Sunday: Philip the Evangelist
While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal
(2 Cor. 4:18, NKJV). Think about what Paul is saying here, especially as we study this week about Philip the evangelist, someone of whom we know little except for the few references in the Bible.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
As we will see, though, Philip did a good work even though most of what he accomplished we know little about. Who are some people whom you know of who have done great things for God but with little outward recognition? Why is it always important to keep the principle of Paul’s words in mind, especially if we do a work that doesn’t garner much acclaim or attention? See also 1 Cor. 4:13.
Philip was a popular Greek name that means horse lover.
In the New Testament there are four persons called by that name. Two had the additional name Herod
and were part of the Herodian ruling family, which exerted a generally harsh rule over Israel in New Testament times. The remaining Philips had outstanding roles in mission.
The first, Philip of Bethsaida, was a disciple who was instrumental in bringing Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43-46). Later he brought Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-21).
The second Philip was designated the evangelist
in Acts 21:8 to distinguish him from Philip the disciple. He first appeared in the Jerusalem church as a table waiter
(Acts 6:2-5) who turned evangelist and missionary (Acts 8:12). His missionary service, extending over twenty years and supplemented by his four prophesying daughters, is mentioned in Acts. We know little else of his background.
It was Philip who preached the gospel to the Samaritans; it was Philip who had the courage to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch. For a time the history of these two workers (Philip and Paul) had been closely intertwined. It was the violent persecution of Saul the Pharisee that had scattered the church at Jerusalem, and destroyed the effectiveness of the organization of the seven deacons. The flight from Jerusalem had led Philip to change his manner of labor, and resulted in his pursuing the same calling to which Paul gave his life. Precious hours were these that Paul and Philip spent in each other’s society; thrilling were the memories that they recalled of the days when the light which had shone upon the face of Stephen upturned to Heaven as he suffered martyrdom flashed in its glory upon Saul the persecutor, bringing him, a helpless suppliant, to the feet of Jesus.
—Ellen G. White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, p. 204.
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There is a widespread feeling that people deserve recognition for the “great things” they do for God. So who should render this recognition? Credit means a lot to this generation. It also did to many during Christ’s earthly sojourn (John 5:44; John 7:18; John 12:43). Philip, however, did not need greater recognition.
Anything men may do for the Lord is paltry when placed alongside what the Savior has done. It is an act of grace when Jehovah honors the faithful for anything they do. On the other hand the Redeemer is entitled to absolute recognition from all.
By stating that no human is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John, Jesus effectively indicated there are no great men and lesser men in the Father’s eyes (Luke 7:28). The lavish praise of men and women is an idea encouraged by Satan to promote pride and create human idols to divert glory from God.
Those who supposedly do great things from a human perspective have only been placed in designed circumstances and used by the Holy Spirit to advance the will of God. The life, health and abilities they possessed were only lent to them. If any credit is due it is that they allowed God to use them. The same applies to the unknown whom God uses in less spectacular ways.
The faithful soon understand that they have no claim to greatness, but are just the beneficiaries of great privileges. They are not dependent on the affirmation or commendations of others, but the approval of God. They follow the prescription of Jesus and hide behind the cross lest they become overexposed and take some or all of the glory belonging to the Omnipotent One (Matthew 6:1-4).
Sad how few understand this. Mere men are treated as if gods while their Maker who gives every breath is often forgotten and lost sight of.
Philip had the unction of the Holy Spirit.(Acts 6v3,8v5-7).He learned from Christ(Mathew 11v29).Christ Himself when He had done great things could command His disciples not to tell people(Mathew 17v9).Then therefore those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit humble themselves and seek no human honour but seek to please the one who has called them out of darkness unto His marvelous light.See also Galatians 5v16,22-26.
Its so easy to look down th work tht you I doing for th Lord because maybe noone is noticing or thr no numbers to show yo fruits.but wat I. Hve leant on Sunday is even though Philip wasn't mentioned so much he did his work faithfully n thus wat God is looking for in us .
