His is a unique story. Actually, it’s a eunuch story as well, but we’ll stick with unique.

We don’t know the exact reason he had travelled the miles that separated his homeland from Israel. It may have had to do with his job, after all, we are told, he was the treasurer of Ethiopia.

We are also told that he was a eunuch which really doesn’t have a lot to do with this message. 

But it could be a message on its own, how a man who would have been a social and religious outcast was offered God’s grace. But that’s a sermon for another time.

At least one commentator suggested in that culture the term eunuch could be used to refer to someone who had been castrated but was also used in reference for some government officials. We aren’t going there.

Although I can’t imagine it was a compliment.

The important thing to understand, is that he had a high standing in the court of his country.

Let’s go on a little tangent.

Now, you probably missed it, but when I read it, I thought to myself, I’m pretty sure that you’re supposed to use “an” instead of “a”, when the next word begins with a vowel. And eunuch definitely begins with an E.

The English language is weird.

According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, and I quote: You should use a when the word that follows sounds like it begins with a consonant (‘a dog,’ ‘a balloon’). You should use an if the word that follows sounds like it begins with

a vowel (‘an ant,’ ‘an elevator’). Remember that sometimes a word will begin with a vowel but it sounds like a consonant (‘a one-time deal’); in this case you should still use a, rather than an. And in some cases, a word will start with a consonant but it sounds like a vowel (’an hour’); in this case, you should still use an, rather than a.

Eunuch begins with an E, but sounds like it begins with a U. Which is a vowel, but it’s pronounced  yoo, which begins with a y. Which strangely enough is called a sometimes vowel, or a semi-vowel.

You’re welcome.

So perhaps it was business that brought him from his home. And while we don’t know the primary reason that he came, we do know part of what he did while he was in Israel.

We are told that as part of his trip that he went to Jerusalem to worship.

We don’t know how he had heard about the God of Israel, but at some time in his life he had discovered the one true God and had embraced him.

Now he had the opportunity to worship in Jerusalem and he had jumped at the chance.

His religious beliefs may not have been that big of a mystery though. In the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, chapter 10, we read about a mysterious visitor that King Solomon had.

She is only identified as the Queen of Sheba, and we are told that she had heard about the great wisdom of Solomon and had come to see for herself.

She brought with her a pile of expensive gifts (pile being the technical term for many expensive gifts) including nine thousand pounds of gold.

I don’t know what that was worth then, but on Thursday it was worth, $873,424,000.00, approximately.

 She also brought along a number of what the Bible called “hard questions” for Solomon, and he answered them all.

Even though we don’t know exactly where Sheba was found four thousand years ago, tradition tells us that it occupied the area that we now know as Ethiopia.

Tradition also tells us that the Queen returned to her country having embraced the God of Solomon.

Actually, tradition says that wasn’t all she embraced, that she also returned pregnant with Solomon’s son, Menelick.

Who, according to some sources, began what was called the Solomonic dynasty, which lasted until 1974. Making it he longest continuous dynasty in history.

This is the reason why the highest award that can be given in Ethiopia is referred to as The Most Exalted Order of The Queen of Sheba and if you were to look at the medal, you would see that it is fashioned in the shape of a Star of David.

So perhaps the fact that the Treasurer had more than a passing knowledge of Judaism wasn’t all that strange.

I’m sure that while he was in the holy city, he had taken the opportunity to do some sightseeing.

Wandered around the temple, checked out the scenery, and now was on his way home. As he travelled, we are told that he was reading aloud from the Old Testament.

Which really isn’t as odd as it may sound. Traditionally, we don’t read aloud unless we are reading to someone else.

However, historically, we are told, that in that era, when people read, they were more likely to read aloud than read silently, even when reading to themselves. Go figure?

And as he bounced along reading from the book of Isaiah, a man began to walk alongside his carriage and struck up a conversation about the scripture that was being read.

It wasn’t long before the stranger showed the traveller how the Old Testament prophecy had come alive in Jesus Christ.

We don’t have the entire text of the conversation, but we have the result. When the traveller had heard the entire story, he asked to be baptized, and he was. right there and then and went on his way rejoicing.

And so, we have to assume that he had embraced Christ as his Saviour and experienced the forgiveness that goes with that.

So, what can we learn from this story?

Up to this point the gospel message had been preached to Jews and Samaritans, who were like second cousins once removed.

Jews didn’t consider Samaritans to be Jews, but Samaritans did.

They were of mixed lineage. The result of when Jews had intermarried with gentiles during the exile.

