This post is written by Greg Kilgore as a companion for Unit 31, Session 4 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 11: From One Nation to All Nations (Spring 2024).
Have you ever dropped a rock into a puddle or lake? What happens? Ripples spread out over the water. What we have in the book of Acts are the ripples of the gospel spreading out into the world. The gospel message started in Jerusalem, and it was spreading out into the surrounding regions. Eventually, the message of the gospel would “ripple out” to the ends of the earth. As persecution grew, the early church would be forced out of Jerusalem. This persecution would be used for good as the gospel would go forth to new locations. Those opposing the early church were being used by God to further advance the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Acts 8 tells of Philip preaching the gospel in Samaria, which brought “great joy” to those who trusted in Jesus as the Messiah. After preaching the gospel in Samaria, Philip was told by an angel of the Lord to head out to the desert road that goes to Gaza (8:26). Philip had no idea what the Lord was doing, but he obeyed faithfully. Through Philip’s obedience, God would reach an Ethiopian official who, despite his wealth, prestige, and education, needed help understanding Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah.
Do you see God’s perfect plan of redemption taking place in this man’s life?
Some people may be encouraged by the work God did through Philip in Acts 8. However, others might be discouraged because encounters like this with unbelievers are rare. Some people might be discouraged because it seemed so easy for Philip. Maybe you struggle with sharing your faith, and you are not courageously sharing the gospel. However, we must understand that Philip did not know that when he saw that chariot in the distance that the official was reading Isaiah 53. He did not know that until he got within earshot. The same goes for you. You do not know what that person sitting next to you at the doctor’s office was going through that morning. You do not know what that person in the line with you at the grocery store could have read in the Bible earlier that day. Who knows? Maybe they were reading Isaiah 53 and needed someone to explain it to them as well. Just because you do not see the whole picture of that person’s life does not mean that the Lord is not at work. Simply seek to be faithful in sharing the gospel with those whom God places in your life.
Greg Kilgore is the associational missions strategist for the Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association in Fresno, California. He and his wife, Megan, have three children: Owen, Camille, and Judson Titus. Greg is a PhD student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also teaches as an adjunct professor.
