"It’s Time For A Phil-up!!!”
- Acts 8: 26-27b -
"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went:"
The Lord has been of late speaking to me about obedience. You hear a lot today about hearing the voice of God. The (3) voices you hear, you, God and the devil. Classes, seminars, etc. and etc. Personally I don’t think we have any trouble hearing. I “know” (not think) the trouble is obeying…can I get an amen, or maybe an “ouch”. And again friend, I’m preaching to myself for sure. The area of obeying for the typical Christian is the truest test we face. The battle of obeying, I believe is the greatest of a believer. The excuses we come up with are amazing. Some one else will do it. It’s not God’s will that I talk to that person. I need a sign. The timing is just not right. I need conformation. They won’t listen. What’s the use??? On and stinkin’ on. I know what I’m talking about, been there/done that!!! Do you ever think about…if you would have obeyed the Lord???
When we first get saved, we for the most part obey. We are so exited about the change in our life. We now have purpose, it all makes sense now. We just know that everybody want to hear what God has done in our life…right…wrong. They throw water on our Holy Ghost fire and we get lock jaw. The devil shuts us up so no longer a threat to him. My, my.
Right off the bat when I received Christ as Savior, He put me into what I have called a Holy Ghost “fog”. He seemingly closed in around me so to be focused on nothing but Him. I couldn’t get enough of the Bible. Christian TV is all I watched, soaking it all in. Man, was this new life of mine awesome. Finally I found the Truth and the Truth found me. Level to the next level the Lord was taking me. Our church saw what God was doing in my life. The pastor let me speak. After a few years the Lord started my teaching career. Into leadership. Ministry after ministry was I involved in. I couldn’t get enough. On and on. I might add, I by His grace haven’t changed. I owe Him all. I love Jesus so much. His Word, His presence, His everything…amen. The ways He got me to obey, I remember so well. At my job at the time, there was quite a walk to my office. Along the way He would see if I would obey by asking me to pick up trash along the way. I knew for sure it was the Lord. When I didn’t do it…I knew the rebuke and chastening was from my Lord as well. That’s how obedience started for me. Tests of obedience in the next level came with the Lord instructing me to go, to do, and to say (the biggies). The obeying that affects people. And that is what Jesus is all about, touching people. The blessings that would follow that obeying were incredible.
From the Garden of Eden clear up to right now, obeying has been a requirement of the Lord. We read in the Garden the penalty of not obeying. Enoch walked and obeyed and got taken out. Noah and his obedience in building the Ark. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb. We have to just mention their names and you know their stories. You too know the obeying they did to make their stories what they are. But friend never, never forget the greatest act of obedience: Jesus dying on the cross for me and you. (Phil. 2:8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Rom. 5:19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. “Not my will, but thine be done”, Jesus said. Friend, God knows all. He has already been in our tomorrow. I would then, wouldn’t you, think He knows what we need to do. So why not obey. Too often it’s our will and not Thine. The Word of God says plenty about being obedient:
(Isa. 1:19, 20) If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].
(Deut. 8:20) As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
(Rom. 1:5) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Since I’ve been saved (19 years, 4 days), the life of Philip the evangelist has been rated right up there with the best. The story in Acts 8 of the Evangelist and the Eunuch is among my all time favorites. An awesome story of obedience. We will through this story do our best to challenge all of us to obey the Father. In these Last Days its imperative we “be about the Father’s business”…which is people. Our Evangelist, out of the Book of Acts will be our Biblical example of the obedience all should have. Through Philip’s life, that we see in God’s Word we will become obedient servants…amen.
Our first sign of Philip is found in (Acts 6:5) And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: A man in the same company as Stephen, men full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Certainly God’s ingredients for touching His world most effectively. Next in (Acts 8:4-14) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Because of the persecution, the church was scattered about. But that didn’t stop Philip. These believers went everywhere and preached the glorious Gospel. I wonder what some of us would have done??? He by the power of the Holy Ghost did many miracles. The people gave heed to him. Many were healed. Church does this make you hungry for the things of God??? You and I are no different than Philip. We just have to go. The city of Samaria was now in revival. Simon the sorcerer was brought to the Lord by the evangelist and became his follower as Philip followed Christ. Then there is the story of Philip and the Eunuch which we will really study here in a little bit. And Philip is last heard of in (Acts 21:8-10) And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
Now let’s really get into the Word. Again, an excellent story of what obedience does. How God gets the glory, a life is changed for eternity. I feel like going verse by verse, word by word as the Holy Ghost leads.
