Power Through Us:

The Spirit’s Mission

Jamaal Williams

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:

He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.

36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

–  Acts 8:26-40

Main Point: Walk in step with the Spirit and make Him known.

1. Being obedient and faithful to God.
2. Embracing desert places.
3. Valuing each soul.

Prayer Prompters

1. Obedience and Faithfulness:

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us to follow His leading, especially when it involves taking unconventional or challenging steps. Ask for courage and faith to respond obediently to His promptings.

2. Embracing Desert Places

• Pray for the wisdom to recognize and embrace the “desert places” in our lives as opportunities for spiritual growth and service. Ask for a heart that sees these moments as God’s plan to shape us and use us for His glory.

3. Valuing Each Soul:

• Pray for a deeper understanding of the importance of individual souls in God’s kingdom. Ask for a compassionate and proactive heart to reach out to the “one” God places in our path, sharing His love and message with those who are seeking Him.