At Gateway Church in Austin, we continued a series looking at the early church in the book of Acts.
What if faith was never meant to be boring, but an adventure? The book of Acts is the story of ordinary people encountering an extraordinary God, and stepping into a life they never expected.
It started with an invitation. To wait. To be filled. To trust God in a new way. And that invitation became an adventure; full of courage, purpose, and impact.
And here’s the best part, that same invitation is still open to you. No matter where you’ve been
or where you’re starting, there’s a place for you in the story.
ACTS: The Invitation… and The Adventure.
Don’t just watch it…step into it.
Digging Deeper:
Message Video at Gateway South Austin:
Message Audio from Gateway South Austin:
Message Notes:
Acts 8:26-40
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian a eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37 Philip said, “If you believe with all of your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” ] c 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Everyone is on a spiritual journey.
If we were to describe the spiritual journey in the form of a continuum, it might look like this [slide]:
Left End – people who are unaware of their need for Jesus..
They can be atheists, or agnostics, or people who are complacent about their life and don’t sense a need for Jesus.
They might be people who were never introduced to God.
They weren’t raised with any spiritual upbringing.
This might describe where you are in your faith journey.
Then there are those on the Right End– people who are joyfully following Jesus.
The progression is from those who are unaware
> to those who are experiencing an awakening
> to those who have become curious
> to those who have become a fan of Jesus
> to those who become followers of Jesus.
And followers of Jesus are those who are connecting, growing, serving, sharing, and investing in others. It’s not about believing the right things about Jesus, but choosing to let Jesus not only forgive you but lead you in every area of your life!
We know here in the room today we have people in all stages of their spiritual journey.
If you are exploring faith, where do you find yourself on this continuum?
If you are a Christ Follower – where were you when you made your decision to place your faith in Jesus and where are you today?
We are surrounded by people in different stages of their spiritual journey.
Some are professing atheists; some are trying to find God in all the wrong places; yet there are also those whose hearts are soft who are seeking God with all of their heart.
Jesus describes the reality of many who don’t know Him in the Parable of the Sower.
Jesus says in John 4:35b, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
Our Series Through Acts
We have been in this Acts series for the last seven (7) weeks, which focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit doing extraordinary things through ordinary people like us. We have read stories of Spirit-empowered disciples who have faithfully shared the good news of Jesus. That’s their mission because that was Jesus’ mission when He lived on the earth!
The good news has been entrusted to us to share with others.
Today, we are going to read about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. As we read, listen to how the Holy Spirit speaks to us today, and let’s become aware of how God uses His disciples to reach others for His kingdom. My prayer is that as we listen to today’s message, the Spirit highlights a person or two that He wants you to reach.
The people who are in your circles of influence are placed there by God’s divine plan. Why? Because YOU may be the only person they will listen to!
YOU have earned the right to be heard.
Let’s be spiritually sensitive enough to hear His voice today and boldly step out to share the Good News of Jesus!
Are you willing to be a “Philip” to the people God has purposely placed in your life?
And if you are the “eunuch” who wants to become a devoted follower of Jesus, then let us help you!
Acts 8:26-27:
An angel of the Lord approached Philip and instructed him to go south to the desert road, the one that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship…”
Philip was not only a faithful preacher; he was also an obedient disciple. Like his Master, he was willing to leave the crowds and deal with one lost soul. The angel could have told this Ethiopian official how to be saved, but God has not given the commission to share the good news of Jesus to angels: He has given it to His people, which is US!
Matt 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This court official did not come from what we know today as Ethiopia. His home was in ancient Nubia, located south of Egypt. Since he was a eunuch, he could not become a full Jewish proselyte according to Deut. 23:1; but he was permitted to become a “God fearer” or “a proselyte of the gate.” He was concerned enough about his spiritual life to travel over 200 miles to Jerusalem to worship God; but his heart was still not satisfied.
It’s interesting that God saw fit to include the fact that this Ethiopian happened to be a eunuch.
