Count The Cost: Leaving Success

Count The Cost: The Desert Road To Destiny

January 26th, 2025/Casey Middle School

Pray:

Passage: Acts 8:26-40 CSB

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture. 36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Title: The Desert Road To Destiny

Story: What do you do when everything seems to be working? You probably keep going right?! When you're having success at what you feel like God has placed on your life, and then God says, "Get up and go." Imagine being in the middle of a thriving career, finally hitting your stride, and God tells you to leave it behind. Maybe you’re running a business that’s booming, and God says, "I want you to step into ministry." Or maybe you’ve built a life that feels secure, and God whispers, "It’s time to move." It’s uncomfortable. It’s confusing. It’s the kind of moment that makes you ask, "God, are you sure?" Philip gets it.

Philip was right in the middle of revival. Lives were being changed. Miracles were happening. Growth Track was packed! Crews were multiplying! People were showing up to hear the Word, and everything was exploding with joy. Then God says, "Go to the desert." Philip didn’t ask for an explanation—he packed up and went. That’s the kind of faith we’re looking at today. And here’s the question for us: What’s the bigger story God wants to write when you’re willing to count the cost?

Intro: If you’ve ever wrestled with that tension of stepping out, this message is for you. Let’s jump into Acts 8 and follow Philip as he walks away from success and into obedience. There’s a powerful story here that shows us the cost of faith, but also the incredible Kingdom impact God can do through it. Are you ready?

Background:

The Book of Acts isn’t just a record of the early church—it’s a movement. It’s the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Persecution in Jerusalem pushes the Gospel outward, and Philip moves out by faith to Samaria.

Philip Counts the Cost: Becoming a Deacon (Acts 6:1-7)

Philip’s story doesn’t start with a stage or spotlight, but with serving tables. In Acts 6, he’s chosen as one of the seven deacons to handle food distribution. Philip steps into this role with humility and faithfulness, knowing it’s not glamorous but necessary. His willingness to serve set the stage for God to use him in even greater ways later. Philips life is a great example of a phrase we use often here at Pinewood, “Start small, start now, and stay faithful.” This was the story of Philip.

Big Idea:

What’s the bigger story God wants to write when you count the cost of following Him in obedience?

Main Points:

1. Philip’s Obedience in Leaving Success

   1. "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out…" - Acts 8:26-27

   2. Ex: Philip was experiencing a ministry boom in Samaria. Miracles were happening. Crowds were coming to faith. Joy was erupting in the city. He was successful! He was doing it! And then God interrupts it all with, "Go to the desert." It wasn’t just any road—it was the desert road. Dry, desolate, unconventional. Some of y’all are searching for the “Destiny Road” when God might be calling you to the “Desert Road”.

      1. This was not the kind of place you’d expect God to send you when you’re in the middle of a thriving ministry. But God’s plans rarely align with our expectations.
      2. What I’ve learned is that the path to God’s will oftentimes doesn’t look anything like your plan.

      3. God called Philip to leave the familiar, the successful, and the logical to step into the unknown. This is what God does—He calls us to trust Him even when the road ahead seems barren.

         3. Philip could’ve argued: "God, look at what’s happening here! Revival is breaking out! Why would I leave?" But he didn’t. The text simply says, "So he started out."

      4. Illust: Telling our kids “We expect immediate obedience.” You don’t have to understand, but you do have to obey. Delayed obedience is disobedience. And God expects the same in all of us.

      5. "Philip’s willingness to leave success behind shows his trust that God’s plans often transcend human understanding." - Craig Keener
         4. Philip Counts the Cost: Samaria (Acts 8:4-8)
      6. Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along—this was a bold move across cultural lines. But Philip knew the Gospel wasn’t just for one group; it was for everyone. And because he obeyed, Samaria experienced revival.
         5. Illust: It’s like being the star quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) in an AFC championship game and then being told to leave in the middle of the game to go practice with the New York Giants. It doesn’t make sense…unless you realize that God’s calling you to something even bigger.
         6. App: What is God asking you to leave behind? Maybe it’s success, comfort, or even something good to step into something great. Obedience isn’t always logical, but it positions you for divine appointments.

