Acts #11: Be guided by God (Acts 8); Stefan Schmid

prédication Actes 8 : Stefan Schmid, 2022_11_10, église AB Lausanne

titre : Acts #11: Be guided by God (Acts 8); Stefan Schmid

Résumé : Summary:
The second passage that speaks to us about Philip in the book of Acts is precious for knowing how to let God guide you by:

– obeying what He tells us (even if humanly we don’t understand everything);
– being attentive to the situation that God has so well prepared to go straight to the point (here presenting the gospel).
– Attention, time is limited! For Philip, the window was less than a day. So, let’s not waste God’s opportunities!

1. The celestial perspective

The book of Job allows us to see what is happening from the heavenly perspective. Here’s what could have happened at the heavenly council (This is fictional of course):

God: Have you seen that Ethiopian who is making that long trip to Jerusalem? He comes to adore me (according to the prophecy in Isaiah 18: 1-7) and even buys a manuscript of the book of Isaiah at a great price. Who could explain the gospel to him?

His advisers – the angels: The Christians have left Jerusalem, so it’s not possible! The apostles have not yet fully understood that the gospel is for everyone. So let’s take Philip, who had to take care of widows before the persecution. He has already evangelized Samaria, he has a big heart and above all, he is filled with the Holy Spirit.

God: But many Christians took a dim view of his approach. Peter and John had to be sent there to keep the church together. How can the evangelization of this Ethiopian be made clear to conservative Christians?

Angels: Do as you did for the birth of Jesus. Send an angel to give the order to Philip. There they will understand.

God: And how to organize the meeting of this Ethiopian with Philip?

Angels: It’s easy. Let the Ethiopian justly read a prophecy of the Messiah that Philip can explain to him. Philip will find the right words to explain to him not only this biblical verse but the whole Gospel.

God: And for the baptism, will they find water in this desert area?

Angels: You, who rain down on the good and the bad, can easily do what is necessary.

God: Finally, the Ethiopian will be so happy that he will ask Philip to accompany him to his country. However, I need Philip to evangelize the Philistines because other Christians still see them as their enemies.

Angels: But do one more miracle and take Philip away and place him alive in a city of the Philistines (just as Satan did in the temptation of Jesus, Matthew 4:5). Thus, everyone will believe that Philip does what you tell him!

God: Excellent, come on, execute these proposals!

Reading the biblical passage

Acts 8: 26-40

26 – An Angel Of The Lord Said To Philip, « Get Up And Go South, Along The Deserted Way From Jerusalem To Gaza. »

27 He got up and left. Now an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia, and administrator of all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.

28 He was going away, sitting in his chariot, and reading the prophet Isaiah.

29The Spirit said to Philip, « Come on and draw near to this chariot. »

30 Philip came running and heard the Ethiopian read the prophet, Isaiah. He said to him, « Do you understand what you are reading? »

31 The man replied, « How can I if no one explains it to me? » and invited Philippe to come up and sit with him.

32 The passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter and, like a lamb dumb before his shearer, he does not open his mouth.

33 In his humiliation, justice was denied him. And his generation, who will talk about it? Indeed, his life was taken from the earth.

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “Please, about whom is the prophet saying this? Is it about himself or someone else?”

35 Then Philip spoke and, starting from this text of Scripture, he announced to him the good news of Jesus.

36 As they continued on their way, they came to a waterhole. The eunuch said, “Here is water. What prevents me from being baptized?”

37 [Philip says, « If you believe with all your heart, it is possible. » The eunuch replied, « I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. »]

38 He stopped the chariot. Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water and Philip baptized the eunuch.

39 When they had come out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more. He went on his way happily.

40 Philip found himself in Azot, then he went as far as Caesarea, evangelizing all the towns through which he passed.

2. What I would like to emphasize in this passage

What an extraordinary day, truly guided by God! Do you believe that God directs everything for the good of those who love him? Even the martyrdom of Stephen had a good result: Christians evangelized everywhere. Do you know that all things should work out for our good (Romans 8:28) Moreover, we know that everything works for the good of those who love God, those that are called according to His plan. This also applies to our lives!!!

