40. We're singing verses 1 to 9.
At all times I will bless the Lord. I'll praise him with my voice.
Because I glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice.
Together let us praise the Lord, exalt his name with me.
I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fears he set me free.
They look to him and shine with joy, they are not put to shame.
This suffering man cried to the Lord, from him deliverance came.
The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually all those who fear and honor him.
He sets his people free.
Come, taste and see, the Lord is good, who trusts in him is blessed.
O fear the Lord, you saints, with need you will not be oppressed.
Psalm 34, these verses will stand to sing.
At all times I will praise and bless the Lord.
At all times I will bless the Lord.
I'll praise him with my voice.
Because I glory in the Lord.
Let troubled souls rejoice.
Together let us praise the Lord.
Lord, exalt his name with me.
I sought the Lord, his answer came.
From fear she set me free.
The Lord, his name is blessed.
They look to him and shine with joy.
They are not put to shame.
The suffering man cried to the Lord.
From whom the deliverance came.
The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually.
He sets his people free.
All those who fear and honor him.
He sets his people free.
He's a land of tego фильма.
He wants to hang.
The Lord roles are blessed.
From her heart, he desires, will not obst gaz.
The Lord resistant hablades, will not społec.
rays must of87s face with yesterday,
O fear the Lord violad in his flesh.
and heaven is blessed.
O dear the Lord,
you sins with me,
you will not be oppressed.
Once again, let's join together in prayer.
Let's call upon the Lord in prayer.
Our gracious and ever-blessed God,
help us to draw near to you,
believing that you are,
that you are the one who rewards
those who diligently seek you.
We thank you, O Lord, for this renewed opportunity,
for every time we come,
we pray that you would fill us
with a sense of privilege,
that you would enable us, Lord,
to see how unworthy we are,
that we should come into your presence,
that we should have admission
into your holy presence.
And as we also seek, Lord,
that you would impress
our unworthiness upon us,
help us also to realize
your worthiness to be praised.
And give us once again, Lord,
tonight to see the ground
upon which we approach you
in the person and in the work
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks, O Lord,
that all the blessings we receive
come to us through him.
Because they come to us through him,
we give thanks that they are secure for us,
that they are guaranteed forevermore
to be blessings
that will be enjoyed by your people.
And we thank you that as you join us to him,
as we come in faith,
as we come giving ourselves
trustingly to him,
we thank you, Lord,
for the way in which you have promised us
that all the good things
that he has procured for his people
are made over to us.
We give thanks even in providence
that all things work together for good
to those who love the Lord,
to those who are the called
according to your purpose.
We bless you for the spiritual gifts,
especially,
that accrue to us
and are dispensed to us
even on a daily basis.
We give thanks for those, O Lord,
that you have given to your people
that are given once and for all.
The gift of forgiveness of sin,
of justification of the righteousness
that comes to us,
the righteousness of Christ
that is imputed to us
and received by faith alone.
And we bless you, Lord,
once that this has been accomplished
and applied to us.
It is something that remains in place
and will be so forevermore.
We thank you for the gift
and the privilege and the benefit
of your sanctifying work
through your Spirit,
the grace of adoption
by which we are received
into the number of God's children.
We thank you, Lord,
for all the practical gifts
and all the things that follow on
from those great spiritual realities.
We thank you for your fatherly care,
for the way that you look after
your people so well,
even in times of your providence
being mysterious to them.
Lord, we thank you that in your wisdom
you are directing all things
towards that glorious end for them
that will bring them into
your everlasting kingdom,
that will make them princes
in your presence,
that will truly give them
to reflect forever
and be always in the image of Christ,
glorifying the Lord God.
Lord, bless us, Lord,
we pray as we gather here
in your presence once again
under your word.
Bless your word to us
and help us to be thankful for it.
Lord, you have called us
by your word already to praise you.
You have given us in your word
so much that we can use in your praise.
You have given us matters to sing.
You have given us prayers
that are recorded for us,
the prayers of your people
in different circumstances,
not only in the book of Psalms,
but in other places
throughout your word.
We find those who addressed you
having their prayers recorded
for our benefit.
We pray, Lord,
that you would help us
to follow their example,
to enter into that engagement
with you that they engaged in,
and to experience the benefits
that they experienced,
not only during their time of prayer,
but also in response to it
as you answered their cry
and brought to them
the blessings that you had for them.
And we thank you
that we have in our congregational life
so much that we give thanks for
as we come towards the end
of this current year.
We give thanks, Lord,
for all that you have been to us,
for everything that we have known
of your goodness
stretching out before us.
We think of the words of the psalmist
who also could refer to your goodness,
and an exclamation say,
how great is your goodness
to those who fear you,
laid up for those who fear you,
going ahead of those who fear you.
And we give thanks, Lord,
for the prospect
of more of your goodness
being experienced by us,
and the ways in which
your goodness is extended to us.
Lord, we pray your blessing
upon our gathering this evening.
