Ordinary Encounters, Extraordinary Transformations in Faith
Summary
We are resurrection people, living in the hope and power of Jesus’ victory over death. This identity shapes not only our future but also our present, as we are called to share the good news wherever God has placed us. Looking back to the early church in Acts, we see how ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, became extraordinary witnesses. Last week, we reflected on Saul’s dramatic conversion, but today we turn to a more “ordinary” story: the Ethiopian official’s encounter with Philip.
Philip’s example is instructive. When Jesus first called him, Philip immediately followed and then invited his friend Nathaniel to “come and see” Jesus for himself. Philip didn’t argue or debate; he simply extended an invitation. This same pattern appears in Acts 8, when the Spirit sends Philip to a desert road where he meets the Ethiopian official. This man, a high-ranking, influential figure, is reading Isaiah but doesn’t understand it. Philip meets him right where he is, asking a simple but profound question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian’s response—“How can I, unless someone guides me?”—highlights the essential role of personal guidance in faith.
Philip begins with the scripture the Ethiopian is reading and points him to Jesus, showing how all of Scripture finds its fulfillment in Christ. The Ethiopian, moved by the message, asks to be baptized at the first sight of water. There’s no dramatic miracle here, just the Spirit working through the Word, an ordinary conversation leading to an extraordinary transformation. This new believer returns to Ethiopia, likely becoming a key figure in the spread of Christianity to Africa.
This story reminds us that God uses ordinary people and everyday moments to accomplish his extraordinary purposes. Whether our own faith stories are dramatic or quiet, each is a testimony to the Spirit’s power. We are all called—parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors—to guide others in faith, especially the next generation. Just as we wouldn’t expect children to learn baseball without guidance, so too our children and those around us need us to share the hope we have in Jesus. We are perfectly positioned to speak up when opportunities arise, trusting that the Spirit will work through our words. Our “beautiful feet” carry the good news, and while not everyone will receive it, we persist, knowing eternity is at stake and that God desires all to be saved.
Key Takeaways
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just a future hope but a present reality that empowers us to live boldly and share the good news wherever we are. Our identity as resurrection people means we are called to bring life and hope into the ordinary places God has positioned us, trusting that the same Spirit who raised Jesus is at work in us. [00:15]
- God often works through ordinary people and everyday encounters to accomplish extraordinary things. Philip’s willingness to follow the Spirit’s prompting and simply “speak up when an opportunity pops up” shows that faithfulness in small moments can have far-reaching, even world-changing, impact. [06:54]
- Personal guidance is essential in the journey of faith. The Ethiopian’s question, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” is a reminder that faith is not meant to be a solitary pursuit. We are called to walk alongside others, especially the next generation, helping them understand and encounter Jesus through the Scriptures and our own witness. [11:49]
- The message of Jesus is for all people, regardless of background, status, or past. The Ethiopian official’s conversion demonstrates that the gospel transcends boundaries and that God’s desire is for everyone to know and call upon the name of the Lord. Our role is to point people to Jesus, starting right where they are, trusting the Spirit to do the work of transformation. [16:23]
- Persistence in sharing the faith is vital, even when results are not immediately visible. We may need to “speak up” many times before someone responds, but we trust that the Word will accomplish its purpose. Our calling is to be faithful messengers, knowing that the Spirit brings about faith and that eternity is at stake for those who hear. [27:24]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Living as Resurrection People
[03:42] - Philip’s Invitation: “Come and See”
[06:14] - The Importance of Speaking Up
[06:54] - Philip Sent to the Desert Road
[08:31] - The Ethiopian Official: Background and Significance
[10:26] - Jewish Roots in Ethiopia
[11:49] - The Power of Personal Guidance
[13:15] - Meeting People Where They Are
[14:06] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[15:23] - All Scripture Points to Jesus
[16:23] - The Good News and Baptism
[18:11] - Ordinary Encounters, Extraordinary Change
[19:37] - Passing Faith to the Next Generation
[21:50] - The Need for Guidance in Faith
[23:10] - The Challenges and Joys of Motherhood
[24:42] - How Will They Hear?
