Acts Series - How to Become a Powerful Witness - Acts 8:26-40

Notes:

#1. First Lesson From Philip is Availability

This is a familiar theme: God uses ordinary Christians

Philip is an ordinary Christian, not an Apostle, not a church leader
Philip is one of the seven (what we call today a ‘layman’)
Philip is the first to bring the gospel to foreigners (Non-Jews) in the book of Acts.

A concern for lost people
A burden for lost people
A call to love sinners

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, Romans 9:1-3

JESUS
· Weeps over them
· Ate with them
· Spent time in their homes


I’m personally convicted that God isn’t looking so much for ability but availability

#2 Phillip Was A Humble Helper- help others to understand (MUST BE HUMBLE HELPER)
There is a Power in loving questions = Develop an ability to connect with sincere concern

Questions
Help gather information (helps us understand and learn)
Help us to cause others to think
Help us confront


#3 Phillip Knew God’s Word – Knew the Truth
Some water, some plant, some harvest

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1 corn 3:7-8


1. Draws People to Himself
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; John 6:44
2. Causes People to Seek Him
There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:11
3. Reveals Spiritual truth
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness
to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

4. Convicts the World of Guilt about Sin
5. Convicts the World of Righteousness
6. Convicts the World of Judgment
And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment: 9 of sin John 16:8-9a
(For more on this Henry Blackaby Experiencing God Bible Study)

#4 Philip was Jesus Centered in His Evangelism

Many have a Built in resistance to the Gospel
Keep the focus on Jesus


“Let the eunuch no longer say, ‘Behold I am a dry tree, for thus says the Lord to the eunuchs who embrace my covenant: I will give you in my house a name better than sons and daughters, an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 56:4–6)


• The fact that it is a layman, not an Apostle, that first carries the
gospel internationally... is that not an indication to us by the Holy
Spirit of how he will spread the gospel around the world?

Be available to be used for God,
Be a humble Helper,
Spend time in the Word so you can share,
Keep the Focus on Jesus –sooner or later you have to speak and share


Invite to Church =Water

How can I pray for You = Plant and Water

Has anyone ever shared what God has done for you? Can I?



When you sit down in a chair you made a decision are no longer going to trust in your legs to keep you up, you’re going to sit down in the chair. You can only be in one of two relationships with the chair, either trusting in your legs and standing or trusting in the legs of the chair and resting in the chair. Either you are trusting in Jesus alone or standing in your goodness. Either Jesus is Lord of your life or your Lord of your life.


Ephesus Baptist is located in Dunnsville Va
Ephesus Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1109
Dunnsville VA 22454
Website: http://ephesusbaptist.church
App: https://ppay.co/SFpwzBa--0U
(May need to text EBCAPP)