In the 1950’s, while driving to work, my father stumbled on to a radio evangelist who caught his attention. Dad shared what he learned with Mom and she shared what she learned with many of her friends. This was before I was born. God calls people into his family through the testimony of others. It is the testimony of the original apostles, handed down through the ages, that has ignited our faith.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
When Philip came across the Ethiopian eunuch, reading from the book of Isaiah, he asked him if he understood what he was reading. the eunuch replied, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Philip did a Bible study with him and he was moved by the Holy Spirit and was baptized that day.
“(29) Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (30) And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (31) And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (32) The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (33) In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (34) And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? (35) Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (36) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:29-38).
This eunuch had great authority and was obviously very educated. He was in charge of all of the treasures of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. He was willing to admit that he couldn’t understand what he was reading and that he needed someone to guide him. No matter how much we think that we may know, we all need someone to guide us. We in the church are greatly blessed with many teachers and preachers of the Word of God. There are few things that can compare to the blessing of sharing the Word of God one on one.
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
As we grow in our walk of faith, we should all be able to teach and guide prospective members to Christ, just as Philip did. We are not called to hide the Gospel within ourselves, but to share it.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)
Sharing the Word of God one on one is the process by which the Christian Church has grown, not just in numbers, but in strength. We are so blessed to have a pastor who has been given a great vision to reach Chicago with the Gospel. Let us grow in grace and in knowledge so that we can become the supporting pillars for growth and revival.
Prayer: Our Father and God of Mercy, Thank you for calling me out of the world and for opening my eyes to understand your Word. Thank you for all of the teachers, preachers and pastors who feed your sheep and who have fed me. Help me to grow in understanding; lead me to what you arte blessing and prepare me for greater service in you, Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment