Talk

Let the Spirit Lead

Brad Jones

November, 17, 2024

For week two of Orbit, Brad Jones reminds us that God has an assignment and a purpose for our lives—to make Him known. In Acts 8, we see how God used Phillip, and Brad encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the same way.

Key Takeaway

When the Spirit leads, the good news of Jesus will be received.

Your life has a God-given purpose, and you were created in Christ for good works.

We may not all be uniquely gifted to evangelize in the same way, but we are all called to share the Good News of the Gospel.

When we look at the story in Acts 8:26-29, we see growth and activity in the Church because Phillip got a word from heaven and, in turn, let the Spirit lead. The same Spirit who was leading Philip wants to lead you and me, and in that, prayer and communion with Jesus through the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential.

Here are a few takeaways from Acts 8:26-29:

1. God doesn't give us all the details, but we must trust Him regardless.

Phillip didn’t know exactly what God was doing, but he had a word from the Lord.

When trying to discern if the Holy Spirit is leading us somewhere, we can know that His will always align with His Word.

“You don’t need to see the whole picture; you just need to trust the One who holds it."

2. God will lead us to moments outside of our comfort zone.

Phillip went from the north part of the country to the south.

God may lead you to situations that seem like interruptions, inconveniences, or sacrifices, but often, these end up being the best moments.

3. God is already working.

This isn’t our mission; it’s God’s mission, and He is inviting us to be a part of it. Look for where God is working and join Him there. Just like Philip, as we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God will open doors of opportunity for us.

God is always working…oftentimes in unexpected people and in unexpected places (John 5:17).

In Colossians 4:2, we see there is consistent communion.

Then, if we jump down to Acts 8:30-35, we notice a few things:

1. The Eunuch invited Philip in.

He understood he needed help. Something in him realized he didn’t have the full picture.

God puts people in our path to help shape us into who He wants us to be.

2. Philip stepped into the opportunity (Colossians 4:2-6).

3. Beginning with that Scripture, He explained the good news of Jesus.

Let the Word do the work.

Learn the Word, be changed by the word, and help people understand the word.

The sword of the Spirit is our most effective weapon. (Romans 10:17, Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12)

We can’t save people, no matter how good the sermon is. It’s the work of God through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

After reading Acts 8:36-40, we see that the Gospel is on its way to Ethiopia. Not just to a person but to a continent, and Acts 1:8 was fulfilled quicker than they could have ever imagined.

It is amazing how God orchestrated this moment, but even more amazing is how He orchestrated history around the person and work of Jesus. To God be the glory (Ephesians 3:20).

“

"You never know the harvest that is going to come from the seeds that God uses you to plant."

”

Brad Jones

Discussion Questions

Do you believe that your life has a God-given purpose? How do you live in response to that truth?
Have you ever told yourself or others that you are just not gifted with evangelism? How has this text challenged that belief?
Have you ever experienced a time when God led you to leave everything behind and follow Him? If yes, what did that look like? If not, how do you think you would respond if He asked you to do that?
How do we know if the Holy Spirit is leading us somewhere?
Do you think God wants us to live a life of comfort? Why or why not?
Why do you think God often leads us to live lives of discomfort?
Is God leading you out of your comfort zone currently? How?
Are there people in your life that you need to ask to help you, mentor you, or teach you?
"We can’t save people, no matter how good the sermon is. It’s the work of God through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God." How does this truth challenge you?
How is God using you right now?

Scripture References

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,

28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.

29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

17In his defense Jesus said to them,

“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

30Then 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.

32This 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.

33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.”

34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

11so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”

38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Brad Jones

Passion City Church Atlanta is pastored by Brad Jones. Together, he and his wife Brittany have been a part of the Passion Movement for over a decade helping carry the heartbeat of Passion Conference and Passion City Church. They live in Atlanta with their two children, Caleb and Addy.