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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

We are continuing our study through the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

1. Peter – man of Zeal.

2. Andrew the Soul-Winner.

3. James the Hot-headed.

4. John the Beloved.

5.      Tonight we look at the life of Philip.

Philip’s name simply means “lover of horses.”

To complicate things, there are three Philip’s in Scripture.

1. One is a Governor, like Herod was – he was actually, Herod’s brother.

2. One was an Apostle – the one we are studying.

3. One became a deacon and evangelist in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 6).

It is the Apostle Philip that we want to look at tonight.

In the Apostle Philip we see a very active man – his was not an apathetic, or passive kind of relationship with the Lord.

1.  He was active from the very start.

2.  He is not a leader like Peter, James, or John were, but that didn’t stop him from being near to the Lord Jesus and to be involved in what the Lord was doing.

Too many people, especially men, are apathetic in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

If nothing else, we all need a desire like Philip. I believe it is the same kind of desire that Paul had and expressed in Philippians 3:13–“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul, like Philip, knew he had not obtained all that he wanted to have from the Lord.

            He knew he was not all that the Lord wanted him to be

            He knew he was not doing all that God wanted him to do

I believe in Philip we see a man who had a desire to grow, and to be more, and to do more than what he had done in the past. We need that quality in our own lives!

I.   PHILIP’S BACKGROUND. (John 1:43)

            A.   Jesus had just been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

            B.  Just before Jesus headed back up to Galilee, He was intent on calling a few men to follow Him – a few men from the Galilee area.

            C.  He had just called Andrew, and then Peter his brother to follow Him.

            D.   Then, the next day He went to Galilee and found Philip.

II.    PHILIP, THE ACTIVE APOSTLE.

            A.   Philip’s Discovery (John 1:43) “Jesus Found Philip”

The most important Person in all of Scripture (someone more important than Moses, or Abraham, or king David) was standing in front of a nobody from a no-place, and asking him to leave everything and follow Him

            B.  Philip’s Concern (John 1:44-46) “Come and See.”

                        1.  Philip had a burden and a concern for Nathanael.

                                     a.   He wanted Nathanael to meet and follow Jesus the Messiah also.

                                    b.   When a person gets saved, they CAN’T just keep it to themselves –they want everyone to “COME and SEE” just who Jesus really is!

                         2.  Philip couldn’t just wait for Nathanael to figure it all out on his own.

                                    a.   Nathanael needed someone to go and get him.

                                    b.   Nathanael needed to be urged, compelled, provoked into thinking about Jesus.

                         3.  Philip didn’t do all the arguing either – he was willing to let Jesus prove Himself to Nathanael.

                        4.  Jesus can handle anybody’s scepticism – if they will just COME! They will see!

             C.  Philip’s Conflict (John 6:4-14) “How Do We feed So Many?”

                        1.  A lot of people were following Jesus at this time – He was a very popular guy for a while.

                        2.  But all those people were hungry.

                        3.  Jesus looked the situation over and then turned the problem over, not to PETER, but to PHILIP.

                                    a.   Jesus was not worried here – He knew what HE was going to do.

                                    b.   Jesus used this situation to PROVE, to test, and to mold Philip’s faith and confidence in Jesus.

                         4.  Philip hits a wall. His calculations said it couldn’t be done.

                        5. Philip watched amazed as Jesus performed a miracle.

                        6.  When confronted with a seemingly impossible situation, Philip struggled with the size of the problem.

                                    Often reality is bigger than the Lord Jesus to us.

                                    Sometimes we’re tempted to simply say like Philip, “It just can’t be done!”

                        7.  How does Jesus overcome the conflicts in the human heart?

                                    a.   By going ahead and doing the impossible anyway.

                                    b.   By prodding us to get used to living by faith in His abilities.

            D.   Philip’s Connections (John 12:20-22) “We Would See Jesus.”

1. A lot of people had a hard time feeling comfortable going right up to Jesus. With so many people following Him, sometimes He was difficult to get close to.

                        2.  The Greek speaking Jews felt unliked by the Hebrew speaking Jews.

                        3.  So, they approached Philip who was standing back away from the inner crowd.

                        4.  They asked Philip how they should go about meeting Jesus.

                        5.  Philip realized that he was a connection between them and the Lord

                        6.  The world needs some folks who can show them what Jesus is like, and be a bridge between them and the Lord

            E.  Philip’s Ultimate Desire (Jn 14:1-10) “Show Us the Father”

                        1.  Jesus here talks about His Father’s House, heaven– with many mansions.

                        2.  Jesus talks then about the way to the Father’s house.

                        3.  Thomas wants to know just what is the way.

                                     a.   Obviously not paying much attention.

                                    b.   Thomas needs everything spelled out REALLY clearly.

                         4.  Jesus reminds them all that HE is the way home to the Father.

                        5.  Then Jesus makes the unusual statement that “knowing Jesus is the same as knowing God the Father”

                        6.  Here is where Philip joins in with his desire – “show us the Father”

7. Jesus declares that He already has shown the whole world the Father!

Conclusion

Tradition tells us that Philip died as a martyr at Heirapolis.

God is still looking for Philip’s. Have you discovered He is looking for you?

Is there ANYBODY in here that has a concern for someone to come and check out JESUS?

Not check out our church, or our fellowships, or our building, but Jesus!?

How well do you handle the conflicts that the Lord presents you with?

What kind of a connection are you to this lost world – a poor connection, or a quick one that takes them right to Jesus?

In your heart of hearts, what is your deepest desire? It ought to be that you know the God who made you, loves you, and died for you on the cross

It is not the body we worship, but the God who took on flesh, and allowed wicked men to crucify Him.

To study the life of Jesus is to learn the heart of God.

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!