May 17, 2026

Acts 8:26-40

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Sunday Sermons

What happens when Philip—once serving tables, now faithfully sharing the good news— is led by the Holy Spirit into the quiet of the desert, where he meets a traveler from a far-off land? Is it just a chance encounter, or is God at work, carrying the message of Jesus to the very ends of the earth?

Join Pastor Matt as we walk through Acts 8:26–40 and consider how the Holy Spirit may be guiding our own lives— leading us into meaningful moments where we can share Christ with others.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 8:26-40

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 8:26-40

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Pastor Matt Pierson

“Congratulations!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So get on your way!
Oh, the places you’ll go!”
Dr.Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

“I don’t want the world to define God for me. I want the Holy Spirit to reveal God to me.”
A.W. Tozer

1. The Global Work of the Holy Spirit

“The work of the Spirit is to impart life, to implant hope, to give liberty, to testify of Christ, to guide us into all truth, to teach us all things, to comfort the believer, and to convict the world of sin.”
D.L. Moody

2. The Specific Work of the Holy Spirit

The Life of Philip
The Life of the Ethiopian
An open doorway: the intersection of Philip and the Ethiopian

3. The Personal Work of the Holy Spirit

“If we think of the Holy Spirit only as an impersonal power or influence, then our thought will constantly be, how can I get hold of and use the Holy Spirit; but if we think of him in the biblical way as a divine Person, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely tender, then our thought will constantly be, ‘How can the Holy Spirit get hold of and use me?’”
R. A. Torrey

“O Holy Spirit of God, abide with us; inspire all our thoughts; pervade our imaginations; suggest all our decisions; order all our doings. Be with us in our silence and in our speech, in our haste and in our leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give us grace at all times humbly to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.”
John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer

Discussion Questions

  • Philip had a servant’s heart, was full of wisdom, full of the Spirit, and was actively on the move wherever the Spirit led him. Would the people we live around or work with describe us in this way? If not, how can we be more like Philip?
  • How do we develop a daily, faithful pattern of obedience and openness to the prompting of the Holy Spirit? When we feel ourselves being led, do we complain or ask for clarification? Or, do we simply rise and go, no questions asked? What is the ripple effect of daily obedience and receptiveness to the Holy Spirit?
  • The Ethiopian was seeking, searching, and hungry for the word. Are we as committed to learning, being taught, and seeking to gain a greater understanding of who God is through His revealed word? What are some practical steps that we can take to help us develop and lean into these spiritual disciplines?
  • Are we living at attention, available and on the lookout for ways that the Holy Spirit can use us every day? Are we open, not only to connecting with others through seemingly chance encounters, but also willing to walk alongside them and do life together with them in community?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs:

“He Is Making All Things Right“ by Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler, Skye Peterson
“His Mercy Is More“ by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
“Be Thou My Vision“ by Mary Byrne, Eleanor Henrietta Hull
“Take My Life And Let It Be“ by Frances Ridley Havergal
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: At The Cross

Most merciful God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus. We remember this day His redeeming death, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. Thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, to whom we belong, in life and in death. He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Most holy God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, who became sin for us and suffered the punishment due to us, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. In the name of our Lord Jesus, amen.

Classic Prayer: Valley of Vision Prayers

Our Father-
We thank You that in Christ is everlasting strength for the weak,  unsearchable riches for the needy, treasures of wisdom and knowledge for the ignorant, fullness for the empty. Thy blessings are as secure as they are glorious; Thou hast provided for my safety and my prosperity,  and hast promised that I shall stand firm and grow stronger. O Lord God, without the pardon of my sin I cannot rest satisfied without the renovation of my nature by grace I can never rest easy, without the hopes of heaven I can never be at peace. All this I have in Thy son Jesus; blessed be His name.

Confession of Faith:

New City Catechism
Part 1, God, Creation & Fall, Law Q 9, 10

Leader: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
People: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and we do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also His Word and works.

Leader: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments?
People: Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction.

TVC Prayer Ministry

TVC Ministry: TVC Mission Board led by Lynsey Auman
Vocation: Addiction/Rehab/Recovery
TVC Mission Highlight: Justice & Merci International
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Qatar

Be Part of Our Prayer Team

Do you have a heart for prayer or a desire to lift others before the Lord? Sign up for our weekly prayer email, and you’ll receive trusted prayer requests from within our church family, our community, and around the world. At TVC, we believe it is a privilege to carry one another’s concerns to our Heavenly Father. Join us as we pray faithfully and walk with one another.

Join Us In Prayer