Grace us, we pray,
with your presence.
Help us to know
that you are here for our good,
that you are here because
you take delight
in meeting with your people,
that your favor is upon them,
that you are committed
to their welfare,
to their advancement
in righteousness
and in eternal life.
And we thank you, O Lord,
that as we come to you
in the name of Christ,
all of these great blessings
are assured in him
for all the promises of God
are yea and amen in him.
And we thank you tonight, Lord,
that we come on the basis
of all that he is,
all that he has done,
all that he will yet do.
We pray, Lord,
your blessing for
all our families tonight
as we think of them.
Wherever they are in the world,
we commit them to you.
We ask, Lord,
that you would bless them
in all the different
family circles
that we represent here,
and all those who belong to us
and are near and dear to us.
We think of them, Lord,
at this time,
as we look towards
the end of this year
and the beginning of a new one,
we pray that you would
fill our lives with hope,
with the hope of the gospel,
with the hope that you bring
to your own saved people.
And we ask, Lord,
that as we pray for them,
we ask that you would do for them
more than we can ask or think,
for this is how you term yourself
in the Scriptures
as our God,
the God who is able
to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we are able
to ask or think.
Oh, God, we thank you
that there is no limit
to your ability
and that you are the God
who has surprised
your people so often
and even at times
when they were despondent
and beginning to doubt
and to fail,
you entered into
their circumstances
and you brought them
such an experience
as lifted them up
and revived and quickened
their souls.
We pray in our day, Lord,
too, that you would do this
for us.
We confess, O Lord,
that at times we feel despondent,
that we find as we look out
over the world
and as we see the state
of the world,
as we find so much rebellion
against you,
as we find so many alternatives
to trusting in you,
and even as we look in
in ourselves, O Lord,
and find that there is so much
there in our own hearts
and minds
that we would rather
it were not there at all,
doubts and fears
and failings.
Lord, we pray that
in your mercy
that you would lift us up,
that you would enable us
even tonight
for these few moments
to have a heavenly experience
through your blessing
of what it is
to come to know you,
to follow you,
to be blessed by you.
Lord, remember,
we pray all those tonight
who do not have
the capacity
to be here,
we think especially
of those who are ill,
those who belong to us
as a congregation,
in hospital
or in care homes
or elsewhere.
Remember them,
Lord, at this time,
we pray.
Graciously bless those
who are bereaved,
those who sorrow
over the loss
of loved ones,
and reflect in times
gone by
of loved ones
who are with them
and are now no more here,
whether it be
in recent bereavement
or even back in time.
Grant, Lord,
your comfort
and your direction
for them.
Remember again
our children,
our young people,
our young adults,
those who are here,
O Lord,
and are going through school
at this time
and facing challenges
in school
as regarding
their belief
in the Bible,
their belief in Christ
as the Savior.
Sanctify your word
to them,
we pray.
Sanctify their young lives.
Give them to be rooted
and grounded in you
as their Savior.
Hear the prayers
of those who pray
for them
in their own families
and in their relatives.
Grant the teaching
that they receive
at home or in church
will continue
to be blessed by them.
Bless our leaders,
we pray,
at this time
in the congregation,
those who give
so willingly
of their time
to teach
our young children
to enable them also
to engage
in different activities.
Lord,
we commit them to you
and ask that
you would continue
to bless these activities
and these groups
and gatherings
from time to time.
Lord,
we pray that
there may be
a lasting fruit
of harvest
of righteousness
in these young lives.
We know they face
so many challenges,
Lord,
in these days.
We know that
the world out there
holds out so much
sinful attraction
for them
and that seeks
to draw them away
from the things
of Christ.
We pray that
you would sanctify them,
that you would
protect them
and shield them
by your own power
and that you would
prove to be
for them,
Lord,
a God
who is so
worthy of our trust
and we pray
that you would
give them
in their young days
to trust in you.
We ask that you
bless now
as we gather together
all other gatherings
of your people
in this town
and throughout
our nation.
Bless us,
we pray,
throughout
our own presbytery
and our own denomination.
Remember us,
Lord,
we pray as a church.
We give thanks
for all the upholding
and the strengthening
and the encouragements
that you have given us
over these past years
when we have faced
this COVID pandemic
and had so many challenges,
Lord,
in your providence.
We give thanks
for your guidance of us,
for the wisdom
that you imparted,
for the way
in which you upheld us
and strengthened us
and enabled us,
Lord,
to be encouraged
by knowing of others
who had turned
to the gospel
and turned to yourself
and gave evidence
that they had come
to trust in the living God.
Oh,
remember us,
Lord,
we pray in these days
to come
and grant that you
would remove
this virus,
this pandemic
so that we may see
your own intervention,
that we may find,
Lord,
that we are released
from the restrictions
we presently
are observing
and especially
we pray this,
Lord,
for our church gatherings
that we give thanks
for being able
to gather in this way
and for the technology
that enables others
to join us,
Lord,
online.
