Go and Tell
Acts 8:26-39
Why is God showing you this lesson now?
Right now you have a unique opportunity as a Southern Baptist. You have the opportunity to take the gospel to the entire world as you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. And, hopefully, you are being encouraged and led at your church to pray for missionaries serving around the world.
But giving and praying are only part of the joy of witnessing for Christ. Jesus said we are to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Keep in mind that you do not have to go “overseas” to a nation. America is a nation, too, and many thousands of people in our own country need Jesus.
Notice the care Philip took to use the Scriptures while he was explaining the Good News to the Ethiopian.
Memorizing Scripture, particularly verses that speak of who Jesus is and of what He has done, will aid you greatly when you are sharing Christ. Remember: You can’t quote what you don’t know!
How does this lesson connect to what God is doing in and around you?
Philip obeyed when the Lord directed him to go to the road that went from Jerusalem to Gaza, and he obeyed when the Spirit told him to approach the Ethiopian’s chariot. Notice how obedience sets the stage for having a bold witness. Notice also that when the Spirit speaks, a symphony orchestra does not drop down out of the sky playing, “Let others see Jesus in you.”
So how do you recognize what we refer to as a “divine appointment?” God created the mind to be the place where what He says to you and reveals to you is received and understood. When your mind is stayed on Jesus, the Holy Spirit will bring a thought when an opportunity is at hand or ahead. Then, like Philip, we trust and obey.
Recently while in another country with some friends, I had a divine appointment experience. We drove our vehicle alongside a young man walking down the road and asked him for directions. The Holy Spirit presented the thought that I should pray that the man would one day receive Christ as his Savior, so I did, and then we drove on.
Forty-five minutes later, after the man had continued walking down the road toward our destination, we encountered him again. The Holy Spirit had brought him under conviction during his walk and he gave his heart to Jesus!
Philip was listening and willing. Are you?
Rick Astle– Lessons by Rick Astle, director of missions for Waccamaw Baptist Association. Astle is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Southern Seminary. He is the author of two books and lives in Conway.