The Spirit Said Go and Philip Ran

Text: Acts 8:25-40
Theme: Philip enthusiastically and immediately obeyed God.
Key verses: “Now an angel of The Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road–the desert road–that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch…” (v. 26-27). “The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet” (v. 29-30a). “The Eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about…’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (v. 34-35). “…the Spirit of The Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appreared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea” (v. 39b-40).
What God said to me: Dwayne, you are not like Philip. You do not have his enthusiasm or his determination to obey me without hesitation or question. I used Philip in ways you will never know, to reach people groups you can never imagine. Why? Because I knew Philip was available and surrendered. I knew he wouldn’t require nights in a whale’s belly or rooster crows by a campfire to get him to finally come around. Philip was sold out to me and dead to himself. You could learn a lot from Philip…
What I said to God: Busted. Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. I have good intentions of following You, but way too often I want an explanation, or I want to go my way first before I goes Yours. Yep, I’m busted. How can I be like Jesus if I can’t even be like Philip? Thank You for speaking to me, convicting me, forgiving me, and for giving me a second, third and hundredth chance.