We do pray
that we may
in days to come
be pleased
to be able
to have
the final restrictions
removed
so that we may sing
with gusto once again
so that we may come
to observe
and partake
of the Lord's Supper.
And in all of these things,
Lord,
hear us as we cry out
to you
for we acknowledge
that you alone
are God,
that you preside
over all the events
of life
and that it is
your prerogative
to bring
or to remove
whatever you have
seen fit to impose
in your own providence
and government
at this time.
And so remember,
again,
our leaders in the nation
as we continue
to pray for them,
we do pray again
that you would
bless them
by giving them
to acknowledge you,
to be turned
into your ways
and to show forth
in their lives
evidence
that they indeed
are turned
into wisdom
and in the ways
of your peace.
Receive us now,
we pray and hear
our prayer
and forgive our sin
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
We're going to read
from God's Word
now in the book of Acts.
The book of Acts
in chapter 8,
we're reading
from verse 26
and we'll read
to the end
of the chapters.
That's the book of Acts
chapter 8
and at verse 26.
Now an angel
of the Lord
said to Philip,
Rise and go
towards the south,
to the road
that goes down
from Jerusalem
to Gaza.
This is a desert place
and he arose
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 meet 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.
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 dumb,
so he opens
not his mouth.
In his humiliation
justice was denied him.
Who can describe
his generation?
For his life
is taken away
from the earth.
And the eunuch
said to Philip,
About whom,
I ask you,
does the prophet
say this?
About himself
or about someone else?
Then Philip
opened his mouth
and beginning
with the scripture
he told them
the good news
about Jesus.
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?
They commanded
the chariot to stop
and they both
went down
into the water,
Philip and the eunuch
and he baptized him.
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.
But Philip found himself
at Azotus
and as he passed through
he preached the gospel
to all the towns
until he came
to Caesarea.
Once again we pray
that God
will bless to us
this reading of his word
to his own praise.
Let's again sing his praise
this time in Psalm 36.
Again it's in Psalm 36
at verse 5.
That's on page 44.
Verses 5 to 10.
Your steadfast love
is great, O Lord.
It reaches heaven high.
Your faithfulness
is wonderful
extending to the sky.
Your righteousness
is very great
like mountains
high and steep.
Your justice
is like ocean depths
both man and beast
you keep.
How precious
is your steadfast love
what confidence
it brings
both high and low
find shelter
in the shadow
of your wings.
They feast within
your house
and drink from streams
of your delight
for with you
is the source of life
in your light
we see light.
To those who know you
as their God
your steadfast love
impart
maintain your righteousness
to those
of pure
and upright heart.
these verses 5 to 10.
Your steadfast love
is great, O Lord.
Your steadfast love
is great, O Lord.
It reaches heaven high.
Your faithfulness
is wonderful
extending to the sky.
Your righteousness
is any big
like mountains
high and steep.
Your justice
is like ocean depths
of love and beast
you keep.
how precious
is your steadfast love
what confidence
it brings
for thy and love
find shelter in
the shadow of your wings.
the feast
within
your house
and drink
from streams
of your
delight
or with you
is the source
of life
in your light
we see
light
in your light
we see
light
to those
who know you
you
do not serve
your steadfast love
in heart
you stand fast
love
and heart
maintain your righteousness
to those
of good
and a bright heart
of good
and a bright heart
if you turn with me please now to the passage we read in Acts chapter 8
and we can consider this together this evening from verse 26 through to the end of the chapter
chapter 8 of the book of Acts
let me just read verse 35 which we are going to take as the focal point of our study this evening
then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with the scripture he told him the good news about Jesus
he told him the good news the gospel about Jesus
very interesting the way that the book of Acts brings together in these chapters
an account of the conversion of three specific people three specific individuals
and these three representatives these three individuals are representatives of the way in which humanity was divided into three great groupings all the way from the Old Testament onwards from the time when the
from the time of the sons of Noah onwards you remember the sons of Noah Ham and Shem and Japheth
and how you find described in Genesis chapter 10 what's usually referred to as the table of the nations
you find there a description of their descendants
those that were descended from these three sons of Noah Ham and Shem and Japheth
and as you find here a description of the Ethiopian eunuch followed by the conversion of Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the apostle
and then in chapter 10 the conversion of Cornelius a centurion
so you find these three groupings of humanity represented in these three individuals
you recall after chapter 10 of Genesis
in chapter 11 you have the story the account of the Tower of Babel
the Tower of Babel is the way in which it describes the way in which
fallen humanity trying to look after itself themselves
without God
came to have a plan that he tried to put into action
and began to put into action
which was to build a great tower
right up to the heavens
and to preserve for themselves a name
to keep themselves without any reference to God
and God looked down and came down as you know
and interrupted their plans
and humanity came to be scattered
from there over the face of the earth
and he confounded their languages
he actually brought about the difference of languages
by which you find from then onwards in different parts of the world
that his language developed so people could not understand one another
unless they learned each other's languages of course
in the New Testament
that process is reversed in Christ
because you find in the second chapter of the book of Acts
that wonderful account of all of these people
that come from different parts of the world
to actually stand there in the presence of God
and the day of Pentecost
and the spirit of the Lord came
and you remember the wonderful description there
of people hearing the apostles in their own language
