Being Mission Ready: Embracing God's Sovereignty and Call
Summary
For over sixteen years, God has allowed us to witness His faithfulness in the Dominican Republic—planting churches, training leaders, and seeing lives transformed by the gospel. The journey has not always been easy, but it has been marked by God’s sovereignty and the power of His Word. As we prepare to return to the field, I am reminded that every soul reached, every disciple made, and every church planted is a testimony to the partnership and prayers of faithful believers here at home. Your investment—whether through prayer, support, or even a simple act like building carnival games—has had ripple effects for the kingdom, far beyond what any of us could have imagined.
Reflecting on Acts 8 and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, we see a powerful example of what it means to be “mission ready” for God. Philip was not a pastor or an apostle, but he was available, obedient, and prepared. God orchestrated a divine encounter between Philip and a searching soul, demonstrating that our placement—no matter how ordinary or inconvenient—can be the very setting for God’s extraordinary work. Philip’s readiness was not about his title or talent, but about his willingness to follow God’s leading, even when it meant leaving a thriving revival for a solitary road in the desert.
The encounter between Philip and the eunuch teaches us three vital elements of being mission ready: divine preparation, a clear presentation of the gospel, and the expectation of life transformation. God prepares both the messenger and the hearer, often in ways we cannot see. The gospel must be presented clearly, centered on the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ. When we are faithful to share, God brings about transformation—marked by confession, obedience, and joy.
Each of us is called to be the right person, at the right place, at the right time. Whether God calls us across the globe or across the street, He asks for our availability and faithfulness. There are people—powerful or ordinary, near or far—whose hearts are searching for truth. Will we be ready to share the hope we have in Christ? Will we trust God’s placement and report for duty, even when it’s uncomfortable or unnoticed? Someone’s eternity may hang in the balance. Let us be the Philip in someone else’s story.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Sovereignty in Our Placement
God orchestrates our circumstances and encounters, often placing us exactly where we need to be for His purposes. Even when our assignment seems insignificant or inconvenient, God may be preparing us—and someone else—for a life-changing encounter. Our willingness to trust His placement, rather than our own preferences, is a mark of true readiness. [29:11]
- Preparation Precedes Opportunity
Philip was mission ready because he allowed God to prepare him—spiritually, emotionally, and practically. Preparation is not just about knowledge, but about cultivating a heart that listens for God’s direction and responds in obedience. Every season, even the ordinary or difficult ones, can be God’s training ground for future ministry. [53:55]
- The Power of a Clear, Christ-Centered Gospel
A faithful witness is not about eloquence or persuasion, but about presenting the gospel clearly and centering it on Jesus Christ. Philip’s approach was rooted in Scripture and pointed directly to the person and work of Jesus as the only way of salvation. In a world full of spiritual confusion, clarity about Christ is both rare and essential. [57:12]
- Transformation Is God’s Work, Our Role Is Faithfulness
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch reminds us that true transformation—confession, obedience, and joy—is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to be faithful in sharing, trusting God to bring about the fruit. The joy that follows genuine faith is a distinguishing mark of a life changed by Christ. [01:01:34]
- Every Believer Is Called to Be “Mission Ready”
God does not require a special title or extraordinary talent to use someone for His mission. He looks for those who are available, willing, and prepared to share the hope of Christ—whether to crowds or to one searching soul. Our faithfulness in small, unseen moments can have eternal impact. [01:03:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Ministry Update and Prayer Requests
[03:10] - Reflections on 16 Years in the Dominican Republic
[05:30] - The Call to Plant Churches
[07:15] - The Power of Partnership and Support
[09:00] - Introduction to Acts 8: Philip’s Story
[12:20] - The Mission-Ready Life: Right Person, Right Place, Right Time
[15:05] - Divine Preparation: God’s Sovereignty in Encounters
[18:30] - The Ethiopian Eunuch: A Seeker’s Journey
[22:10] - The Role of God’s Word in Preparation
[25:40] - A Clear Gospel Presentation
[29:11] - Centering the Message on Jesus Christ
[32:00] - The Response: Confession, Baptism, and Joy
[35:10] - The Call to Be Mission Ready
[38:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Mission Ready for God”
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### Bible Reading
Acts 8:26–39 (ESV)
> 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
> 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
> 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
> 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
> 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
> 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
> 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
> “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.
