Divine Encounters: Responding to God's Call
Summary
Today’s focus is on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40, a powerful example of how God orchestrates divine encounters when we are willing to say “yes” to His leading. The Ethiopian, a high official who traveled a great distance seeking God, represents those who are searching for hope and truth, sometimes feeling excluded or unworthy. Despite barriers, God’s Word and His love reach out to everyone, regardless of background or status. The eunuch’s openness and immediate response to the gospel challenge us to seize the moment when God speaks, rather than delay or make excuses.
Philip’s role in this story is equally instructive. He was not one of the original twelve apostles, but a faithful, Spirit-led believer who made himself available to God. His journey was not convenient—165 miles on foot with no clear destination—but he trusted God’s prompting. Philip’s willingness to go, listen, and engage with someone very different from himself demonstrates the heart of what it means to “be the church.” God is always at work around us, inviting us to join Him in what He’s doing. Our job is not to manufacture opportunities, but to be attentive, responsive, and ready to share the hope we have in Christ.
This passage also reminds us that the mission Jesus gave—making disciples of all nations—is still our mission today. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. We are called to be those workers, to pray for and pursue those who need Christ, and to be prepared to share the gospel simply and clearly. Sometimes we plant seeds, sometimes we see the harvest, but in all things, God is the one who brings the increase. The challenge is to identify five people in our lives who need Jesus, pray for them, serve them, invite them into our lives and church, and be ready to share the gospel when the opportunity arises. When we do this, we not only experience God ourselves, but we become part of His story in the lives of others—sometimes in ways we may never fully see this side of heaven.
Key Takeaways
- Divine appointments often begin with simple obedience. Philip’s journey started with a vague command to “go,” not a detailed plan. God often asks us to take the first step in faith, trusting that He will reveal the next as we move forward. Our willingness to say “yes” opens the door for God to use us in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves. [22:38]
- The gospel is for everyone, regardless of background, status, or past exclusion. The Ethiopian eunuch was a religious outsider, yet God pursued him with intentional love and truth. We are called to break down barriers and see every person as someone God desires to reach, refusing to let cultural, racial, or social differences hinder our willingness to share Christ. [29:38]
- Being the church means more than attending services; it’s about living on mission daily. Philip’s example shows that every believer is called to be attentive to the Spirit, available for God’s purposes, and active in sharing the gospel. The mission field is not just overseas or in special events, but in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and everyday encounters. [27:15]
- The urgency of the gospel demands a response—both from those who hear and those who are sent. The Ethiopian’s immediate desire to be baptized challenges us not to delay in responding to God’s invitation, while Philip’s readiness to share reminds us to always be prepared. Delayed obedience can mean missed opportunities, both for us and for those God wants to reach through us. [41:11]
- Multiplication happens when we invest in others who will, in turn, reach more people. The story doesn’t end with the eunuch’s conversion; history tells us he brought the gospel to Ethiopia, starting a movement that outlived both him and Philip. When we faithfully share Christ, we become part of a ripple effect that can impact generations and even nations. [56:06]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[12:37] - VBS Announcements and Opportunities
[18:35] - Introducing the Ethiopian Eunuch
[20:49] - The Eunuch’s Spiritual Hunger
[22:38] - Who Was Philip?
[25:51] - Listening and Responding to the Spirit
[27:15] - What It Means to “Be the Church”
[29:13] - Experiencing God’s Work Around Us
[29:38] - Breaking Down Barriers in Evangelism
[30:40] - Building Bridges and Sharing Faith
[31:26] - The Harvest Is Plentiful
[32:34] - The Call to Be Willing Workers
[33:42] - Living Out the Great Commission
[36:08] - The Urgency of Sharing Christ
[39:20] - Hope for the Excluded
[41:11] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[44:15] - Practical Steps for Evangelism
[48:34] - The Five-Person Challenge
[51:06] - Serving and Inviting Others
[54:01] - Equipping the Church to Share
[56:06] - The Ripple Effect of Obedience
[59:33] - Prayer and Commitment
[01:00:42] - Closing and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Divine Appointments and Everyday Mission (Acts 8:26-40)
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch)
- Matthew 28:19-20 (“Go and make disciples of all nations…”)
- Romans 10:13-14 (“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did Philip receive from the angel and the Holy Spirit, and how did he respond? (Acts 8:26-29)
2. What do we learn about the Ethiopian eunuch’s background and spiritual hunger from the passage? (Acts 8:27-28)
3. How did Philip use the eunuch’s questions about Isaiah to share the gospel? (Acts 8:34-35)
4. According to the sermon, what was significant about the eunuch’s immediate response to the gospel message? [[41:11]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Philip—a “regular” believer and not one of the original apostles—for this divine appointment? What does this say about who God uses? [[22:38]]
2. The Ethiopian eunuch faced barriers to worship because of his background and status. What does his story teach about who the gospel is for, and how should that shape our attitudes toward others? [[29:38]]
3. The sermon emphasized that “being the church” is more than attending services. What does it look like to live on mission in everyday life, according to Philip’s example? [[27:15]]