as if they were indeed at home
and then you find here these three representatives
as you find them there described
the descendants of Ham and Shem and Japheth
the Ethiopian eunuch representing Africa
where Ham, the descendants of Ham, settled
and then you find Shem who is of the Jewish
Jewish descent from Shem
covenant people, the people that became Israel
and then you find Japheth who is you might say
the other parts of Europe especially
in contrast with those two others
well in this very context in these chapters in Acts
you find these three groupings are actually brought together
as it were in these three individuals that represent them
and what you find in that is this wonderful emphasis
that's elsewhere of course in the New Testament
especially that divided humanity is reunited in Christ's people
because Christ's people draw people from all these parts of the world
into the one family of God
when we come to have our trust in Christ
and come to be Christ's people
when we are adopted into the family of God
we join people from all the different parts
especially from these three sections of humanity
that are brought together so that the division is no longer there
they are spiritually one in Christ Jesus
and that itself is a great emphasis that you can follow out
in the teaching of the New Testament
in some of the epistles especially
so here is what you find in these chapters
but we are focusing in on the Ethiopian eunuch
this descendant of Ham as he is described for us in these passages
now first of all I want to just deal with the situation
the situation that led to the meeting between this eunuch
he is not named
and this man Philip
who is an evangelist
and he went about here preaching the gospel
circumstances
the situation that led to them coming together
and meeting together
to the Ethiopian's advantage
the second thing we can see in the passage
is the explanation which led to the Ethiopian's conversion
the way that Philip explained to him
the meaning of this scripture that he was reading in Isaiah 53
and then beginning at that scripture
he told them the good news about Jesus
so the two things briefly tonight
we are looking at the situation
which brought them together
and the explanation
that brought conversion to the Ethiopian
here is the situation first of all
as you find it described in the chapter here
and throughout the book of Acts
it is an interesting study in itself
to actually follow out the way that the book of Acts sets out
God's plan as something that has always been set
whether it is for individuals
or for nations
or for different groups of people
but you will find that God's plan
as it is set
and brings people together
and means people also sometimes parting from each other
whatever the plan is
whether it is for individuals
for families
for nations
for empires
God has already planned
God has purposed
that the purpose of God is there
and everything that happens
falls within that purpose of God
and that is a very important thing for us to remember
that everything comes about
by the will of God
by the purpose of God
that has set things in place from all eternity
that does not mean we do not have to exercise our own minds
that we do not have liberty to actually consider
consider the gospel call
and respond to the call of Jesus in the gospel
it is not a predetermined state
where you do not find people being able to exercise their own minds
the gospel addresses our minds
addresses our thought processes
and addresses our hearts
addresses our conscience
that is by the way
but he is bringing together
this man
who is seeking the meaning of this scripture
and also
this Philip
this evangelist
who is specifically set by God
set apart
to be a gospel preacher
to be one who explains the gospel
and the meaning of Christ especially
remember in the shorter catechism
as you learnt
most of you will have learnt
the shorter catechism at some point
and question 11
what are God's works of providence
God's works of providence
are his most holy
wise and powerful
preserving and governing
all his creatures
and all their actions
and although there is a liberty
and contingency within God's plan
nevertheless God's plan is God's plan
God's providence
is his most holy
wise and powerful
preserving and governing
all his creatures
and all their actions
and there is many a day
you are thankful for that
as a Christian
that is not left
you are not left to your own devices
that you are not left to make up
your own plan
as to what your life is
that you are not left to look out
in the world and think
well who is actually in control
of this world
who is in charge of these proceedings
this God is
and that is all the way through
the book of Acts
as it is in scripture as well
of course in Jerusalem at this time
this man was returning from Jerusalem
we were told that he was
an important official
in the court of Kandasi
who was queen of the Ethiopians
he was in charge in fact
of her treasury
he had come up to Jerusalem to worship
and he was returning to Ethiopia
to his own place
he was returning to his own country
sitting in a chariot
it wouldn't have been
a grand stately chariot
but nevertheless
he was being
he was being driven along
in a chariot
and that was him making his way
from Jerusalem back home
and Jerusalem at the time of course
was in a state of high excitement
he had been to Jerusalem
he had obviously heard of things
he had perhaps witnessed things
in Jerusalem as well
during these very heady days
leading up to the crucifixion
the trial
the crucifixion of Christ
the death of Christ
the resurrection of Christ
following three days afterwards
an intense time in Jerusalem
an intense time for the people
just to consider what was going on
what was the reason for all of these things
and people of course like the apostles
preaching the gospel
and themselves struggling to understand
until the spirit came at Pentecost
what all of these things meant
at least meant in detail
so remarkable events
of Jesus' death
and his resurrection
and all these things
surrounding that
would have been very much
in the mind of this man
and I think he would probably
have been very much influenced
by the things that he saw
and heard in Jerusalem
at that time
and was on his way home
but reading the scroll of Isaiah
he was reading this book
that we know as the book of Isaiah
and as he was reading
he was making his way home
he had obviously been
in some way or other
struck by this passage
and as he was looking at this passage
he was wondering
what does this passage mean?