2. The Ethiopian’s Conversion and Philip’s Transport

   1. "Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked…" - Acts 8:30

   2. Ex: Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official who’s reading Isaiah 53. Now, pause for a second—this guy has a scroll of Isaiah. That’s not something you grab at the market. Scrolls were rare and expensive, usually only found in synagogues. The fact that this eunuch had one shows his wealth, devotion, and hunger to know God.

      1. The eunuch asks, "How can I [understand] unless someone explains it to me?" Philip meets him where he is and points him to Jesus.
      2. App: This is the mission of our church. To meet people where they are and point them to Jesus. You see a great template for that here in this story, he didn’t guilt him, drag him, or manipulate the conversation, he simply asked a question and then presented him with the Gospel!
      3. After hearing the Gospel, the eunuch says, "What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" They find water, and Philip baptizes him on the spot.
      4. App: The eunuch didn’t wait till he was back home to be baptized, he didn’t wait till it lined up with his schedule, he didn’t need more time to ponder the significance of the moment, he simply responded with obedience immediately. My charge is this, if you have professed Jesus as Lord, then let’s get you baptized.
         3. The Miraculous Transport:
      5. Acts 8:39 says, "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away." Philip is miraculously transported to Azotus (modern-day Ashdod), about 20-25 miles away. This isn’t just a cool miracle—it’s a sign that God’s mission is urgent.
      6. Illust: It’s like sitting next to someone at Ozo, and they’re reading the bible. You start a conversation, share the Gospel, and before you know it, their life is changed. You walk by Boulder creek and they say, I’d like to be baptized. Then coming out of the water God whisks you away to Denver for your next assignment!
         4. Philip Counts the Cost: The Eunuch
      7. Approaching a powerful, foreign official was risky. Philip could’ve feared rejection or embarrassment. But his obedience led to the conversion of a prominent official. According to Eusebius, the eunuch brought Christianity to Ethiopia, fulfilling Psalm 68:31: "Let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God."
      8. App: Are you ready to obey, even when it’s uncomfortable? Philip’s story shows us that the cost of obedience leads to incredible Kingdom impact.

3. The Kingdom Impact of Obedience

   1. "When 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" - Acts 8:39
   2. Ex: The eunuch returns to Ethiopia with the Gospel, fulfilling Acts 1:8: "to the ends of the earth." This moment symbolizes the inclusion of all nations in God’s redemptive plan.
   3. Acts 1:8 Breakdown:
      1. Jerusalem: Peter and John began the work.
      2. Judea: Persecution scattered believers, who preached as they went.
      3. Samaria: Philip’s ministry broke cultural barriers.
      4. Ends of the Earth: The Ethiopian eunuch carried the Gospel to Africa.
   4. Philip Counts the Cost: Azotus and Beyond
      1. After being miraculously transported, Philip doesn’t stop. He preaches in every town until he reaches Caesarea (Acts 8:40). His faithfulness shows that obedience is a lifelong journey.
   5. Illust: Philip’s obedience was like a domino falling, creating a chain reaction. One act of faith can change history.
   6. App: Your obedience can impact people and places you’ll never see. Stories you’ll never know! A ripple effect of changed lives, families impacted for generations! There’s always a bigger story to the small and simple acts of obedience!

Conclusion: Philip’s story reminds us that God’s plans are always bigger than our own. From serving tables in Acts 6 to evangelizing an Ethiopian official and being called "Philip the evangelist" in Acts 21, he consistently counted the cost.

In Acts 21:8-9, Philip is described as "one of the Seven." That phrase matters—it points us back to where he started. Philip didn’t chase titles; he chased faithfulness. He cared about obedience, not recognition. And because of his faithfulness, his legacy echoes through history.

The question is: What story is God writing through your life? Are you willing to count the cost, step out in obedience, and trust Him with the results?

Walking Points:

1. For the Unbeliever: God’s invitation is for everyone, no matter your past or background. Will you trust Him today?
2. For the Lukewarm Believer: Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Don’t let comfort keep you from obedience.
3. For the Spirit-Filled Believer: Be ready to share the Gospel in every moment—God will use you for His Kingdom.

Invitation:

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith, making Jesus Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone. If you have faith in Jesus, then let’s join together as we pray…

Prayer of Salvation:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free

Would you let us know about your decision? Come talk to us after the service or fill out a connect card so we can celebrate with you and help you with your next steps. You’re part of a family now, and we want to help you grow in this incredible new life you’ve found in Jesus.

Communion: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

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