invite - together
From Team Writer Lindsay Lachapelle
In Acts 8:26-40 we learn about the story of how Philip leads the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. The passage starts with an angel of the Lord telling Philip to go to the desert road. Immediately Philip listens to what God is calling him to do. When he gets to the desert road, he meets an Ethiopian eunuch riding in a chariot on his way to worship in Jerusalem. The Spirit then tells Philip to keep up with the chariot and to stay near it. When Philip reaches the chariot, he hears the eunuch reading from Isaiah 53. As soon as Philip hears it, he knows precisely what passage the eunuch is reading, and he asks him if he knows what he is reading. The eunuch answers that he doesn’t, and he then invites Philip into the chariot to explain what this passage means. After Philip explained the gospel, they came to some water, and the eunuch asked to be baptized. Immediately the chariot was stopped, and both men got out so Philip could baptize the eunuch in the water. The eunuch then goes on his way, rejoicing, knowing that his life has been changed forever!
Philip didn’t hesitate to answer what God was calling him to do, no matter how strange it seemed. Are you quick to follow God’s leading even if it looks odd or without apparent reason? If not, what holds you back?
If someone asked you to help explain scripture to them, would you be ready or need time to learn about it yourself? What can you do to better prepare for times like this?
From this passage of scripture, we learn three things that help us to be ready to invite others. When we invite others, we can’t let the mission distract us from the mission. In other words, don’t get so distracted by serving God that you forget the mission behind why you are serving Him in the first place. As Philip did with the Ethiopian eunuch, sometimes the most important invitation is the one we accept. Philip was willing to go into the chariot and explain the scripture so the eunuch could understand it and be saved. We also need to remember that God is always at work. God was the one who told Philip to go to the desert road and the chariot. He is also the one who had the eunuch on the desert road at that time. He ordained all of the moments so that the eunuch would be saved. God is always at work within our lives as well, and like Philip was, we need to be prepared, in prayer and spiritually, to be ready to tell others about the good news. Lastly, we can do all things together. God brought together two men of different races, ethnicities, and wealth to share the Gospel and be connected for eternity. No matter how we feel about someone, Jesus loves everyone and came to the cross to die for us all. The Great Commission must be our desire to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Philip was ready to accept the invitation that the eunuch gave to him. Have you ever turned down an invitation because you were ‘too busy’ or ‘needed to serve’? How can you be more prepared next time so you can be excited to accept an invitation that may lead someone to Christ?
When you think about those whom God has laid on your heart to invite to Christ, is there anyone you don’t get along with? What can you do to help you remember that we are called to invite everyone so we can be together?
Make a Move:
Put it on your calendar this week to prepare and be ready to invite or accept the invitation someone else gives you. Spend prayer and read through Isaiah 53, be prepared with the gospel!
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, we thank you for the gift of your good news, the gift of eternity with you. We pray that you would help us be ready to share the good information about your freåe gift of salvation with others and be willing to accept the invitation, no matter the circumstance! We love you! Amen.
Do you need community? Have feedback? Want to share something? Our staff is here for you.
Worship Set: Gone l Champion l Thy Faithfulness l O Come to the Altar