INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. God Sought for a Man - Found Philip
2. Philip Sought for a Man - Found the Eunuch
3. Eunuch Sought for a Man - Found Jesus
Introductory Remarks.
1. In our scripture lesson, a call went out. The angel of the Lord directed Philip: "To go south into the desert." He quickly made haste and went "South unto Gaza." After arriving there, the Holy Spirit directed him: "Go join thy self to this chariot." Once there, he heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked: "Understand what thou readest?" He replied: "How can I, except a man, guide me?" After this, the preacher was invited to join the man in the chariot. In this lesson, we will see the "divine hand of God" in conversion and the power of gospel preaching from the Old Testament scriptures.
2. First, we notice that God sought a man and called upon Philip. Our lesson is an account of a prominent man's conversion to Christ. He is (an) eunuch, the treasurer for Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians (he was her chief financial officer; Secretary of the Treasury). Philip was summoned to go south searching for a recent worshipper of Jerusalem and the truth. But this lesson goes far deeper than it appears on the surface. As we look closer, God seeks a man and finds Philip.
3. Secondly, Philip was in search of a man and found the treasurer. Indeed, there is a great need for men to go south into the desert. These men are willing to travel away from the affluence and materialism of the world. He went far away from nobility, intellectualism, and pride. He had a rebirth of simple concern for doing rather than just planning. Philip found purpose in the desert. His highways and byways were barren and dusty fields. In the desert, he found a man searching for Jesus. God has found, purified, and prepared many sincere and dedicated men in the desert through adversities, hardships, and trials of their faith. Men such as Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and even Jesus were refined in the desert.
4. Finally, the eunuch was searching for a man and found Jesus. He asked the evangelist Philip: "Of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself of some other man?" Brethren, here is how you win people. Notice: "Philip began at the same scripture and preached unto him, Jesus." It should be understood that only in the scriptures can anyone find Jesus. Jehovah himself said: "And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart," Jeremiah 29:13. Search the scriptures, where Jehovah may be found, John 5:39. Truly, the treasurer found the greatest treasure, when he learned of Christ, who had purchased eternal salvation for him, at Calvary, as he was taught by Philip the evangelist in his chariot in the desert. With this introduction, let's consider our first point in this lesson – "God sought for a man."
BODY OF LESSON
I GOD SOUGHT FOR A MAN
A. Brethren, God is always searching for a man to go for him. In our lesson, God sought a man to go to the desert to accomplish his will. Luke wrote: "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," Acts 8:26. God is always in search of men to go for him and to accomplish His will and purpose. He calls upon men who are already busy! Observe--
1. Philip had just concluded his tent meeting in Samaria. "And there was great joy in that city," Acts 8:5-8.
2. God's call is one of urgency! Paul's call into Macedonia: "Come over into Macedonia and help us," Acts 16:9-10. A call to help went out from Macedonia.
3. A call that might bring about great hardships, trials of faith, shipwreck, imprisonment, the loss of earthly possessions, rejection from family, abandonment of friends, denial of religious freedoms, and even death. Men like Philip, Paul, and Silas willingly: “hazarded their lives for the sake of the gospel,” Acts 15:26.
B. Philip's response. Luke wrote: "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem for to worship. He was returning and sitting in his chariot reading the prophet Esaias," Acts 8:27.
1. Here was a man who had just finished worship; he was reading the Old Testament scriptures from the book of Isaiah.
2. Probably attempting to understand better the Rabbi's message in the temple regarding the Messiah. Isaiah 53:1ff.
3. He sought an understanding of the prophet Isaiah's writings about the Messiah. He wanted to know who Isaiah was writing about in this text.
4. David wrote:
a. First, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles," Psalms 43:3; Isaiah 42:16.
b. Second, "The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness," Psalms 18:28.
c. Third, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord," Psalms 37:23.
5. Jeremiah wrote: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his (own) steps,” Jeremiah 10:23. The Lord is directing: both the steps of the treasurer and Philip the evangelist. To ensure the searcher of truth might find it, hear from it, understand, and obey it.
C. Philip the evangelist. Philip was an obedient evangelist. He was one of the seven deacons (full of the Holy Spirit and faith), once a part of the church at Jerusalem, Acts 6:1-7. He, however, ventured out on his own to preach the word. Philip was working in Samaria when the call went out to him. Observe--
1. Tent meeting. He had just concluded a tent meeting in Samaria, with excellent results for the Master, Acts 8:5. He saw a need to preach Christ among them. Recall that the Lord planted the seed of the kingdom first in the city of Samaria, John 4:39-44. Philip was building upon the foundation of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:19-22.