(Acts 8: 26-40) And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
* This is a dumb statement; but there always is a past before there is a now. Philip’s past even before Acts 6 even though it’s not recorded is not hard to figure out. A man constantly on fire for God, working for God, touching life after life with the Gospel. A trusted man of the Spirit. God could depend on him to be the go between. And likewise Philip trusted God with everything he had. No fear and no doubt God would provide the power, the authority, the words, the plan, and most of all the people God wanted abducted with the Good News of Jesus Christ. "God does not need your ability but your availability."
* “Spake unto Philip”. God my friend doesn’t go through someone else to call us, He does the calling. Oh He might have someone know about the call to come by a prophecy to you, but the call is to you and for you. Just this last week a friend told me that the church he used to attend told him he wouldn’t be a pastor or preacher. How dare they be involved in the “call”. Their job is to pray for God’s will and God’s direction for peoples lives, God will tell the person…my my. What a tragedy!!! “Arise and Go”. God’s got something going Philip and He needs you. It’s right up your alley. I’ve prepared “you” not someone else for this one my son and servant.
* “toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert”. I don’t think I’m off on this, but when I think of “south and down”, I apply that to “Lord, I want to be promoted in Your Kingdom”. I think I’m ready for this and for that”. I want You to take me “north and up” to get blessed, to do Your will. But friend, that’s not how it works, is it. Ask Moses and his desert experience. Ask Jonah and his “down” moment. Joseph and his prison days. Peter and his escapades. And ultimately Jesus and His cross. Hang with me, my imagination (God given) is still going…”Jerusalem to Gaza”, from the stained glass, from the provision and luxuries to the desert where there is nothing…”NOTHING BUT THAT DIVINE APPOINTMENT”. God works with nothing that is man made or in the natural. He works only in the supernatural.
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
* “And he arose and went”. No hesitations. No questioning God. Not saying the old “”some one else will do it”, or “that’s the pastors job” (don’t get me going on that one). No putting out the “fleece”. Philip displays the “ready at the post”, whatever/wherever/whoever mentality…did I strike a nerve??? He knew from the times before, God knew what He was doing, that He would provide. All Philip had to do was obey the Holy Ghost and by faith “go”.
* “behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure” This Divine appointment moves to the next step. God prepares us, the place to go, and the person He wants to touch. While we are at it, it’s worthy to note that we can assume that Philip was alone here; he at a later date had to tell this awesome event to the author of Acts, Luke. So, the Holy Spirit directs our Man of God to a man, an Ethiopian eunuch. Note friend, the Word of God says a man first then his lifestyle, position, and nationality. I’m afraid too many would right away attack the lifestyle or where they’re from and not be concerned about the man and his lost without God soul. We are called to reach all people. And I would add all normal and not normal people…amen. We cannot leave anyone out. We were all at one time in our life lost and without the Lord and someone crossed our path with the Good News. So, Philip spots the eunuch. To apply our message in a comparison between the natural and the spiritual, a eunuch is a person by their choice or at birth cannot produce. In other words they have no seed to plant that will eventually give life. So, here we are, a soul that can’t plant seed in the natural, but soon will be planting seed in the Spirit because he is just about to have the seed that was planted in the Church of Jerusalem, watered by an obedient saint of God. And to add, he is in the desert where nothing grows. But God is about to make a life begin its new birth in Christ. Meaning where we might think a life can’t be touched or changed, the Lord supernaturally makes it happen…Praise His Name Forever. Another nugget, (I’m on a Holy Ghost roll) this man was in authority. No doubt had people under him. Had by the scripture a pretty important position. Folks, God puts men and women it these positions even as sinners. But, when they receive Christ as savior, they become that instrument of God that can change a workplace…amen. In charge of the queens treasure. Now he is going to learn about the greatest treasure…Jesus the Son of God. A treasure in earthen vessel, the Treasure in the eunuch’s vessel.