> 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
> 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
> 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
> 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
> 37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]
> 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
> 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
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### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did the angel of the Lord give to Philip, and how did Philip respond? (Acts 8:26–27)
2. What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip found him, and what does this tell us about his spiritual state? (Acts 8:28–31)
3. According to the sermon, what was significant about the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading? [56:22]
4. What was the immediate result of Philip’s conversation with the eunuch? (Acts 8:36–39)
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to send Philip away from a thriving revival in Samaria to meet just one man on a desert road? What does this say about God’s priorities? [49:33]
2. The sermon says Philip was “mission ready” not because of his title or talent, but because he was available and obedient. What does it mean to be “mission ready” in everyday life? [49:33]
3. The eunuch was reading Isaiah but needed someone to guide him. What does this suggest about the role of believers in helping others understand the gospel? [56:22]
4. The sermon highlights that true transformation is God’s work, but our role is faithfulness. How does this perspective affect the way we share our faith with others? [01:01:34]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to trust God’s placement, even when it feels inconvenient or unnoticed. Can you think of a time when you felt out of place, but later realized God had a purpose for you there? How did you respond? [29:11]
2. Philip was prepared to share the gospel because he had been listening to God and was willing to obey. What are some practical ways you can prepare yourself to be “mission ready” this week? [53:55]
3. The eunuch was searching for truth and needed someone to explain the gospel clearly. Is there someone in your life who is spiritually searching? What is one step you can take to reach out to them? [56:22]
4. The sermon says that a clear, Christ-centered gospel is essential in a world full of spiritual confusion. How confident do you feel in explaining the gospel simply and clearly? What could help you grow in this area? [57:12]
5. After believing, the eunuch responded with confession, obedience (baptism), and joy. Which of these responses do you find most challenging in your own walk with Christ, and why? [01:00:08]
6. The pastor said, “Someone’s eternity may hang in the balance. Be the Philip.” Who is one person God might be calling you to be “the Philip” for? What is holding you back from stepping out? [01:03:10]
7. The sermon mentioned that our faithfulness in small, unseen moments can have eternal impact. What is one “small” act of faithfulness you can commit to this week, trusting God to use it? [01:03:10]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to make each person in the group “mission ready”—willing, available, and prepared to share the hope of Christ wherever He places them. Pray for specific people God has put on your hearts.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Sovereignty Places Us in Divine Appointments
God orchestrates circumstances in our lives so that we are in the right place at the right time to fulfill His purposes, even when the assignment seems small or inconvenient; our willingness to obey, like Philip, allows us to be used in ways we may never fully understand, impacting lives for eternity. [33:06]
Acts 8:26-27 (ESV)
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship.
Reflection: Where has God placed you right now that might seem ordinary or uncomfortable, and who might He be preparing for you to reach with the gospel in that very place?
Day 2: The Word of God Prepares Hearts for Salvation
God’s Word is the essential tool that prepares both the messenger and the seeker, as it was the reading of Isaiah that stirred the Ethiopian eunuch’s heart and opened the door for Philip to share the gospel. [53:55]
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Reflection: How can you intentionally immerse yourself in God’s Word this week so that you are both prepared to share it and sensitive to those around you who are seeking truth?
Day 3: A Clear Gospel Presentation Centers on Jesus Christ
Every effective sharing of the gospel must be rooted in Scripture and point directly to Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation, just as Philip explained Isaiah 53 to the eunuch and revealed Jesus as the promised Messiah. [57:12]
Acts 8:34-35 (ESV)
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Reflection: When was the last time you shared the message of Jesus with someone, and how can you prepare to clearly and lovingly present who He is and what He has done for us?
Day 4: True Faith Produces Life-Transforming Joy
A genuine encounter with Jesus leads to transformation and joy, as seen in the Ethiopian eunuch who, after believing and being baptized, went on his way rejoicing—a mark of true faith and new life in Christ. [01:01:34]
Acts 8:39 (ESV)
And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Reflection: Is your faith in Christ marked by joy, and if not, what might be hindering you from experiencing the fullness of joy that comes from knowing and following Him?
Day 5: Faithfulness in Small Things Impacts Eternity
God calls us to be faithful and available, regardless of the size of the audience or the visibility of the assignment, trusting that our obedience—even to one person—can have eternal consequences beyond what we see. [01:03:10]
Luke 16:10 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Reflection: Who is one person God has placed on your heart to reach out to this week, and what step of faithfulness can you take today to share Christ’s love with them?
Quotes
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