Redemptive Stories: The Ethiopian Eunuch
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Redemptive Stories
Acts 8:26-40 (ESV)
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose 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 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 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 silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 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?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 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. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Sermon Outline
Knowing God and his redemptive nature encourages us to join him and his people.
1. God seeks the seeker
v26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
v27 And there was an Ethiopian… He had come to Jerusalem to worship
v29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
v39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more
2. God reveals to the questioner
vv30-31 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand…?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
vv34-35 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this…?” 35 Then… beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
3. God connects the disconnected
vv32-34 “In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
v36 the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
4. God sends joy to a people
v27 a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure.
v39 and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing
Prayer of Confession
Our Lord and God, your good news has gone to the ends of the earth. We confess we are not fully gripped by the goodness of it. We take so much for granted, and have such limited awareness of how thorough your gracious redeeming work is. Forgive our unbelief.
We have let our own opinions, biases, fears, and self serving agendas shape how we view you, ourselves, your people, and our world. We have struggled to believe we are accepted by grace. We have let our own sensitivities grow into resentment that has kept us from fully engaging in Christian community. We have not fully welcomed and accepted those you have invited into your midst. Instead, we have judged by our standards, and not by the standard of your Word. Thank you that you bring good news to us through the suffering and humiliation of Jesus, who was cut off so we could be welcomed in. Forgive our sins, and renew our hearts and minds. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Do you feel at home in the church? What do you like most about church? What do you struggle most with?
Have you seen evidence of God pursuing you at any point in your life? Have you seen God at work recently? What are you expecting or looking for?
What do you do with your questions? How do you seek answers for your faith questions?
Why should the gospel (the good news about Jesus) compel you to come to God (either as a step of faith if you haven’t yet, or regularly if you are connected to God)? What are some of the good things in the good news that should overcome your fears or reservations? What still hinders you?
How does the injustice Jesus suffered for us pull together the story of Scripture? How can it help us connect the various parts of our own story to God?
God sent Phillip to the eunuch so that the eunuch could bring the good news with him to his home. Do you bring the message of Jesus anywhere? Has God put you in a place of influence where you can share the invitation of God with others? What would help you be better at sharing Christianity?