New testament evangelists were not the
sAC 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road-- the desert road --that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."
34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.tereotypical evangelists of today
Woman at the well - Demonized man among the tombs
Philip - meals on wheels
JJ dramatizes the story
The Big Idea Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Why is the gospel moving into Samaria - and Ethiopia - God will not be stopped
Telling good news begins where the other person is
Acts 8:1 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. scattered = sowing seed
The Eunuch was well on the way at the start of this story. Everyone is on the road, all at different points. Go to the place where they are. Does that mean go into a bar or nightclub - for a few of you - yes. Where is your friend - never been to church
Sharing good news begins with their story
Angel = messenger - told Philip - run up and meet this man - obey directions
Eaves dropping - looking for openings - didn’t have to wait long. We need to be familiar with scripture so we can use it as a starting point. We need to be familiar with culture so we can use it as a starting place too.
Culture = news, movies, art, books, magazines, TV
Eunuch - began with Isaiah, with Stephen it was Jewish history, with your friend somewhere else
Keys of sharing your faith 1 on 1
- Respond to God’s call (how do you hear it - is everyone called?) Act on hunches
- listen to their story before telling yours
- Be familiar with the good news story - both from the Bible and your own life
- know how and when to ask questions, peak their curiosity
- remember it’s all about Jesus - the good news of Christ
What exactly is so good about the good news?
We have reduced the truth and mystery of the gospel from a volcano to a party favor
The gospel has been trivialized - instead of the central defining truth about our lives it becomes a subplot. We have eliminated the danger, stripped it of its energy and surprise. The good news is more shocking than Howard Stern!
1. We have a problem, SIN
All your struggling - trying - self improvement plans have pretty much bombed
2. God has dealt with the problem decisively! No alternatives PERIOD!
God takes care of the sin and evil problem by forgiving it (not complicating it)
What is GOOD News? Explore images of saved
1. Good news for this life! Even if no eternal life exists - life here and now with Jesus is worth it
2. Saved - life begins to make sense, have purpose and meaning beyond self serving rat race
3. Saved from grudge bearing hateful miserable lives. Forgive because I have been forgiven
4. Saved from sin - able to spot the chuck holes speed bumps and breakdowns sin brings and avoid
5. Saved to a new creation - clean fresh start - sky is bluer, grass is greener - those who have received grace are able to extend it and live reveling in it
6. Saved from Sin management - no longer slaves, healing from sin. My old options were
a) embarrassed, so I hide my sin
b) calloused so I am boldly sinning, now I can
c) REPENT
The abundance of makeover shows on TV show the relevance of this good news
7. Connect with spiritual family
8. Encounter the mystery of God - Christ in me the hope of glory, not saved by good works but saved for good works - like desert is saved for best - for last
Everyone should have Jesus stories - God thing
Why be baptized - Howard’s story - mentally handicapped man who got baptized last week - his witness was simply "I love Jesus"
God’s the same yesterday, today & forever - He comes alongside people to direct their lives, listen
Gospel goes to Ethiopia because Philip was obedient
Obey the word of God - even when it makes no sense or seems inconvenient
Recap the Good News - nothing you could ever do to make God love you or improve His already perfect love for you
(while we were still sinners Christ died for us)
Nothing you could ever do to diminish God’s love for you - NOTHING
So enjoy His great party, His grace - tell everyone you know about the great news