Who is this prophet Isaiah
speaking about?
What does it mean that he's saying
he has believed our report?
What does it mean that
here's someone who was bruised
for our iniquities?
Who was put to death for our sins?
Who is he speaking of?
He was wrestling with this passage
in his mind
as he made his way back home
he was searching
for the meaning of this passage of Isaiah
there's the Ethiopian
that's his set of circumstances
that's how things have worked for him
and into the picture comes Philip
this man who's been set apart by God
now previously you read about him
we didn't read from the beginning of the chapter
but you go back to verse 4
you can see those who were scattered abroad
that was in the persecution that broke out there
scattered throughout Judea and Samaria
except the apostles
Saul of course at that time
Saul who became Paul the apostle
was still ravaging the church
as you see there
so the scattering took place
and Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed to them the Christ
and the crowds with one accord
paid attention to what was being said by Philip
when they heard him and saw the signs that he did
many unclean spirits came out of many
who were possessed crying with a loud voice
and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed
so there was much joy in that city
there you see Philip already working as an evangelist
as someone who's preaching the gospel
explaining the gospel
and it's that Philip that now comes
in verse 26
to be instructed by God through an angel
to go up from where he is
to go towards the south
to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza
he's now given specific instructions
and what do you next read?
you read that he arose and went
and he ran down that road
down that road
and he was actually responding to the instruction of God
and as the instruction went ahead
to tell him to go over and join this chariot
in verse 30
Philip ran to him
and then he heard him
he would have been speaking out loud
reading the scroll of Isaiah
reading this passage
he heard him
as he was reading this out loud
but you see the emphasis there
and just
don't just pass over it too quickly
you see it saying
the spirit said
go over and join this chariot
so Philip ran to him
yes I'm sure there was an amount of catching up to do
but Philip ran to him
he didn't take his time
he didn't walk
he didn't amble over
he didn't say
I'll just take it easy
and I'll catch up with him sometime
he ran to him
and that itself is making a point for us
I think tonight
that for all of us
is very important
especially for all of us
who seek to make Jesus known
to explain the meaning of the gospel
to people around us
or even in our own families
because here is this man Peter
he is running for this work
this is an important work
this is so important that he runs
to the accomplishment of it
as we come to the end of this
very challenging year as it's in sight
and as we hope for
much more liberty
to be engaged in the gospel
for God
in this year to come
as we pray for
and as we hope
and as we trust
will be the case
let's make it a year of running
let's make it a year of being eager
to actually bring the gospel
to that world out there
let's make it a year of running
with a message
such as Philip has here
the message of the gospel
because that world
in its epidemic
in this pandemic
and its post pandemic state
as at all times
is going to be very needy
of that message
not only very needy
but perhaps
actually more ready
than it's been before
because people undoubtedly
will have been
and are asking questions
maybe not to the extent
that you'd like
maybe not to the extent
that those in high government
are asking these serious questions
but people undoubtedly
are asking the question
well where is there a meaning
to this pandemic
what is there to this pandemic
more than just an actual
physical phenomenon
what is there more to it
than an illness
what is there to it
more than just something
that's come upon us
as out of nowhere
and people are asking
certain questions
to do with spiritual matters
is there any connection
with God
is God speaking to us
through this
is this something
that I can use
in order to try and find out
more about God
is this something
that will help me
towards closing in with God
all of these
and other questions
are being asked
and as they're being asked
so you and I
as those who know the gospel
are being tasked
by the same providence
that brought these two people together
as it will bring us together
God willing
over the next few months
over the next year
so God is tasking us
as he tasked Philip
go near to that person
go near to these people
tell them why Jesus
is important to you
tell them what the gospel
is about
tell them that there is an answer
to our human dilemma
and our human problem
and our human failures
and our human weakness
and tell them
that the answer is not
in our own human strength
in human ingenuity
in technology
in any of these things
important or they may be
the answer is in Jesus
the answer is in Christ
and that's the providence
that led to them meeting
and we need to catch up
as this man Philip did
to catch up with this chariot
we need to catch up
with those who are lost
because they are perishing
they don't know much
of the gospel
many of them
and most of them
that do know something
of the gospel
have chosen just to ignore it
chosen that it is not for them
and we can't just leave things
as if to say
well that is their choice
let's just move on
that is not what God has placed
in our hearts
he has placed in our hearts
the burden of making Jesus known
the burden of explaining
as this Philip did to this eunuch
telling the good news about Jesus
amongst all the bad news
amongst everything that
fills people's hearts
with sadness
with sorrow
with pain
with anxiety