This story is the record of the first non-Jew, Non-Samaritan who embraced Jesus Christ as Saviour. It’s interesting to note that the first person outside of the Jewish circle of influence who is invited to participate in the new covenant was, in all likelihood, a person of colour.

So, what can we learn from the story?

The first thing we discover is that It was A Story of Obedience

Let’s start with the backstory. You might recall that the first hiccup the early church experienced was in Acts, chapter six. Up to then, things were going well. The church in Jerusalem had been growing exponentially, and it was impacting the city and the surrounding areas.

And then there was an accusation of racism. Man, you gotta hate that.

We read what happened in Acts 6:1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

And the leadership of the church took it seriously. They didn’t try to gaslight those who made the charge. They didn’t try to justify what was happening or sweep it under the carpet.

They took steps to correct the problem.

The solution was found in Acts 6:3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

The story continues in Acts 6:6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

As the story progresses in the book of Acts, we discover that as the church grew in Jerusalem that opposition broke out and the church came under persecution.

Some Christians were imprisoned and others were killed. As a result, Christians moved away from the city in order to escape persecution.

It is kind of interesting that the last words of Christ, that we have a record of, were a command to the church to preach the gospel beyond Jerusalem.

But the believers had become very comfortable, and it took the threat of death for the early believers to actually do what they were supposed to do in the first place.

And so, we read this in Acts 8:1 . . . A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.

One of the people who fled to Samaria was Philip who was one of the seven men chosen to be deacons in Chapter 6.

We pick up the story in Acts 8:4–8 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.

Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Remember that Philip wasn’t one of the Apostles. He hadn’t been appointed as preacher or leader in the church in Jerusalem. He had been selected to administer the feeding of the widows and to make sure it was fair.

Listen to the results of his new ministry in Samaria.

Acts 8:12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

When Philip arrived in Samaria he began telling people about Jesus, and an incredible revival broke out. People were getting saved, demons were being cast out, sick people were being healed.

If that happened today, he’d write a book, produce a podcast and 60 minutes would do a show about it.

And it was then that his life was interrupted.

 Acts 8:26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

I wonder how Philip felt? All that is happening, and all of a sudden, he is told to leave, and not just to go next door.

My dad used to say about a price he thought was a little high., “It’s not much if you say it fast.” And in this case the distance from where Philip was, and where Philip was supposed to be, wasn’t far if you said it fast.

But, regardless of how fast you said it, the distance was about 160km.

That’s how far it is from here to Oxford. That takes about an hour and a half. I know because when I drive to New Brunswick, that is my first Tim Hortons stop.

But Philip wouldn’t have been driving a Toyota, he was probably walking, so the trip would have taken him the best part of a week.

Now, there isn’t much excitement talking about a weeklong walk along a desert road, so Luke skips right to the high point. Acts 8:27–28 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Let’s pull up one of our trusty maps. Put in those spots of recognition, the Dead Sea, down here in the green is Egypt.

Here is where all the excitement was happening in the region of Samaria, here’s Jerusalem where the persecution against the church was happening, and here is Gaza.

And it was somewhere along this road that Philip was commanded to go, and where he met the Eunuch.

Philip was obedient to the call of God.

Have you ever felt that nudge that you knew was coming from the Spirit?

To go somewhere or to speak to someone about Christ? Have you ever questioned the command, maybe thought “What will they think about me if I talk to them about religion” or “I wouldn’t know what to say.”

 The bottom line has to be that we need to obey.

Perhaps Philip didn’t know it, but there was a soul at stake. There was an eternity riding on his obedience. 

Perhaps we need to understand that telling somebody about what God has done in your life isn’t a matter of embarrassment, it is a matter of eternity.

And perhaps we need to acknowledge a couple of things. The first is that if a person doesn’t embrace Jesus as Saviour and ask for forgiveness, then they are destined to spend an eternity without God.

The second is that it is our responsibility to tell them. Romans 10:14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

But Denn, that’s not my gift. Somebody else can do it.

In 2002, a car hydroplaned on Rocky Lake Road, and a woman and her four-year-old child ended up in the water with their car upside down.

A couple of people who saw the car dove into the marsh and rescued the woman and her son.

One of those people was Paddy Hilchie, and he was adamant that they were not heroes. They were doing what anybody else would’ve done.

You would have done it. You wouldn’t have wondered if you should, you would.

Here’s a news flash, the woman, and her child, their lives were saved.

