Archive for August, 2022

Philip: The First Missionary

John 1:43-45

Jesus Christ prudently chose twelve men to join Him in changing the world. Eleven of them became world class leaders. Emerging from the remote region of Galilee they penetrated foreign cultures, infiltrated seats of government, and saturated societies with good news of the Kingdom of Heaven.

They were the embodiment of admirable qualities of a leader penned by an unknown author:

THE WORLD NEEDS MEN …
Who cannot be bought;
whose word is their bond;
who put character above wealth;
who possess opinions and a will;
who are larger than their vocations;
who do not hesitate to take chances;
who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
who will be as honest in small things as in great things;
who will make no compromise with wrong;
whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
who will not say they do it “because everybody else does it”;
who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as prosperity;
who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning and hard headedness are the best qualities for winning success;
who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular, who can say “no” with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says “yes.”

To aspire to be such a person is to commit ones self to ridicule and rejection. By following the lives of these men they are revealed to have become such persons. Their eventual rejection did not eradicate the impact of the truth they embodied and shared.

They heard the words of their Master and obeyed unquestioningly. One of the twelve became the first missionary. The others followed his procession to impact the world.

Internal Scriptural evidences indicate how much of an effort went into training His disciples. An audit of the gospels reveals they cover a maximum of thirty-four days of Christ’s three-and-one-half-year ministry. The Gospel of John records the activities of only eighteen days. What were they doing the rest of the time? Evidently Christ was training them. They were going to His private school designed to disciple them.

Philip was from the small community of Bethsaida in the territory of Galilee.

He was the first person to whom the word’s of Christ were directed: “Follow Me!”

In doing so he set for us a worthy example.

Again an anonymous author speaks:
I heard Him call
“Come follow,” that was all;
My gold grew dim,
My soul went after Him
I rose and followed, that was all:
Who would not follow
If he heard His call?

Philip was a Jew with a Greek name. “Philip” means “lover of horses.” Before him the best known man in history with the name was Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. Greek conquest left marks of their presence long after they departed. Alexander had dramatic influence on northern Galilee. Not only were children born of Greek fathers and Jewish mothers but the language of the people was impacted. Doubtless it was these influences resulting in this Jewish baby being named Philip long after Alexander departed.

There are Biblical evidences that Christ organized the twelve. It is stated Judas was treasurer. Philip was evidently the supply officer in charge of food. He is postured fulfilling that role on occasion.

It is inspiring to get to know him in three settings.

I. HE WAS AN INSTIGATOR
The first three gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels, meaning to see alike. They basically all write about the same events. John breaks from this and shares other insights not contained in the first three. Virtually everything known about Philip is recorded in John. John records that after calling Andrew and Peter, “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’” (John 1:43 – 45).

Philip was from the same community as Andrew and Peter. He was evidently a shy reclusive individual and reluctant to aggressively approach Jesus. Jesus “found” Philip. He went looking for him knowing he was a spiritual diamond in the rough.

Philip’s involvement should be an encouragement to all who are less aggressive and not so assertive. Often those who feel they have so little to offer have much to give.

Once Christ called Philip he went immediately and found his friend Nathanael. This is a case study of the fact “ONE LIGHTED TORCH SERVES TO LIGHT ANOTHER.”

Two interesting facts about being an effective witness are incorporated in this episode.

Studies indicate that most spontaneous genuine witnessing experiences occur in the first two years after a person is saved. Unfortunately many forget what it is to be lost and don’t remember the joy of coming to the Lord.

Secondly, a study of evangelical outreach reveals that 85 percent of converts are introduced to Christ by a friend, family member, working associate, or neighbor.

Both of these principles are seen in the Philip — Nathanael encounter.

John recounts a second occasion when Philip was an instigator.

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little’” (John 6: 5 – 7).

Philip knew math. He was about to get to know Jesus better. He calculated the cost of feeding the 5,000 gathered before Jesus. His conclusion, “No way, can we feed this mob.”

