Last month we looked at the importance of a spiritual nudge, and how that nudge could change the course of history not just for a person, but also for a nation. This month, I want to look at the importance of the conversation. We will continue our look into Acts 8. For me, going is the easy part, the conversation however, is sometimes the most difficult. If you ask someone who had returned from a mission trip, they will likely tell you how much easier it is to share the gospel to people you don’t know. Did Philip know the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-30? Doubtful, however what Philip does is provide a simple way to open a conversation.
Recently, I was at Lowe’s and a water purifier salesman stopped me and asked me a big question…”If you had the opportunity to live longer, would you take it?” Seizing the opportunity I asked, “If you had the opportunity to live for eternity, would you take it?” He spoke to me about a water purifier for my earthy home, I spoke to him about Jesus and his eternal home. The salesman walked away.
Friends, I am at a point in my life, that all I desire is heaven, and I want the Kingdom full. The conversation mindset is important…For me, it is easier when my focus and concern is heaven. Let’s look at how Philip started the conversation…Like any conversation, it begins with listening and then grabbing the opportunity to share…Read it with me from Acts 8:30:
‘So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
As the dialogue continues…we get to verse 35, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”
It was no accident that Philip heard the man reading from Isaiah…But just like Philip, we have a choice. We can respond or we can run away. My prayer is that you respond by running toward the opportunity, grabbing hold of any chance you can to share the Good News…And we can learn from Philip’s simple response that opened the gates for opportunity…”Do you understand what you are reading?” It was that question that began a dialogue that led to the Good News being shared, that would later result in a conversion and baptism.
My encouragement to you is to listen for any opportunity you have to start a conversation, and in doing so, steer that conversation to the Good News…Here is what I know…All we have are those moments, those conversations, and they are critical…the water purifier salesman heard the question and ran away…A few weeks later, I saw him again…his response, “Hey, I am thinking about eternity.”
Hallelujah!
Today Matters
Joey Keith
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