4. The eunuch’s eagerness to be baptized shows urgency in responding to God. Why is immediate obedience important, and what might be lost if we delay? [[41:11]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged everyone to identify five people in their lives who need Jesus. Who are some people in your life right now that you could begin praying for by name? What’s one step you can take this week to connect with one of them? [[48:34]]
2. Philip was willing to go on a long, inconvenient journey without knowing all the details. Is there an area in your life where God might be nudging you to take a first step of obedience, even if you don’t see the whole plan? What’s holding you back? [[22:38]]
3. The Ethiopian eunuch was an outsider, yet God pursued him. Are there people in your neighborhood, workplace, or community who might feel excluded or overlooked? How can you intentionally reach out to them? [[29:38]]
4. The sermon mentioned that “delayed obedience can mean missed opportunities.” Can you think of a time when you hesitated to act on God’s prompting? What happened, and what did you learn from it? [[41:11]]
5. The “Five-Person Challenge” includes praying, serving, inviting, and being ready to share the gospel. Which of these steps feels most challenging for you, and why? What practical help or encouragement do you need to take that step? [[48:34]]
6. Philip was prepared to share the gospel simply and clearly. Do you feel ready to explain your faith if someone asked? If not, what’s one thing you could do this month to get equipped? [[54:01]]
7. The story ends with the eunuch taking the gospel back to Ethiopia, starting a ripple effect. How might your obedience today impact others in ways you may never see? Does this possibility motivate you? Why or why not? [[56:06]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to open your eyes to divine appointments this week and to give you courage to say “yes” to His leading.
Devotional
Day 1: God Orchestrates Divine Encounters When We Are Willing
God is always at work around us, inviting us to join Him in what He is doing, just as He orchestrated the meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. When we make ourselves available and listen to the Holy Spirit, we may find ourselves in situations we never expected—sometimes requiring us to step out in faith, travel a difficult road, or simply say “yes” to God’s prompting. These moments are not random; they are opportunities for God to use us to impact others’ lives in ways we may never fully realize. Your willingness to respond, even without knowing all the details, can lead to life-changing encounters for you and those you meet. [18:35]
Acts 8:26-29 (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 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God nudging you to reach out to someone or go somewhere unexpected? What would it look like to say “yes” to God’s prompting this week, even if you don’t know the outcome?
Day 2: The Gospel Is for Everyone—No Barriers
Philip’s willingness to share the good news with the Ethiopian eunuch, a foreigner and an outsider by Jewish standards, demonstrates that God’s love and salvation are for all people, regardless of background, status, or past. There are no barriers in God’s eyes—He desires everyone to have a relationship with Him. We are called to look for bridges, not walls, and to be ready to share Christ with whomever God brings across our path, trusting that every person is valuable and included in God’s invitation. [29:38]
Acts 8:34-38 (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. 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?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider or overlooked? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week and show them the inclusive love of Christ?
Day 3: The Harvest Is Plentiful—Be a Willing Worker
Jesus reminds us that the world is full of people ready to hear the gospel, but the workers are few. The need is not for more opportunities, but for more willing hearts to step into the harvest field. As disciples, we are called to pray for God to send out workers—and to recognize that we ourselves are the answer to that prayer. The challenge is to be ready, equipped, and eager to share Christ, trusting that God has already prepared the way and the people who need to hear. [31:26]
Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Reflection: Who are five people you know who don’t know Christ? Write their names down and begin praying daily for God to give you opportunities to share His love with them.
Day 4: Salvation Is Simple—Admit, Believe, Confess
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch shows that salvation is not complicated or reserved for a select few. God’s invitation is open to all who will admit their need, believe in Jesus, and confess Him as Lord. No matter your background or what others may say about your worthiness, God offers you a place in His family and an everlasting name. Don’t delay or let excuses hold you back—God stands ready to receive you today. [41:33]
Romans 10:13-14 (ESV)
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Reflection: If you have never made the decision to follow Christ, what is holding you back? If you have, who can you share the simple ABCs of the gospel with this week?
Day 5: Be the Church—Live Out Your Mission
God’s mission for His people has not changed: we are called to go and make disciples, to be the church in action, not just in name. This means intentionally praying for the lost, building relationships, serving others, inviting them into your life and church, and being prepared to share the gospel. When we take this challenge seriously, God multiplies our efforts and uses us to change lives and even communities. The joy of seeing someone come to Christ and grow in faith is unmatched—let’s commit to being obedient and available, just like Philip. [48:34]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Reflection: What specific step can you take this week to live out your calling as a disciple-maker—whether it’s inviting someone to church, serving a neighbor, or sharing your faith story?
Quotes
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