Latest / The Daily Word / October 25 – The Ministry of Philip the Evangelist
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Hey, good morning, Lakeshore friends, family. Welcome to the Daily Word Podcast. I'm Robert Rosales, and along with my wife Yolanda, I have the privilege of serving as the campus pastor at our Gastonia location. Thank you so much for taking some time to invest with me in God's Word. Whether you're listening on your morning commute, enjoying a cup of coffee, Or you're beginning your day with the Lord. My heartfelt prayer is that this time encourages you and draws you closer to Christ. As a reminder, each day as a church, we're reading through the Bible together using the life journal reading plan. And once again, we're going to focus on the New Testament passage today. Remember, we're using the SOAP method, scripture, observation, application, and prayer. Simply put, I'm trying to read through my chapter and zero in on a scripture and discover what I observed in that scripture, how it applies to my life. And then I write a simple prayer to the Lord as a result of what I caught from today's reading. Now, before I share with you my journal entry for today, come on, pray with me. Father, thank you for this new day and the privilege of opening your word. Quiet the distractions around us and the noise within us. Give us hearts that are teachable, minds that are attentive, and lives that are ready to obey whatever you reveal. Holy Spirit, illuminate the scriptures and help us not only understand them, but help us to live them out today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Okay, church, friends, today's passage for October 25th is out of Acts chapters. twenty-one through twenty three, and I journaled on Acts chapter twenty-one, verse eight. Let me read it to us in the New King James Version. This is how it reads. On the next day we, who were Paul's companions, departed and came to Caesarea and entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and we stayed with him. Catch that. We entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Most of us are familiar with the term pastor. The Bible tells us Jesus gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. That's known as the fivefold ministry. I don't think many of us have really looked at the life of Philip or the life of an evangelist. So that really caught my attention. The title of my journal entry, here it is: The Ministry of Philip the Evangelist. And here's what I wrote down. Philip the Evangelist was one of the seven men chosen to serve the early church in Jerusalem. He was described as a man of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. That's in Acts 6:3 through 5. Although he began in a ministry of service, the Bible says he was serving tables. God expanded his influence into a powerful ministry of evangelism. After the persecution that followed Stephen's death, Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ. God confirmed his word through miracles, healings, and deliverance. And the Bible tells us that many people believed and were baptized. That's in Acts chapter 8, verses 4 through 13. Philip also followed the Holy Spirit's leading when he encountered. An Ethiopian official reading from the prophet Isaiah. Beginning with the scripture, the man was reading. Philip explained the good news about Jesus, and the man believed and was baptized. That's in Acts 8:26 through 39. And what stands out about Philip's ministry is his willingness to serve, his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and readiness to share the gospel wherever God led him. And whenever God gave him the opportunity. Philip also crossed cultural and social barriers to reach people who needed to hear about Jesus. Years later, Philip was living in Caesarea, where he welcomed Paul and his companions into his home. That's where we read today in Acts 21:8. Acts 21:9 also tells us that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. His ministry was not limited to public evangelism. His home and family were also part of his service to God. Wow, what an incredible ministry that Philip the evangelist was part of. Here's the application. Philip's life reminds me that effective ministry begins with a heart and life yielded to the Holy Spirit. He was faithful to serve wherever he was needed, and God opened doors for him to share the gospel with people from different backgrounds and different circumstances. I must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and willing to recognize the opportunities God places before me. Sometimes ministry happens before a crowd, and sometimes it happens through a personal conversation with one individual who Who needs to hear the truth about Jesus. My responsibility is to be faithful to the opportunity God gives me, to trust the Holy Spirit to lead me, and boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ. I also want my ministry to extend beyond the platform into my home, relationships, and everyday interactions. Like Philip, I want to be known not only as someone who preaches the gospel, but as someone who lives it. Serves faithfully and remains available for whatever God asks me to do. Come on, would you pray with me? Father God, thank you for choosing me and calling me into the ministry to serve you. Help me by the power of your word, the spirit, and the church family to continue serving you with my whole heart. Use me to preach the gospel to a crowd or one-on-one, wherever and whenever I'm given the opportunity. Holy Spirit, I yield to you today. Thank you for your wisdom, leading, and direction in the ministry I've been called to. In Jesus' name. Amen. Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll keep growing in your love for Jesus and His Word. As you invest time with Him, may He give you fresh insight, strengthen your faith, and guide your steps. Thank you so much for joining me today on the Daily Word podcast. I pray you've been encouraged to stay in God's Word and to walk closely with the Holy Spirit. God bless you. Bye for now.