Divine Appointments: The Power of Obedience and Joy
Summary
What does it mean to never forget? There are moments in life that are so significant, so transformative, that they become woven into the very fabric of who we are. These are not just memories; they are defining encounters that shape our story. For me, one such moment was the first time I read John 3:16 as a child, not in a church, but in a motel room after seeing the verse on a sign at a football game. I didn’t fully understand it then, but the seed was planted—a seed that would bear fruit a decade later when I surrendered my life to Christ. God’s Word never returns void; it works in us, sometimes quietly, until the day it changes everything.
In Acts 8, we see another unforgettable encounter—Philip and the Ethiopian official. Philip, in the midst of a thriving ministry in Jerusalem, is called by the Spirit to leave the action and go to a desert road. Without hesitation, he obeys. There, he meets a high-ranking Ethiopian who is reading Isaiah but doesn’t understand it. Philip runs to him, joins his chariot, and simply opens his mouth to share Jesus, starting from the very scripture the Ethiopian was reading. The result is immediate: the Ethiopian believes, is baptized, and goes on his way rejoicing, even as Philip is miraculously taken away.
This story is a powerful reminder that God orchestrates divine appointments, sometimes pulling us away from the familiar or the exciting to reach one searching soul. It’s a call to radical obedience—arise when He calls, go where He sends, and run when He shows you the opportunity. The Ethiopian’s response is especially striking: after Philip disappears, his focus is not on the miracle but on the joy of salvation. He is so transformed by his encounter with Christ that nothing can distract him from rejoicing in what God has done.
The difference between remembering and never forgetting is the weight of significance. The cross of Christ, the gift of eternal life, and the call to share this good news—these are things we must never forget. They are the moments and truths that change us forever, grounding us in joy and purpose no matter what else happens around us.
Key Takeaways
- Obedience to God’s call often means leaving comfort and familiarity for the unknown. Philip was in the center of ministry action, yet he responded immediately when the Spirit told him to go to a desert road. True faith is marked by a willingness to arise and move, even when the destination seems less desirable or the reason unclear. [26:13]
- Divine appointments are often hidden in ordinary or inconvenient places. The encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian official happened on a lonely, dusty road, not in a crowded revival. God’s most significant work in and through us may occur in moments that seem small or out of the spotlight, reminding us that no act of obedience is wasted. [33:31]
- The Holy Spirit not only directs our steps but also gives us the words and courage to share Christ. Philip didn’t rely on elaborate arguments or credentials; he simply opened his mouth and began with the scripture at hand. When we trust the Spirit’s prompting, God uses our simple obedience to reveal Jesus to those who are searching. [41:41]
- The joy of salvation eclipses even the most miraculous signs. The Ethiopian’s focus was not on Philip’s sudden disappearance but on the new life he had received in Christ. When we truly grasp the significance of what Jesus has done for us, our hearts are anchored in joy that circumstances cannot shake. [49:23]
- The difference between remembering and never forgetting is the depth of impact. To never forget is to let the truth of the gospel become the defining reality of our lives—shaping our identity, our decisions, and our worship. The cross, the resurrection, and the call to follow Jesus are not just facts to recall, but realities to live by every day. [50:27]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Remembering vs. Never Forgetting
[02:12] - A Life-Changing Encounter at Heathrow
[03:31] - Family, Life Group, and Finding Community
[05:16] - Jesus Changed My Life
[06:37] - Football, John 3:16, and Childhood Memories
[09:06] - The Motel Room and Discovering John 3:16
[11:51] - Seeds Planted: God’s Word Never Returns Void
[13:58] - Reading Acts 8: Philip and the Ethiopian
[17:29] - The Early Church and the Power of the Spirit
[22:13] - Philip: Called to Serve and Sent Out
[26:13] - Arise When He Calls You
[31:00] - Obedience in Albania: A Personal Story
[33:31] - Divine Appointments on the Desert Road
[35:46] - Run When He Shows You
[40:48] - Philip Opens His Mouth: Sharing Jesus
[42:23] - Baptism: What Hinders Me?
[44:23] - My Baptism Story
[47:10] - The Miracle and the Greater Joy
[49:23] - Rejoicing in Salvation
[50:27] - Never Forget: The Cross Changes Everything
[52:06] - Closing Prayer and Sending
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Never Forget – The Story of Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8)
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### Bible Reading
Acts 8:26-40 (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:
“He was led like a sheep 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. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was Philip doing before the angel of the Lord told him to leave, and where was he sent? ([26:13])
2. What was the Ethiopian official doing when Philip met him, and what question did Philip ask him? ([13:58])
3. What passage of Scripture was the Ethiopian reading, and what was his main question about it? ([40:48])
4. What happened immediately after the Ethiopian was baptized, and how did he respond? ([49:23])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God called Philip away from a thriving ministry in Jerusalem to a lonely desert road? What does this say about God’s priorities? ([26:13])
2. The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah but didn’t understand it. What does this show us about spiritual hunger and the need for guidance? ([13:58])
3. Philip simply “opened his mouth” and started with the Scripture at hand. What does this teach us about sharing our faith, even if we don’t have all the answers? ([41:41])
4. The Ethiopian’s focus after his baptism was not on the miracle of Philip’s disappearance, but on his new life in Christ. What does this reveal about the true source of Christian joy? ([49:23])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about moments we “never forget” because they change us. Can you think of a moment in your life when God’s Word or a spiritual encounter left a lasting mark on you? What made it unforgettable? ([11:51])
2. Philip obeyed God’s call immediately, even though it meant leaving comfort and excitement for the unknown. Is there something God might be calling you to do that feels uncomfortable or unclear? What would it look like to “arise and go” in your situation? ([26:13])
3. The Ethiopian’s encounter happened in an ordinary, even inconvenient, place—a desert road. Have you ever experienced a “divine appointment” in an unexpected setting? How can you be more open to God using you in the everyday moments? ([33:31])
4. Philip didn’t use fancy arguments or credentials; he just started with the Scripture the Ethiopian was reading. Is there someone in your life who is spiritually curious? How could you start a simple conversation about Jesus with them this week? ([41:41])
5. After his baptism, the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, even after witnessing a miracle. What tends to distract you from the joy of your salvation? How can you refocus on what Jesus has done for you, especially when life gets busy or hard? ([49:23])
6. The difference between remembering and never forgetting is the depth of impact. What are some practical ways you can keep the truth of the gospel at the center of your daily life, so it shapes your identity and decisions? ([50:27])
7. The sermon mentioned that no act of obedience is wasted, even if it seems small or unnoticed. Is there a step of obedience you’ve been putting off because it feels insignificant? What would it look like to trust God with that step this week? ([33:31])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person in the group to “never forget” the significance of the cross, to be open to divine appointments, and to have courage to obey—even when it means stepping into the unknown. Pray for joy that is rooted in salvation, not circumstances.
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