with issues of health
whether mental or physical
all of the things that cause distress
distress to people
God has an answer to that
it may not take everything away
from the lives that people experience
and have
but it will certainly bring
solid basis
and meaning
and above all righteousness
into their lives
remember
providence in this year
in my life
and in your life
is going to bring people together
in different circumstances
ask in those circumstances
of yourself
what is this for me
in terms of making Jesus known
how do I use this
to the gospel's advantage
if God has brought about
this providence
that's brought me to meet
with such and such a person
there must be something in here
that has to do with Jesus
and making Jesus known
and telling the good news
about Jesus
and is that not why
we're here this evening
because God
in his providence
has made a way for you
to come to be under the gospel
tonight
and God in his providence
has brought a way
for me to stand in this pulpit
and declare to you
the good news about Jesus
there's the same thing
that happened here
in the book of Acts
between this Ethiopian
and Philip
as providence brought them together
as the circumstances
the situation brought them together
these two men
out of all that was happening
in the world
but you can see
every single thing
that happened
in the lead up to this
was for this specific purpose
that Philip would actually tell this man
the good news about Jesus
all the things that had gone before
and all the things that came after
all fitted towards this specific moment
this important moment
this crucial moment
of Philip telling this man
the good news about Jesus
so that's the situation
that led to their meeting
God in charge
God arranging it
and these two people
who had never met each other before
and here they are
in a critical meeting
a crucial moment
for both of them
especially for the Ethiopian
but for Philip too
because he is serving the Lord
and as he is
brought by God
to meet with this man
so they come to meet
in this extraordinary meeting
which has always been planned
by God
and which is going to lead
to this Ethiopian conversion
and not only that
but who knows
because you read afterwards
he went away to his own land
he went on his way rejoicing
who knows what the outcome of this was
in Ethiopia
in the place in Ethiopia
wherever he belonged to
who knows how many people came
to have the good news
about Jesus
spoken to them
from this Ethiopian
who had come himself
to have it spoken to him
in this extraordinary meeting
between himself
and Philip
well it's extraordinary in many ways
in many other ways
it's just ordinary
it's just the events of
another day
in Philip's life
and so it will be
God willing for you and for me
as each day passes
and gives way to another day
there's another time
in God's providence
when something comes our way
and something to do with Jesus
is brought before us
to disseminate
to speak out
others about
in the circumstances
of God's wise providence
but secondly
let's look at the explanation
which led to his conversion
because as Philip responded
and ran to this chariot
he heard this man reading
Isaiah the prophet
and he asked
the passage he was reading
was chapter 53
as we know it
in the prophecy of Isaiah
and
well isn't that a remarkable providence
itself
because
here is Philip
a man used by God
to teach people about Jesus
to present the good news
and here is someone
who has already given him an opening
because he's reading
in the Old Testament
probably the passage
that's most clearly to do
and most detailed
with regard to the death
and the circumstances
of the death of Christ
no preacher could ask
for a better
or more advantageous
situation than that
it's as if you had all
come tonight
and were just crowding
around this pulpit
saying tell me the meaning
of this passage
please explain to me
this passage
well I hope you've come
of course
seeking to have scripture
explained to you
and seeking that the Lord
will actually direct
your heart to the
to the knowledge of Christ
through this very scripture
through this very scripture itself
as he led this Ethiopian
through Philip
to come to understand it
but what an amazing
and wonderful opportunity
for Philip
here's just a text
as it were
dropped into his lap
as he heard this man
reading the prophecy of Isaiah
who could ask for more
what greater advantage
could he have than that
a preacher of the gospel
a man seeking the meaning
of scripture
and reading this passage
that's all to do
with a prophecy
of the coming Messiah
and the sufferings
and the death of Jesus
and so
Philip
proceeds to guide him
to Jesus
and there are three
brief points
I want to mention
in Philip's guiding
of this man to Jesus
because they're important
too in regard to
the opportunities
we have ourselves
to come to know
Jesus for ourselves
or else to try and guide
by God's help
others to Jesus as well
the first thing you notice
is that Philip began
by addressing his understanding
Philip ran to him
and heard him reading
and he said
do you understand
what you are reading
how you see
the first point
that Philip wanted to make
the thing that he wanted
this Ethiopian's mind
to focus upon
was his understanding
of the passage
do you understand
he was hearing him
reading it
do you understand
what you are reading
what an important emphasis
what a key point
that is
because it's crucial
that we understand
the scriptures
I don't mean by that
that you understand
everything that's in
the Bible
completely
and totally
but understand it
in the sense
in which Philip
meant it
understand it
for your saving benefit
understand it
savingly
understand it
so that
it brings to you
the knowledge of Christ
and brings you
into that living union
with Christ
that's the question
that God
is addressing to you
through the gospel
tonight