How many times has the “Philip complex” been expressed in churches. “We don’t have the money. We can’t afford it.” Prudence is always a practical fact. Faith is always a positive force. If the church of the Lord Jesus Christ always waited until they “have” the money Christ’s cause would be retarded even more. The church members always have in their keep the money needed for any task assigned by the Lord. It is merely a matter of releasing it by faith. It is for that reason our Lord let’s us get in extenuating circumstances. It is in order to be forced to exercise faith.

I had the pastor of a very large church in Texas say, “I cannot understand for the life of me how some of the most brilliant men in the business community of Dallas who make million dollar deals regularly can come to church and in a committee meeting become selfish little thinkers.”

Philip had a part in what happened. He was on this and other occasions the contact man. Andrew heard the conclusion of Philip and in essence replied, “Oh, yes there is a way. There is a lad here…” Philip blew a marvelous opportunity. Andrew capitalized on it.

Because of his slow spiritual reflexes some scholars call Philip “the dullard.” Perhaps he was. That should give hope to others. Before we leave him it will become apparent how God can use dullards.

II. HE WAS AN INTRODUCER
Near the end of Christ’s earthly life “other sheep, not of this flock,” a delegation of Greeks, came looking for Christ. Perhaps because of his Greek name they were attracted to Philip. Then this scenario occurred:

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified’” (John 12: 20 – 23).

Finding Philip because of his Greek name explains one thing. Why they came seeking Christ is another. The region helps our understanding. Along the shores of the Galilee ran caravan routes from Africa, Europe, and Asia. There were hot springs there that attracted additional people seeking health advantages. This made Galilee “Grand Central Station” or “Atlanta Airport” of the day. Doubtless they or some of their friends had been there before and had heard Christ. Now they returned desiring to make Him a king.

Once more Philip is a bit slow and indecisive. Uncertain as he was he shared the wishes of the Greeks with Andrew. Again Andrew recovers a fumble for the offense. However, Philip, the quiet one is a facilitator in making the contact.

III. HE WAS AN INQUIRER
Philip’s final speaking part in the gospel is in the setting of the Upper Room on the eve of Christ’s crucifixion.

“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ 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’?” (John 14: 8 – 9).

The apostles had seen Jesus go through an emotional catharsis at the tomb of Lazarus. They had heard Him speak of His time not having come. Now He speaks of the end. They knew the climate in Jerusalem to be one of hostility toward Christ. They needed reassuring. Jesus knowing this takes them aside to encourage them. This is no mere pep talk. This is their final briefing for their world wide mission.

He tells them He is going to His Father’s house. There He will prepare a place for them. He assures them He will come again and receive them unto Himself.

While all this was being shared Philip appears to have been in a stupor. It just wasn’t enough. Philip speaks, “Show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

I should hope so!

There is a note of disappointment in the reply of Christ, “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’? 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. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14: 9 – 11).

Two things reveal the presence and power of the Father in the Son: His words and His works. Both creditably reveal Him to be one with the Father. They are co-eternal and co-equal.

Take a short course in Jesus 101. Philip saw Him walk on water, calm the stormy sea, feed 5,000, heal the sick, restore the lame, raise Lazarus from the dead, give sight to the blind. Now, Philip, you pragmatist, open your eyes.

Philip heard Him preach the Sermon on the Mount, instruct them in the Lord’s Prayer, confound the wise of His day with His understanding of the Old Testament.

Soon the light will be turned on in the room of rationality for Philip. The event that was to do it was the resurrection. Click! It all came clear. Now he comprehended how the departed Christ could be with all of them at once. Now the mandate on the mountain made sense. It became the compelling influence in his life.

Now the dullard becomes the devotee. He now comprehended what Jesus meant when He said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16).

That being true he realized he was accountable for helping tell the world of this love. Secular records reveal Philip took the gospel to what is now Russia and France.

