#1273. God works through us to spread the gospel (21/5/25)
- Matt Beaney
- May 21
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue our Ready and Willing series, reflecting on the life of Philip.
Today, let’s be reminded that God is already at work in people, and, if we are ready and willing, He wants to work through us to bring them to the gospel.
You can listen to this devotional below
In our last devotional, we saw how, like Philip, God wants to speak to us and lead us—both in our personal lives and in His mission. That’s deeply encouraging! But in our busy, self-focused world, it can be hard to slow down and really listen to the Holy Spirit—both individually and as a church.
1. God wants to bring all sorts of people into His Kingdom
In today’s reading, Philip is led by the Spirit to approach the Ethiopian eunuch. Scripture tells us:
‘…He met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”’ (Acts 8:27-29)
This man was a high-ranking official from Nubia, south of Egypt (modern-day Sudan)—what to Jewish ears would have been the edge of the known world.
He was also what we’d call a God-fearer: a Gentile who worshipped the God of Israel but hadn’t fully converted to Judaism. He had travelled to Jerusalem to worship and was now reading from Isaiah on his journey home.
The fact that he was both from a distant land and a eunuch would have marked him as an outsider under the old covenant. But God goes out of His way—literally—to show us that, in Christ, no one is too far off. God is drawing all sorts of people into His Kingdom.
2. Jesus is the only door to the Kingdom
As Philip, led by the Spirit, approaches this man, we are told:
‘Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.’ (Acts 8:30-35)
Philip is led into this ‘divine appointment’ to help this man to become a Christian. He has faith. He even goes to Jerusalem to worship. However, he needs to receive the gospel. Amazingly, this man is reading from the prophet Isaiah about the sufferings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is working in this man, whilst He’s also leading Philip to answer this man’s questions. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you and me to help to answer people’s questions. He wants to use us to help people to understand the gospel.
In response, let’s remember today: God is already at work in the lives of people around us. He wants to work through us to bring them to Christ. If we stay spiritually alert, ready, and willing, He may lead us to someone He’s already been preparing.
Let’s pray together
“Jesus, you are the Saviour—the one who suffered and died to save. Thank you that you are also at work drawing people to yourself. Lead me to those in whom you are working. Give me an alert, sensitive, and expectant heart today. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
For your diary: Our next weekend away will be 19th-21st June 2026!!
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our Ready and Willing? series by looking at Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. From this remarkable story, we reflected on how:
“God is alive and continues to speak to us and through us to bring others to know Him.”
Please read Acts 8:26-40 and discuss:
Main Message – What do you think Luke wants us to understand about God and mission through this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian?
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
Divine Guidance – What does this passage teach us about how God leads His people in mission?
Divine Appointments – ‘Divine appointments’ are Spirit-led encounters in which God connects us with 'people of peace' (those open to us and the gospel). Have you ever experienced a divine appointment like this? Please share.
Baptism Insight – What does this passage teach us about the meaning and significance of baptism?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything else in this text that inspires or instructs us in our mission—how we approach people, how we listen to the Spirit, or how we respond with obedience?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation? Take time to name them and pray for them.
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the “people of peace” mentioned—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
Commentaires