That’s a term we rarely use in today’s time. But since that detail is there, let’s make sure we know how to define a eunuch:
EUNUCH (Heb. sārîs; Gk. eunoúchos “keeper of the bed”). A castrated male, often accorded a high governmental position such as chamberlain of a sovereign or royal harem. Particularly common in ancient Near Eastern and other oriental courts, the employment of eunuchs in sensitive political roles was introduced through Mesopotamian influence into the Roman and Byzantine Empires. – Myers, A. C. (1987). EUNUCH. In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 356)
This Ethiopian represents people today who are religious, read the Scriptures, and seek the truth, but have not yet placed their faith in Jesus.
He’s curious. He worships Yahweh. He knows from His readings that there is a Messiah to come, but someone needs to introduce him to Jesus.
Let’s pick up the storyline in v.28.
Acts 8:28:
“…and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.”
- While the eunuch was heading home, he was sitting in a chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. He’s already been to Jerusalem to worship, and he still wants more!
- [put the spiritual continuum graphic back on the screen]
- Q: Remember the Spiritual continuum we looked at, where is the eunuch?
He’s a seeker! He is a fan of Jesus.
He had traveled over 200 miles to go worship in Jerusalem.
He’s hungry to know more of God’s Word.
Acts 8:29-31:
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it. Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Philip was originally approached by an angel of the Lord. But now we see the Spirit giving Philip specific instructions:
“Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Notice that Philip immediately obeyed the Spirit and ran up to the chariot. I want us to appreciate the role of the Spirit in today’s text. The Holy Spirit is always at work in the lives of those who are spiritually lost. He knew the plan for Philip and he had gone in advance of Philip to prepare the heart of this Ethiopian man.
The Holy Spirit is God’s personal, present, and active presence with believers. The Spirit’s work is meant to be a NORMAL, ongoing part of everyday Christian life – not some special “filling of the Holy Spirit” for a rare dramatic moment! We tend to look for God in the wind, earthquake, and fire – when God’s native language is a whisper. (Tyler Staton in “The Familiar Stranger”)
Henry Blackaby in “Experiencing God” teaches us that the Holy Spirit guides believers personally through prayer, Scripture, conviction, circumstances, and the church community.
Rather than presenting the Spirit as unusual or reserved for especially spiritual people, he describes sensitivity to God’s voice as part of normal Christian discipleship and obedience.
- The Holy Spirit is the active agent who INVITES Philip to partner with God to reach a man who was a fan of God, who wanted to learn about Jesus and become a follower.
When the Holy Spirit INVITES us to reach others for Christ, he also EMPOWERS us.
He doesn’t lead us to witness to someone without His power to do so.
This truth is what allows Philip to have a holy boldness to approach the chariot to see what’s going on. - So Philip noticed that the man was reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah.
It might sound odd that a person riding in a chariot would be reading aloud, but it was customary in those days for students to read out loud. - Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading, and the man was honest and acknowledged he didn’t – unless someone was willing to explain it to him.
The man invited Philip to sit with him in the chariot and explain what he was reading.
What an open door for Philip to share the good news! - What exactly was the eunuch reading? V.32 tells us…
Are you looking for God to be at work?
Do you see how He may be answering your prayers in ways you didn’t expect?
Are you sensitive to the Spirit?
If not, ask Him for His help and start today!
Acts 8:32-35:
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he didn’t open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth. Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him good news about Jesus.”
- The eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53, which is commonly known as the prophecy of God’s Suffering Servant. Isaiah 53 describes our Lord Jesus Christ in His birth (Isa. 53:1–2), life and ministry (Isa. 53:3), substitutionary death (Isa. 53:4–9), and victorious resurrection (Isa. 53:10–12).
- The Ethiopian focused on Isaiah 53:7–8, which describes our Lord as the willing Sacrifice for sinners, even while being deprived of justice. Jesus could have cried out, “I’m not guilty,” but he didn’t. And instead, he was punished for our guilt. We come to God guilty, but through the blood of Jesus Christ and his death, we are deemed not guilty.
- As Philip explained the verses to him, the Ethiopian began to understand the Gospel because the Spirit of God was opening his mind to God’s truth. And this is the beauty of how the Holy Spirit works! This man was seeking God.
