Sticky Christians
Today’s Verse:
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. ~Acts 8:29
Glue is a sticky substance that we use to bond two objects together. They might be pieces of paper. Super Glue® has a special bonding material that can bond denser, heavier objects. Philip the Evangelist was told to go near and join himself with a man in the Gaza desert who was reading Isaiah 53 and wanted to know how to be saved. Let us see how the instruction given to Philip told him to “glue himself” to this prospect.
We see the aspirant.
“Behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians… Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet." Here was a man of great dignity and honor returning from a visit to Jerusalem. He got a scroll that contained the writings of Isaiah the Prophet and, specifically, Isaiah 53. This man aspired to know who the prophet was referring to in that section of his writings. His heart was stirred about the Man Who was led as a sheep to the slaughter and whose life was taken from the earth. This man of dignity wanted to know how to be saved.
We see the authority.
Philip received a command from the Lord to leave Samaria and go to Gaza. As he was walking, he arrived at the desert spot where the Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot, reading Isaiah. The Spirit spoke in an authoritative manner, telling Philip to go this man. The Holy Spirit is God and our Teacher. The Holy Spirit was very evident in authority in Philip’s life. He had veto power in Philip’s decision making. Philip demonstrated that he was in submission to the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit. Men greatly used of the Lord are men who are in submission to the Holy Spirit.
We see the adhesion.
The Spirit’s instruction to Philip was, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip was told to get close to this man of Ethiopia and “glue himself” to him. In other words, the Holy Spirit was instructing him to get up close and stick to the prospect. People are won to Christ at a very close distance. We must be “glued,” if you would, to the prospect’s person, questions, concerns, and need for salvation. In the area of soulwinning, we must be sticky Christians. We must stick to the gospel. We must stick to the prospect so that he can see that we are sincere and urgent about his salvation. We must stick to the conscience and heart of the sinner in the matter of his salvation.
We see the articulation.
After Philip “glued himself” to the Ethiopian man, he opened his mouth and, starting with Isaiah, preached Jesus to this man. He gave a clear gospel presentation. We must make it our priority to be competent in explaining the gospel to every sinner. We must be ready to give an answer to every man that asks us of the reason of the hope that is within us.
We see the accomplishment.
The Ethiopian heard with gospel and, by faith, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior! Philip’s mission to Gaza was complete and fruitful because he obeyed the prompting and counsel of the Holy Spirit. Not only did the man get saved, but he got baptized there at an oasis in the desert. When they parted ways, he went on his way, rejoicing. Be a sticky Christian. Go near and glue yourself to a prospect, and stay on him until he gets saved.
Have an inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalms 17-20