Preaching the Gospel of Joy

Rev. Andrew Hunt, III

Walking through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Preaching a Gospel that brings joy…

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”

Persecution does for the church what the wind does to seed: it scatters it and only produces a greater harvest!

The word translated here as “scattered” is the word “diaspeiro,” which means, “to scatter seed.”

As we learned from last week’s sermon, the greater the persecution the greater the growth of the church.

So question becomes how should a Christian respond to persecution?"

There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living the Christian life. Christian persecution is to be expected: the apostle Paul warned “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (). Jesus said that, if they persecuted Him, they would also persecute His followers ().

Jesus made it clear that those of the world will hate Christians because the world hates Christ. If Christians were like the world—vain, earthly, sensual, and given to pleasure, wealth, and ambition then the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world, which is why the world engages in Christian persecution.

Jesus says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me,” (.)

“A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me,” (.)

Christians are influenced by different principles from those people of the world. We are motivated by our principle love of God and His holiness, while the world is driven by their principle love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s animosity.

Christians must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it, not in a pretentious way but quietly and humbly because persecution has great spiritual value.

First, the persecution of Christians allows them to share in a unique fellowship with the Lord. Paul outlined a number of things he had surrendered for the cause of Christ.

Such losses, however, he viewed as “rubbish” () or “dung” (KJV) that he might share in the “fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings.” Paul viewed his sufferings in the light of preaching the Gospel that brings joy.

, “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” The noble apostle even counted his chains as a grace (favor) that God had bestowed upon him (). Second, in all truth, Christian persecution is good for believers. James argues that trials test the Christian’s faith, develop endurance in their lives, and help develop maturity,

, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

As steel is tempered in the furnace, trials and persecution serve to strengthen the character of believers. A Christian yielding graciously to persecution demonstrates that, that Christian is of superior quality as compared to his adversaries. It’s easy to be hateful, but Christlikeness produces kindness and blessing in the face of evil opposition.

Peter says of Jesus, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly”

(). Third, Christian persecution enables believers to better value the support of true friends. Conflict can bring faithful children of God together in an encouraging and supportive way they might not have known otherwise. Hardships can stimulate the Lord’s people toward a greater resolve to love and comfort one another and lift one another to the throne of grace in prayer. There’s nothing like an unpleasant incident to help us reach a greater level of brotherly love.

, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Even in the face of Christian persecution, we can press on.

We can thank God for His grace and patience with us.

We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord and who stand with us in times of distress. And we can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or abuse us. And we can do all this while joining Philip in preaching a Gospel that brings joy!

Let us pray…

Preaching a Gospel of joy... through the apostle Philip.

, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”

Who was Philip in the Bible? There are four different men named Philip mentioned in the Bible. Phillip was the name of two of King Herod the Great’s sons by different wives ( and ). The other two Philips in the Bible were servants of Christ and instrumental in the early church: Philip the disciple and apostle of Christ, and Philip the evangelist.

The disciple and apostle named Philip along with Peter and Andrew, was from Bethsaida in Galilee (; ).

Jesus called Philip, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist’s (), and then Philip went and found Nathanael and told him about Jesus. Nathanael also became Jesus’ disciple. The Bible does not contain much biographical detail about Philip or any of the other disciples, but John records several times when Philip spoke to Jesus.

Philip’s first recorded act as an apostle and disciple of Jesus was to go and tell his friend Nathanael. Later, some Gentiles approached Philip, more specifically; Greeks from Bethsaida who asked Philip to introduce them to Jesus (). Philip was the disciple who calculated the amount of money it would take to feed the 5,000 (). After the Last Supper, it was Philip whom requested that Jesus show them the Father, leading to Jesus’ statement, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (). The last time the Bible mentions the apostle and disciple Philip is as one of those gathered in Jerusalem to pray after the Lord’s ascension (). Tradition states that Philip went to Phrygia (in modern-day Turkey) as a missionary and was martyred there in Hierapolis.

The other Philip is usually distinguished from the apostle and disciple of the same name by calling him “Philip the evangelist” or “Philip the deacon.” It is often assumed that this Philip was one of the seventy-two men whom Jesus sent out in .

We do know that Philip was one of the original seven deacons selected to serve in the Jerusalem church (). Philip had a heart for evangelism, and, when the “great persecution” arose in , Philip left Jerusalem to become an evangelist in Samaria ().

After the church in Samaria was started, Philip was used by the Holy Spirit to bring the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch, a member of the court of Candace, the Ethiopian queen.

Philip found the eunuch sitting in his chariot, reading Isaiah and trying to make sense of the prophet’s words. Philip offered to explain, and the eunuch invited him to come up and sit with him. In the end, the eunuch was saved and baptized (). Immediately following the baptism, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away to Azotus, where he continued to preach the gospel in the towns from there to Caesarea ().

Twenty years later, Philip is mentioned again, still in Caesarea (). Paul and Luke and others were traveling to Jerusalem, and they stopped at Philip’s home in Caesarea. They stayed with Philip for several days. Philip had four unmarried daughters at that time, all of which had the gift of prophecy. That is the last time the Bible mentions the evangelist Philip.

Therefore, our text tells us that in spite of the persecution, that Philip and those believers who had been scattered were not cowering somewhere in fear but went about preaching the Word of God, preaching the Gospel that bring joy.