and he's addressing me
as well
just because
I happen to preach
the gospel
doesn't mean that
I don't need
this passage
or this question
addressed to myself
let's just all
think of ourselves
in the place
of this eunuch
and God addressing us
through the speaker
of the gospel
and God saying to us
do you understand
what you are reading
have you found Christ
in the gospel
you understand it
in terms of its outward meaning
you understand
the account it gives
of various events
you understand
that these actually
took place
as the gospel record
actually brings before you
but then the understanding
that Philip is talking of
is an understanding
of your mind
an understanding
of your will
an understanding
of your heart
do you understand
what you are reading
is your heart in it
is Jesus real to you
in it
you could put it that way
is Jesus real to you
is God real to you
in your reading of scripture
in your reading of
this book
this word
that God
has so freely given to you
what an important question
that is
because there are many people
maybe some even here tonight
who are very familiar
with the Bible
many familiar with
the terms of the gospel
with the teaching of the gospel
but still don't know Christ personally
still aren't united to Christ
savingly
still haven't put their trust
in him
still haven't received him
as he is offered
in the gospel
still haven't
willingly
surrendered their heart
to him
to be ruled by him
if that is you tonight
then here is God
asking you
do you understand
what you are reading
and here is God
saying to you
listen to what this passage
is saying
about this man
and about how
this Philip
Philip dealt with him
and how he brought him
to the understanding
that he needed to have
and it is crucial
we understand these things
if you cast your mind back
to the other book
that Luke wrote
he wrote the book of Acts
and he also wrote
the gospel of Luke
as we know it
you remember in the last chapter
of Luke's gospel
Luke 24
at verse 27
that Jesus drew near
to these two disciples
disciples who were
about seven miles
from Jerusalem
walking to
the village called Emmaus
and verse 28
they drew near
to the village
to which they were going
Jesus acted as if
he were going further
but they urged him
strongly saying
stay with us
for it is towards evening
and the day is now
far spent
so he went in
to stay with them
while he was at the table
with them
he took bread
and blessed it
and broke them
and their eyes were opened
and they recognized him
and he said
did not our hearts
burn within us
while he talked to us
on the road
and opened to us
the scriptures
Jesus had opened
to opened the scriptures
to them
because he had spoken to them
on the way
as he had drawn them
into the conversation
as to what had happened
in Jerusalem
in these days
something like we've said
in our introduction
to our study
this evening
well he's
they said
this is what happened
some of those
who went to the tomb
they found it
just as the women
had said
but they didn't see
and then he
began to speak to them
of the scriptures
and the prophets
beginning with Moses
and all the prophets
he interpreted to them
in all the scriptures
the things
concerning himself
what a commentary
what a sermon
the son of God himself
the savior
explaining to these men
leading these men
through the scriptures
beginning with Moses
and then through the prophets
he interpreted to them
in all the scriptures
the things concerning himself
he opened their mind
he set before them
the truth of the things
that they had just said
they had heard
and were witnesses of
but now he's opening their minds
to understand the scriptures
do you understand
said Philip
the things
that you're reading
and have we prayed today
before we came to church
we prayed to God
to give us an understanding
to give us more than a mental understanding
to give us that spiritual recognition
and understanding
of Jesus himself
to find him
in the scriptures
that's the first point
he began
with the understanding
and then he moved on
to respond to the interest
that this man had
because the man said
verse 31
how can I understand
unless someone guides me
and he invited Philip
to come up and sit with him
and we're told the passage
that he was reading in Isaiah
and then verse 34
the eunuch said to Philip
about whom I ask you
does the prophet say this
about himself
or about someone else
he began with focusing
on the understanding
and then as this man responded
and as he said
something more
about his search for the truth
and the meaning of this passage
Philip responded
with the truth about Jesus
he explained to him
he told him in the scripture
the good news about Jesus
well of course
that's what we want to see
isn't it
in this coming year
we want to see people
taking up an interest in Jesus
this is not conversion for this man
he's not yet changed
but he has that interest
and Philip responds
to that question
to that interest
to that desire of this man
and this is what he then does
he explains to him
he tells him
the good news about Jesus
and obviously that
was blessed
to the man
now you notice what he's saying
beginning
with this scripture
that's what
the key really was
as far as Philip was concerned
God had actually
placed this in his lap
and he took the scripture
and he worked out
from there
to explain the things of Christ
to present the good news
of Christ
and that's such an important point
that world out there
is filled with bad news
that world out there
is filled with bad thoughts
about this gospel
about this Jesus
about your worship
about the church of God
about the emphases
that you find in the Bible
that contradicts
and is very antagonistic
to the ways of the world
especially
in those
in those ways of the world
that are in direct contrast
to the ways of God
and that's what Philip did
he began with the scripture
