Title: Philip's Missionary Journey
Contents
Evangelism is truly precious.
It is saving souls, sharing the life of Jesus, and fulfilling God's will. But it's not easy. Just as the darkness rejected Jesus after the light of Jesus came into the world, when we try to preach Jesus who is the light in this world of darkness, persecution and suffering often follow rather than go smoothly. So Jesus sent the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to continue preaching the gospel.
Today's text begins like this.
“As the scattered people went about preaching the gospel, Philip went down to the city of Samaria…”
1. Deacon Philip lived centered on the gospel.
It is the fact that even though they left Jerusalem amid persecution, they did not stop preaching the gospel.
“If we live, it is for the Lord, and if we die, it is for the Lord…” (Romans 14:8)
In other words, this
“Even if we live, for the gospel, if we die, for the Lord.”
Evangelism is the mission of the saints.
2. The sign of preaching the gospel followed.
That is, there was the work of the Holy Spirit. It is normal for signs to follow the gospel of Jesus. Even if you preach the gospel of Jesus, if you put people's thoughts and prejudices first, the signs will not follow. If you throw away your thoughts and stereotypes, accept the Word purely, believe according to the Word, and preach the Word, signs will follow.
What is the target? Look at Mark 16:17.
① I cast out demons in my name
② speaking a new dialect
③ No harm done
(4) They laid their hands on the sick and they healed.
3. As the signs followed, the words delivered by Deacon Philip gained authority.
So many people followed Philip. He exclaimed, "I am not like a scribe who speaks well... This is an authoritative new lesson" (Mark 1:22-27).
Those who teach in Jesus or Christians must be recognized by the world as "having power" and "having authority."
4. Because he had authority, demons were cast out and the sick were healed.
If you look at the shepherd with authority, there is a trend of heresy. A cult is a cult that denies Jesus and opposes the gospel. Look at the seven conditions of heresy.
① Those who claim to be God, Jesus, Messiah, Second Coming Lord, and children of God
② Those who deny Jesus, whom he bought with blood (1 Peter 2:1)
③The spirit that denies Jesus who came in the flesh (the spirit of antichrist) (John 4:1)
④ Those who do not believe in the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God
⑤ Those who deny the soul of Christ (the Son of God, the incarnation, the virgin birth, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Lamb that takes away sins)
⑥Those who deny salvation through Jesus alone (emphasis on human merit and other merits, eg Mary)
⑦ Those who deny the Trinity, etc.
5. There was joy because the demons were cast out and the sick were healed.
If you believe in Jesus, you will live a life of thanksgiving in difficulties, praise in the midst of loneliness, prayer in the midst of tribulation, and joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always.” May the joy of Jesus be with you for the rest of your life.
The apostle Paul was beaten, starved, and imprisoned while preaching the gospel in Philippi. There, Paul did not lose heart and prayed while singing, and the court moved and the prison door was opened. An amazing thing happened to save the jailer.
Those who believe in Jesus must live by prayer with joy, thanksgiving, and praise. Hallelujah!!