But someday they will die and if they don’t have someone rescue them spiritually, they will die without Jesus and they will spend an eternity without God.

And that same reality applies to the ones you hold dear.

It Was a Story of Urgency. You understand that when Philip was commanded to go there was a certain amount of urgency to the request.

If he was to meet the Eunuch, he needed to be obedient right then.

Obedience deferred is not obedience. “I will do it tomorrow.” Means that you won’t do it today.

There were probably several reasons why it had to happen right then.

Remember, it was a week’s journey, in order for Philip to be where Philp needed to be, when Philip needed to be there, he needed to obey.

Right then.

That meant Philip was at the perfect spot at the perfect time.

The road would have been quiet, allowing them the opportunity to talk.

The Ethiopian was just returning from worship, so his mind and heart were attuned to spiritual things.

Out of all the portions of the Old Testament he could have been reading, he was reading a prophecy that related to Jesus.

They were travelling along a road that would happen upon a body of water, allowing the man to be baptized.

Later wouldn’t have been good enough, it had to happen right then.

Sometimes we can’t wait. Life is fragile. We know that.

The person you feel you should speak to today may not be here tomorrow.

Or perhaps it’s right now that they are thinking about eternity and their heart is open.

But for whatever reason, when God prompts you to speak to somebody, be willing to do it. But don’t just be willing to speak to them. Speak to them.

It Was a Story of Preparedness When the opportunity arose Philip knew what to say. Acts 8:35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

The traveller was reading from the Prophet Isaiah, and Philip used that to tie into the gospel message. Jesus was a master of this.

Do you remember when he was speaking to the woman at the well in Samaria and the conversation turned to water and Jesus offered her living water?

He was talking to the crowd, and the said Moses gave our people bread what will you give us? And Jesus offered them the bread of life.

Peter wrote to the early church, and this is what he had to say in 1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to turn the conversation to spiritual things.

Two weeks ago, people were prepared to hear the Easter story and to be invited to church. The same opportunity occurs at Christmas.

In the fall, I mentioned the 1-3-2 strategy. Perhaps you remember it. 

If not here is a refresher. 

Take Spiritual Ownership of One Place

You need to understand that you don’t need to go looking for this one place. This is a place that God has already placed you. It’s not your church or your small group. It’s your workplace, your school or your coffee shop. 

Pray Intentionally for Three People who are in that place.

As we pray, Pursue the Two Sides of Prayer, asking, “God, what do you want me to know?” And then, “God, what do you want me to do?”

It Was a Story of Celebration. Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending?

They are riding along in the chariot. Listen to the story, Acts 8:36–38 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Hot dog, the man got saved. You’ve gotta love it when a plan comes together.

That’s what it’s all about. And do you know what he wanted to do? He wanted to be baptized. It was his first act of obedience as a new believer.

I wonder if we sometimes neglect that next step,

When you become a Christian, there should be a desire to be baptized.

 That’s what the Bible tells us we are supposed to do.

We are told in Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If you have accepted the forgiveness of Christ and have turned your life over to him but have never been baptized, you’re forgetting something and you need to talk to me or Pastor Rob about getting baptized.

You alright?

Do you remember how you felt when you suddenly realized that your sins had been forgiven, the joy the excitement?

The Bible tells us that after the traveller was baptized that Philip left and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

Even though it doesn’t say, I would imagine that Philip went away rejoicing as well because of what had happened.

And we are told that there would have been a great celebration in heaven.

Now, I could end the message here, and probably should, but I won’t.

It was a Story of Disappointment

Historically, we are told that Christianity found its way to Ethiopia in the fourth century, when a Christian from Tyre named Frumentius was shipwrecked on his way back from India.

It was through his influence that the Gospel was introduced to the country.

Four hundred years after the Ethiopian eunuch had returned home a changed man.

We know that when Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia that it had a huge impact on the country, probably because of the Jewish influence from a millennium before, but why hadn’t it had the impact 400 years before?

Could it have been that the eunuch remained silent about his newfound faith out of fear of alienating others? We don’t know what happened, but we know what should have.

You understand, don’t you, that Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction?

If we don’t tell others, then what? Will our faith die with us as it died with the traveller?

This morning as I was preaching, someone came to your mind and God spoke to you about them.

Listen again to Paul’s words Romans 10:14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Don’t ignore that, it could be tragic if you do. I want you to pray that God will first of all give you an opportunity to speak to them about your faith or invite them to church.

And secondly, I want you to pray that you will be obedient when that happens. 

Let’s pray.