GPS Guide – September 9, 2019
AN EVANGELIST?
Monday
Read: Acts 8:26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (NIV Acts 8:26-40)
Study: This week we will be discussing the theological concept of evangelism. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch is one of the most powerful stories of evangelism in the Bible. In the story, the Ethiopian is reading a book of the Old Testament, and is obviously seeking after God. However, without the knowledge and personal experience with Jesus and the Holy Spirit he is unable to fully embrace the message God has for him. It is only with Philips guidance that he is able to fully embrace God’s love. Each Christian was taught about the love and grace of Jesus Christ by other Christians. This is why it is so important for followers of Jesus Christ to understand their own faith. A recent study has discovered that the majority of church members cannot articulate why Jesus is important in their lives. The power of the gospel of Jesus Christ has the ability to profoundly and positively transform lives. Each of us must find a way to articulate the difference that Christ has made in our lives so that powerful story can be shared.
Activity: Take a few moments and write a paragraph about why Jesus matters to you.