Embracing Faith: Our Call to Share the Gospel
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of faith and the call to be active participants in God's mission. We began by reflecting on the desire for clear guidance from God, akin to having a direct line to Him. However, God's plans often unfold gradually, requiring us to walk by faith and not by sight. This was exemplified in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, where Philip was led by the Spirit to share the Gospel with the eunuch, who was earnestly seeking understanding. This encounter highlights the importance of being ready to share our faith and the simplicity of God's salvation plan, as encapsulated in John 3:16.
The narrative of Philip and the eunuch serves as a reminder that we don't need to be scholars to share the Gospel; we simply need to be witnesses of what we have experienced in Christ. The eunuch's transformation from a seeker to a baptized believer underscores the power of personal testimony and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us to those divine appointments.
We also delved into the concept of a spiritual "bucket list," emphasizing that our ultimate goal should be to share the Gospel and invest in eternal relationships. The call to action is clear: God is sending each of us to be missionaries in our own contexts, whether that means sharing with a neighbor, participating in local mission efforts, or even considering full-time ministry. The challenge is to step out of our comfort zones and trust God with our lives, just as we trust Him with our eternal salvation.
As we concluded, we were reminded of the joy that comes from seeing others come to faith and the eternal impact of our witness. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch, who found hope and purpose in Jesus, encourages us to be open to the opportunities God places before us and to respond with a willing heart.
Key Takeaways:
1. Walking by Faith: God's plans often unfold slowly, requiring us to trust Him and walk by faith rather than sight. This process strengthens our faith and reliance on Him. Just as Philip was guided to the Ethiopian eunuch, we must be attentive to the Spirit's leading in our lives. [35:29]
2. The Power of Personal Testimony: Sharing the Gospel doesn't require scholarly knowledge but a willingness to testify to what we have experienced in Christ. Philip's encounter with the eunuch shows the impact of personal testimony in leading others to faith. [37:24]
3. The Simplicity of Salvation: God's plan of salvation is simple and accessible, as demonstrated in John 3:16. We are called to share this good news with others, trusting that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts. [39:31]
4. A Spiritual Bucket List: Our ultimate goal should be to invest in eternal relationships by sharing the Gospel. This requires stepping out of our comfort zones and prioritizing God's mission over personal ambitions. [51:31]
5. Responding to God's Call: God is calling each of us to be missionaries in our own contexts. Whether through local outreach or international missions, we are invited to participate in His work and trust Him with our lives. [53:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:33] - The Desire for Divine Guidance
- [35:29] - Walking by Faith
- [37:24] - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
- [39:31] - The Simplicity of Salvation
- [41:29] - The Power of Personal Testimony
- [43:14] - Understanding Scripture
- [45:12] - The Call to Baptism
- [47:25] - Transformation and Mission
- [49:43] - A Personal Story of Calling
- [51:31] - A Spiritual Bucket List
- [53:19] - Responding to God's Call
- [55:54] - Opportunities for Mission
- [58:17] - The 1040 Window
- [01:00:41] - The Eternal Perspective
- [01:03:31] - Living Faithfully
- [01:05:40] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 8:26-40
2. John 3:16
3. Isaiah 53:7-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip encountered him, and how did Philip respond to the Spirit's guidance? [35:29]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of personal testimony in sharing the Gospel, as seen in Philip's interaction with the eunuch? [37:24]
3. What specific passage from Isaiah was the Ethiopian eunuch reading, and how did it relate to Jesus? [41:29]
4. What was the eunuch's response after understanding the message of Jesus, and what action did he take? [45:12]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the gradual unfolding of God's plans, as described in the sermon, challenge or strengthen a believer's faith? [35:29]
2. In what ways does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrate the simplicity and accessibility of God's salvation plan? [39:31]
3. How does the concept of a "spiritual bucket list" shift the focus from personal ambitions to eternal relationships, according to the sermon? [51:31]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of being ready to share one's faith, even without scholarly knowledge? [37:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was gradually revealing His plan to you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [35:29]
2. Identify a person in your life who is seeking understanding about faith. How can you be a witness to them, similar to how Philip was to the eunuch? [37:24]
3. Consider your own "spiritual bucket list." What steps can you take to prioritize sharing the Gospel and investing in eternal relationships? [51:31]
4. How can you prepare yourself to be ready to share your personal testimony of faith with others? What specific experiences in your life could you share? [37:24]
5. Think about a situation where you might need to step out of your comfort zone to share the Gospel. What fears do you have, and how can you overcome them with faith? [53:19]
6. How can you incorporate the simplicity of John 3:16 into your conversations about faith with others? What makes this verse a powerful tool for evangelism? [39:31]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to be missionaries in our own contexts. What is one practical way you can respond to this call in your daily life? [53:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Gradual Unfolding
In our journey of faith, we often desire immediate answers and clear guidance from God. However, His plans frequently unfold gradually, requiring us to walk by faith and not by sight. This process of trusting in God's timing and direction strengthens our reliance on Him. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch exemplifies this, as Philip was led by the Spirit to a divine appointment that he could not have foreseen. We, too, must be attentive to the Spirit's leading in our lives, trusting that God is orchestrating His plans in His perfect timing. [35:29]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God's timing? How can you actively choose to walk by faith in this situation today?