2. Luke wrote: "And when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women," Acts 8:12.
3. Luke continued: "And there was great joy in that city," Acts 8:8.
a. Notice, when Philip finished his preaching of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus: "Both men and women were BAPTIZED!"
b. When preaching Christ, baptism is included in the message! Belief and baptism are a part of gospel preaching. We will see this truth towards the end of this lesson. It is also important to note that--
c. Faith, repentance, and baptism are all components of the: "Great Commission," Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-49.
d. Readers of the Book of Acts will agree without dispute; this is true.
D. God sought for a man. God is always searching for men to speak to his people and the nations regarding His redemptive work. He called on Philip to go and search for a man. Observe--
1. The prophet Isaiah. He has made more prophetic utterances to the redemptive work of Christ than any other Old Testament prophet.
2. The Messiah's prophecy. Philip would refer to his prophecies of the Messiah while teaching a Treasurer in Gaza.
NOTE: Illustrate God has found, purified, and prepared many great men in the desert. Some of these men were:
a. Moses, in Exodus 3.
b. Elijah, in 1 Kings 18:19-46.
c. John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:1-12.
d. Jesus, in Matthew 4:1-11.
3. Each of these men had been divinely sustained by God:
a. 40 days and nights in the wilderness, Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9-18; and 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:1-2.
b. In preparation for their work among His people.
c. Philip will continue his work for Christ; with this man, who he will find in the desert, searching for Jesus is the scriptures. Jehovah said: "And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart," Jeremiah 29:13.
E. Jehovah sought a man in Babylon. He wanted to encourage his people during their Babylonian captivity, which was a desperate time of suffering and hardships under the hand of the Babylonian King.
1. He found Ezekiel. Ezekiel prophesied to the people at a time when the prophets preyed upon them, the priest profaned the law of God, the princes perverted justice, and the people's sins polluted the land. God was looking for a man to stand in the gap for Him and speak His words to the people.
2. Jehovah said: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none," Ezekiel 22:30.
ILLUSTRATION: The Marines are looking for a few good men. God is looking for only one. He found Philip in Samaria to accomplish great work in the desert of Gaza. Philip’s preaching brought joy to the city of Samaria; he will now bring joy to this searcher of truth in the desert. Amen, Brother Walls! Before seeing the fruit of his preaching, let’s consider another person God called into action. Consider,
3. Jehovah calls Isaiah. He wrote of himself,
a. First, of his unworthiness: "Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell amid a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts," Isaiah 6:5.
b. Further, of his cleansing: "Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged," Isaiah 6:6-7.
c. Next, of his calling: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said, "Here am I; send me," Isaiah 6:8.
d. Finally, of his mission: "And he said, Go, and tell these people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of these people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and be healed," Isaiah 6:9-10.
e. Conclusion: Isaiah acknowledged his unworthiness in even looking upon the Lord. The angel of the Lord came and prepared his lips to speak His word. Jehovah asked, "Who will go for us?" He replied, "Here am I; send me. I wonder from among these people." Philip did not give feedback to the Lord about going down south to Gaza. He heard his instruction, got up, and went.
ILLUSTRATION: Who will go for me? Some might ask: Who will pay me, where will I stay, etc.?
4. Does Jehovah have one man in this city? Who will go for Him and preach His word with integrity and in love for the lost? Or, are we also polluted and perverse people in this city? This brings us to the next point in this lesson.
II PHILIP SOUGHT FOR A MAN
A. Philip found a man searching. In our lesson, we'll find many searching this day/week, some of whom desire to be as noble as the man as we move forward in this lesson. Let's consider the Spirit's work in this search for Jesus. Observe—
1. Luke continued: "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and Join thyself to this chariot," Acts 8:29.
2. Philip found a man. This man was from Ethiopia (a man of color), riding in a chariot and reading the scriptures aloud.
a. He was a religious man. He had just returned from worship in the temple at Jerusalem. He was interested in eternal things.
b. He was a man of study, education, and intelligence. He was a devout man who was in search of heavenly things.
c. He was a leader and professional that could be instructed.
3. A wise and mighty man who would hear from God. The gospel would call this nobleman!
B. The eunuch was a nobleman. Paul wrote: "For ye see your calling brethren; how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble (ones) are called," 1 Corinthians 1:26. Here I speak of men and women who are learned, educated, and holding positions of authority. Observe,
1. All learned or unlearned can be called and taught by God. John wrote: "It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Therefore, every man: that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me," John 6:44-45.