- This Ethiopian eunuch could be the poster child of a promise God gives in His Word. It’s found in Proverbs 8:17b: “Those who seek me find me.” We read in Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
I love heart-warming stories like this because we see how powerfully the Holy Spirit works in Philip AND in the Ethiopian man!
The Spirit INVITED Philip to partner with God to reach this man, and the Holy Spirit INVITED the man to receive Jesus by opening the man’s heart and mind to the gospel message.
What a beautiful picture of the eunuch stepping out of the margins and into the movement to follow Jesus! Philip explains that Jesus is the Messiah, prophesied in Isaiah, and the eunuch believes. Now it is up to the Ethiopian to give a personal response to the gospel. And we see that!
When the eunuch understands that Jesus is as the Son of God who came to die on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins, he not only receives Jesus as his Lord and Savior, but he asks to be baptized right away.
We see this in the following verse:
8:36-38 36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all of your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Baptism is an important step as a follower of Jesus.
It is closely connected to faith in Jesus and receiving new life through the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is a public act of faith that symbolizes repentance, cleansing from sin, identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection, and entry into the community of believers.
Scripture describes this:
Romans 6:3-10:
“3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
For those of you who believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world, but haven’t followed that belief with the public declaration of baptism we have baptism coming up in July.
As a church we have an intentional pathway for those taking this important step of faith to follow that includes a pre-baptism class.
8:39-40 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
What results for the new believer after being spiritually healed? JOY!
Notice the Holy Spirit’s initiative in salvation – It is the Holy Spirit who orchestrates encounters. Philip was sent to a specific road at a specific time. The Holy Spirit was already at work in the eunuch’s life.
The gospel crosses cultural and social barriers.
The Ethiopian eunuch represents multiple layers of exclusion in the ancient world – ethnically African, a eunuch – who therefore was excluded per the Hebrew Bible, and a high-ranking outsider.
God’s love extends to all people – including those who look differently, come from a different place, and even seen as an outsider. As a eunuch he was never going to marry or have children. He was single and in some ways “married to his job.”
Today’s text illustrates that the gospel breaks through barriers of race, status, and even religious exclusion. Christianity is radically inclusive:
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that anyone who believes upon His name shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
For the believers who are here, I want us to prayerfully consider what it means to live as a responsive instrument in God’s mission – to live like a “Philip”:
Let’s be ready to follow specific, even inconvenient guidance.
Philip is told by an angel to go to a desert road – hardly a strategic ministry location! From his perspective, it probably didn’t make sense, which makes this uncomfortable. Obedience isn’t always efficient or logical!
How do we listen to the Holy Spirit? It’s not mastering a “technique!” It’s developing attentiveness, trust, and consistency in relationship to God.
A healthy approach is being grounded in Scripture, prayer, humility, and community rather than chasing dramatic experiences.
How to cultivate awareness of Holy Spirit promptings:
- Creating regular quiet space for prayer.
If God’s native language is a whisper, then slowing down helps us notice conviction, peace, insight, or guidance that we might normally ignore.
- Staying rooted in Scripture.
We need to test impressions against the character and teachings of Jesus in the Bible.
The Holy Spirit will always guide consistently with Scripture, not contradict it. - Paying attention to recurring nudges and responding.
You might notice a persistent sense to encourage someone, confess something, reconcile with someone, serve, pray, or act courageously.
If we want to be successful in helping others step out of the margins and into the movement to be a follower of Jesus, let’s look at how Philip helped this eunuch “step out of the margins and into the movement.”
Lessons we can learn from Philp:
- He stayed attentive to the Spirit’s prompting in real time.
Philip is told to approach the chariot, which is more than general obedience.
It’s a “moment-by-moment” responsiveness.
He doesn’t force opportunities, but rather responds to them.
- He started where people are.
Philip doesn’t begin with a rehearsed speech.
He hears the man reading the Book of Isaiah and simply asks, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
Philip engages this eunuch at his point of curiosity or confusion.
- He explained Scripture with Jesus at the center.
Philip told the good news about Jesus.
