WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.100 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christchurch. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:09.460 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:13.300 ! use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christchurch. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:20.500 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at Christchurcheastbay.org. 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:27.539 Good morning. 00:00:27.539 --> 00:00:33.479 My name is August Fern and I am a member of, I think we call it the Berkeley El Cerrito 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:35.960 Richmond Kensington Community Group. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:37.280 Maybe we'll work on that. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:42.019 But I'm also one of your deacons and I'm here today happy to read the scripture. 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:47.960 Today's scripture reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 8, verses 1 to 8 and 00:00:47.960 --> 00:00:50.340 26 to 40 as printed in your liturgy. 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:53.920 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:01:00.679 On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:03.679 the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:08.359 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.299 But Saul began to destroy the church. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:16.520 Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.359 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:25.039 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:30.420 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:31.359 to what he said. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:38.579 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:38.920 healed. 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:41.879 So there was great joy in that city. 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:49.519 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, go south to the road, the desert road that goes 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:51.200 down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.740 So he started out, and on the way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:01.640 of all the treasury of the Kandik, which means queen of the Ethiopians. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:07.960 This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot, 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:09.840 reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:14.159 The spirit told Philip, go to that chariot and stay near it. 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:18.439 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:20.939 Do you understand what you are reading? 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:21.819 Philip asked. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.920 How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me. 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:29.219 So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:32.539 This is the passage of scripture the eunuch was reading. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:38.500 He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:40.159 so he did not open his mouth. 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:43.259 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:45.180 Who can speak of his descendants? 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.719 For his life was taken from the earth. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:54.259 The eunuch asked Philip, tell me please, who was the prophet talking about, himself or someone 00:02:54.259 --> 00:02:54.639 else? 00:02:54.639 --> 00:03:00.339 Then Philip began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about 00:03:00.339 --> 00:03:00.699 Jesus. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:06.159 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, look, here 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:06.899 is water. 00:03:07.299 --> 00:03:09.559 What can stand in the way of my being baptized? 00:03:10.459 --> 00:03:12.519 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:17.179 Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:22.000 When they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.800 and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:32.300 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:33.659 until he reached Caesarea. 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:36.099 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:37.919 Thanks be to God. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:45.799 Well, we're continuing today in one of the most exciting books of all time. 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:49.819 It begins with an amazing statement from Jesus. 00:03:50.079 --> 00:03:56.379 Jesus, having been raised from the dead, he says in Acts chapter 1, verse 8, speaking to 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:02.319 his disciple community, speaking to his church, he says, you will receive power when the Holy 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:10.680 Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and Samaria, and 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:12.159 even to the ends of the earth. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:17.060 And what's really cool about Acts chapter 8 is we see that very thing happening. 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:18.759 The gospel's moving out. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:26.339 It's moving out from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, and now through this man from Ethiopia 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:29.659 going out to the ends of the earth. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:38.239 And this is the first non-Jew to come to faith and to be baptized in the story of Acts. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:45.399 It's the first evangelist who will take the joy of the gospel to his native country, and 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:46.639 he's from Africa. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:52.979 And if you know much about the recent story of global Christianity, you may know that in 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:58.220 the year 1900, there were in Africa about 10 million Christians. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:03.580 Fast forward to the year 2000, there were 360 million Christians. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:05.259 That's half the population of Africa. 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:11.220 And so Africa is again today really the heartland of the Christian faith. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:16.020 There are more Presbyterians in Ghana than in all of the United States and the United Kingdom. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:20.700 There are more Anglicans in Nigeria than in all of the United States and United Kingdom. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:27.500 And what we want to focus on today is the fact that God is still working in our world the 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:30.039 same way that he was working with this Ethiopian. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:32.000 And the question is how? 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.920 How is he at work? 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:39.039 And so I want to think about three things with you this morning. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:46.099 I want to talk about the God who seeks us, the God who saves us, and the God who substitutes 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:46.820 for us. 00:05:46.820 --> 00:05:51.280 The God who seeks us, the God who saves us, and the God who substitutes for us. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:54.120 And let's begin with the God who seeks us. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:57.620 And let's look at verse 26 where it says, 00:05:57.780 --> 00:05:59.400 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:04.740 Go south to the road, the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:06:05.080 --> 00:06:06.960 And then down in verse 29 it says, 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:08.340 The Spirit told Philip, 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.260 Go to that chariot and stay near it. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:15.300 We're going to come back to this, but it's clear up front that God by his angel and by 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:18.920 his spirit is seeking out this Ethiopian man. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:27.480 And we can also see that God has put into this man's heart a dissatisfaction with his life. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:33.379 He's put into his heart a sense that there must be more to life than what I have. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:40.159 He's given him a desire to seek something better, a better God, a better worldview. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:41.040 Where do I get that? 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:42.120 Well, look at verse 27. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:46.620 So he, Philip, started out on his way and he met an Ethiopian eunuch, 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:50.420 an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:53.519 which means the queen of the Ethiopians. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:58.560 This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and on his way home was sitting in his chariot 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:01.100 reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:05.920 So this guy holds a high position in government. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.500 He works closely with the royal family in Ethiopia. 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:13.060 He's riding in this chariot, which is a royal carriage, 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:19.980 and he's surrounded by an entourage of carriages, a whole fleet of black suburbans, if you will. 00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:22.740 He has VIP status. 00:07:23.080 --> 00:07:29.340 And you do not get in this kind of position unless you have great ability and extraordinary gifts. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:32.419 And it's clear to us that he's an intelligent person. 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.959 He's an educated person. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:40.539 He knows how to read in a world without Amazon, a world where books are rare and expensive and books are held in libraries. 00:07:40.859 --> 00:07:45.699 He has purchased his own copy of a book, the book of Isaiah. 00:07:46.239 --> 00:07:47.659 So he's an intelligent man. 00:07:47.719 --> 00:07:51.199 He's also a moral man and a person of good character. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:59.899 And we know that because no one puts you into a position of handling great wealth unless you are presumably trustworthy and reliable, 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:03.240 unless you have wisdom and judgment and honesty. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.719 So how do we know that he's dissatisfied and he's unhappy with his life? 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:12.579 Well, because he went all the way to Jerusalem to worship. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:20.019 He'd been there living his life in the court of Ethiopia with its culture and its philosophy. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:25.300 And all of its attempts to ask the big questions of life. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:27.339 Where are we? 00:08:27.979 --> 00:08:28.979 Who are we? 00:08:29.659 --> 00:08:31.139 What is wrong with this world? 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:32.519 Why is it so messed up? 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:35.139 What is the solution to our problems? 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:44.779 And he's intellectually dissatisfied with all the ways the great intellects of his day and his time are grappling with those questions. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:55.179 And he's also presumably looking on to the life of this court in Ethiopia with all of its feasts and all of its interests and all of its daily news. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:04.679 And we imagine he's morally dissatisfied because it's superficial and it's self-interested. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:07.159 And he's tired of that. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:15.319 And we also assume that he's looking around at the gods of his pagan pantheon and what his culture says is ultimate reality. 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:21.679 And he's religiously dissatisfied clearly because he's gone in search of another god. 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:27.120 He's gone in search of a god who's worthy of his worship and a god who's worthy of his life. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:37.740 And that is why he's gone to Jerusalem to worship because he's a serious man who's concerned about his existence, his life, the meaning of it all. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:40.240 He's asking himself, how am I going to meet death? 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.679 And what lies beyond that? 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:44.639 And am I ready to meet that? 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:54.299 And so he forsook his worldview at considerable risk in order to take up this worldview of Jerusalem's worship and Israel's prophets. 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:59.120 And what did he discover in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:06.340 Well, he went from believing in a multiplicity of gods to believing in the one true and living God. 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:13.320 And he began to see that all the gods that he previously revered were counterfeits and were idols. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:17.060 And he had a more exalted view of God. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:23.540 But he also came to discover that he was made as all people are made in the image of the creator God. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:26.300 And so he gained a more exalted view of humanity. 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:31.700 And then as he read Israel's scriptures, he learned that God is in control of history. 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:36.840 That he has a plan and he has a purpose to redeem his good but fallen creation. 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:41.720 He came across those promises to Abraham and to the offspring of Abraham. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:47.340 That God would bless all the nations of the earth through this one person and this one family. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:53.580 And then he learned as he continued to read that this gracious and righteous God had given his law. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:59.120 He'd given his ten commandments that God alone was to be loved with all of our heart. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:02.139 That we're to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.279 And that this God demands our faithfulness. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:12.039 And that anyone who fails in one detail of God's moral law has failed in it all. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:17.940 And so he went on to learn that the only way to approach this holy God is through his temple. 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:19.539 And through his priests. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:23.399 And through the substitutionary sacrifice of lambs. 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:31.059 And the blood that was shed and sprinkled in the presence of God to atone for all of our failures to love as we were made to love. 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:35.679 And so this man, he's left his pagan worldview behind. 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:36.659 And he's upgraded. 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:39.699 He's upgraded to the Jewish worldview. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:42.139 And he's gone up to Jerusalem. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.779 And he's made this hard and hazardous journey. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.319 It's a thousand miles. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.620 It would have taken him months along the Nile River. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:52.580 Just to get to the temple of Yahweh to worship there. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:56.060 And after he worshiped, he was going to seek out the rabbis. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.480 He was going to seek out the teachers. 00:11:57.700 --> 00:12:03.480 He was going to see if he could resolve the restlessness of his heart. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:07.779 If he could find satisfaction and peace. 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:09.960 He's got way better beliefs than he had before. 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.879 But he still doesn't have rest. 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:13.799 And he's still not at peace. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:16.399 And so he's gone to the Jerusalem temple. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:24.620 And when he got there, he realized that Gentiles and eunuchs like himself were kept at a distance. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:28.980 And that they could not even enter in to the assembly of the Lord. 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:35.740 And so he goes out and he makes this vital step of buying a rare and expensive copy of the Bible. 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.720 Of the scriptures. 00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:39.000 The book of the prophet Isaiah. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:41.299 So that he could study it for himself. 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:43.960 And he could find answers to his questions. 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:47.900 And yet, as he reads, this man is troubled in his soul. 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:53.180 He's terribly burdened because he's looking for something that he has not yet found. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:57.000 He wants to understand what he's reading. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.540 But there's no one to explain it to him. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:04.259 And the thing is that something has actually already happened. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:12.139 Recently in Jerusalem that had the full and complete answer to his every question and to his every need. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.460 But he had not heard of it. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.700 He knew nothing about it. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:18.879 No one had told him what had happened. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:26.500 If only someone cared enough about him to explain the scriptures and tell him the thing that his heart was seeking. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:29.419 But there was a man. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:32.500 There's this man just around the corner. 00:13:32.599 --> 00:13:33.839 A simple man named Philip. 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.219 He's not a great man. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.759 Like the Ethiopian. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:41.240 He's not someone holding a high and exalted position. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:45.299 But he is a simple Christian who has the answer. 00:13:46.099 --> 00:13:48.539 And so we read again back in verse 26. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:51.219 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:55.779 Go south to the road, the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:14:03.059 We're going to have a class today and a class next week after the service on worldviews. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:15.019 And this verse makes no sense in the materialist worldview that assumes that this visible material world is all that there is. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:19.179 And that we live in a self-contained world with nothing beyond it. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:22.679 But the biblical worldview is different. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:30.559 The biblical worldview says that beyond and above and around this world there's another realm. 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:31.679 It's the true realm. 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:36.359 It's the real realm that determines what happens in this world. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:41.159 And there are two roads that go south from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:46.519 And God happens to know which road this man is on. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:54.980 And he knew the exact time that this man is traveling down that particular road. 00:14:56.279 --> 00:15:03.199 And if Philip had gone down an hour earlier or an hour later he would have completely missed this Ethiopian man. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:08.679 But God told Philip to go at the precise moment that this man needed his help. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:16.279 And in verse 29 it says that the spirit told Philip go to that chariot and stay near it. 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:21.939 This meeting between this Philip and the Ethiopian did not take place by chance. 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:24.399 It was not an accident. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:26.120 It was not a coincidence. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:31.419 There are no maverick molecules in this universe. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:36.860 Because God is in complete control of everyone and everything. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:41.019 And the God who knows everything and everyone. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:48.000 He sent this Christian Philip because he's not turned his back on this world that he loves so much. 00:15:49.099 --> 00:15:53.679 He's very concerned about individual people whose names he knows. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.959 And he has a plan for their redemption and their restoration. 00:15:58.419 --> 00:16:00.159 And so God intervenes. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:03.240 God interferes. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.860 God enters into the world. 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:08.579 He comes down from his very high place. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:11.559 And he sees this man in need and in trouble. 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.500 And so God has an errand. 00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:16.219 He has a message that he wants to send. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.919 And he knows that there's this man. 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.919 This one man. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.620 This man from Ethiopia. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:24.699 Whom God has caused to feel dissatisfied. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.000 And that this man is going to keep being restless. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.340 Until he finds his rest. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.120 In Jesus. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.700 And in the gospel. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.940 Friends. 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:42.960 Did you know that the everlasting and all-powerful God is concerned about you? 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:48.200 And that even right now he's seeking you? 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.139 And that if you're a Christian. 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:53.040 Did you know that God wants to send you? 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:56.740 And he wants to deploy you as a messenger. 00:16:57.840 --> 00:17:01.139 With the news that people's hearts are longing to hear. 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:05.299 The apostle Paul says in Colossians 1.13. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:09.319 For God the Father has rescued us from the dominion of darkness. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:13.519 And brought us into the kingdom of the Son that he loves. 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:15.740 And that's what God is doing with this man. 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:20.819 And that's what God wants to continue to do in our world time and time again. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:26.059 This Ethiopian man is traveling down this road expecting nothing. 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.939 But he goes home redeemed. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.259 He goes home rejoicing. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:33.740 Because there's a God who's seeking him out. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:36.299 Does that make sense? 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.359 Okay. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.640 The God who seeks. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.319 The God who seeks. 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:47.460 But I also want to talk about the God who saves. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.720 The God who saves us. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.319 Because remember. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:54.420 This man fits perfectly in the Bay Area. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.579 He's culturally elite. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.880 He's smart. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.279 He's the CFO of his nation. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.279 He is rich. 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.460 He's successful. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.259 He's powerful. 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.680 He's made it to the top. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.180 And yet he's enormously empty. 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.380 Right? 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.380 None of the money. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.740 None of the power. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.980 None of the success that he has. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:21.799 Has yet fulfilled the longings of his soul. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:24.660 And so he's going all the way to Jerusalem. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.660 All the way back. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.519 And how does he change? 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:33.420 What happens that he somehow goes on his way home. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:35.039 Rejoicing at the end of the story. 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.340 Well look at verse 30. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.779 It says. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.100 Then Philip ran up to the chariot. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.900 Heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.460 Do you understand what you're reading? 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.079 Philip asked. 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.680 And he said. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.400 How can I? 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:46.200 Unless someone explains it to me. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.700 So he invited Philip to come up. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.299 And sit with him. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.720 Friends. 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.299 No matter. 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:54.119 How put together and smart people look. 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:57.200 They have questions. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:00.379 They're not satisfied with their answers. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.759 You just need to believe that. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:06.420 If you're a Christian. 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:10.299 And you pursue someone with curiosity. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:12.140 And you initiate a conversation. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.799 And you ask good questions like Philip. 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.339 And you say. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.440 Hey what are you reading? 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.299 Hey what do you think about that? 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.640 And if you're just a loving presence. 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:21.099 And a good listener. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.720 People of peace. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.640 That God has prepared. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.879 Will begin to open up their hearts to you. 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.720 They will begin to respond to your questions. 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:29.519 They will begin to engage in your conversations. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:32.779 And they will invite you to come sit up in my chariot. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.579 Come enter into my life. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:38.440 The Holy Spirit prepares this man. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.759 He prepares this moment. 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.980 And God has led him to the Bible. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.859 And not just to the Bible. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:45.440 To one of the most important texts in the whole Bible. 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:47.400 He's led a Christian to this man. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.440 And we read in verse 34. 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.599 That the eunuch asked Philip. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.779 Tell me please. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.720 Who is the prophet talking about? 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.000 Himself or someone else? 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.079 And then Philip began. 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:58.200 With that very passage of scripture. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.039 And told him the good news. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.779 About Jesus. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.180 Here's a man. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:06.759 Who's. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.940 Looking at the very message he needs. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.319 He's holding it in his hands. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.319 He's reading it out loud. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:16.059 But he cannot understand it. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.819 He can't understand it. 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:21.480 Because somebody needs to explain it. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.940 And God has to reveal it. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.680 And again. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.259 Philip did not have the educational advantages. 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.279 Of this treasure. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:30.299 At the court of the Ethiopian queen. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.160 But we're struck at once. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.799 That he. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:36.000 Who went to community college. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.559 Maybe he just went to high school. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.119 We don't know. 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.980 But Philip's just an ordinary person. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.779 And we're struck at once. 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.539 That he's a Christian. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.579 Who knows how to explain the passage. 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.420 He's a Christian. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:51.240 Who knows how to expound the verses. 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.240 He's a Christian. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.119 Who can give. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.379 The definite message. 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.720 Of the gospel. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.579 Friends. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.740 What if every Christian. 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.400 Were prepared to do that. 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:03.360 He knew the Bible. 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:05.059 He knew the gospel. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.519 He was able to explain it. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.600 A Christian is a person. 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.299 Who knows. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.279 Their scriptures. 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:11.000 And the propositional truths. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.400 Of the Bible. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.559 They know their creed. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.279 And the articles of their faith. 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:17.019 They're able to tell somebody. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.799 About it. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.440 To state it. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:18.980 Simply. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:19.920 And directly. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.839 In terms that people can follow. 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:23.079 And understand. 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.159 And the gospel. 00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:26.599 Is just this well-defined. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.859 Body of truth. 00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:29.819 That can be explained. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.539 In simple terms. 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.159 And the question is. 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.619 Are we able to do that? 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.299 Philip. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.059 When the moment comes. 00:21:38.179 --> 00:21:39.000 He's not uncertain. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.859 He's not hesitant. 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.459 He's not afraid. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:45.000 He just steps right into the opportunity. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:47.339 And notice that he's not exchanging. 00:21:47.959 --> 00:21:48.519 Views. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.319 Right. 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:50.379 He's not speculating. 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.420 About life. 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.119 And its meaning. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.259 Nor is he. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.160 Relating his own experience. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.440 And saying. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:56.980 Hey man. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.700 I was troubled too. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.279 I was just. 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.859 I was just as unhappy as you are. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.619 But then something amazing happened to me. 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.259 And my life has been totally different. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:04.680 No. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.099 He's not doing that. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.500 What. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:08.059 What Philip is doing. 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.339 Is he's speaking. 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:12.220 The truth of God's word. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.779 He's speaking with the authority. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:15.920 Of God's word. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.099 It says he began with that. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.119 Very passage. 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:19.079 Of scripture. 00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:19.939 Why did he do that? 00:22:19.979 --> 00:22:21.000 Because all scripture. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.719 Is breathed out by God. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:26.099 All scripture has the life of God in it. 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:27.099 It has the presence. 00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:27.779 And the power. 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.919 And the authority of God. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.619 In it. 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:31.359 And so that's where he began. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:31.819 No. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.479 No prophet of Israel. 00:22:33.479 --> 00:22:34.319 Comes along. 00:22:34.479 --> 00:22:35.179 And ever says. 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:36.179 Hey guys. 00:22:36.219 --> 00:22:36.699 Let me tell you. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.839 I've had a brilliant idea today. 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.579 No. 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.399 What do prophets say? 00:22:41.479 --> 00:22:42.159 Prophets say. 00:22:42.459 --> 00:22:43.719 The word of the Lord. 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.000 Came to me. 00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:46.500 And I'm passing it on. 00:22:46.699 --> 00:22:47.099 To you. 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:49.699 And because it's the Lord's word. 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.779 You can start wherever you like. 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.919 In this whole book. 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.859 And it will take you. 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.159 To the same message. 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.119 Because it's got one message. 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:01.139 And Peter begins. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.759 Expounding that message. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:05.119 He begins bringing that message out. 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.679 He starts to show what that message. 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.519 Means. 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.500 And this passage. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.539 Led to another passage. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.279 And that passage. 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:12.240 Led to another passage. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.599 And he showed him. 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.819 The golden thread. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.620 That runs through the scriptures. 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.000 From start to finish. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.140 And how it all centers upon. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.680 And climaxes with. 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.400 Jesus. 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:25.700 Who's just recently lived. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.440 And died. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.460 And rose again from the dead. 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:34.980 Philip says. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.920 This Ethiopian. 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:36.600 Basically. 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:38.140 The Bible's a book. 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:40.600 About how God saves sinners. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.600 Basically. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.160 The story of the Bible. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.180 Is creation. 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.000 Fall. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:46.759 Redemption. 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.519 In the beginning. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.100 God. 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.620 I'm sure is where. 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.180 Philip. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.059 Started. 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.179 Started. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.399 The world belongs. 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.279 To the creator God. 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.000 It's God's. 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:56.659 World. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.440 And it was. 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.240 It was. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.500 Meant to be something. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.759 Other than it is now. 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:03.039 It's gone so wrong. 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:04.079 It's gone so far. 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:04.579 Astray. 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:05.799 It cannot put itself. 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.200 Back right again. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.619 And in the garden of Eden. 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.879 In paradise. 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.460 Humanity. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.179 That was made. 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.480 In the image of God. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.440 Rebelled against God. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.339 Listen. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.460 Not to the voice of God. 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.720 But to the voice of the devil. 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:21.740 And turned. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.640 It's back on God. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.140 And sin. 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.740 And fell. 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.579 From a very high place. 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.240 Into a very. 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.700 Low place. 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.740 And brought chaos. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.819 Down on the human race. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.519 But God. 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.599 Is still concerned. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.660 God. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.279 Had a plan. 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.980 And had a purpose. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.500 To redeem. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.299 And to save. 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.319 His fallen creation. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.740 And so. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.620 In the garden of Eden. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.640 It says. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.720 God came down. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.660 And God spoke. 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:46.940 And God. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.599 In his justice. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.339 Condemned. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.039 Humanity. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.960 For its rebellion. 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:51.000 And its folly. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.819 And its sin. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.599 But. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.839 He didn't stop there. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.000 He gave a promise. 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:57.359 He told Adam and Eve. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.619 That. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.319 Life was going to be. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:24:59.980 What you and I. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.680 Know it to be. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.539 Strife. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.240 Conflict. 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.460 It's going to be a war. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.440 Between. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.559 The seed of the woman. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.900 And the seed of the serpent. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.779 But God said. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.940 The seed of the woman. 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.819 Genesis 15. 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.740 The 315. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.799 The seed of the woman. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.380 Will be stricken. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:17.800 He'll be wounded. 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.740 And yet. 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.360 He will crush. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.160 The serpent's. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:21.920 Head. 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:24.140 And from that. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.240 First promise. 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.280 Of a coming savior. 00:25:26.280 --> 00:25:27.100 I'm sure. 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:27.720 That Philip. 00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:28.660 Continued. 00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:29.720 To just. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.480 Unfold. 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.280 The story. 00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:33.040 Of this God. 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.700 Who saves. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.780 With these. 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.540 Words. 00:25:36.540 --> 00:25:37.400 God is preparing. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.040 His people. 00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:38.540 For the way. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.500 That he's just going to keep. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.160 Unfolding. 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.800 His plan. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.420 In parts. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.080 And portions. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.240 Bringing it to pass. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.519 In installment. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.420 After installment. 00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.300 With increasing. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.320 Momentum. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.940 Until it comes to his climax. 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.400 Until God gets to the purpose. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.800 Of his redemption. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.519 And his deliverance. 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.759 And his salvation. 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.039 Of this world. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.580 And misery. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.680 And despair. 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.660 Because of our sin. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.120 Philip. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.720 Is not telling. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.700 This man. 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.900 Here's what you need to do. 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.840 To pick yourself up. 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:14.160 Here's all you got to do. 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:16.200 To save yourself. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.200 And put yourself right. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.600 With God. 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:17.800 No. 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.759 He's telling him. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.720 About the God. 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.880 Who does everything. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.080 To save you. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.860 The creator God. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.700 The God of the Bible. 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:26.660 The God who saves. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.860 He sent his son. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.400 Jesus. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.720 Is what Philip says. 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.620 He's the seed of the woman. 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.120 Who would crush the serpent's head. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.720 He's the offspring of Abraham. 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:37.700 That would bless all the nations. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.820 Of the earth. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.740 And he. 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.460 Is the light that you seek. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.660 He's the one. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.500 Who can give you abundant. 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.500 And eternal life. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.400 He's the one. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.240 Who can assure you. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.900 Of forgiveness. 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.940 Of your sins. 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.720 He's the one. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.839 Who can reconcile you to God. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.599 He's the one. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.940 Who can make you a child of God. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.660 He's the one. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.720 Who can give you the new nature. 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.079 And the new outlook. 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.120 And the new beginning. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.400 And the new strength. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.500 And the new power. 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.599 And the new hope. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.439 That your heart. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.939 Is so desperately. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.519 Longing for. 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.899 He's the one. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.319 Who can take you. 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:13.779 From being. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.059 The miserable seeker. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:16.019 That you are now. 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.659 To being a confident disciple. 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.939 That goes on his way home. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.519 Rejoicing. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.599 This all happened. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.959 Because there was a Christian. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.319 A Christian. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.319 Who knew his Bible. 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.099 A Christian. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.299 Who was not afraid. 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.839 To talk about the God. 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.959 Who saves a Christian. 00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:36.939 Who knew how to explain. 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.579 To somebody. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.599 The good news. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.899 Of Jesus. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.559 But I want to end. 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.659 Not just with the God. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.639 Who seeks us. 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.679 And the God who saves us. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.539 But I want to end. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.159 Right at the very heart. 00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:50.799 Of this passage. 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.339 With the God. 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:52.759 Who substitutes for us. 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.099 Because. 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.579 What passage. 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.720 Was this Ethiopian reading? 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:57.539 Well I'm glad. 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.419 You finally asked. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.759 It says in verse 32. 00:28:01.959 --> 00:28:02.139 This. 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:03.079 This is the passage. 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.500 Of scripture. 00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.179 The eunuch. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.740 Was reading. 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.539 Isaiah 53. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.000 7. 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.319 He was led like a sheep. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.980 To the slaughter. 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:10.000 And as a slam. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.720 A lamb. 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.639 Before it shears. 00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:12.199 Is silence. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.019 So he did not. 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:14.199 Open his mouth. 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.079 In his humiliation. 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.939 He was deprived. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.419 Of justice. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.240 Who can speak. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.000 Of his descendants. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.199 For his life. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.720 Was taken. 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:22.339 From the earth. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.759 This is the song. 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.799 Of the suffering servant. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.759 It's one of the greatest. 00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.279 Portions. 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.179 In the whole Bible. 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.359 And this man. 00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.460 Is sitting in his carriage. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.380 His royal carriage. 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.960 And he's saying. 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.600 Who is this slaughtered lamb? 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.600 Who is this man. 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:42.200 Who's being so terribly humiliated? 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.259 Who is this man. 00:28:46.340 --> 00:28:48.400 Who's innocent as a lamb. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.860 And yet he's undergoing. 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.940 Such terrible. 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.059 Injustice. 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.059 And suffering. 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:56.639 Is it the prophet Isaiah? 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:59.720 Is it the nation of Israel. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.339 As a whole? 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:03.000 Is this an accident? 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.919 Is this a tragedy? 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.879 Can someone explain it to me? 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.000 And I'm confident. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.639 That Philip. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.119 Borrowed his scroll. 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:15.279 And turned a few. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.339 Verses. 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.460 Before those. 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.440 In Isaiah 53. 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.200 53. 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:19.820 3. 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.480 And he read these words. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.960 He was despised. 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:24.440 And rejected by mankind. 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.400 A man of sorrows. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.500 And acquainted with grief. 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:29.620 Surely he. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:31.259 Took up our pain. 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.440 And bore our suffering. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.660 And we considered him. 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.220 Punished. 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:36.120 By God. 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.200 Stricken by him. 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.140 Wounded by him. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.779 Afflicted. 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.519 By him. 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:42.059 But he was pierced. 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.120 For our transgressions. 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.039 And he was crushed. 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.620 For our. 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:45.759 Iniquities. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.500 And the punishment. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.599 That brought us peace. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.299 Was on him. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.319 And by his wounds. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.140 We. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.279 Are healed. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.559 We all. 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.099 Like sheep. 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.859 Have gone astray. 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.460 Each of us. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.619 Has turned to our own way. 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.039 And the Lord. 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.160 Has laid on him. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.460 The iniquity. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.460 Of us all. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.400 And then he kept reading. 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.539 He was led like a sheep. 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.140 To the slaughter. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.440 And then he came to Isaiah. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:08.900 53. 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.240 10. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.839 The Lord. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.379 Has made his life. 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.640 An offering. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.799 For sin. 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:16.299 Who is this? 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.919 Well friends. 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.359 God so loved you. 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.639 That he gave his only son. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.559 Over to death. 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.500 For you. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.759 And as you. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.460 And in your place. 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:32.419 And God has laid on this substitute. 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.059 The penalty. 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:33.980 And the punishment. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.559 For. 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.059 Your sin. 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.700 That you might be forgiven. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:41.460 And that God might forget your sins. 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.480 Forever. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:42.559 Forever. 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.200 And that God. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.860 Would smile on you. 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:46.380 And that God would put his spirit. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.380 In you. 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:49.240 And that God would make you his child. 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:49.980 And that you might. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.740 Be able to go through death. 00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:53.680 And out into return. 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.380 Eternity. 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:55.940 Rejoicing. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.900 With joy. 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.500 Forever. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.339 This. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.279 Philip says. 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:04.640 Is the. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.440 One and only way of salvation. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:08.340 And I'm sure. 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:09.640 He said to the Ethiopian. 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.700 Like he would say to us. 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:12.299 Do you see the depth. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.559 And the profundity. 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.820 Of your problem. 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:16.360 And the problem of this world. 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:19.880 Because it took nothing less than God. 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.140 In your place. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.460 And as your substitute. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.680 This man. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.039 Jesus. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.360 Who is God in the flesh. 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.620 He did not come. 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.820 To give you good advice. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.960 He did not come. 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.580 To tell you. 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.600 How to live. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.920 He did not give you a list. 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.640 Of all the things. 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.360 That you need to do. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.940 He came with good news. 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.920 Not good advice. 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.660 And the news. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.820 Is that he came to die. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.600 He came to die. 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.400 In weakness. 