* “and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet”. This man was ready for his encounter with Jesus Christ. Been to church worshipping; now reading his Bible…ripe for harvest. The timing of God at work. The Lord prepares Philip to give and the eunuch to receive. Again obeying is the key. Without it this miracle of a life changed is gone…maybe forever. But back to “come to Jerusalem for to worship”. Just like this man, how many precious people are attending church every time the doors are open, but yet don’t have that one on one relationship with the King of Kings??? They don’t have a clue who the true God is, let alone what He can do in their lives. Totally steeped in religion, traditions and ritual. Bless their hearts, deceived like we all were at one time. Do you see our roles clearer those of you who right now sense the Spirit of God reveal His need for you to “GO” into your world and preach the Gospel. All the different churches, types of religions, the isms, the denominations…THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY…JESUS.
* “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot”. Next step: the encounter with God’s target. The soil of a soul is ready. Join: get “hooked” up with people. Allow God to set it up, to open the door, to make a way for you to be His witness. “Then the Spirit”. Allow the Holy Ghost to be in charge. Have an open ear to “what saith the Lord”. Don’t get in His way and all will go the way God has it planned.
The Holy Spirit Was In Charge In This Entire Story
* The Holy Spirit inspired the book of Isaiah, prophesying about the death of Jesus, the Messiah.
* The Holy Spirit was very much involved in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
* The Holy Spirit caused the calling and conversion of Philip.
* The Holy Spirit spoke to Philip about traveling South along the Gaza road from Jerusalem.
* The Holy Spirit had called the Ethiopian, who was already reading the book of Isaiah about Jesus.
* The Holy Spirit arranged for Philip to be directly alongside his chariot.
* The Holy Spirit told Philip to speak to the Ethiopian about Jesus.
* The Holy Spirit revealed the truth about Jesus from the book of Isaiah.
* The Holy Spirit prompted Philip to ask the Ethiopian about his belief about Jesus.
* The Holy Spirit prompted the Ethiopian to say that he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
* The Holy Spirit in-dwelt the Ethiopian at his conversion.
* The Holy Spirit convicted the Ethiopian of his need for water baptism.
* The Holy Spirit took Philip away to his next appointment.
* We do not know, since it does not say, but we can be assured that the Holy Spirit continued to work in the Ethiopian’s life.
* “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” Philip ran. Didn’t walk around ho-humming if it’s God. It’s time. It’s now. Hungry to share God’s love, His Word, His plan. And friend, we can’t assume just because we see people reading their Bible that they are saved. We must ask. No harm done. If they are a believer that will no doubt thank you for making sure. They would I trust do the same. Heard him reading. That is so cool. I like reading out loud. You can just sense the power of the spoken Word of God. The authority of the Blessed Book comes alive. An unsaved soul reading the Word, commendable to say the least. Are you daily reading the Book my friend, I pray this is so.
* “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him”. Honest as can be. He doesn’t understand, but God is going to take care of that. Friend, if like I was at first having trouble understanding, pray he will find a way to help you. The best interpreter I found is the Holy Ghost…amen. Are you in this scene taking place??? A man sitting in his chariot reading the Bible. Out from no where appears Philip, in a desert, and of course: God in charge. Now the man asks Philip to come up and have a seat in his chariot. I again compare this to someone asking us to get involved in their life. “Come in my life”, I need some help, I need to understand. And I have a hunch this is no coincidence that you are here by chance. I sense God is up to something…let’s see what that might be. Friend, we have to get into peoples lives, Yes I know, we are concerned that there might be a big mess we will have to get involved in. That’s probably true. But like Philip, obey, have confidence in God that He will give the words to say, the revelation that will answer the issues, on and on. Get involved!!! Getting people saved then guiding them. Discipleship, such a lacking area in the church I hate to say. Way too many people fall through the cracks and the enemy unfortunately has them back in short order. What a pity. But as we all should, Philip takes the time to explain God’s Word.
* “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth”.
* And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Our questions of life. We’ve all got them. Why, where who, what, and when. Jesus, my friend answers them all and is the Answer to them all…amen. The key is for you to know Him then you can tell others about Him.
* Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Please don’t take this wrong, but this scene here for those of you who swear and live the “silent witness” method is really the way God meant (Acts 1:8) to be. Friend, you have to open your mouth. Bumper stickers, WWJD this and that’s, crosses everywhere. Who are you talking about??? Why do you where that, display that??? People want desperately to know “the Answer”. Philip opened his mouth and it opened the Eunuch heart. I peeled my bumper sticker off and started opening my mouth and it’s a ton more effective, praise God forever. Jesus spoke, Peter spoke, Paul spoke, preachers, evangelists, pastors, and teachers speak…period, I think you get it!!! Jesus is all you need to talk about. What He has done for you and what He can do for them.
* And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Do you see here that the Eunuch knew there was more than just religion??? He was aware there was something about being baptized. But that wasn’t all. Being baptized doesn’t save you. Read on.
* And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip put things in order, God’s order. Believe my friend and then baptism is next. Identify yourself with your Savior with burial and then resurrection. Show you friends and family your new life and commitment to you new life and destiny…for Him. Classic is this story of how to touch people. All are hungry for their maker. They are just confused, deceived, mixed up, and the like. They just need you to simply take away the fog and the cob webs of life and preach unto them Jesus…amen.
* And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. My how the scenery has changed. As we stated earlier, we compared the chariot to a life. And now is that precious window of opportunity that comes to us, when that life stops for an awesome “Divine appointment”, and we must be at our post. A once dry desert life has become refreshed with the water of the Word. A once fruitless, unable to produce seed life is know born again. All the years of confusion, doubt, and disbelief are over.
* And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. No wonder the Eunuch is rejoicing. I found the Answer and the Answer found me. Now he is on his way back home to make a difference in his family, neighborhood, the Club of Eunuchs will never be the same. The queen and her Ethiopian’s will be evangelized in Jesus Name. That’s how it works. Getting people saved, discipling them and cut ‘em loose. Winning people/winning the world.
* But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. As our message comes to an end, the story of Philip and the Eunuch does as well. Philip is found preaching. Friend, how are we found??? What are we doing for Jesus and His Kingdom??? Are we found doing nothing or at best??? Very little??? Philip knew and didn’t forget what the Lord had done for him. Are you found complaining??? Are you found consumed with “life”??? What is holding you back???
In closing, ARE YOU OBEYING??? I know you are hearing, but are you going??? Are you doing??? (James 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Have faith in God. Then act on your faith. Faith friend is an act. Obey then act. Again: Obey then act. You are God’s messenger, His ambassador in these last days. He has put you in “your world” to affect your world for Him.
(Luke 4:18,19) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Here we go: all heard this proclamation by the Lord. But who obeyed and applied it to them??? Or like most, it went in one ear and out the other and not staying alive in our spirit. Philip was probably in service when Jesus said this. This is your anointing. This is your mission. Look at the impact…preaching good news to the poor. Now they are rich in Spirit. Heal the brokenhearted. Now they have hope and purpose. Delivering the captive. Now they are free. The blind physically and spiritually now can see. Why??? Because you obeyed. Because you have a heart for people.
So, it’s “Time For A Phil-up”. By using his life, his stories I challenge you in the Name of Jesus to get where God wants you. Out in your world impacting people. Giving them Jesus. Pray like never before…with purpose, serious “God what do you want me to do” mentality. Listen, if you are like most, we pray, and do all the talking. We hardly ever wait to listen to what the Lord has to say. What His orders for our day might be. For Divine direction, on and on. Man do I feel guilty. Any case listen, He’ll tell you what to do. And He will back you 100%...amen. Do you ever think about…if you would have obeyed the Lord??? I better obey and shut up…see you later friends.
In closing let us pray for you my friend. Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading c42day, right now. Lord, let this message penetrate their hearts and realize that you have a plan a destiny for their life. Challenge them by your Spirit. Give them faith to believe in who they are in YOU. It’s my and I know your desire Lord that they have been challenged to change their life. For sure they have been challenged2Bchanged. In Jesus Name...Amen
If you want to know more about Him go to our "are you challenged2Bchanged" (ru/c2bc) page on the Lord’s website www.c2bc.org for help. Or at least e-mail us…thanks, we so much want to hear from you), we would love to hear your response.
God Bless,
Mike & Carole