and that's where we begin
you don't begin
with any kind of philosophy
you don't begin
with something
that you think yourself
is maybe adequate
for the moment
he began with this scripture
you always come to work
from scripture
into your situation
not from the situation
into the scriptures
he began with the scripture
and of course it means
a certain knowledge
of scripture is necessary
but that's what he did
he began with this scripture
and it really reminds us
doesn't it
that here is in Isaiah 53
a scripture about Jesus
it doesn't matter
where you begin
in the Bible
but somewhere or other
there's a road
that leads to Jesus
Jesus is really
the centerpiece
Jesus is really
the very center
of God's truth
he is the way
the truth
and the life
and even if you begin
with a historical passage
in the Old Testament
there may be no specific
reference to Jesus
in the passage
but somewhere
as you study it
and as you relate it
to other passages
God will actually
lead you to Jesus
he'll lead you
to the Savior himself
because that's what
it's all about
that's what the gospel
is about
that's where the gospel
is in Christ himself
so he began
with that scripture
and he told him
the good news
about Jesus
the other point
to make there
before we finish
is this
the gospel
is a positive
emphasis
it is
the good news
about Jesus
you might say
there's some bad news
in the Bible as well
of course there is
it's bad news
in the way that it tells me
I'm a lost sinner
it's bad news
to be able to
to reckon with the fact
that I'm not able
to save myself
by my own efforts
that my own righteousness
that my own
as Paul found out
for himself
my own attempts
at pleasing God
will never go anywhere
near far enough
I don't need
any way to have that
because Christ
has already done that
so you see
the bad news
that tells you
you can call it
bad news
it's in a sense
it's all good news
because it's telling us
truth
but what feels like
bad news
and appears to be
bad news
in emphasizing
our sinfulness
and our need
is something
that you bring
under the light
of the good news
because however
you feel about yourself
and it's not all
about feelings anyway
I'm sure
but whatever
conclusions we come
to about ourselves
the good news
always has something
that actually
counteracts that
and the gospel
is good news
friends
as we reach
towards the end
of this year
and anticipate
God willing
a year to come
with more gospel
freedoms
as we said
we pray for
remember
that presenting
the gospel
is about
good news
it's bringing
to people
positive
good news
the good news
is Jesus
the good news
is Christ
the good news
is God's salvation
in him
that's why
this man
why Philip
guided this man
to Jesus
why it's Jesus
that he brought out
of this passage
make sure
that you don't
present the gospel
as bad news
or if there is
elements to it
that people might
think of as bad news
don't leave them there
emphasize
the positive
good news
that the gospel
is
that Christ
is good news
you see
it concludes now
and we're concluding
a sermon with us
as he guided him
to Christ
then we read
that
when they
came up
from Philip
having baptized him
in the water
the Lord
carried
the spirit of the Lord
carried Philip away
and the eunuch
saw him no more
and he went on
his way rejoicing
perhaps that word
and
might have been
better translated
but
or for he went
on his way rejoicing
it's actually
the word for
literally in the scripture
the spirit of the Lord
carried Philip away
and the eunuch
saw him no more
but the eunuch
saw him no more
went on his way
rejoicing
you see what it's saying
is this
here is a man
who came to Philip
or Philip came to him
this interaction
happened between them
he had all these
questions for Philip
Philip brought him
and guided him
to Christ
and having done that
that was it
Philip was taken away
the man had no
further need of
Philip at that
time at least
you see what it's
saying he went
on his way
rejoicing
Philip was gone
in a sense
the man couldn't
care less
he had somebody
else in the
carriage with him
now
somebody else
was beside him
or even in him
in his chariot
and that was
Jesus
and as Philip
went his way
as Philip was
taken away
by the Lord
so this man
continued in his
way
rejoicing
can you imagine
it
here's a man
Philip
who told him
all of these
good things
who explained
the gospel
to him so well
who brought him
and guided him
to Jesus
and although
Philip is now
gone
this man is
rejoicing
he's rejoicing
because he's
found Christ
or Christ
has come to
fill his life
and so we're
back to the
question that we
began with
do you understand
the things that
you're reading
is Jesus real
for you
tonight
in the gospel
let's pray
almighty God
we thank you
for the gospel
we thank you
that it is so
positively good
news for us
Lord of God
we give thanks
that into the
darkness
of our sinfulness
the darkness
of this world
you brought
the good news
of Christ
you sent your
son as the
good news
in his own
person
and we thank you
that this gospel
contains that
good news
in its proclamation
that he came
to give us life
that we might
have it more
abundantly
bless your word
to us once again
we pray
receive our worship
and cleanse us
from all our sin
for his name's
sake
amen
well let's conclude
we're singing
tonight in
conclusion in
psalm 51
in the
Scottish
Psalter
verses 11
to 15
verse 11
to 15
of psalm 51
cast me not
from thy
sight
nor take
thy holy
spread
аемся
peace
which
is
and
Then will I teach thy wisdom to those that transgress or cheat,
And those that send her shall then be turned head unto thee.
O God of my salvation, Lord, live from blood guilt in it.
Set free, then shall my tongue cover sing of thy righteousness.
Thy closeness, O Lord, by thee, let them be opened.
Then shall thy praises by my heart have brought people shared.
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. Amen.