#4 Philip and the Ethiopian
This month we will explore encounters in the Bible that were life changing.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet is today!
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
You can now purchase CJ's Gift Cards in either $10 or $20 amounts at the counter in CJ's. These cards are good for anything purchased in CJ's (not for online purchases). This is a great way to bless someone as well as supporting the Samaritan Fund to help those in need in our community!
Monday, February 26th - Ardie Reid, James Wiser
Tuesday, February 27th - Cassidy Bolinger, Tom & Gina Cox
Thursday, February 29th - Jason Joppie
Friday, March 1st - George Shook, Alabama Jones
Tuesday, February 27th - Cassidy Bolinger, Tom & Gina Cox
Thursday, February 29th - Jason Joppie
Friday, March 1st - George Shook, Alabama Jones
Cards
Our series this month is entitled ENCOUNTERS which is defined as "an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something."
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
In week one we looked at Jehosheba, who played an important role in saving the line of David.
In week two we looked at Ebed-Melek, who did the right thing by standing up for Jeremiah.
In week three we looked at Jesus, who raised the widow's son.
Today we'll be looking in Acts chapter 8 at a person who went out of their way to help someone.
In week two we looked at Ebed-Melek, who did the right thing by standing up for Jeremiah.
In week three we looked at Jesus, who raised the widow's son.
Today we'll be looking in Acts chapter 8 at a person who went out of their way to help someone.
Table Conversation:
Talk about an encounter where you were able to help someone.
Talk about an encounter where you were able to help someone.
In this passage we see a man named Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch.
Who is Philip?
- This is not the Philip who was an Apostle of Jesus.
- Many refer to this Philip as Philip the Evangelist.
- He was one of the seven men chosen by the believers to serve in Jerusalem (Acts 6:3-5).
- When great persecution began in Jerusalem, Philip performed signs and preached the word wherever he went (Acts 8:5-13).
- We also see in this passage that Philip did what the angel of the Lord told him to do.
Who is Philip?
- This is not the Philip who was an Apostle of Jesus.
- Many refer to this Philip as Philip the Evangelist.
- He was one of the seven men chosen by the believers to serve in Jerusalem (Acts 6:3-5).
- When great persecution began in Jerusalem, Philip performed signs and preached the word wherever he went (Acts 8:5-13).
- We also see in this passage that Philip did what the angel of the Lord told him to do.
Who is the Ethiopian eunuch?
- We know he was an important official in charge of the treasury of the queen of the Ethiopians.
- As a eunuch, he was a trusted servant to the royal family and normally involved with many of the affairs of the state.
- The Ethiopian was already interested in God's Word as he was reading the book of Isaiah. He was coming from Jerusalem where he had gone to worship.
- We know he was an important official in charge of the treasury of the queen of the Ethiopians.
- As a eunuch, he was a trusted servant to the royal family and normally involved with many of the affairs of the state.
- The Ethiopian was already interested in God's Word as he was reading the book of Isaiah. He was coming from Jerusalem where he had gone to worship.
God had prepared the Ethiopian's heart for this encounter and His plan was being lived out through Philip.
With the prompting of the Spirit, we see Philip obey God and follow the will of the Lord. This reminds us that living in obedience allows and provides an opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with others.
Establishing a relationship is important in sharing Christ with others. A good relationship, whether short or long in duration, gives us time and credibility to earn the right to speak into someone's life.
At the end of the passage, we see the Ethiopian rejoicing after being baptized. It is thought that this man is likely instrumental in starting the Church in Ethiopia.
We see Philip being led by the Spirit to Azotus where he continued to preach the Gospel everywhere he went.
With the prompting of the Spirit, we see Philip obey God and follow the will of the Lord. This reminds us that living in obedience allows and provides an opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with others.
Establishing a relationship is important in sharing Christ with others. A good relationship, whether short or long in duration, gives us time and credibility to earn the right to speak into someone's life.
At the end of the passage, we see the Ethiopian rejoicing after being baptized. It is thought that this man is likely instrumental in starting the Church in Ethiopia.
We see Philip being led by the Spirit to Azotus where he continued to preach the Gospel everywhere he went.
Lessons we can learn from this encounter:
1. God is always creating OPENNESS in the lives of those who need Jesus.
God cares more about the lost than us.
Often we aren't even aware of who those people are.
Be willing to use prayer to align our will with God's.
Dare to step out in faith as the Spirit leads.
Share the Story - God's story of Jesus and our story with Jesus.
1. God is always creating OPENNESS in the lives of those who need Jesus.
God cares more about the lost than us.
Often we aren't even aware of who those people are.
Be willing to use prayer to align our will with God's.
Dare to step out in faith as the Spirit leads.
Share the Story - God's story of Jesus and our story with Jesus.
2. God provided an OPPORTUNITY for Philip to help someone.
Are we available and looking for these opportunities?
Are we available and looking for these opportunities?
3. Philip was OBEDIENT to what God called him to do.
Will we answer the call when it is given to us?
Will we answer the call when it is given to us?
4. Philip took an OUTWARD approach in his desire to help OTHERS.
We must have a heart that sees the value in others and give of ourselves to do what is required of us to help them. God loves them and so should we.
Are our thoughts, actions, and heart driven by inward motivation, or are they driven by outward motivation that is Spirit filled and nurtured by a love for God and others?
We must have a heart that sees the value in others and give of ourselves to do what is required of us to help them. God loves them and so should we.
Are our thoughts, actions, and heart driven by inward motivation, or are they driven by outward motivation that is Spirit filled and nurtured by a love for God and others?
Growing - in your relationship with God through the Word and prayer (Heart)
Looking - for opportunities to connect with those who need Jesus (Eyes)
Caring - for the real needs of people God brings across your path (Hands)
Talking with people about The Story (Lips)
Looking - for opportunities to connect with those who need Jesus (Eyes)
Caring - for the real needs of people God brings across your path (Hands)
Talking with people about The Story (Lips)