He shared the love of the Lord at Hierapolis in Phrygia with those who worshiped Mars in the form of a dragon. His preaching incurred the wrath of the people who crucified him. His body was wrapped in sheets of Syriac paper and papyrus because he felt unworthy to be wrapped in linen as was his Lord. Though shy in life he was bold in death.

Allegedly Pope John the Third (560 – 572) acquired the body of Philip from Hierapolis and had it interred in The Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James, in Rome. Bones alleged to be those of Philip and James can be seen there in a large sarcophagus.

On Being Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes….” (Romans 1: 16)

Needed in the Christian community today is good old fashioned HOLY BOLDNESS.

Cowering influences in our culture have unfortunately been very effective in muting many Christians into cultural conformity. With the salt and light taken out of culture the saving and illuminating influences are absent. Without their positive influence removed moral decay is unrestrained and rampant.

One of Satan’s most effective tools in quieting the voice of Christians is intimidation. No one likes to be criticized, put down, or falsely accused, so in order to avoid such acid many Christians have become silent. This leaves our culture without morality having representatives.

Jesus has always had His faithful remnant. These are loyalists who are true to Him while all around others falter. Their numbers have been dramatically diminished in recent times. The means in doing this is a tactic being used by numerous progressive groups. It is shame. Those who are still not ashamed have this charge brought against even more hostily. 

If you oppose Woke extremism you are bigoted and should be ashamed.

If you oppose sex other than between husband and wife you are a prude and should be ashamed.

If you are opposed to transgender procedures you are narrow-minded and should be ashamed.

If you oppose critical race theory you are a racist and should be ashamed.

If you don’t support the LGBTQ agenda you are homophobic and should be ashamed. 

Expect to be shamed if you stand for morality. The shield from shame is a quote from the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk found in the New Testament Book of Romans 1: 17, “The just shall live by faith.” It takes faith in the power of the gospel to stand when all around others are falling.

Confidence in the power of the gospel is the sure antidote for improper shame. The conviction that gospel truth is the basis of moral conduct results in holy boldness. 

Not only is the power of the gospel essential unto salvation of individual souls, it is also effective in the salvation of a culture from moral decay.

Paul did not look on those who opposed him with disdain, but he felt obligated to them. “I am under obligation [I am debtor] both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” (Romans 1: 14) There is an obligation to help opponents come to the truth. Stand and having done all, stand.

How Is Your Love Life? Part Three

Galatians 5: 19 – 26

The definitive Greek language has several words translated love. Two are “eros” and “philos.”

Eros was used to speak of love that we know as physical attraction between persons on a sexual level. We get our word “erotic” from their word. How would it sounds to say “I erotic you?”

“Philos,” was the Greek word for a kind of love which we describe by friendship or brotherly love.  It is warm affection apart from any sexual attraction.

Only when we love Jesus with a love that is self-sacrificing (agape) for His welfare can we get eros and philos working right.

Tragedy of tragedy is that in our society an attempt is made to define all love by the definition of eros, that is, sensual, fleshly love.  For that reason it is inconceivable that brotherly love can exist without sexual involvement.  Or, that self-sacrificing love can be expressed without expecting some sexual favor in return.

To better understand the meaning of true Biblical love, consider how the word agape is used in the Scripture.

Try substituting some of the meanings of eros in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world…that He felt so romantic about it…that He got a tingling sensation down His spine…that He had a friendly spirit of tolerance and brotherhood toward it no matter what it believed….”

The text says He loved so much that He did something, “He gave His only begotten Son.” Love is an act of willful, self-sacrificing for the good of another.

When Christ told us to love our enemies, He was not urging us to have a warm, wonderful, happy relationship with them.  That may be impossible.  He was appealing to His followers to engage in acts of self-sacrificing service in order to win them.  It means to give without expecting in return.

This is the kind of self-sacrificing love in Christ’s name that can reach hardened hearts and win them to Christ.  Remember our objective is not to win friends for ourselves, but to win followers of Christ.

