salvation

Obedience and Intentionality: Lessons from Philip

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There is a passage in the book of Acts that has always resonated with me, well…. ever since I came to know the Lord anyway

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”

30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” - Acts 8

This passage from Acts 8:26-30 offers several rich insights and themes for reflection:

1. Divine Guidance

  • The angel of the Lord instructs Philip to go to a specific place (v. 26).
    • God actively directs His people
      • often calling them to unexpected or unfamiliar paths.
    • The road to Gaza was a remote desert area,
      • yet it became the setting for a divine appointment.
  • God works through His Spirit to orchestrate encounters for His purposes.

2. Obedience and Availability

  • Philip’s immediate response to God’s instructions is a powerful example of obedience.
    • He does not question or delay but rises and goes (v. 27).
    • This reflects a heart willing to follow God’s leading,
      • even without knowing the full picture.
  • His readiness positions him to be part of a pivotal moment in the Ethiopian eunuch’s spiritual journey.

This passage has always made me want to be so much like Phillip. He did not hesitate when the Lord told him what to do. So much so that he charged toward a chariot without any knowledge of what might happen next…. His obedience allowed him to be a part, however small, of an amazing moment.

What happened next changed the Ethiopian man’s life forever, and I am certain it had an affect on Phillip as well….

30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:

He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.

36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?”  38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. - Acts 8

As busy people, we always seem to be “running” somewhere ….

Maybe 2025 is the year where we need to start running toward the right things….. I challenged my church last Sunday to be INTENTIONAL in 2025…. INTENTIONAL in telling the Gospel and INTENTIONAL in sending others to do the same.

Will we be Intentional tellers and senders of the Gospel in 2025?

Phillip was able to be witness to the Lord saving this man. His eternity was changed forever. Whatever else we do in this life, NOTHING could be more important than sharing the gospel. The chances of you having to chase down a chariot to do so are slim, but they are not zero 😉

God bless you, get out there and be intentional!

Pastor John

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Beautiful Feet: The Call to Share Good News

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Recap from today’s message:

8b The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. - Romans 10

1) The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel (v. 14-15)

How can they call on him they have not believed in?
One paraphrase puts it this way.. How can people call for help if they do not know who to trust?
3.23 billion unreached people in the world is way too many people. Plus millions more that have been reached, but do not believe. There are so many people who need Jesus!

Let’s remind ourselves of the severity of the situation:
Without Jesus we are dead – Not dying – But dead in our sins. It is not like we are drowning. No, we have already drowned. Without Him, we are laying in the silt at the bottom of the lake.

How can they believe without hearing about Him?
From the same paraphrase … How can they know who to trust if they have not heard of the One who can be trusted?

How can they hear without a preacher? … how can they preach unless they are sent?
How can they hear if nobody tells them?

How is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?
God could have chosen any means for the message of salvation to come, Nevertheless God’s “normal” way of bringing people to Jesus Christ is through the preaching of the gospel.

Telling (preaching) the Gospel is Necessary!!!

2) The Reward of Preaching the Gospel (v. 15b)

15b As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. - Romans 10

This was first mentioned by the prophet Isaiah:

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald (messenger), who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation (the Gospel) , who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52

How beautiful are the feet … Those who preach have beautiful feet, they partner w/ God for the salvation of men.

The Challenge

Will we practice intentionality in 2025? Will we be obedient Tellers and Senders of the Gospel?

Heavenly Father,
As we step into this new year, we humbly come before You, seeking hearts that are fully surrendered to Your will. Teach us to walk in obedience, not out of obligation, but out of love for You and trust in Your perfect plan for our lives.
Lord, we ask for ears that are sensitive to Your voice, hands that are quick to serve, and feet that are ready to follow wherever You lead. Help us to lay aside our own desires and embrace Your higher ways, even when they challenge us or require sacrifice.
Strengthen us in moments of doubt, temptation, or fear. Remind us that obedience brings blessing, peace, and a closer relationship with You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so we may act with courage, wisdom, and humility in all that we do.
May our lives in 2025 reflect Your light and love, drawing others closer to You. Use our obedience to fulfill Your purposes, both in our own lives and in the world around us.
We commit this year to You, trusting that Your plans for us are good. Be glorified in our faithfulness, Lord, and may Your will be done in us and through us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen

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God Bless you all,

PastorJohn96