''And the Spirit said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet and said, “So then, do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “So how could I, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him'' - Acts 8:29-31(LEB)
While passing by a big department store, a young man perceived God was leading him to go and preach the Gospel to the owner of the store. He obeyed and was led into the store owner's office where he spoke to him on the need for the salvation of his soul. Finally, tears began to roll down the store owner's cheeks, and he said: “I’m seventy years of age. More than a hundred ministers and five hundred church workers have known me as you have, to do business with, but in all these years you are the only man who ever spoke to me about my soul.” (The Ministers Manual, G. B. F. Hallock)
In the early Church, the disciples were committed to witnessing Christ passionately to everyone who crossed their paths. They were always looking out for available platforms to preach the Gospel. They eagerly watched out for opportunities to join the chariot in order to reach out to unbelievers. They believed there was always someone in the chariot who needed to hear the Gospel before it was too late. They were very sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and yielded instantly to His leading. What an amazing testimony!
Beloved, are there still some Philips in the church today? Are we not too preoccupied with irrelevant activities that we have no more time to discharge our primary assignment as believers? Do we still hear and obey God's instruction to join the Chariot like Philip? Can we willingly cancel our personal agendas or programs like Philip just to rescue hell-bound souls? Are we truly passionate about the Great Commission like Philip? If we are to be sincere with ourselves, the answer to these questions is ''No''.
''But how can people call on someone they don't trust? How can they trust someone they haven't heard about? How can they hear unless they're told?'' Romans 10:14 (FBV)
However, there are many Ethiopian Eunuchs around us who need to hear the Gospel and be delivered from the grips of death. There are also many vacant seats on the chariot that need to be occupied. The Holy Spirit is always beckoning on us to join the Chariot. Will you obey God and run like Philip to do the Lord's bidding? What He says to one, He says to all - friends, please join the Chariot now (Mark 13:37). What a privilege and honour to be God's ambassador and mouthpiece on earth!
The hymn below re-echoes the instruction of the Holy Spirit to Philip and all believers in every generation on the subject (Acts 8:29).
GO, PREACH MY GOSPEL, SAITH THE LORD, By Isaac Watts
1 “Go, preach My gospel,” saith the Lord.
“Bid the whole earth My grace receive.
Explain to them My sacred word;
Bid them believe, obey, and live.
2 “I’ll make My great commission known,
And ye shall prove My gospel true
By all the works that I have done
And all the wonders ye shall do.
3 “Go, heal the sick; go raise the dead;
Go, cast out devils in My name;
Nor let My prophets be afraid,
Though Greeks reproach and Jews blaspheme.
4 “While thus ye follow My commands
I’m with you till the world shall end;
All power is trusted in My hands;
I can destroy and can defend.”
May God raise and empower many Philips for the end-time harvest of souls into His Kingdom in Jesus Name. Amen.
On behalf of my esteemed father - the Pastor in Charge of the Triumphant Province (LP 38), Pastor Nicholas Akin-John, I want to invite you to Praise Showers 9.0 with the theme: SOUND OF REJOICING. Date: Friday, 27th October 2023. Venue: Eduland Children's School, 53 Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Lagos. Time: 9pm.
Good day and God bless you, Amen
Maranatha!
Bro Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
https://okanlawon.webnode.com
https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Instagram: @lawontaiwo
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
.jpg)