As we continue our study in the book of Acts—Luke tells us more about the amazing ministry of Philip. Last week we learned that Philip went to Samaria because of the great persecution that broke out against believers in Jerusalem following the stoning of Stephen (8:1). Philip’s ministry in Samaria experienced a tremendous blessing from the Lord (vv6-8). People were coming to faith in Jesus Christ as a result of Philip’s preaching (v12). There’s no question—Philip was enjoying a successful ministry.

Notice what happens next according to Luke—the Lord has a new assignment for Philip. He’s going to be called to a new location. Have you ever wondered what must have gone through Philip’s mind when he got the news? Perhaps things like—Lord, things are going so well here...shouldn’t I stay and see them through? How can I be sure this is the right thing to do? If I go there—I’ll have to start all over again. Things that most people considered when asked to re-locate.

The difference here is—Philip is not negotiating a career move or being asked to re-locate…he’s being told to go. As a servant of the Lord—he’s expected to be obedient to God’s call. Certainly not follow the example of Jonah. As we examine Philip’s response to God’s call—perhaps we should consider the question, “How would I respond to a call similar to this in my own life?” We often sing the hymn—Wherever He leads I’ll go. Do we really mean what the song says? Will I follow Christ if it takes me away from family and friends? Even if it means I must re-locate? Start all over again somewhere new.

Philip provides a great example for us to follow when we sense the Lord leading us to a specific task or ministry opportunity. Notice if you will 3 things from the text that will help us in a similar situation.

1. Philip was led by the Spirit.

As we look at this passage—one can’t help but notice the emphasis that Luke is putting on the work of God’s Holy Spirit. In Acts 1 the disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Upon His arrival all types of miraculous things began to happen as the Spirit worked in and through the followers of Christ. Philip is no exception…he’s being led by the Spirit here in this passage.

In verses 26-29 Philip is told to do 2 things. 1) Go south to the road that leads to the desert. 2) When he came across a man riding in a chariot…he was to go stay close to it. Both times he’s told by the Spirit to act. First of all through an angel of the Lord and the second time by the Spirit directly.

It’s interesting to note—when he got to the chariot and heard the man reading from The Scriptures…he didn’t have to be told to start a conversation. I believe that came naturally.

The Spirit of God not only arranged the meeting…He also provided an open door for Philip to begin a conversation with the man from Ethiopia. Some might say all of this was luck or just a coincidence…but the Bible teaches that God draws people to Himself (John 6:44) and that He also sends people to share the gospel (Acts 10:19-20).

There’s no doubt in my mind that God sent someone to share the gospel with me. How about you? I didn’t come to know Christ by luck or coincidence…it was initiated and orchestrated by God. I wasn’t looking for God…He came looking for me (Eph 2:4-7).

If you know Jesus as Savior and Lord this morning it’s because you were led by His Holy Spirit to understand your need for Christ (John 16:8). It certainly was not by luck or coincidence. Our Scripture passage clearly teaches that God’s Spirit leads people.

2. Philip was in line with the Scriptures.

The Spirit provided the opportunity for Philip to start a conversation with the Ethiopian…but notice that Philip doesn’t just talk about anything. What he talks about is right in line with the Scripture the man was reading.

God’s Spirit had created an inquiring mind within the eunuch and verse 35 says, “Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” In other words—Philip shared the gospel with this man.

The Scripture Philip started with is from Isaiah 53…the suffering Servant passage. Philip explained that God was going to send a servant who would suffer at the hands of wicked men and ‘take on Himself the sin of many and make intercession for them’ (Is 53:12). He explained that this servant was Jesus of Nazareth. He also explained to the eunuch how Jesus’ death could make forgiveness possible for his sin. It goes without saying that he explained what Peter said on the Day of Pentecost about repenting and following Jesus in baptism (Acts 2:38). All of these things are in line with what the Bible teaches about the gospel.

The Spirit leads—the Scripture’s explain why and how forgiveness of our sin is the most basic need in life. Then—baptism is a sign that we understand and have placed our faith and hope for eternal life in Jesus and Jesus alone.

Like the eunuch here in our Scripture passage today—is God’s Spirit creating in you an inquiring mind? Would you be willing to ask for someone to explain the gospel to you? We’ll take the Bible and lead right in line with Scripture concerning why and how to have your most basic need in life met. How you can be forgiven of the sin that separates you from fellowship with God (Is 59:2).

3. Philip’s life exemplifies that of our Savior.

We’ve mentioned over the past few weeks in our study of the book of Acts that Luke has purposefully recorded various ways that the ministry of Jesus’ followers exemplify His own. We see the presence of God’s Spirit, the power of God’s Spirit demonstrated and similar forms of physical persecution experienced by His followers.

Look at verse 39—Luke tells us about a rather unique way that Philip’s life exemplifies that of Jesus. Following the baptism of the eunuch—the Bible says the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. This verse is certainly unusual and Luke doesn’t feel the need to give much further explanation other than Philip appeared near Caesarea.

It’s interesting to note the similarity between what happens here to Philip and what happened when the Jesus meet two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). In both cases there were people who needed more information to better understand what God was doing. Jesus opened the Scriptures to the men on the way to Emmaus and Philip did the same thing for the eunuch. After a short Bible study—both Jesus and Philip were taken away.

Passages like these are hard to fully explain—yet they do remind us that “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). The Lord may never choose to take us away like Philip or the Lord…but that doesn’t mean there are not many ways our life can exemplify that of Christ.

Everyone who has been called to place their faith in Jesus has also been called to follow in His steps (1 Pet 2:21). Wherever He leads—we should be ready to go. When He impresses upon our heart something that He has for us to accomplish we should look to those like Philip who have gone before us and learn from their example.

We should listen to the Spirit and follow His lead.

We should make sure what we’re being led to do is in line with Scripture.

We should have a desire in our heart to live in a way that exemplifies Christ.