[26:11] - Beautiful Feet: Our Calling
[27:24] - Faithfulness in Sharing the Word
[28:05] - Eternity Matters: Our Ongoing Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Resurrection People: Ordinary Encounters, Extraordinary Purpose”
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian official)
- John 1:43-51 (Philip invites Nathanael to meet Jesus)
- Romans 10:13-17 (“How can they believe unless someone tells them?”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 8, what details do we learn about the Ethiopian official’s background and his spiritual journey? ([08:31])
2. How does Philip first respond when Jesus calls him in John 1, and what does he say to Nathanael? ([03:42])
3. What question does Philip ask the Ethiopian, and how does the Ethiopian respond? ([11:49])
4. According to Romans 10, what steps are described as necessary for someone to come to faith in Jesus? ([24:42])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the story of the Ethiopian official is described as “ordinary” compared to Saul’s dramatic conversion? What does this say about how God works? ([18:11])
2. The Ethiopian says, “How can I [understand] unless someone guides me?” What does this reveal about the importance of personal relationships in faith? ([11:49])
3. Philip starts with the scripture the Ethiopian is reading and points him to Jesus. What does this teach us about meeting people where they are in their spiritual journey? ([13:15])
4. Romans 10:13-17 talks about the need for someone to “preach” or share the good news. How does this passage challenge the idea that only pastors or church leaders are responsible for sharing faith? ([25:23])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says we are “resurrection people,” called to bring hope into ordinary places. Where has God “perfectly positioned” you right now, and what might it look like to bring hope there this week? ([00:15])
2. Philip simply invited Nathanael to “come and see” Jesus, without arguing or debating. Is there someone in your life you could invite to “come and see” Jesus? What would that invitation look like for you? ([03:42])
3. The Ethiopian needed someone to guide him in understanding Scripture. Who has played that role in your faith journey? Is there someone you could guide or encourage in their faith right now? ([11:49])
4. The sermon compared teaching faith to teaching kids how to play baseball—kids need guidance, not just freedom to figure it out alone. How can you be more intentional about guiding the next generation (your kids, grandkids, or others) in faith? ([21:50])
5. The message of Jesus is for all people, regardless of background or status. Are there people in your life you’ve overlooked or assumed wouldn’t be interested in faith? How can you reach out to them? ([16:23])
6. The sermon encouraged persistence in sharing faith, even when results aren’t immediate. Can you think of a time when you felt discouraged sharing your faith? What helps you keep going? ([27:24])
7. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” What is one practical step you can take this week to “speak up when an opportunity pops up” about Jesus? ([26:11])
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Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Ordinary Faithful Witness
God often uses ordinary people and everyday moments to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch reminds us that sharing the hope we have in Jesus does not require dramatic miracles or special qualifications—just a willingness to speak up when an opportunity pops up. Whether your faith journey has been dramatic or seemingly uneventful, the Holy Spirit works through the Word, through you, to bring about real change in the lives of others. You are perfectly positioned in your relationships, workplaces, and communities to be a witness to the resurrection hope that Jesus brings. [18:11]
Acts 8:26-31 (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.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Reflection: Who in your life might God be prompting you to speak to about Jesus this week, even if it feels like an ordinary or inconvenient moment?
Day 2: All Scripture Points to Jesus
Every part of Scripture, from the Old Testament prophets to the Gospels, ultimately points to Jesus and the salvation He brings. Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch shows how meeting people where they are—right in the questions and confusions they have—can open the door to sharing the good news. You don’t need to have all the answers; you simply need to help others see how Jesus is at the center of God’s story and their story. The Spirit will guide your words and use the Scriptures to reveal Christ. [15:23]
Luke 24:27 (ESV)
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Reflection: When you read the Bible, do you look for how it points to Jesus? How might you help someone else see Jesus in a passage they find confusing?