They had been doing so before the outbreak of persecution, and after being scattered they continued to preach. This phrase “they went about” is the word “dierchomai”, a word used frequently in the Book of Acts. So the text tells us that they went about preaching, this is the word “eunagelizo,” which means to proclaim the gospel. All the scattered believers were involved in evangelism: which means many more of us in the church should get out there on Saturday’s which Deacon James and Jason and preach a Gospel that bring joy. Although I understand that some people are specially gifted as evangelists and God motives and uses them in different ways.

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” -

But, always remember all Christians are called to proclaim Christ.

You see it was Satan’s persecution that promoted the very thing it was designed to destroy. It fired up the believers with a new zeal to proclaim the gospel in new areas to which they were scattered. In verse 5 the Holy Spirit focuses on one man as an example of faithful evangelism. 5 “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.”

Phillip was the first missionary named in Holy Scripture, now he becomes the key figure for the rest of this chapter. Again this is not the apostle and disciple Phillip, he would have stayed in Jerusalem, but this is the Philip who was one of the seven chosen to serve as deacon to serve the needs of the Hellenistic widows.

Just like Stephen, his faithfulness to that task led God to use him in a wider ministry.

Faithfulness is always to key to the furtherance of any saints ministry. Jesus said, if you are faithful in little, then you will be faithful in much.

Jesus always promotes those who are faithful. Although Paul later instructed Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist,”

Philip is the only man in Scripture actually given the title “evangelist.” This is a fitting honor in light of his pioneering work in spreading the gospel of joy!

Preaching a gospel of joy... to those in Samaria.

Beginning his evangelistic work, Philip went down from the high plateau of Jerusalem to the city of Samaria, located some forty miles north of Jerusalem. It was the ancient capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, founded by [Om/Rye] Omri.

, “In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

After nearly a century and a half of idolatry and rebellion against God, the city of Samaria fell to the Assyrians under Shalmaneser V in 722 B.C. Samaria’s downfall marked the end of the Northern Kingdom. The Assyrians, who also located people from otherworldly nations into the city of Samaria, resettled many of its people in other lands. Their goal was the mixing of Jews and Gentiles, these people became known as Samaritans. This mixing became the source of idolatry and the worshipping of false gods, though they said that the feared the true Lord. “So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.” -

Friction soon developed between the Samaritan’s and the Israelites. During Jesus’ time, many Jews took such pride in their cultural and religious heritage that they considered Gentiles “unclean,” calling them “dogs” and “the uncircumcision.” Gentiles and the half-Gentile Samaritans were viewed as enemies to be shunned. When some Samaritans offered to help rebuild the temple, they were contemptuously rejected— despite their claims to be worshipers of the true God. Hostility between Jews and Samaritans grew during the “intertestamental” period and was evident during all of the New Testament times; they rejected Jesus when he came to preach the gospel to them.

Look at , “51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"

The Lord had defied conventional opinion by announcing his messiahship to a Samaritan woman, setting an example of His commitment to the world and to sinners.

Jesus expresses His evangelistic command in , “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Christ’ prophetic command was initially fulfilled by Philip, who began proclaiming a Gospel of joy to the Samaritans. Proclaiming is from “kerusso,” which means “to proclaim publicly,” or “herald,” or to “preach!” By New Testament times, the Samaritans had shown their own confused fashion, which Jesus described as “worshiping that which you do not know”

“20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship."

Look at , “21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Given that foundation of belief, Stephen could simply proclaim Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. With some people we need to spend time in pre-evangelism, tearing down their false system of belief and proving the truth of Christianity. Only then will they be prepared to understand the gospel message. The Samaritans would have been prepared for Philip’s message about the Christ (Messiah). They had their own expectation of a prophetic Messiah called the Taheb, who they believed would come to their holy mountain. John the Baptist and Jesus had previously ministered in this area others, like these Samaritans, already have that background. They are really ready to hear the gospel of joy.

Preaching the Gospel of joy... that is able to heal.

“7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.8 So there was much joy in that city.” -

Luke notes that those possessed by unclean spirits, or demons, were freed from their bondage. Jesus had frequently encountered and healed demon-possessed individuals.

“23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. - .

24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. - .

Satan mustered all of his forces in a futile effort to oppose Jesus and His purposes. Jesus was still healing the demon-possessed through this associate of the apostles.

Such demon-indwelt people, exists in our own day, although they may not be as commonly manifest in Western culture as in third-world cultures. As C. S. Lewis notes, Satan and his demons adapt themselves to whatever world -view prevails in a given society. They are equally at home with Western materialists and third-world magicians. Many are controlled by demons that give no outward sign of it. That is especially true of those involved in promoting false religion. Like the apostles, Philip had received the Holy Spirit’s power to cast out demons and to heal, which served as a sign confirming the truth of his message.

Unable to resist Philip’s God-given power, the unclean spirits were coming out of their victims, shouting with a loud voice. Demons often cried out when they were cast out of an individual.

, “And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”

, “And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.”

All of these unclean spirits cried out as they were cast out perhaps in rage and protest but by the power of Jesus. Besides casting out demons, Philip also healed many who had been paralyzed and lame. Such healing of serious physical ailments made the power of God evident. It is no wonder, then, that the people paid close attention to the truth in Philip preaching of the Gospel of joy.

The powerful miracles and preaching of Philip resulted, as it had in Jerusalem, in the salvation of many Samaritans. But as true biblical preaching always does, it produces a response. Some accepted the gospel, believing and reacting with much joy. This is a joy that the world cannot give nor can the world that away, for it is the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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