GETTING POSITIONED
Act8:26-40
Coca Cola is more famous than Jesus, as you heard that I wonder how it made you feel?
Uncomfortable, unhappy, unbelieving or maybe a sense of despair as to the situation we find ourselves in.
So, who do we blame for this state of affairs, I can tell you it’s not like that in Ethiopia, the only ones to blame are ourselves.
Romans 10:17 tells us this
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God"
For too long Christians have hidden away in their fellowship buildings, yes, worshipping God but also having their ears tickled by the latest ideas.
I told you it’s not like that in Ethiopia but that’s not quite true. I was down in the desert with the Nomads and my friend Guret was sharing about the work. He told me of a confrontation with some of the tribesmen, a witch doctor and Imans and Sheiks. They said this is new to our ears, white man’s religion.
But many people just outside these doors have as little knowledge of Jesus as those guys, that is worrying.
The book I am reading about mission in Wales tells me 50% of people interviewed were dechurched and didn't intend going back.
I asked someone what sort of outreach their church did and there was nothing, they also follow traditional style of worship. Why carry on with something that does not work.
Philip knew that he had to go out and meet with people where they are but before he could be used he had to get himself into position.
By this we pray and we train so that we are ready for the opportunity.
We have a number of bridges into the community but we need more, so pray and ask God how can I be a bridge between You and my community.
It’s about meeting people where they are both physically and spiritually, in this case Philip found himself out in the desert. It may be God will tell you to go somewhere you are not comfortable being. But if you are not comfortable in a betting shop why will they be comfortable in walking in to a chapel. These are challenges we must face.
The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah and Philip asks him a question "Do you know who you are reading about" The reply is that he does not know and how can he know unless someone tells him.
I think we are good here now at compassion type ministry, it was good we opened for the Aberfan memorial but we need to improve at being ready to speak of the name of Jesus.
Maybe it’s a confidence thing, Rona told me how she put leaflets through people’s doors and they posted them back, that is quite incredible.
But when we come up against negative reactions it is easy to hide back in the chapel doing foodbank and praying.
It’s right we do both of those things but there has to be more than that.
The early Christians got a very negative reaction from a guy called Saul later to be called Paul in fact he went around roaring out murderous intent. He held the coats for those who stoned Stephen to death.
Now that’s pretty heavy but did they give up? Well no, if anything it was the opposite which is why Philip is stood in a desert evangelising.
He has learnt the scriptures and so when the opportunity arises he is ready and able to interpret what is being read and to point the person to Jesus.
The reaction of this eunuch is that he says "Here is water I want to be baptised"
It’s the speaking of the word that challenges people, but as you speak of the love of Christ and what he has done for them why should anyone object. They then have a choice to accept or reject Jesus but at least they have heard.
How many people here in the Rhondda have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ, if they have not heard how do they receive.
I have spoken to three people lately about Jesus one stopped attending when her chapel closed but because several people invited her to attend with them she didn't want to disappoint anyone so went nowhere.
One person watches the God channel but won’t do church because she dances on a Sunday. The other one just had strange ideas, but I challenged all three with the Gospel, the ball is now in their court.
Maybe we need to think outside the box to be a more effective bridge into the community.
But the challenge is there for us tonight how do we make Jesus more famous than Coca Cola.