Jesus’ simple command requires greater strength than any of us naturally possess – it requires the Holy Spirit, the Helper.” 

Resolve to let the Helper help you to love in Jesus’ name. Sing it, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” Let others experience it when in your company.

Simon Peter

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him”
(Matthew 4:18 – 20).

Jesus Christ called a complex diverse group to follow Him. Each had a unique personality. Based on the interaction recorded in the Scriptures Simon Peter must have been one of, if not the most outspoken one. He was a blithe bold believer who took a stand and spoke out on many things. He was reprimanded by Christ and reprimanded Christ. He was bold enough to draw a sword against a contingency of Roman soldiers and cowardly enough to recoil when confronted by a single young woman. His visibility makes him one of the most familiar apostles.

A first grader had listened attentively as the teacher told of the men Christ called to follow Him. The teacher then asked, “What were the men who followed Christ called?” After a momentary pause one little enthusiast put his hand eagerly. When called upon to tell what the men were called the child said, “They were called recycles!” We might call them transformed apostles but that is Greek for “recycles.” That is what all of us are.

The various lists of apostles varies but the same one is always listed first and the same one last. Peter is always listed first and Judas Iscariot last.

Affectionately known as “the Big Fisherman,” Paul called him, along with James and John, “pillars” of the church (Galatians 2: 9).

John Chrysostom (347 – 407 A.D.) said Peter was “the mouthpiece of the apostles … the leader of the apostolic chorus — the pillar of the church, the basis of faith, the foundation of our confession (You are the Christ), the World-wide Fisherman who brought our race heavenward from the abyss of error.” (“The Twelve Christ Chose,” Smith).

Peter was one of the members of the inner circle that often had special moments with Christ. He was:

I. DARING
When Judas brought the cadre of Roman soldiers to the Garden of Gethsamene to arrest Christ it was Peter who drew a sword and attempted to defend Christ (John 18: 10).

Christ had previously told the apostles they should each purchase sword “Then He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one'” (Luke 22:36).

Why would Christ tell them to purchase swords and then rebuke Peter for using his. The Greek word translated “sword” is MACHAIRA. It was a short bladed dagger like knife. Such was an essential possession of all men. It was not a weapon for fighting, but for preparing food, cutting food, and various utilitarian purposes. Telling them to purchase such a “sword” would be like a scout master telling troop members to bring along their Swiss Army Knife on their camping trip. There was nothing warlike about having such a sword. It was Peter’s improper use of it that Christ condemned.

It is probably a stretch of the imagination to conceive of Christ saying that night in Gethsamene, “Peter, put that thing away. I am suppose to die tomorrow on a cross, but if you keep that up we will all be killed tonight in a street fight.”

Peter’s act was a brave impulsive but improper one.

Our zeal for our Lord must be tempered and timely.

In the upper room on the eve of Christ’s crucifixion Peter had boldly asserted that even if all the others deserted Him he, Peter, would not (Matthew 26: 33 – 35). Christ forewarned Peter as to how imminent his betrayal would be. He told him that before the cock would crow three times he would betray Him.

II. DEFLATEABLE
After Christ’s arrest Peter followed the contingency to the house of the high priest and waited around a fire in the outer courtyard. A young woman who had seen Peter with Christ identified him as a follower of Christ (Matthew 26: 58 – 75).

Three times she identified him and three times he denied Christ.

The third betrayal was followed immediately by the crowing of the cock. Peter was deflated.

Those of us who all too often feel like failures can relate. Thank the Lord the story doesn’t end there.

III. DIRECT
Peter revealed many attitudes that prevail in our time. He once asked Christ: “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?'” (Matthew 19:27).

Transliterated, “What is in for me?”

Later when the mother of James and John asked Christ to let her boys sit on his right and left Peter was one of the ten that was highly indignant about it. They were upset that their little Jewish mothers let her beat them to asking the same question.