Day 3: Faith Comes by Hearing
Faith is not something we manufacture on our own; it is a gift that comes through hearing the message of Christ. The Ethiopian eunuch’s story highlights the importance of proclaiming the Word aloud and the role of the Holy Spirit in creating faith. Your voice, your testimony, and your willingness to share the message of Jesus can be the very means God uses to bring someone to faith. Trust that the Spirit is at work, even when you cannot see immediate results. [14:06]
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the message of Jesus from you today? How can you make space for that conversation?
Day 4: Guiding the Next Generation in Faith
Children, grandchildren, and those God has placed in your life need guidance in faith just as much as they need guidance in life’s other areas. Just as a child cannot learn a complicated sport like baseball without a coach, so too do the next generations need someone to teach, model, and share the faith with them. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, mentor, or friend, your influence matters deeply. Don’t leave faith formation to chance—be intentional in sharing the good news of Jesus with those around you. [21:50]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can share your faith with a child or young person in your life this week?
Day 5: Beautiful Feet—You Are Sent
God has sent you, with your unique story and relationships, to bring the good news of Jesus to others. The call to “preach” is not just for pastors, but for every follower of Jesus—each of us is a “good news-er” sent into our everyday world. Even when it feels like your words are not making a difference, remember that the Holy Spirit is at work and that your willingness to speak up matters for eternity. You have beautiful feet because you carry a beautiful message of hope, forgiveness, and new life in Christ. [26:11]
Romans 10:13-15 (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? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Reflection: Where has God perfectly positioned you to share the hope of Jesus, and what step can you take today to be a bearer of that good news?
Quotes
He was that lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Who would bear upon himself the brokenness, the burdens, the hurts, the pains, the hang -ups. All of those things, all of those for all the world upon himself on that cross. And he would willingly bear it, buried with it. But not staying dead in the grave, rising from the grave three days later. Victorious over sin, defeating death, paying for, conquering sin. He is alive. You are alive. [00:15:49] (34 seconds)
You have beautiful feet, and not because you got a pedicure yesterday for Mother's Day. You have beautiful feet because you've got a beautiful message of a Savior who loves you, and who's forgiven you, who's washed you in his blood, who has given you an identity as a beloved daughter, a chosen son, who has fed you at his table today in his body and blood as his words and promises declare. [00:26:33] (33 seconds)
What would prevent me from receiving this gift that you've told me about, Philip? Do I need to know more? Do I need to pay somebody? Do I need to go somewhere else? I mean, what do I need in order to receive this gift of baptism? and you don't need anything. It's a gift. [00:17:42] (18 seconds)
You know, hearing that word go out and accomplish its purpose, it reminds me too of what Paul later write to the church in Rome when he'll talk about faith coming not by reading, but he'll say faith comes from what is heard. And what is heard comes from the message of Christ, that our voices get to be agents used by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about faith in the life of someone else, not by our own strength and our own might. [00:13:54] (26 seconds)
But I'm here to remind you, don't give up. We need you moms. And we need you dads too. But it's Mom's Day, so we're going to talk about them. Because they're influential. You sharing your faith with your child, man, does it make a difference. We see it in lives that are passed on or the way that faith is passed on. [00:23:41] (25 seconds)
The Spirit closes the deal. You simply get to be that person through whom he shares that word with. And at times, it feels like that word's not getting through. At times, it can be discouraging. But my prayer for you, and we talked about this in Bible class today, is that until that person is called to Jesus, called home until death calls us, we continue to proclaim that hope we have in Christ Jesus. [00:27:33] (26 seconds)
And think, too, of that change and that extraordinary message that's going to be taken back to Ethiopia, back into the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, by the person in charge of her treasury, who left simply to go to Jerusalem to offer some sacrifices in accordance to the law, but who returns with the good news that the law has been fulfilled, that Jesus has died, Jesus has risen, Jesus is king. [00:19:06] (30 seconds)
It's not talking about the vocation and office of pastor. It's talking about your calling, my calling, all of our callings as the baptized, beloved children of God, right where we're perfectly positioned to share that word of God with the people in our lives around them. [00:25:52] (16 seconds)
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