Day 2: The Impact of Personal Testimony
Sharing the Gospel does not require extensive theological knowledge but a willingness to testify to what we have experienced in Christ. The encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrates the power of personal testimony in leading others to faith. Philip's readiness to share his understanding of the Scriptures and his personal experience with Christ opened the door for the eunuch's transformation. We are called to be witnesses of our own encounters with Jesus, trusting that the Holy Spirit will use our stories to touch the hearts of others. [37:24]
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your personal testimony of faith? How can you share your story with them in a way that is genuine and respectful?
Day 3: Embracing the Simplicity of Salvation
God's plan of salvation is simple and accessible, as demonstrated in John 3:16. We are called to share this good news with others, trusting that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts. The story of Philip and the eunuch reminds us that the message of salvation is not complicated; it is a gift of grace that is available to all who believe. As we share this message, we can have confidence that God will use our efforts to draw others to Himself. [39:31]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you simplify the message of salvation when sharing it with others? What steps can you take to ensure that the Gospel remains accessible and clear in your conversations?
Day 4: Prioritizing Eternal Relationships
Our ultimate goal should be to invest in eternal relationships by sharing the Gospel. This requires stepping out of our comfort zones and prioritizing God's mission over personal ambitions. The concept of a spiritual "bucket list" challenges us to focus on what truly matters in light of eternity. By investing in relationships and sharing the hope of Christ, we participate in God's redemptive work and experience the joy of seeing others come to faith. [51:31]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one relationship in your life that you can invest in for eternity? How can you intentionally share the love and message of Christ with this person?
Day 5: Responding to God's Call in Our Context
God is calling each of us to be missionaries in our own contexts. Whether through local outreach or international missions, we are invited to participate in His work and trust Him with our lives. The story of Philip and the eunuch encourages us to be open to the opportunities God places before us and to respond with a willing heart. As we step out in faith, we can trust that God will equip us for the mission He has called us to. [53:19]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can respond to God's call to be a missionary in your context today? How can you step out of your comfort zone to share the Gospel with those around you?
Quotes
Sometimes God's plans, they unroll like a scroll. When you're unrolling a scroll, the whole plan is on the scroll. But as you're unrolling it, you only see what? Bits and pieces. But be patient. A lot of times God unrolls His plans to you slowly. You know why He does that? Because He wants you to walk by faith, not by sight. [00:35:14] (23 seconds)
The Ethiopian had a lot of questions. Philip had God's answers. See, Philip had read the Old Testament, but the New Testament hadn't been written yet. So listen to this. Philip didn't need to read the New Testament. Philip experienced the Gospels. He lived through the life of Jesus. And he shared the truth of what he had seen and heard about Jesus. [00:37:39] (27 seconds)
You know, we don't have to be a Bible scholar to be a missionary for Christ. Just tell the truth and nothing but the truth, right? Tell the truth, nothing but the truth, and share what you've seen and heard. [00:38:58] (17 seconds)
Missionary work isn't just about preaching. It's about helping others encounter Jesus. And sometimes it takes conversation and sharing and praying. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome in Romans 10, 14. How can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? How can they believe in Him if they've never heard about Him? [00:48:29] (24 seconds)
You know, what the requirement is of a missionary is not extraordinary knowledge or eloquent speech. But just to speak the truth as you know it in your life and be a witness for Christ. That's what it means to share your faith. The world is literally dying for good news. Dying for good news. [00:49:09] (24 seconds)
If you trust him with your eternal salvation, you can trust him with your life here on earth. Let me say that again. If you trust Jesus with your eternal salvation, you can trust him with your life here on earth. A thousand years is like a day unto the Lord. And God says, I'll take care of you. If I'm going to take care of you for eternity, I'm surely going to take care of you now. [00:57:08] (21 seconds)
You can take a step out of the boat and walk on water. You know, at Hope on the Beach, we believe every person, regardless of who they are, where they live, is important. And maybe God is sending you to an international mission trip, an international mission trip. I noticed when people go on with me, either to Belize or Mexico, and they've never done this before, there's a transformation that takes place in their lives. [00:57:29] (25 seconds)
And as disciples of Jesus, it's always about living faithfully, not worrying about dying, but living our lives to the fullest, giving our failures to his mercy and our successes to his glory. One day, when you finally make it to heaven and you look back at how you spent your life on earth, what do you think you would want to have done differently? Now is the time to do it. [01:05:16] (26 seconds)
The reason Jesus died on the cross is because he cared about where we were going to spend eternity. That's why he died on the cross. And as disciples of Jesus, it's always about living faithfully, not worrying about dying, but living our lives to the fullest, giving our failures to his mercy and our successes to his glory. [01:05:41] (22 seconds)
Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word that directs us so clearly of how we are to live our lives. And how we are to be lights in the dark world in which we live, the salt of the earth. You have called us to make disciples of all nations. And Lord, it's so hard sometimes to get out of our security here. [01:06:55] (23 seconds)
I pray, Lord, that you would send your spirit to move us, that there will be a revival beginning here in Walton County and spreading out through the world. We thank you for the ministry you have given us here, Lord. May we take it seriously. May you guide us in everything that we do. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. [01:07:26] (20 seconds)
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