What is in if for me? The pay off is two fold.

One, the joy of being with the Lord and doing His will. Inherent in it is the reward. We need to remember that. The pay off is in the process.

Secondly, the pay off is deferred. The pay may not be much but the benefits are eternal.

IV. DECLARATIVE
Christ asked His apostles who they thought Him to be. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

This factual revelation gave Christ occasion to declare the foundation of the church He was to build: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

V. DEVOTED
Peter was the first apostle at the tomb of the resurrected Christ (Luke 24: 12). What he saw transformed his life and started a wave of transitions that changed history. The empty tomb filled Simon with zeal.

VI. DEDICATED
Jesus, the resurrected Lord, said, “But go, tell His disciples; and Peter; that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you” (Mark 16:7).

Some think Peter was giving up in despair when he said, “I am going fishing.” What he meant was in light of Christ saying He was going to be in Galilee I am going where Christ is.

There on the shores of the sea Peter saw the resurrected Lord whom he had denied. Three times Christ asked him if he loved Him. Simon’s responses revealed a dedication that thrust him into a life time of spreading the good news.

Later Peter wrote two books contained in our Bible bearing his name: I and II Peter. Therein he appeals: “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (II Peter 1: 4 – 9).

Christ had said of Peter he would be called “the Rock.” In this passage Peter reveals the process by which sand is turned into a rock.

Peter became a fearless leader, filled with courage born of a faith in Christ and an awareness of His presence in every time of need.

The faith of Peter, tradition tells us, propelled him into France and England preaching the good news. Tradition further holds that Peter was condemned by Nero to be crucified. He said he was not worthy to die as his Lord and asked that he be crucified upside down. He was rock solid.

How Is Your Love Life? Part Two

Galatians 5: 19 – 26

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).

Our culture is one noted for synthetics, substitutes, and simulations.  When anything of value is made, immediately someone will copy it.  It is the most common form of flattery. One common characteristic of the fakes is they never meet the standards of the genuine.

Our Lord said “love.”  Many of His followers took Him at His word and did it.  The impact and influence was so dramatic that the world tried to copy it.  Hoping for the same fulfilling result offered by genuine love, the world has come up even more empty as a result of fake love.

Love such as Christ spoke of is revealed to be a product of a Holy Spirit-filled life.  In Galatians 5:22 we are given a list of the “fruit” of the Spirit.  Upon first looking at the passage, it appears there is an improper verb tense used.  The word “fruit” is singular, but the result is plural.  This is easily understood when we understand the meaning of what the Greek word translated “fruit” means to our modern mind.  It was the word “karpos” which can be translated “harvest.”  The time of harvest is still called the fruit season in some areas.  In this light the writer was saying “The things the Holy Spirit harvests in a believer’s life are….”

What follows is a bumper crop of what a life that is obedient to Jesus results in, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Standing forth as the first on the list is what energizes all others … love. It is the trademark of a Spirit filled life. It has to be expressed because love is a very, an active verb, meaning it is something that you do. To say you love a person or institution and not show it is an oxymoron. 

Consider this Greek word translated “love” in comparison with the others. 

“Agape” is the Greek word translated “love.” We have one word love for a variety of emotions, acts, and attitudes. The definitive Greek language has several.

Another is “eros.”  They used this word to speak of love that we know as physical attraction between persons on a sexual level.  Their word for that emotion was not related to what was meant by agape.  We get our word “erotic” from their word. How would it sounds to say “I erotic you?”

“Philos,” was the Greek word for a kind of love which we describe by friendship or brotherly love.  It is warm affection apart from any sexual attraction at all.

Agape is the Greek word most often translated love” in the Bible.  The word emerged in the Bible era meaning “the ultimate willful act of self-sacrificing for the welfare of someone else.” Agape kind of love is Calvary’s love.  The proto-type of agape is the love Christ showed us. We ought so to love one another.