When was the last time there was great joy in your city, a joy announced on the radio and TV as well as presented on the front page of the local newspaper? I dare say we have not seen an event of this nature in recent memory yet it became commonplace in the Book of Acts after Jesus’ ascension.
It is written by THE SPIRT in Acts chapter 8:
4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
Philip embraced the Great Commission given to the disciples by Jesus before His ascension. The Great Commission is what I call “Love in action.” Why did the people heed the words spoken by Philip? First they heard the Word and then they saw the miracles. The result was great joy in the city.
What is the point of studying and meditating on The Word if there is no corresponding action as a result? There are hundreds if not thousands of denominations in the U.S. yet how many cities or towns do we hear of great joy coming forth because of the Gospel? Isn’t it time for us to go before FATHER in an act of pure Love and seek HIS Face concerning the lack of great joy across the country where we reside?
Before Philip ministered in such a notable fashion, he was called to serve tables as recorded in Acts chapter 6:
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (of serving tables);
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Philip embraced the call to serve tables as an act of Love. The requirements were: a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom. There is no indication that Philip was an expert in the Law and very little is mentioned about him except when he asked Jesus the question in John chapter 14:
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”
Philip was no different than you or me. He was not a scholar nor was he particularly singled out as being in the inner circle who were closest to Christ. We must not discount ourselves when it comes to being used by FATHER. Now is the time for us to press in and seek FATHER concerning the Great Commission. Some will be called to preach and some will be called to support those who preach. Some will be called to intercede from a foundation of Love. Some may be asked to serve tables. Whatever the calling, it should be identified as Love in action. Any other endeavor is simply biding time and is temporary in nature.