Can We [Talk] Listen?
13/01/08 16:10 Filed in: Evangelism
Can We ]Talk] Listen?
Pastor David Lenz
13 January 2008
Text: Acts 8:26-39
“Get up and go towards the south”…….So he got up and went……”Go over to the chariot and stay near it.”…….So Philip ran up to it……”Do you understand what you are reading?”….. < white space> ……..Then the eunuch asked Philip, “About whom does the prophet say this?”
A Creepy Experience
A strange man asks, “Are you saved.”
Should have been a moment of joy meeting another believer but instead it was creepy.
The man didn’t offer a name, didn’t ask my name. Heard the answer and moved on.
Too often we:
Talk before we listen
Talk before building a relationship
Talk without really caring about them
“To answer before listening is folly and shame.” Prov 18:13
Philip and the Ethiopian – The Art of Spiritual Conversation
The Prompting - “Go on a road trip.”
Very specific. “Go south to the road – the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
So much ministry depends on paying attention to God’s promptings.
The prompting often seems un-spiritual.
The Action - “He started out.”
“Life’s great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God’s mysterious promptings.” Bill Hybels
God is talking all the time. We need to listen and respond. Simple acts of cooperation.
Another Prompting - “Go to the chariot and stay near to it.”
The ministry of proximity.
A Natural Question - based on the circumstances. “Do you understand what you are reading?”
White space – Philip is silent and gives the Ethiopian time.
The Ethiopian invites Philip’s opinion.
The Ethiopian believes and is baptized.
Important Theological Truth
No human ever leads another human to Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to Jesus.
It is not all on Philip. It is not all on us.
Debbie’s Story
Not part of our nature to care what someone else thinks or worried about how to respond.
Natural questions:
“Tell me about your tattoos.”
“What do you believe?”
Call to Action: A simple prayer
“Holy Spirit, I am available as you need me today. Help me to listen. Help me to respond.”
Summary Quiz – What were the final three summary points of the sermon?
Pastor David Lenz
13 January 2008
Text: Acts 8:26-39
“Get up and go towards the south”…….So he got up and went……”Go over to the chariot and stay near it.”…….So Philip ran up to it……”Do you understand what you are reading?”….. < white space> ……..Then the eunuch asked Philip, “About whom does the prophet say this?”
A Creepy Experience
A strange man asks, “Are you saved.”
Should have been a moment of joy meeting another believer but instead it was creepy.
The man didn’t offer a name, didn’t ask my name. Heard the answer and moved on.
Too often we:
Talk before we listen
Talk before building a relationship
Talk without really caring about them
“To answer before listening is folly and shame.” Prov 18:13
Philip and the Ethiopian – The Art of Spiritual Conversation
The Prompting - “Go on a road trip.”
Very specific. “Go south to the road – the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
So much ministry depends on paying attention to God’s promptings.
The prompting often seems un-spiritual.
The Action - “He started out.”
“Life’s great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God’s mysterious promptings.” Bill Hybels
God is talking all the time. We need to listen and respond. Simple acts of cooperation.
Another Prompting - “Go to the chariot and stay near to it.”
The ministry of proximity.
A Natural Question - based on the circumstances. “Do you understand what you are reading?”
White space – Philip is silent and gives the Ethiopian time.
The Ethiopian invites Philip’s opinion.
The Ethiopian believes and is baptized.
Important Theological Truth
No human ever leads another human to Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to Jesus.
It is not all on Philip. It is not all on us.
Debbie’s Story
Not part of our nature to care what someone else thinks or worried about how to respond.
Natural questions:
“Tell me about your tattoos.”
“What do you believe?”
Call to Action: A simple prayer
“Holy Spirit, I am available as you need me today. Help me to listen. Help me to respond.”
Summary Quiz – What were the final three summary points of the sermon?