2. Not all noblemen obey. Some noblemen did not respond to their calling from the Lord:
a. Felix never found his "convenient season," Acts 24:24-27.
b. King Agrippa never "became fully persuaded" to become a Christian, Acts 26:27-28.
c. Paul wrote of Israel: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith: Lord, who hath believed our report? So then: faith cometh by hearing and hearing, by the word of God," Romans 10:16-17.
d. Paul had great concern for Israel, Romans 10:1-4; Romans 10:18-21.
3. But God will call them. These great Jewish leaders did not heed their call from the Lord. But this Eunuch will hear from heaven, and the man of God, and obey the truth of the gospel. Observe--
a. Paul wrote: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," Romans 10:13; Revelation 22:17; John 3:16.
b. This was true even with them under Jesus' preaching, John 7:11-13; John 9:22-23; John 12:42-43; John 16:1-2. They love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
c. Jesus said: "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" John 5:44.
C. Philip's inquiry. Now that's what you do, brethren. Ask them: "Do you understand what you are reading?" Observe—
1. Luke wrote: "And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said: How can I, except some man, guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him," Acts 8:30-31. It looks like Philip found his man. Listen to Nehemiah,
2. He wrote of his preaching: "So he read out of the book, of the law of God, and gave the sense thereof and caused the people to understand the reading," Nehemiah 8:8.
3. Summary: Brethren, observe with me the divine hands of God in this conversion experience:
a. The angel of the Lord's work, Acts 8:26. He said: "Go south unto Gaza, which is desert."
b. The Spirit of the Lord's work, Acts 8:29. He said: "Go near and join thy self to this chariot."
c. The preacher of the Lord's work, Acts 8:31. He said: "Understandeth what thou readest? The treasurer replied: "How can I, except some man, guide me?"
d. Paul wrote: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," 2 Corinthians 4:7.
4. Conclusion: Neither angel nor Spirit was involved in presenting the message of salvation to this man. Their work was to bring the man and the preacher together. God has left the preaching into the hands of men! "How can they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:13-17.
a. The conversion of Paul, in Acts 9:1ff. Jesus said to him: "Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do," Acts 9:6. The Lord did not even instruct the apostle Paul.
b. The conversion of Cornelius, in Acts 10:1ff. The angel said to Cornelius: "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do," Acts 10:5-6.
5. Application: The only reference to an angel's gospel delivery is one of "a curse," Galatians 1:6-8. And, of Satan himself: "Who can transform himself into an angel of light," 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. Finally, "If our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world has blinded the minds of them which believeth not...shine unto them," 2 Corinthians 4:3-7.
D. The place of the scripture. Luke continued: "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: In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth," Acts 8:32-33; Isaiah 53:1ff.
1. Philip's sermon. He explains the prophet Isaiah to the treasurer. He spoke to him regarding Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, Luke 24:44-49. He connects the "man" of the prophet to Jesus. Philip: "Opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus," Acts 8:34. He spoke to his suffering and death.
2. His suffering and death. Isaiah the prophet wrote:
a. First, "Who shall declare his generation? For his life was taken from the earth?" Acts 8:33; Isaiah 53:7-9; Luke 23:50-53.
b. Second, "He was number with the transgressors, and he made his grave with the wicked and the rich in his death," John 19:38-42.
ILLUSTRATION: "I am innocent of the blood of this just person," Matthew 27:24.
3. His resurrection. The treasurer responded: "I believe that Jesus Christ is," Acts 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Philip affirmed that Jesus was alive; he was raised from the dead. And, he is alive and said to his apostles: "These are the words which I spake unto you," Acts 1:1-5. Notice--
a. Just like David: "The Lord is...my shepherd," Psalm 23:1. But, "the fool has said, there is no God," Psalm 14:1.
b. The centurion commented: "Truly this was the Son of God," Matthew 27:54. Wrong tense on the verb! Not "was" but "is" the Son of God.
c. Paul wrote: "But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is (exist) and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him," Hebrews 11:6. To come to Christ, one must believe that "He is."
E. The prophet Isaiah. Isaiah wrote: "But he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all," Isaiah 53:5-6. Notice—
1. Philip, the evangelist - now unfolds Christ and his redemptive work at Calvary for the world from the prophet Isaiah.
2. Christ was the man of Isaiah's writing the eunuch sought for and now would find through Philip's preaching.
3. Herein is our work. That is to cut Christ out of the Old Testament scriptures to enable men and women to see His love and compassion for them.
a. God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34-35.
b. God "Desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth," 1 Timothy 2:4.
c. Each man must come to Jesus similarly, John 14:6. It’s not our ways, but His way, John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14.
d. Each must hear and obey the same thing. "There is One Lord, one faith, and one baptism," Ephesians 4:4-5.
4. Phillip opened to the eunuch the profound meaning of this Old Testament prophecy: regarding the Messiah! He will help this man find Jesus. Let's consider the last point in this lesson.
III THE EUNUCH SOUGHT FOR A MAN
A. The eunuch's inquiry. Luke penned: "And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of who speaketh the prophet this: Of himself; or some other man?" See Acts 8:34. The eunuch wanted to know who this man of suffering was!
B. Philip's sermon outline. Luke continued: "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus," Acts 8:35.
1. Man of God. Our example is, "The holy man of God, spake as the Holy Ghost moved him," 2 Peter 1:20-21. Notice the outline of Phillip's preaching of the Messiah or Christ.
ILLUSTRATION: How to stop error. Start with the same scripture being argued and preach Jesus to them. If you want to silence the JWs, let them read, and then begin at the same scripture and preach Jesus. Observe his outline--
2. Jesus is the Messiah. Messiah means Christ. Philip informed the eunuch that Jesus was the man in Isaiah's prophecy. Isaiah 53:1ff. Notice,
a. Peter on Pentecost: "God has made him both Lord and Christ," Acts 2:36.
b. Paul while in Thessalonica: "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must need have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ," Acts 17:2-3.
c. Paul in Corinth: "And when Silas and Timotheus came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ," Acts 18:5.
d. The people: "How long dost thou make us doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly," John 10:24.
e. Conclusion: Philip affirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, which Isaiah had written about some 700 years before Christ's birth.
3. His Sonship. "He is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. Philip then moves his message into the relationship of Jesus to the Father. John wrote:
a. First, "In the beginning was the Word ...was God," John 1:1-3.
b. Further, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth," John 1:14.
c. Next, "I and my Father are one," John 10:30.
d. Finally, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father," John 14:9.
4. Jesus is God himself.
a. First, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, God is with us," Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31-33. He is Emmanuel, the Son of the Highest.
b. Second, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him (Jesus) because he not only had broken the Sabbath but also said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God," John 5:18; John 10:30.
c. Third, "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God," John 20:28. Thomas affirms that Jesus was his "Lord and God."
d. Paul describes His Godhood in Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9.
5. Faith in him. "I believe that Jesus Christ," Acts 8:37.
a. Jesus said: "Except ye believe that I am he," John 8:24.
b. Paul wrote, "So faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God," Romans 10:17. Faith in Jesus is necessary for salvation, but it is not faith alone.
c. James wrote: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only," James 2:24. Hear the word: "Not by faith only." I wish I had some help!
d. Conclusion: Faith must be active, obedient; and "worketh through love," Galatians 5:6.
6. Confession of faith in Christ's Sonship. "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. The eunuch confessed his faith in Jesus Christ. Notice--
a. First, Paul wrote: "If thou shalt confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation," Romans 10:9-10.
b. Jesus said: "Whosoever confesses me before men, he will I confess before my Father," Matthew 10:32-33.
c. Finally, Paul wrote: "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession," 1 Timothy 6:13; Mark 14:60-61; John 18:36-37.
d. Conclusion: The eunuch made the noble confession: " Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Philip proved such was true, and the treasurer confessed it. This confession of faith prepared the treasurer for baptism into Christ, Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3-4. This would allow him to enter the kingdom of God, John 3:1-5.
7. Baptism. Luke continued: "And the eunuch said: See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Notice it was the eunuch that suggested baptism. What would a reasonable person conclude? Somewhere in the preaching, Philip made mention of its necessity. It is impossible to preach Christ without preaching baptism!
NOTE: Illustrate; denominational preachers should read this text. Some have argued that the man was saved and this baptism was not necessary. Others would suggest—
a. This baptism was merely ceremonial. The pouring of water over his head was out of a vessel, being carried to drink from in the treasurer's chariot—no mention of this theory. The text read: "So he (the eunuch) commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him now when they came up out of the water," Acts 8:37-38.
b. One prominent minister disputed: "There is no water in the desert; how could he have been baptized?" Get me Isaiah 43:19, and hold your finger there while I make my point.
1) If one desires to do His will, God will make a way somehow!
