Recently I had the pleasant surprise of a phone call from an old friend. (Not that she is old but that we have known each other a long time!) We went to college together. She called me because she wanted to tell me the good news that she has become a believer in Jesus. She overflowed with joy as she told me her story and how she felt gifted by God as an evangelist. She also wanted to know if I have made plans to go to our upcoming reunion. She is planning to go because she wants to share the Gospel with her old friends.

After our call I celebrated her good news, amazed and thankful for the way God is transforming my friend’s life. And, as I recalled our conversation, I felt conviction from the Holy Spirit. My friend approached the reunion, and her whole calendar, as opportunities to share the Gospel. I realized I was looking at my calendar, weighing out the time and trouble and expense of attending our out of town reunion, really only thinking of myself. I wasn’t sure if I would go. I realized that sharing the Gospel wasn’t even in the equation of my decision. Ouch!

My “old” friend reminds me of Philip the first person in the Bible to be called an evangelist. Romans 10:15 tells us, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Philip had beautiful feet. We can learn a lot from Philip about sharing our faith.

Be faithful in the small things with the opportunities God gives you. Before Philip became an evangelist he was a deacon. The Greek word for serve is the same word from which we get our word deacon. In the New Testament deacons did the busy work of the church. They were the ones who took care of things like serving the tables when widows were given food. They lightened the load so the Apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. Philip was faithful in the small things before he was called to be an evangelist.

Philip counted the cost and valued those who were not valued in his society. Historically the Jews looked down upon the Samaritans. They were considered “half-breeds” since they had mixed Judaism with paganism. By the time of Jesus a good Jew would not even set foot in Samaria much less talk with one. This is why Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well was so scandalous. Philip risked his own reputation by even associating with the Samarians. Yet, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.” Acts 8:5.

Philip was led by the Holy Spirit. In the midst of a bustling revival in Samaria an angel spoke to Philip telling him to go to a lonely desert road on the way to Gaza. This didn’t make any sense. A fruitful ministry vs. a lonely road? Yet Philip immediately followed the instructions of the angel. Philip obeyed even when it made no sense.

God sees hearts. Philip was led to the desert because God saw the heart of an Ethiopian court official who was traveling through Gaza. His heart was hungry for a relationship with the living Lord. He had a seeking heart, and that heart moved the heart of the God of the universe to put a national revival on hold in Samaria so Philip could meet that heart on a lonely road near Gaza. This is breath taking. This is stunning. One heart that is sincerely seeking the Lord moves God Almighty. Jeremiah 29:13-14 says, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you.”

When the Lord opens the door for the Gospel, walk through it. When Philip got to the desert he found an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah. ““Do you understand what you are reading?” “How can I unless someone guides me?“ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”” Acts 8:30-31. Philip literally walked through the door of the chariot, sat down the eunuch, “opened his mouth, beginning from this Scripture preached Jesus to the eunuch.” Acts 8:35.

Leave the results with God. Some will receive the Lord like the eunuch who asked if he could be baptized and some will reject the message. Some may come to faith much later. The results are not up to you. Your job is to plant seeds. the good news of Jesus Christ!

Evangelism is a life-long lifestyle of sharing your faith wherever you go “…and as he passed through Philip kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8:40.

Questions for our lives from the Life of Philip

Would the Lord say you have beautiful feet?

How do you view your calendar and your checkbook? Are they yours to use as you see fit? Or are they the Lord’s for you to use to share the good news and bring Him glory? How are you following my friend’s example as you plan your next few months?

Do you follow the Lord even when it makes no sense? Do you delay or follow Him immediately? If this is a new thought to you how can you implement immediate obedience into your life this week?

Have you ever prayed the Lord would use you to bring another person to Himself? Think of three people you would like to come to know the Lord. Pray the Lord will give each of them seeking hearts. Pray for an opportunity to share your faith with each of them. Think through your story about your relationship with the Lord and be ready to walk through that open door.