses hearts. He calls people by a new name.

Shame often hides behind general excuses. I am too far gone. I waited too long. I failed too many times. The gospel answers each fear with the finished work of Christ. He was led like a lamb. He stayed silent under our blame. His life was taken up and He lives. This is the heart of the reading in the chariot (Acts 8:32–33). That work is enough. That work is for real people with real wounds. That work makes room in the water.

So speak to God about your label. Tell Him what still stings. Bring the story you never say out loud. Ask Him to wash you clean. Ask Him to settle your heart. Speak with a trusted believer who knows how to handle a tender story. Hear the welcome of Christ in plain words. Then take the step that shame keeps blocking. It will not erase your past. It will no longer rule your present.

There is also the slow drag of delay. Philip is told to go. He gets up and goes (Acts 8:26). The Spirit says to join the chariot. He runs (Acts 8:29–30). The man hears the truth. He sees water. He asks to be baptized. He stops the chariot (Acts 8:36–38). Each move is simple. Each move is timely. Each move clears the next step.

Delay can wear a wise face. I need more time. I have work to do. I should wait for a better setting. I want my calendar to open up. Delay can also wear a scared face. What will people think? What if I mess up? What if I feel nothing? Left alone, delay hardens. The moment passes. The heart cools. The next step feels harder next week than it does today.

Take small, concrete steps. If you need to understand the gospel, ask someone to read Isaiah 53 and John 3 with you. If you believe and have not been baptized, send a message to your church today. Ask for the next date. Ask what to bring. If you fear the moment, invite a friend to stand near you. Write your testimony in a few lines. Practice saying, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I trust Him. Pack a towel. Put the time on your calendar.

Keep an ear open to the Spirit. He nudges through Scripture. He nudges through a question from a friend. He nudges through that tug you feel when you see the water. Answer quickly. Say yes to the next clear step. God meets you in that yes. He gives peace as you obey. He gives joy that lasts.

Believe in the Lord Jesus

Right here the passage brings us to the center: believe in the Lord Jesus ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO