Preparing My Heart
God wants me to have a Philip Heart. With such a heart, I would obey promptly, even when the stipulated course of action makes little sense at the time. And with such a heart, I would love the seekers. Would I seek after a heart like that?
God wants me to have a Eunuch Heart. With such a heart, I would accept the message of the Divine “explainers” appointed to me. And with such a heart, I would live in obedience to the stipulations of the Gospel. Do I want such?
Making the Bible Personal
What do I know about Philip-like availability?
Do I know of any limits to my obedience to God?
Am I afflicted by any Gospel-hindering bias or prejudice?
How familiar am I with the Scriptures and their message?
How shall I whet my inquisitiveness about God’s Word?
Is there anything I should do (or be) to encourage inquiries from seekers?
Reviewing Basic Truths
Philip had faith for wonders and faith for obedience.
God does not ignore the seeking heart; neither should His ambassadors.
Our primary, central, fundamental message is Jesus Christ.
Faith in Jesus Christ is all it takes for entrance into eternal life.
Applying God’s Word to Me
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Once again, I am amazed at faith’s simple obedience and utter sufficiency. I typed that line and thought of this: “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). If I have faith that simply obeys Jesus, it will be utterly sufficient for securing my standing with Him. Let’s notice some of that in today’s text…
By faith, Philip left the successes in Samaria and headed toward the desert…and who knows what.
By faith, the eunuch read Isaiah…not quite comprehending some of what he read (but surely persuaded that he needed to understand it all).
By faith, Philip ran to the stranger’s chariot…and asked the eunuch about his understanding. (Didn’t they need introducing?!)
By faith, the eunuch acknowledged his need of a guide…and asked Philip to join him on the chariot as his teacher.
By faith, Philip answered the call…and trusted his Guide to enlighten his own understanding to such an extent that he could be the eunuch’s guide.
By faith, the eunuch accepted the stranger’s message…and yielded to Jesus
By faith, Philip discerned the eunuch’s sincerity and commitment…and baptized him upon his fledgling confession of faith.
By faith, they each went his separate way…each in his own manner.
For each, faith meant obedience. For each, that kind of faith was amply sufficient. For each, Jesus was the Author of his faith.
For God, there was pleasure in the eunuch and in Philip…and in their faith.
By faith, I also can please God!
This concludes my comments based on the passage for the International Bible Lesson. To read my comments on the alternate lesson developed by Christian Light Publications, click here: Philip the Evangelist.
excerpted from Panting