No condition of obeying the Word of God

Philip could have replied to the angel: “I have already planned something else, it is too hot there, I don’t have authorization from the apostles, send someone else. » But no, Philip leaves immediately without knowing what awaits him.

Have you noticed that God’s commands are not always obvious? After His resurrection, Jesus told the disciples to cast the net on the right side. Why not on the left, it comes to the same thing, doesn’t it? Do we trust God when he tells us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-26) Wherefore I say unto you, Take no thought what ye shall eat [and drink] for live, or what you will clothe your body with. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap, they do not gather anything in barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

My call for Renens was by a dream. I acted without any guarantees.

Let’s obey the Word of God if we want God to guide us.

Recognize the situations prepared by God

Arrived on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza, God explains to him the following: Approach the chariot in front and walk beside it (verse 29). The Holy Spirit is very precise. “By chance”, this great official reads a chapter that speaks of the Messiah, of course aloud as the Jews still do today. And everything else takes place “like on a toboggan”. Philip asks him if he understands what he is reading. Of course not. He invites him to get in his car. For Philip, it’s an easy task: the official throws the ball to him -> header -> and goal!!! He could have received the ball and gone to dribble on the big field: “What a beautiful car! How long does it take to Ethiopia? Where exactly is it? Are you also a Jew by origin, like Daniel who made his career in Babylon? Why are you called a eunuch? Is it a function title or are you really castrated to enter the service of the queen? …? «

All that would have been interesting to know, but Philip explained to him what was essential!

All of this would have been very interesting to know, but time was limited. Philip explained the gospel to him: the sheep of God who bears the sins of the whole world (verses 32-33). The Ethiopian accepts the message (although verse 37 was probably added later) and asks for baptism to express his faith.

Do you recognize these many details prepared in advance by the Lord ( Ephesians 2. 10): In reality, it is He who made us; we were created in Jesus Christ for good works which God prepared in advance so that we practice them. Do you also see them in your lives?

My example: How the doors in Renens opened.

Time is limited

After the baptism, the story takes an abrupt end (verses 39-40): Philip disappears and finds himself in a city of the Philistines where he continues to announce the Gospel.

Also, our time on earth is limited. Let us take advantage of announcing the Gospel to the people whom God sends to us. Let’s not just talk about rain and shine!

My time in Renens was limited. Now I live in Zurich. It’s not pride to compare me to Philip. He was a Christian like you and me!

3. Supplement

The summary of the book of Acts is displayed in the preceding sermons: Acts 1:8. We must announce the Good News of Jesus to the whole world. A century or two ago, missionaries were sent all over the world. They had to prepare for a long time, to adapt to other cultures, and many lost their lives. Other countries were totally closed.

But have you noticed that the world has changed? Nationals from all over the world came to Switzerland, much like the Ethiopians came to Jerusalem. Often they risked their lives to come to Europe. They often come from Muslim countries. But here, we have all the freedom to tell them about Jesus.

Let’s obey the Word of God and announce Jesus to them. Churches should organize training to learn how to talk to Muslims who like to talk about God.

In my village, the evangelical church split in two because of worship and the pastor. And despite this separation, Christians are still focused on music during worship instead of wholeheartedly worshiping God. Even the new pastor is not perfect. But instead of leading us to criticism, it should make us men and women of prayer.

But how often do we dribble with our ball unnecessarily on the field instead of seeing all these nations that God sends to us, especially here in Renens? Let’s not say that the ground is hard. Philip’s colleague had suffered martyrdom. Here in Switzerland, we have all the freedom!

Let us be guided by God, each according to the talent we have received. No stress. Invite your neighbor for tea or coffee and ask him/her if he/she believes in God.

Obey His Word

Recognize the situations prepared by God also in our lives.

Think about it: time is short!

Bible Passages

Acts 8 / ASV Bible

1. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2. And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
4. They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word.
5. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.
6. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.
7. For [from] many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed.
8. And there was much joy in that city.
9. But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10. to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great.
11. And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13. And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.
14. Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15. who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
16. for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19. saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
20. But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
23. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
24. And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25. They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
26. But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert.
27. And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;
28. and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29. And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30. And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31. And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.
32. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:
33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.
34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?
35. And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus.
36. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. [And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.