작성일 : 24-04-21 06:15
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2024년4월14일 주일말씀 English sermon " Philip Who Went To Wilderness" Acts 8:26-40
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Sermon English Text AKFPC / April 14, 2024 Rev. Yongjin Park
“Philip Who Went To Wilderness” (Acts 8:26-40)
May the grace and love of God is upon you who is listening God’s voice today in this worship.
Last week was total eclipse in Austin area. This rare natural phenomenon happening in space could be seen from Mexico to east of US. This is that moon enters between sun and earth in rotating and orbit as revolution so that we can't see shortly light of sun. This eclipse was seen by about 30 million peoples.
Someone has seen on airplane that passed in sky on time of eclipse, aircraft from Austin to a city. And multiple people saw that at parks or stadium together.
I have seen the space show at home. Neighbors all did step out from their house to see the special scene in taking pictures by smart phones.
And special glasses to protect eye were sold huge for this event. And many couples did proposal of marriages according to special event by wedding companies.
This space show was as huge event of super ball game by people here.
This phenomenon that moon covers sun is a part of creation of God. But before discovering this universal fact by scientists, people thought these as the unknown or superstition.
Even though some genius scientists let people know, they did not accept so long time and persecuted this truth. After more than several hundred years, people began to recognize and to accept these universal principles in creation world.
We are thankful for these pioneers to discover principles in creation nature and to share with us so that many civilizations developed with technologies.
Today Bible let us know a spiritual pioneer who obeyed and walked with God so that made great fruits.
He is Deacon Philip. He heard voice of God in walking to desert alone.
Let us read together Acts 8:26-31,
"Now angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road, the desert road, that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he started out, and on his way he met a Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told to Philip, "God to that chariot and stay near it. Then Philip ran up to the chariot, and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."
Philip went Samaria to deliver gospel of Jesus Christ. Multiple people listened and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. Great revival happened in Samaria. Philip asked church of Jerusalem to help in spreading Word of God so that Peter and John were sent there to help Philip. Philip was leading Samaria revival by driving evil spirit, healing the sick, and preaching Word.
He suddenly had listened God's voice to leave Samaria to go desert. Philip did not hesitate and doubt as why this busy time for me to leave here important place?
If someone who had not enough faith, he would has hesitated or passed. But Philip was servant of Spirit that went immediately without any doubt or hesitation to desert where nobody can meet.
Persons with steadfast faith can listen what others cannot listen. Good servant of God can see what others cannot see.
Servant of God may choose sometimes the unexpected options that look uncommon or unreasonable but spiritual.
People can think that he goes desert where nobody meet in this import timing. Philip' going to desert can look folly by people.
But he was person filled with fully Holy Spirit. The obedience to voice of God was top priority of his life. He left immediately to desert according to voice of God and God cannot use person who obey his own will. God can use only person who obey His will. So Philip could see what others could not see and could do what others could not do.
When he went to desert according to voice of God he met an important eunuch of queen of Ethiopians. The person was plan of God to deliver good news for people of a nation. Philip helped him understand will of God and baptized him. After returning his country he spread good news of Jesus Christ to his own people.
If Philip was hesitating some days, he might have missed the eunuch whom God prepared for another plan to save a country.
Person with fully Holy Spirit obey will of God and accomplish that.
When science can find new truth and make new common sense. Faith can find sovereign of God when overcoming common sense.
God told Philp to go near the chariot. God direct him to do as sign of confirming. He did according to voice of God and deliver will of God.
Acts 8:29 says,
"The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
When he ran up the chariot, the person was reading the book of Isaiah chapter 53. He was in hard of understanding. The Word was saying about a lamb silent before slaying. The person asked Philip to help understanding so that Philp let him know Jesus Christ is Lamb to save all man.
And according to his request, Philp baptized him as name of Jesus Christ. After that, Philip suddenly disappeared in front of him. But the eunuch went back with joy to his own county.
Acts 8:38-39 says,
"And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing."
Why the eunuch went on his way rejoicing? He believed in God that sent Philip by hand of God with special way. It made him keep faith in mind more firmly. This became of his special experience with Spirit as the risen Lord appeared and disappeared before disciples on the way of Emmaus.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Let us obey God and listen His voice so that God will lift up us and change this world and save souls.
One missionary went to Africa when he listened voice of God when he was young. At his mission field he could see how much God called many souls. Many churches were built there once he obeying will of God there. He confessed God worked once we obey.
Thessalonians 1:3-4 says,
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you."
God be with all of you, Amen.
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