Philip And The Ethiopian

• Not much had changed when these events took place.

• Their religion was dead; full of empty rituals and formulas,

• That eased their consciences but did nothing to bring them into contact with God.

• Jesus described the religious leaders “as the blind leading the blind”.

• They should have radiated light, but instead they were shrouded in darkness.

Notice:

• Although the Ethiopian did not find God:

• He did fid something!

• Someone had given him the scriptures to read.

• And that is what we find him doing,

• He is making his way home and as he travels along this desert road,

• And he is reading out loud a scroll of Isaiah the prophet.

Notice: the hand of God in all of this:

• No one but God could have known where he was,

• Or even how receptive this man was to the good news.

• Philip had no idea that this man was the reason for his unexpected journey south.

• But because he was available, the Lord was able to bring the two together.

• Often God uses us not just because of our abilities,

• But because of our availability.

• If we are willing to be used of God, if we are serious about it,

• Then he will use us, but often in a way we are not expecting.

Quote:

“There are no accidents in the life of God’s people”.

(C). The Conversation.

(1). The helpful evangelist (vs 30 and 36):

• Philip took the initiative;

• He made the first move (Vs 29 to 30).

• I can count on one hand the rare occasions;

• Where folks taken the initiative to get saved;

• Most of the time it’s up to us (Christians) to be pro-active in sharing the faith.

• Because if we don’t then people will not be saved.

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

• Prompted by the Holy Spirit;

• Philip approaches this high ranking official.

Philip took the initiative and he took it humbly:

• He wasn't out to impress him with his knowledge,

• He was not out to win an argument.

• He didn't even charge up to the chariot wielding answers,

• Or declaring he had the truth and the Ethiopian had better listen.

Quote: Margaret Millar who said:

“Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness”.

Ill:

• Door to door visitation in Coventry & a man said to me:

• “I know you are not a Jehovah Witness because you listen!”

• Philip knew how to communicate;

• How to have a conversation with someone.

• Philip graciously asks a simple question,

• "Do you understand what you are reading?"

• He starts by asking a simple inoffensive question - and he shut up!

• He waited for an invitation, to come and share what he knew about the scriptures,

(2). The questioning enquirer (vs 31-34)