The move is from text to Christ, not from text to abstract principles.
When we explain Scripture, let’s aim for clarity about Jesus, not just moral lessons or theological data. - He was willing to cross social and cultural lines.
Philip’s encounter breaks norms.
The Ethiopian official is ethnically, geographically and socially distant – and a eunuch.
Yet Philip doesn’t hesitate. He didn’t let unfamiliarity or difference become a barrier in his interaction with the man.
For those of you who haven’t made a decision to become a believer, ask yourself where you are on the continuum.
If your spiritual journey has led you beyond being curious about Jesus and now you’re a fan of Jesus, then consider that the Holy Spirit is at work in you and is INVITING you to become a follower of Jesus!
Lessons we can learn from the Ethiopian royal official:
- Continue to seek God with all of your heart – even when you don’t have all the answers.
The eunuch is already reading the Book of Isaiah on a long journey.
He doesn’t understand it yet, but he’s actively pursuing truth. Genuine seeking often starts with partial understanding, not certainty. - Admit when you need help understanding.
The Ethiopian was humble, especially given his status.
He had a teachable spirit, which allows room for deeper understanding. - Stay open to unexpected messengers.
Philip is a stranger who suddenly appears and asks a probing question.
The eunuch doesn’t dismiss him. Please be open to who might help you see clearly. - Receive the good news of Jesus personally, not just intellectually.
You can know all “about Jesus” without “knowing Jesus” personally.
When the eunuch hears the gospel, he doesn’t treat it as abstract theology.
He immediately asks, “What prevents me from being baptized?”
Real understanding moves from curiosity to personal trust and commitment.
This eunuch was willing to transfer his full faith and trust in Jesus alone for his salvation.
In the Christianese language, we call this commitment “surrendering” our life to Jesus.
This eunuch “stepped out of the margins and went from being a fan to a devoted follower of Jesus!” - Don’t let past exclusion define your future inclusion.
As a eunuch, he had limited participation under the Hebrew Bible law.
Yet he immediately embraces baptism – a sign of full inclusion.
The gospel overrides prior barriers.
Your past doesn’t disqualify you from receiving Jesus!
I want to share a practical next step that I have found to be easy to implement to be a “Philip” on mission with God to reach those who don’t know Jesus yet:
I believe that whoever God has placed in our circle of influence is providential. It is not by accident.
Like you, there are family members, friends, co-workers, members of a professional organization that you may be a part of, where you wonder where they are spiritually.
If you want to look at your network of relationships more closely, take a look at what is known as an [Slide] Oikos map and do one for yourself:
Here is what has worked for me that I want to offer to you:
Each day, ask the Lord to help you see everyone you interact with through the “spiritual lens” of Jesus.
As you interact with people you want to help spiritually, listen for:
- Needs they have in their life
- Pain points they share
- Are they experiencing discouragement or emotional stress?
This is where you say with INTEGRITY and GENUINNESS…I will PRAY for you.
Make sure you follow up with them, which shows that you care about them. It shows that you are willing to journey with them and to help anyway you can.
And BTW, research shows that even atheists aren’t offended if you offer to pray for them. Even though they don’t believe there’s a God, they are fine with you praying for them.
Here’s the best part:
When the answers to prayer start to happen, we need to celebrate that with them.
But most importantly, we need to make sure that the LORD GETS THE CREDIT!
Their hearts and minds start to open up to a God who unconditionally loves them and has a plan and a purpose for them.
Those of us who are followers of Christ have been blessed with a “Philip” in our life who was instrumental in leading us to Jesus.
Now it’s our turn to be a Philip.
Are you willing to be a “Philip” to someone who wants to be introduced to Jesus.
The fields are “ripe for harvest” and we are invited to be His “laborers.”
Let’s step out of the margins and into the movement!
We are going to close with a congregational prayer taken from a hymn written in the 1800s (we will read this together).
Let’s really ask God to open our hearts and minds to see and follow Him.
God be in my head,
And in my understanding;God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;God be at mine end,
And at my departing.“God be in my head” by Sir Henry Walford Davies (1869–1941)
