Acts 8:34-40

Verses 36-37: “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.””

Ever wanted something so badly, that you couldn’t wait to get it? I have a co-worker who is counting the hours until he gets to go to the midnight debut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga. The movie opens this weekend. He’s already said he’ll probably watch it twice, and he has his tickets firmly in possession. I would almost wager that if there’s a crowd of storm troopers around that theater entrance, he’ll be ready to whip out a lightsaber to get in that door! (just joking! 🙂 )He’s not going to let anything hinder him from seeing that movie.

The eunuch had just learned the meaning of the passage he was reading from Philip. Philip used that opportunity to tell him the Good News. Now, the eunuch didn’t want to wait! He wanted to be baptized NOW! As Philip told him, the only thing he needed to do was believe. No plainer profession could there be than the one the eunuch uttered: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

By the way, Philip didn’t hemhaw and say, “Well, you might want to wait until your friends can attend your baptism.” or “Well, they might have cleaner water at the palace.” No, they stopped, went down to the water, and Philip baptized him in Jesus’ name. And again, by divine transport, Philip was gone, whisked away to his next assignment.

So…what’s holding you back today from answering God’s call?

Something to think about.

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Acts 8:29-33

Verses 29-31: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”

A few years ago, we were on a Carpenters mission trip to help a church in Dublin, GA, put up a new sanctuary. The church was predominantly African-American; I only mention this due to what God called me to share on this particular trip. I gave the devotional sermon on Carpenter Sunday, and God pointed me to this Scripture and led me to share some thoughts that I wasn’t sure how they were going to be received! As a “fleece” to verify God’s leading, I consulted with the pastor, Bro. Carlos, about what God was leading me to say. He gave me a reassuring smile and said, “I’ll back you all the way, brother.” So I shared this passage and shared some “comments” that might be said today in the same situation by those of less faith, juxtaposed to those statements from the passage. It went something like this:

“Now, did Philip say, “ But God, he’s a government official…I’m not sure I should approach him.” “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
“But God, he’s an educated man, I’m not…will he listen to me?” “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
“But God, he’s black.” What do you think God said? “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

Philip said none of these things; he followed God’s will and joined a man he didn’t know.

By the way, did that Ethiopian eunuch say, “Am I going to let this white stranger in my chariot?” No, he said, “How can I [understand], unless someone guides me?”

Jesus came to die and rise again for ALL men! His gift of salvation is for everyone!”

By the way, that message I was nervous about sharing? It was greeted by “Amen!”, from church members and Carpenters alike.

Jesus wants us to go in His name…He’ll do the rest!

Something to think about.

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