The sermon text is below the video… (and the passage from Acts 8 is below the sermon text!)
Sermon preached at St. Stephen’s, Goldsboro NC
Sunday May 2nd 2021
The Reverend Alan Neale
“Opportunists for the Gospel”
While I was away, one of my faithful Goldsboro correspondents sent me an email all about words… well, this morning I plan to share with you the rehabilitation of a word; a word that for many years has been mistreated and misunderstood, abused and attacked. You could say, if you were so minded, that today we engage in etymological redemption!
The word? Opportunistic. I searched for the meaning of the word “opportune” and it’s all sweetness and light, holy and acceptable… “suitable or right for a particular situation, done or happening at the right time” (Merriam-Webster). But then search for the meaning of “opportunistic” and it’s all depravity and darkness, gloom and gore… “the practice… of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to expediency or effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles” (Merriam Webster). Within 100 years the meaning of this poor, benighted word changed radically. I am a little tempted to expatiate on this theme but then you would find opportune moments to escape!
Now, if you’re still with me and this sermon, you want to ask, “Why all this talk about opportunism?”. Why? Because I we heard and read today’s story from the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-40) and I see Philip as the patron saint of opportunists!
Philip doubtless full of excitement, anticipation, an eagerness to serve finds himself directed by the Holy Spirit to leave the locations of busyness and population and head south from Jerusalem to Gaza (v.8) and this is not only into Gentile territory but, as Luke adds, it is a desert road. Imagine the disappointment of this zealous young Christian but, impressive to say the least, Philip listens to the Spirit and obeys; sensitive to the stirrings of his heart, he moves into action.
And now in this barren, dry, alien land… the saga of opportunism unfolds before our very eyes.
An Ethiopian eunuch, travelling with pomp and style, is returning home; he is a court official in Candace’s court, Queen of the Ethiopians. Opportunism, sanctioned by the Holy Spirit, prompts Philip to approach the chariot. Though doubtless breathless and panting, Philip hears the words of Isaiah and with blessed opportunism begins the signal conversation with the Ethiopian “Do you understand what you are reading?”.
As the conversation unfolds, Philip responds to the questions of his new co-traveler but, with sanctified opportunism, “begins with this Scripture” and then introduces the man to Jesus. Message translation, “Philip grabbed his chance”.
At last the question, “What is to prevent me from being baptized?” and so he is… there and then… right now… at this very moment… sans congregation, sans font, sans liturgy, sans baptismal certificates, sans… baptismal towels. Holy Opportunism!
As the story concludes we are told (v.39) that the “eunuch went on his way rejoicing” (!) and Philip is “snatched away by the Spirit” but this patron saint of opportunism continues true to his calling for “as he was passing through the region, he preached the Gospel” (v.40).
In 1870, before the word was besmirched, a definition of opportunism read thus, “the policy of adopting actions to circumstances while holding goals unchanged”. This aptly describes Philip “adopting actions to circumstances while holding goals unchanged”.
You and I, in this great church full of history, energy and potential, are called to be opportunists for the Gospel. Holding certain goals unchanged… Gospel message, constant worship, holy communion with God and His people but adopting actions to the circumstances of a changing world… ever thirsty, ever hungry for authentic spiritual truth and relevant help for facilitating spiritual growth. Just consider the changes we have made to adapt to COVID regulations, the changes we have made (led successfully by Xena’s skillful hands) to transmit our worship far beyond these hallowed walls. What actions will I, you, St. Stephen’s adopt for the sake of the Gospel and a needy world?
We read in John’s First Epistle, “We love because God first loved us” – a clear statement of divine grace; friends, we are opportunists for the Gospel because God first opportunely found us when situations were ripe, and moments were ready. Even the salutary experiences of challenge and adversity in our lives provides our opportunistic God times to “prune so that we may be fruitful” (John 15).
A little while ago I read about “Parkour” – “a sport that revolves around moving quickly and creatively over obstacles. It has its roots in military training, but it has a growing following – especially among women”. At the end of the 19th century Georges Hebert named it “”parcours du combattant”.
A journalist writes, “Once you learn Parkour’s basic moves the world around you changes. You don’t see things (obstacles) anymore – you see movement (opportunity)”. Movement in place of things, opportunities in place of obstacles.
This morning, today, this week, months and years to come are replete, crammed, packed with opportunities to share and receive Gospel good news.
Blessed Philip pray with us, Holy Spirit direct ad enable us… to be opportunists for the Gospel. AMEN.
ACTS 8
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] [c] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 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. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.