Tell the Story of Jesus, Acts 8:26-40
October 4, 2023

SERMON NOTES

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Acts 8:26-40

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?” 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.

Sermon Notes

I. Telling the story of Jesus is a Spirit-led endeavor. v.v. 26-27, 29, 30-34

II. Telling the story of Jesus is a Word-based exercise. v.v. 28

III. Telling the story of Jesus is a Christ-centered experience. v.v. 35-38

EXTENDED APPLICATION…

Before there is a harvest there is always a season of gardening.

You should construct a game plan that will enable you to converse in any situation no matter how little or how much you know.
Become familiar and comfortable with asking questions. Questions keep you safe.

Step 1: Gather information- Get intel
“What do you mean by that?”

Step 2: Find out the reasons why they believe what they are saying.
Reversing the burden of proof.
You are not advancing your view but listening to them and seeking to understand.

Step 3: Steps 1 & 2 are easy
Now, we use questions to make a point.

The difficulty is to know the point you want to make. How far should you go in the current conversation?

Viable - what is possible - Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)
Visible - what is perceivable - Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)
Valuable - what is probable - One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. (I Corinthians 3:6)

GROUP STUDY

READ

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MEMORIZE

REVIEW

What is the Great Commission?

Why should telling the story of Jesus be a Word-based exercise?

What question did Philip ask the Ethiopian eunuch to open up their conversation?

REFLECT

How does verse 26 give a sense of Great Commission fulfillment?

How can you ensure that when you tell someone the story of Jesus that your message is, indeed, Word-based?

What does this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch teach us about the way God prepares hearts to receive Christ as Savior?

Is there anything from the extended application that resonates with you, personally? Do share…

RESPOND

Think about how you came to know the Lord, that is…Your Word-based salvation testimony. Rehearse how you would share your testimony of coming the Christ with someone. Prayerfully seek an opportunity to share your salvation testimony with someone this week in a conversation, social media post, message, or letter.

Think of a Bible story in which a human individual is the hero of the story. How could the hero be presented as a type of Christ, ultimately makine Jesus the real hero? Share your discovery with your spouse or close family member or friend.