“Purpose and Power” is the theme of our Sunday morning preaching series for the past two months. We have focused on the significance of the SPIRIT-filled life.
When a believer is filled with the SPIRIT, living a life of spiritual victory, he/she is led by the HOLY SPIRIT. This wonderful experience is enjoyed because the believer has presented his/her body “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to GOD, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). And, as a result, GOD uses this believer to make an eternal impact.
Consider Philip. In Acts 8, he preached in the city of Samaria and multitudes of people came to faith in JESUS. According to verse 8, “There was great joy in that city.”
Yet, in the midst of that remarkable move of GOD, Philip was called to go to the desert. In verses 26 through 40, Philip is led by the SPIRIT for a divine appointment with the Ethiopian eunuch. He had travelled to Jerusalem, and while he was in the city, he heard the gospel. As he was returning to Ethiopia, he was reading the Isaiah the prophet.
In verse 29, the SPIRIT said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” The HOLY SPIRIT spoke to Philip because the HOLY SPIRIT filled Philip!
In verse 30, “Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaia, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” In verse 31, the Ethiopian replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me.”
And that is exactly what Philip did. Because he was filled with the SPIRIT, he was led by the SPIRIT to this Ethiopian eunuch. He explained the Scriptures to the eunuch. As a result, the Ethiopian eunuch repented of his sin and placed his trust and faith in JESUS.
And, according to verse 38, Philip baptized him.
Consider the impact of Philip, a man who was filled with the SPIRIT. He was used by the SPIRIT to lead this man to faith in JESUS. As a result, the Ethiopian eunuch went back to his country to tell people about JESUS.
Here is my prayer: “LORD, fill me with your HOLY SPIRIT so that my life can make an eternal difference in the lives of other people just like Philip’s life did.”
Pastor Mike