2) Read, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
3) God will make a way in the wilderness and put rivers in the desert!
c. In the Denominational System: "The Christian is baptized to unite with their denominations, as an outward sign of inward grace," Baptist Manual. They further believe and teach, "Baptism is not necessary for salvation!"
d. In the Christian System: "The sinner is baptized for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, to become Christians." That the Lord: "Added to the church daily those that are being saved," Acts 2:38, Acts 2:47; Acts 11:26.
e. Conclusion: Here is the clearest example of a "new birth" one could ever witness! How to be: "born out of the water and the Spirit," John 3:3-5. Both components in the new birth (the water and the Spirit) were present in this act of conversion in the desert.
NOTE: To understand these components completely, download our lesson: “Is There Water in the Plan?” Obtain it at SermonCentral.com.
C. The eunuch sought for Jesus. It was Philip who helped him find the Lord. God will always send a man to help guide you in understanding His will if you seek him out of a pure heart. Observe—
1. Isaiah wrote: "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate," Isaiah 34:16; John 5:39.
2. Jeremiah wrote: "And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart," Jeremiah 29:13.
3. Paul wrote: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God," 2 Timothy 2:15.
4. Conclusion: God has brought you and the preacher together today—every event in your life up until this time has directed your step toward this time of decision. God has allowed men like us (point to the other minister) to answer your questions regarding Jesus. Will you be as responsive as this man was - and – follow the "pattern of conversion" outlined in this text to be saved like this treasurer in our text? We pray you will do so today!
D. Philip, the teacher. Here is how the eunuch found the Lord. When you are sincere, God will send a man to help you. If you are genuinely seeking the Lord, He will find you!
ILLUSTRATION: Woman in Oakland, CA. "I knew there had to be something better for my life." Discuss her conversion experience.
E. He went on his way rejoicing. The rejoicing came after preaching and baptism. He learned of his need for Christ, his sinful condition, and the terms of his salvation. Without hesitation, he confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized.
1. He left the presence of Philip rejoicing in God. He found Jesus, his Savior and Lord, who granted him the forgiveness of sins with unspeakable joy.
a. He had found the greatest of all treasures - Jesus Christ.
b. I believe this Treasurer would later be instrumental in the work of the Lord at Antioch. Men of color: like Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, working along with Saul, and Barnabas, Acts 13:1-3; Matthew 27:32; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:10.
c. These people of color made up the church in Antioch. Under their superb leadership, the Gentile nations were cascaded into the kingdom of God.
2. Heaven also rejoices when one sinner repenteth. Luke wrote: "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance," Luke 15:7.
3. Paul wrote: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him," 1 Corinthians 2:9.
4. Jesus said: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it," Matthew 13:45. Jesus can do the same for you today. He can bring unspeakable joy into your life. Have you been searching for a man - Christ? You have found him today. As I conclude, let me review what we have discussed.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. God Sought for a Man - Found Philip
2. Philip Sought for a Man - Found the Eunuch
3. Eunuch Sought for a Man - Found Jesus
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we noticed that God sought a man and called upon Philip. Our lesson is an account of a prominent man's conversion to Christ. He was (an) eunuch, the treasurer of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians (her chief financial officer; Secretary of the Treasury). Philip was summoned to go south searching for a recent worshipper of Jerusalem and the truth. But this lesson goes far deeper than it appears on the surface. As we looked closer, God sought for a man and found Philip.
2. Secondly, Philip searched for a man and found the treasurer. Indeed, there is a great need for men to go south into the desert. These men are willing to travel away from the affluence and materialism of the world. He went far away from nobility, intellectualism, and pride. He had a rebirth of simple concern for doing rather than just planning. Philip found purpose in the desert. His highways and byways were barren and dusty fields. In the desert, he found a man searching for Jesus. God has found, purified, and prepared many sincere and dedicated men in the desert through adversities, hardships, and trials of their faith. Men such as Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and even Jesus were all men refined in the desert by God.
3. Finally, the eunuch searched for a man and found Jesus. He asked the evangelist Philip: "Of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself of some other man?" Brethren, here is how you win people. Notice: "Philip began at the same scripture and preached unto him, Jesus." It should be understood that only in the scriptures can anyone find Jesus. Jehovah himself said: "And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart," Jeremiah 29:13. Search the scriptures, where Jehovah may be found, John 5:39. Truly, the treasurer found the greatest treasure, when he learned of Christ, who had purchased eternal salvation for him, at Calvary, as he was taught by Philip the evangelist in his chariot in the desert. This has been your time of teaching, hearing, and learning.
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
This sermon was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on 9/9/2024.
