Becoming a Contagious Christian
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
To be a contagious Christian means to be involved in God’s activity in our world telling people about Jesus.
1. The quality of diligence .
“Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom… This idea pleased the whole group, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip… Acts 6:3 & 5a
• Diligence in our ___Character_________.
• Diligence in our ____Heart___________.
• Diligence in our ____Mind___________.
• Diligence in our ____Spirit___________.
2. The quality of obedience .
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go southdown the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he did, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the queen of Ethiopia.” Acts 8:26
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah… Acts 8:29-30
God speaks to us in four ways:
In His _____Word___, by His Spirit , through the church_ and in our circumstances.
When He has speaks to us He wants us to _obey__.
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.”
John 14:21
Delayed obedience is disobedience .
3. The quality of humility .
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah; so he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, when there is no one to instruct me?” And he begged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. Acts 8:29-30
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8
John speaking of Jesus said; “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
4. The quality of love .
The eunuch asked Philip, “Was Isaiah talking about himself or someone else?” So Philip began with this same Scripture and then used many others to tell him the Good News about Jesus.
1. Find out where the other person is before you start
2. Make Scripture the center of your appeal
3. Make Jesus Christ the center of your message
As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:34-39
1. The first part is Faith
Why can’t I be baptized?
2. The second part is Confession
He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
3. The third part is Rejoicing
The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
Scripture passages from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
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Home Church Discussion Guide: Good News
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1. When was the last time you experienced really good news?
• What are some of the “good news” events in our lives that we enjoy telling others about?
2. Read Acts 1:8. In Jesus last words to His followers what did He instruct them to do?
• What did He promise to give them to help them in their task?
3. Read Acts 8:1—5.
• Stephen’s death led to a great persecution of the church. Often in crises God is able to turn something bad into something beautiful. What effect did this persecution have upon the early church? upon Philip?
4. Read Acts 8: 6-8.
• What was God able to do in Samaria through Philip’s ministry?
• What was the result of his ministry among the people?
5. Read Acts 8:26-33
• What did Philip give up in order to obey God?
• What did God gain from Philip’s obedience?
• How had God prepared the eunuch’s heart to hear good news?
6. Read Acts 8:34-40.
• What question was on the mind of this man?
• How did Philip answer him?
• What can we learn from Philip’s way of telling the Good News about Jesus?
• What does this encounter with one man on a desert road teach us about God?
• Do you think Philip felt it was worth it?
7. Who has God led you to in recent days that has spiritual concerns or questions? How have you responded? How will you prepare this week for divine appointments?
8. Pray for each other that God will give you opportunities to tell others, who are spiritually ready, the Good News about Jesus.
