Chariot Conversations

The Gospel has marched north into Samaria. Now it marches south of Jerusalem in Acts 8:26-40. Philip had preached Christ up in Samaria. Now he will preach Christ to an Ethiopian eunuch, who will then take the Gospel to his own country. Do you see how the Gospel spreads? Are you doing your part? Yes, I know the task seems overwhelming; So many people without Jesus and so little time. But notice the key in v.29. The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake THIS chariot." Now there would have been numerous chariots on that busy road south of Jerusalem, but the Holy Spirit led Philip to a certain one. That's the key. No, you can't proclaim the Gospel to everyone. God only expects you to proclaim it to the one He directs you to each day. Be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit each day. Just as God placed Philip on that road that day, God has placed you in certain places each day. Teacher, as a pastor I can't get into your school each day. God has placed you there. And there are certain chariots that you encounter that I will never encounter. Secretary, I can't get into your office. God has placed you there not me. Mechanic, I can't get into your shop. God has placed you there (and you even get to work on their chariots--I couldn't resist...) But you get the idea.
Let me close with a humorous story I read a few years ago. A man took his seat on the plane next to a little girl. He didn't want to be bothered throughout the flight so he hoped this girl wouldn't bother him. Well, his greatest fear came to fruition when the little girl nudged him early on in the flight. "Mister, do you brush your teeth?" "Yes," he replied. She said, "That's good. People who don't brush end up loosing their teeth." A few moments passed. Then, "Mister, do you smoke?" "No." "That's good, because people who do...die." He settled back in, and then, "Mister, do you love Jesus?" He said, "As a matter of fact, I do." "Good," she replied, "because people that love Jesus go to heaven." Thinking now the conversation was over he settled back in to rest. But then the little girl nudged him once more. "Mister, ask that man next to you if he brushes his teeth?" Well, you can guess what happened. He began a conversation with the man next to him and planted the Gospel seed. Always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the "chariots" around you. And understand, you'll never speak to the wrong person about Jesus.