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.240 He came to die. 00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:45.900 In shame. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.779 He came to die. 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.840 In degradation. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.120 Where all of us. 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.840 Deserve to die. 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:52.240 He was despised. 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.640 And rejected. 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.960 All the sorrow. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.900 Of our transgressions. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.620 All the. 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.660 The grief. 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.600 Of our iniquities. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.680 All the sins. 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.600 Of the whole world. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.240 That lead. 00:32:04.439 --> 00:32:05.559 Only to death. 00:32:05.919 --> 00:32:06.859 All the ways. 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.099 That we neglect God. 00:32:08.159 --> 00:32:08.799 Every day. 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.759 All the ways. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.619 That we rebel. 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.299 Against God. 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.579 And we do our own thing. 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.500 All of that. 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.299 Was laid on him. 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:18.699 Why? 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:22.059 He's just a lamb. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.819 He's done nothing wrong. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.779 He knew no sin. 00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:31.740 Why doesn't he defend himself? 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:34.359 Why doesn't he prove his innocence? 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:37.960 Why doesn't he get himself out of the situation? 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.660 Why is he suffering in silence? 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:42.000 Why is he not opening his mouth? 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:45.039 And the answer is in Isaiah 53.5. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:48.420 The punishment that brought us peace. 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.140 Was on him. 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.940 And by his wounds. 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.480 We are healed. 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.940 The reason Jesus. 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:57.440 Didn't get out of the situation. 00:32:57.440 --> 00:33:00.019 Though he very well had all the power to do so. 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:03.840 Is because he wanted you. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.580 To have God's peace. 00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:07.940 And he wanted you. 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:09.600 To have God's healing. 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:13.799 He wanted God's cosmic shalom. 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.600 For you. 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:16.880 He wanted God's cosmic salvation. 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.160 He wanted you to know. 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:20.519 What the wholeness of God. 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:22.380 And the well-being of God. 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.620 Is all about. 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:27.340 And when this Ethiopian realized. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.900 That Jesus did what he did. 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.320 That Jesus went out. 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.680 And he suffered the hell. 00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:35.200 Of being forsaken by God. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.860 So that you wouldn't have to. 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.800 When he realized that on the cross. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:41.160 The ultimate insider. 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.660 Came. 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.560 To be the ultimate outsider. 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:45.920 So that we who are outsiders to God. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.420 Could come all the way inside. 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:50.759 When he realized. 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.100 That Jesus resurrection meant. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:54.140 That God absolutely approved. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:56.080 And accepted everything that Jesus was. 00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:57.380 And everything Jesus did. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.519 On his cross. 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:02.320 When he recognized that. 00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.220 Through Jesus. 00:34:04.360 --> 00:34:04.880 He could be. 00:34:05.560 --> 00:34:06.480 Reconciled to God. 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.980 And that his sins. 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.700 Could be removed. 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:12.079 As if they never even happened. 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:13.500 And that the righteousness of Christ. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.420 Could be laid on him. 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.960 As if it were his very own. 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:19.200 What did the Ethiopian do? 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.840 Did he say. 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:22.820 I don't know. 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.900 Let me think about it. 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:27.099 Did he stay undecided? 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:29.019 Did he sit on the fence for a while? 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.360 No. 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.559 His mind changed. 00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.840 His heart turned. 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:36.700 He repented. 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:38.100 He repented and he believed. 00:34:38.180 --> 00:34:39.380 And he did what we read about. 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.320 In Romans 10. 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.980 It says. 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:43.180 If you declare with your mouth. 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.740 That Jesus is Lord. 00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:47.380 And if you believe in your heart. 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.980 That God raised him from the dead. 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:50.320 You will be saved. 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.780 For it is with your heart. 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.480 That you believe. 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:54.360 And are justified. 00:34:54.620 --> 00:34:55.519 And is with your mouth. 00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:56.400 That you profess. 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.559 Your faith. 00:34:58.160 --> 00:34:58.900 And are saved. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.120 And that is exactly what he did. 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:08.619 and he said Philip is there anything that would prevent me from being baptized today 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:19.219 he wanted that water he wanted that water as a sign that I belong to this father who seeks and 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:27.359 who saves I belong to this Jesus this suffering servant who took my place I belong to the spirit 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:36.019 of God who puts the new life of resurrection in me I want that water and I want to be committed fully 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:43.099 to Jesus I want to belong only and wholly to him I want to be devoted to his word I want to obey his 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:48.280 commands I want to live a holy life like Jesus from here on out I want to love Jesus church I want 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:53.900 to love the mission of Jesus I want to go back and share the joy of Jesus and the joy of knowing 00:35:53.900 --> 00:36:02.500 Jesus friends that's what a Christian is and the question for us is are we Christians 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:12.280 and the question for us is also do we want other people to know the joy of having God the father 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:20.619 take you out of the kingdom of darkness and transfer you into the kingdom of the son that he loves 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:25.319 in the name of the father son and holy spirit amen