Unexpected Gospel Conversations - Acts 8:26-40
Can you remember a conversation that marked a turning point in your life? Perhaps you remember the first time someone shared the gospel with you and it landed on fertile soil. Or perhaps you can recall a time someone corrected a major theological misconception of yours. Conversations like these no doubt take many forms, and sometimes they take us by surprise. It’s humbling to think that no matter where we are, we can pursue conversations with others that could prove eternally significant.
On Sunday, Pastor Michael preached on Acts 8:26-40, reminding us that God can reach anyone, and He wants to use you to reach someone. He might just do it in unexpected ways.
The passage begins with an angel of the Lord telling Philip to go southward to a road that went from Jerusalem to Gaza. We learn that this was a desert place (see v. 26). Philip went, and there he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the queen, traveling back from Jerusalem in a chariot. The man was reading from Isaiah. The Holy Spirit told Philip to go over and join the chariot, and Philip did so. He soon learned that the man did not understand the passage he was reading, and in explaining the passage Philip had the opportunity to share the gospel with him. The man trusted in Christ, and Philip baptized him in water they encountered by the road.
This passage speaks clearly to the sovereignty of God. Who would have expected Philip to encounter a man reading from Isaiah 53 on a desert road? Who would have expected this man to so willingly invite a stranger into his chariot to explain to him the passage? The Lord sovereignly ordained these events as well as Philip’s proclamation of the gospel to the man. The Lord granted him faith in Christ. The salvation of this man was — as the salvation of every believer is — a glorious display of the sovereignty and grace of God.
We would do well to also note Philip’s obedience to God’s call. When told to go to a desert place, Philip didn’t object. He didn’t argue that it would be more beneficial to spend time reaching the masses in a populous city. In fact, he didn’t even ask who or what he might find in the desert. He simply obeyed the Lord. Later, when Philip was in the desert, the Holy Spirit told him to go and join the chariot, and Philip went. Acts 8:30 says, “So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’” (ESV).
Perhaps it was necessary that Philip run to catch up to the chariot, or perhaps he could have intercepted its path by simply walking. Either way, Philip exerted energy in immediately obeying God’s command. Again, we see no reluctance or even hesitation. Philip ran, and when he heard the man reading from Isaiah, he asked him a question. Philip trusted the Lord and was eager to be used by Him.
If we’re honest with ourselves, we can all think back to times when our obedience to God came only after reluctance. How much more glorified is God, though, when we obey Him eagerly!
Perhaps we haven’t quite been like Philip recently. Perhaps we’ve pushed off gospel-centered conversations with friends or neighbors for fear of how they might respond. Perhaps we’ve sat on the sidelines of evangelism, doubting God would use us in drawing people to Himself.
God knows the challenges we face, and He is sovereign over them all. If we’ve been disobedient, He invites us to turn to Him, enjoy His forgiveness, and begin to walk in obedience.
As we anticipate Easter Sunday, remember this: God wants to use you to reach someone. He might just do it in an unexpected way.
Resources:
Lord, Help Me See Their Destiny — Garrett Kell
A Divine Appointment — Ligonier Ministries
Reflection Questions:
Why is it important to trust in the sovereignty of God?
What is your biggest hurdle to overcome in sharing the gospel?
Who could you share the gospel with or invite to service this Easter Sunday?