It is always human nature to admire at things done publicly including evangelism with praise for they feed the ego and the Devil is happy by them while we do not wish to acknowledge things done secretly especially by those lowly (in the sense of our own criteria of ranking people and things). One of the character that always fascinated me was Daniel and the 3 Heroes who were not sanctuary or priesthood workers but who stood tall among the Heathens and I presume and suspect were not famous among the Jews nor known back in Israel but as SOP stated most of the Babylonians during Daniel's witness will be in Heaven.
How rightly so are our human perceptions are and praise God He is not human for His thoughts and ways of recognizing things and ranking things is far way different from ours as far as the heavens from the earth. So I suppose we will have a lot of surprises not only in Heaven but here on Earth as the Lord Jesus descends from Heaven and await us on the clouds and to our surprise some of those that we highly esteem here on earth for their public work as evangelists, bible workers, medical missionaries et al won't be nowhere to be seen but those unknown unsung heroes here on earth are everywhere to be seen caught up to the clouds with the Lord for the final journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The question begs to be asked is this, are you busy with the Lords work and all its fame and glory for ego's sakde among the saints in your local church, conference et al that you don't have time for the Lord of the Work with humility and meekness? Are you so caught up with the gift of the Spirit that you have forgotten the fruit of the Spirit of patience and humility? After all in Matthew 7 closing chapter we hear the Master of the Work clearly denouncing the spiritual gifts fanatics who have ignored the fruits of the Spirit while He acknowledges those who humbly obey the Lord of the Work and are humbled by His call and work but producing the fruit of the Spirit.
Who are you the gift fanatics or the fruit bearers?
Hebrews 11:32 to the end. Speaks of the many prophets and saint who actually suffered for the belief in Resurection which seems to be the Gospel. And Hebrews goes on to declare that neither they nor we have seen that promise. So we wait for a promised resurection No one has seen. The men of Faith listed in Hebrews 11 saw not the promise. Abraham saw no nations. Etc moses received not the promise land. In Faith we all wait and declare the promise.
We often hear about how humble and Christ-like certain of our leaders are and when compare ourselves to these great men a feeling of humility sometimes follows, but is this enough? The truth is, none of these mere men perfectly portray the Image of God we were created in, all these have sinned and do fall short of the glory of God as “All of our righteousness is as filthy rags”, yet the Bible says of all believers, “You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, … Can a city set upon a hill be hid?.” Where do these seemingly opposite perspectives meet? I say that people who give 100% to everything they do know commonly where these two ideas come together. And it is not only Christians who understand God’s nature. There is a clear sign at the front of our local crossfit gym, it reads, "leave the ego at the door." It is because by nature these men understand the way to real progress, it is through humility. I come to the gym not because I am strong but because I am weak, not to brag about how many pull ups I can do or to finish in from of others I am competing with, I come there to be able to perform my physical job the best that I possibly can even into my senior years. I also come to inspire others to do the same and every good athlete’s understanding is that as we apply ourselves to the task of building a strong body we discover very specific weaknesses which when understood, we work on those things which need the more care and attention. Going to the gym and doing only one exercise, “which I do well” while ignoring the balance of those things which are required for a healthy strong body always ends in injury and is frankly a bad example for others to follow. It is true in fitness, it is true in business and it better be true in the lives of professing Christians. The only people who do not know this are those who never apply themselves 100 percent to doing anything. Will the followers of Christ do less than the world around us? We are loved by God and we are called to love God with all our hearts and minds and strength, to do anything less is feeble and unholy. I wasn’t born Christ-like, some fortunate one’s were born with the more amiable dispositions, but anyone who applies themselves 100% will discover their weaknesses and if they are humble they will brag of these things more than their natural gifts. Don’t be fooled, it takes real work to really be like Jesus and even with that our performance never even remotely matches the attitude of God in the cross of Jesus Christ. Good health and God speed to you all.