READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | We learnt in last week’s sermon by Rev Gladwin that a holy disciple is to grow, share and serve Christ. The 5 ways to grow in holiness can be described with the acronym CORDS.
God uses Significant Circumstances to grow us and transform our hearts. How we choose to respond either draws us nearer to Him or brings us further away.
Today’s passage is about an Ethiopian eunuch’s transformation. On the way home after worshipping in Jerusalem, while reading the book of Isaiah, the Ethiopian was met by Philip who was sent by the Spirit. He asked Philip to explain the passage, inviting him to share, and later requested to be baptised in water.
CHOICES AFFECT TRANSFORMATION
How we choose to respond transforms us from a mere practising Christian to an intentional disciple.
A practising Christian refers to a person who identifies with a denomination or faith, and who may attend church religiously but not qualify as an intentional disciple.
An Intentional Disciple refers to someone who is deeply committed to Jesus Christ and expresses their desire for their faith to impact their words, life and actions. They fulfil God’s mandate or calling in their life. They actively live out their faith, which is expressed in community — growing, loving, serving and making disciples.
Observations about the Ethiopian Eunuch
- Rather Successful
- Rather Religious
A practising Christian can be successful, religious and pious but still not know God!
Examples of mere practising believers include the Pharisees (Luke 18: 10-14) and the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-30).
Note that Jesus does love practising Christians (Mark 10:21). God’s will for us is not to be merely a practising Christian. God want us to be an intentional disciple.
Lessons from the Ethiopian’s Transformation
1. Every ordinary moment can be a significant circumstance!
Philips’ response to the Spirit was that of an intentional disciple’s. He asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. We can always start asking our friend a simple question and allow God to make it into a significant circumstance to share Christ’s love.
The eunuch’s response to Philip’s question was: “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He invited Philip to come up and sit with him. His humble posture to accept someone’s teaching reflected a desire to understand God’s Word, even to the point of accepting a stranger to sit next to him.
2. Your intentional choices determine your transformation!
Philip began with that same passage of scripture and told him about Jesus. Philip acted in obedience when God called him to go to a desert (how many people are you likely to meet in a desert?) But God used Philip to share the gospel with the eunuch. The eunuch made the decision to grow in Christ, was baptised and went on his way rejoicing. (v39)
3. God uses significant circumstances to transform you towards Christlikeness!
The eunuch would not have expected how his life was to be transformed from this trip. But his response eventually led him to know Christ and get baptised! That a transformation indeed!
We may not know what circumstances life leads us to, but when we truly desire the Lord in our heart and He is the true Lord of our life, we will be transformed into Christlikeness, as God will reveal to us through different circumstances.
Matthew 6:24 says: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, our you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 again reminds us that humanity is never in control: “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Intentional Disciples are formed through significant circumstances when they make choices that transform their character towards Christlikeness.
Disciples ultimately choose the cross. Take the next step to be an intentional disciple!
(Sermon Notes by Caesiapeah Lim)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What are some significant moments / circumstances in life that you have experienced? How have they shaped your heart?
2. Recall and share your first personal experience of the love of Jesus? What were the circumstances then and what did Jesus say?
3. Were there any significant circumstances presented to you which struggled to follow Christ? How did it turn out? Share how you wrestle/reason with God and people about it?
4. As you look back, was there a consistent theme of how God speak to you through significant circumstances about Himself? How were you drawn closer to Him?
5. Is that any significant moment that you’re going through right now that God is presenting? What does choosing to follow Jesus at each step entails?
6. Think of up to 3 intentional areas/commitments this year that will draw you towards Christlikeness that you will allow others to hold you accountable to. Do share them.
