Gods Next Move Philip the Evangelist Acts 8

God’s Next Move (Philip, the Evangelist) Acts 8: 26 -40

Lyrics & Music by Scott Wesley Brown & Phil Mc. Hugh (1988) Oh Lord I am your willing servant You know that I have been for years I'm here in this pew every Sunday & Wednesday I've stained it with many a tear I've given You years of my service I've always given my best And I've never asked you for anything much So, Lord I deserve this request

I'll see that the money is gathered I'll see that the money is sent I'll wash & stack the communion cups I'll tithe eleven percent I'll volunteer for the nursery I'll go on the youth group retreat I'll usher, I'll deacon , I'll go door to door Just let me keep warming this seat

Chorus: Please don't send me to Africa I don't think I've got what it takes I'm just a man I'm not a Tarzan Don't like lions, gorillas or snakes I'll serve you here in suburbia In my comfortable middle class life But please don't send me to the ends of the earth Where the natives are restless at night

Acts 8: 26 -40 (God's work through Philip) 1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) 2. God used Philip to share Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 28 -35) 3. God worked in the eunuch to respond to Him (v. 36 -38) 4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40)

1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise & go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. " This is a desert place. (8: 26)

1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise & go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. " This is a desert place. (8: 26) 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria & proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him & saw the signs that he did… 8 So there was much joy in that city… 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God & the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men & women. (8: 5 -12)

1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise & go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. " This is a desert place. 27 And he rose & went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship (8: 26 -27)

1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise & go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. " This is a desert place. 27 And he rose & went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. (8: 26 -27) 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over & join this chariot. " 30 So Philip ran to him & heard him reading Isaiah the prophet & asked, "Do you understand what you are reading? “ (8: 29 -30)

1. God led Philip to Gaza (v. 26 -27) God works through Philip who is sensitive & obedient to His leading

2. God used Philip to share Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 28 -35) 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter & like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. ” And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? " 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, & beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. (8: 32 -35)

2. God used Philip to share Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 28 -35) 30 So Philip ran to him & heard him reading Isaiah the prophet & asked, "Do you understand what you are reading? " 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me? " And he invited Philip to come up & sit with him (8: 30 -31)

2. God used Philip to share Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 28 -35) 3. God worked in the eunuch to respond to Him (v. 36 -38) 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, & the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized? " 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, & they both went down into the water, Philip & the eunuch, & he baptized him. (8: 36 -38)

2. God used Philip to share Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 28 -35) 3. God worked in the eunuch to respond to Him (v. 36 -38) God works through Philip who knows Scripture & Jesus well

4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40) 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, & the eunuch saw him no more, & went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, & as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (8: 39 -40)

4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40) 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, & the eunuch saw him no more, & went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, & as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (8: 39 -40)

4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40) 1 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, & they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea & Samaria, except the apostles. … 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria & proclaimed to them the Christ. (8: 1, 4 -5)

4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40) 1 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, & they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea & Samaria, except the apostles. … 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria & proclaimed to them the Christ. (8: 1, 4 -5) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; & you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & to the ends of the earth. (1: 8)

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples & said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit & of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer & to the ministry of the word. " 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, & they chose Stephen, a man full of faith & of the Holy Spirit, & Philip, & Prochorus, & Nicanor, & Timon, & Parmenas, & Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (6: 1 -6)

39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, & the eunuch saw him no more, & went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, & as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (8: 39 -40) 1 But Saul…went to the high priest 2 & asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way…he might bring them bound to Jerusalem… 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord? " And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise & enter the city, & you will be told what you are to do. “ (9: 1 -6)

4. God led Philip to Caesarea (v. 39 -40) God works in Philip through circumstances & according to his plan, as he avails himself for God’s use

“I wasn’t God’s first choice for what I’ve done for China. There was somebody else. I don’t know who it was - God’s first choice. I don’t know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn’t willing. And God looked down & saw Gladys Aylward”

God’s Next Move (Philip, the Evangelist) Acts 8: 26 -40 How can we be used by God to go beyond? God works through Philip who is sensitive & obedient to His leading God works through Philip who knows Scripture & Jesus well God works in Philip through circumstances & according to his plan, as he avails himself for God’s use