“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
- Acts 8:12
Have we lost sight of Christ and His Kingdom? Well, that may be an intentionally loaded question, but it should unsettle any one of us. More than most other questions, this one’s challenge the very purpose and lifestyle of a follower of Jesus. All of what we do and proclaim in faith can be traced back to our prioritization of Christ and His Kingdom.
One of my favorite verses come out of Matthew:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
- Matthew 6:33
And all these things include any and all things we can become worried or anxious about. If we seek Christ and His Kingdom first, then we should have nothing to worry about.
The more and more I am reading and studying Acts I am becoming convinced that many of us followers of Jesus, myself included, are not seeking FIRST Christ and His Kingdom. I do not say that because many people struggle with anxiety or worry about some things, but that our words and deeds do not seem to STRIVE for the Kingdom.
We saw Peter and John a few weeks ago endure trial for healing a man of lifelong immobility, they enacted a Kingdom act. Recently we looked at Stephen who just rose to leadership in the church and was martyred because of his words and deeds in the name of Jesus. And this week we get to see Philip, many of us would know him as Philip the Evangelist! And as you read Chapter 8, you understand why! Everywhere the Spirit takes him, he is sharing about Christ and the Kingdom!
As persecution increased after the martyrdom of Stephen, many people in the early church scattered, and when they left, they took the good news with them! One of those people is Philip. He went off to Samaria, a neighboring region of Jerusalem but a people despised by Jews because of their historical idolatry and intermarriages. As he’s sharing the good news, he encounters a town where a magician has convinced the people his power and magic is from God. Yet, while they are captivated by the magician, they truly believe the words and deeds of Philip. Event he magician is amazed and is baptized!
Shortly thereafter, Philip heads toward Gaza and is led by the Spirit to a high-ranking Ethiopian official, who was reading from Isaiah. Philip helps him understand the passage in light of Jesus, and that Ethiopian is baptized.
Philip is radically focused on Christ and the Kingdom and shows it.
Word:
A little while back I was in a meeting with an organization that isn’t explicitly Christian, but they do try to share the gospel in deeds and relationships, and that struck a nerve with me. Look, I love quotes like Saint Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” Of which they even quoted that to me but as a defense to not have to share the Gospel with words.
Saint Francis lived and led the church in a time where there was a lot of preaching but hypocrisy in deeds. He is not saying do not use words, but rather emphasizing how the Gospel requires action and a changed life. The word is necessary! Countless times throughout the gospels and Acts we are charged to share Christ and the Kingdom with our words! Our words are necessary.
We do not all have to have a sermon prepared, but we should at least be ready to have a conversation! Philip had both, he preached to crowds in Samaria and had a conversation with the Ethiopian. We can verbally share the good news in a plethora of ways, and that’s how we can seek first Christ and His Kingdom. Being ready to share the good news in the midst of conversation!
Deed:
We are certainly not to preach and speak while neglecting actions and serving. The gospel is best shared through our words and deeds. That’s why Saint Francis said to share it at all times, that our lifestyles might be redemptive. This is always a challenge though because we can quickly lose our intentionality. Many of us, including myself, can just go about life hoping in each moment I act on the gospel, that I do the right Christian thing. However, my deeds and actions need to have more purpose and intentionality.
This requires better connection and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Philip literally was carried off by the Holy Spirit where he was supposed to go next. When he was not carried away, he walked and journeyed for it. What would happen if you just took a walk and tried to go wherever the Spirit led you, and help whoever you were led to help? Perhaps we could see some real change in someone’s life.
Final Blessing:
How beautiful it would be to see people come to believe in Christ and be baptized because we intentionally followed the leadings of the Holy Spirit and shared the Gospel in our words and deeds! With baptism being more than just an announcement of faith but the beginnings of a life that also seeks to be transformed for the sharing of the Gospel! Is this idealistic? Maybe, but why shouldn’t we be idealistic about the Good News’ power to change lives!
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with your in every step, every breathe, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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