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OBEYING THE SAVIOUR

Introduction

            In this chapter we see the activity of a servant of God by the name of Philip.

Philip was one of the original 12 disciples who walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry.

In Acts 6 he was ordained as one of the first deacons in the Church. The word deacon means “servant.”

            It is interesting to note that John is the only gospel writer to say anything significant about Philip at all. The other gospel writers only mention that he was one of the twelve.

            The first time that we are introduced to Philip is in John 1:43-48. In that passage, Philip was approached by Jesus who said to Philip, “Follow me.” We are then told that Philip found Nathanael and said unto him these words:     “We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael, if you remember, was not convinced by what Philip had told him and said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip simply replied unto him, “Come and see.” Philip started early point men to Jesus. That is the way it should be!

            The next dialogue that we encounter with Philip is found John 6:5-7 in the feeding of the 5000+ in which the Saviour posed a question to Philip, “Whence shall we buy bread that, that these may eat?” Remember, the feast of the Passover was near according to the Scriptures and there was a great company of Jews who, no doubt, were in the area for that reason who followed Jesus because of the miracles He did.

            The Scripture says that Jesus said those words to Philip to prove him: “. . .for He himself knew what He would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.”

            No doubt the miracle that followed had a profound impact upon Philip’s life. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ had to skyrocket. I believe he was able to see that day the sufficiency of Christ for the Jews who hungered for the Messiah to come. Jesus was that Messiah.

            The next time that we see Philip’s name is found in John 12:20-32 (read). Again, this was during the time of the Passover just prior to the death of Jesus. I believe Philip’s view of the sufficiency of Christ expanded from just the Jew to “all men” (vs 32).

            The next words we see from Philip’s mouth are found in John 14:8-9. Here Philip learns more of the truth of the Trinity. He had learned “The Shema” as a little boy in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy might.” This day He was taught that truth by the very Son of God!

            The next time we see Philip’s name, he is obediently waiting in the upper room with the other disciples as he had been instructed by the resurrected Christ. As Jesus was arrested, remember that all of Christ’s disciples had forsook Him and fled, Philip being one of those.

Nevertheless, the resurrected Saviour appeared to the 11 diisciples and changed them all forever. This former coward of a man was transformed into a bold witness as were the other disciples.

            As we baptized these who have trusted the Lord today, I want you to see that we do this the same way that Philip did in Acts 8. What happened then, is what happens now (or what should be happening now!)

    I.      WE SEE THE SERVANT OBEDIENT TO THE SAVIOUR.

(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)

People are saved and baptized only as the servants of the Lord are Obedient to the Lord.

            A.        THE SERVANT WAS OBEDIENT IN SPITE OF SOME THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A HINDRANCE.

                         1.        HE WAS OBEDIENT IN SPITE OF POSSIBLE PERSECUTION.

                                    (Acts 8:1-4)

                        2.         HE WAS OBEDIENT IN SPITE OF POSSIBLE PREJUDICE.

                                    (Acts 8:5)

As a devout Jew, Philip would have had no dealings with the Samaritans.

However, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all men. (Romans 1:16)

                        3.         HE WAS OBEDIENT IN SPITE OF POSSIBLE PERPLEXITY.

                                    (Acts 8:26)

                                    We are not told he was perplexed, but wouldn’t you be?

                                    Why would the angel of the Lord tell Him to go into the desert?

                                    Because there was a soul who needed Jesus, that’s why.

                                    “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

                                    Mark 16:15

            B.        THE SERVANT WAS OBEDIENT TO DO THE THINGS THAT WERE NECESSARY TO BE A GOOD SERVANT.

                        1.         HE WAS FAITHFUL TO THE SAVIOUR. (Acts 8:26)

                                    You will never be a good servant unless you are faithful to the Saviour.

                                    John 14:15–“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

                                    John 15:14–“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

                        2.         HE WAS FAITHFUL TO THE SPIRIT. (Acts 8:29)

                                    You will never be a good servant unless you are faithful to the Holy Spirit.

                                    a.         Holy Spirit Indwelt.

Romans 8:9–“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”

                                    b.        Holy Spirit Filled.

                                                Ephesians 5:18–“. . .be filled with the Spirit.”

                                    c.         Holy Spirit Obedient. (Acts 8:29)

When you are Spirit indwelt and Spirit filled, then you will be Spirit obedient.

                        3.         THE SERVANT WAS FAITHFUL TO THE SCRIPTURE.

                                    (Acts 8:30-35)

                                    You will never be a good servant unless you are faithful to the Scriptures.

                                    a.         Philip Didn’t Preach Philosophy–He Preached To Him Jesus!

                                                Salvation is not about what you and I think about things.

                                                Salvation is about what God has said!

                                                Colossians 2:8–Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy.

Salvation is not about what I think it takes to go to Heaven or what you think it takes to go to Heaven. It is about what God says is required to go to Heaven!

                                    b.        Philip Didn’t Preach Tradition–He Preached To Him Jesus!

Philip was quite aware of the traditions of the Pharisees and what Jesus had said about their tradition. He knew Salvation wasn’t in those traditions.

Colossians 2:8–Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Peter 1:18–Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

                                    c.         Philip Didn’t Preach Religion–He Preached To Him Jesus!

This Eunuch had religion already but it was taking him on a path to Hell!

                                                He had already traded his pagan religion for Judaism, but that

                                                could not get him to Heaven!

                                    d.        Philip Didn’t Preach Good Works–He Preached To Him Jesus!

Titus 3:5–Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 2:8-9--For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

                                    e.         Philip Didn’t Preach Preferences–He Preached To Him Jesus!

                                                It is not about what my preferences are and much preaching today

                                                is more about someone’s personal preferences are than it is about

                                                “Thus saith the Lord!”

                                    f.         Philip Preached To Him Jesus!       “Jesus Saves!”

Acts 4:12– Neither is their Salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

                                                John 14:6–Philip was there when Jesus said those words.

   II.     WE SEE THE SINNER OBEDIENT TO THE SAVIOUR. (Acts 8:36-39)

When servants are obedient to the Saviour, then some sinners will become obedient to the Saviour.

If the servants aren’t obedient to the Saviour, then the sinners won’t be obedient to the Saviour either. Someone has to go tell them the story of Jesus!

If no one is going and telling the story of Jesus, then no one is hearing and believing. (Romans 10:13-15)

             A.        THE SINNER WAS OBEDIENT TO THE GOSPEL.

He believed with all His heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

                        If you are going to get saved you are going to have to do the same thing!

Romans 10:9-10--That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

When you believe something with all your heart, it will make a change in your life!

            B.        THE SINNER WAS MADE A SAINT.

                        Scripture is clear. A saint is one who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Paul addressed the local Churches he ministered to, he addressed them as being the saints of God.

                        What does it mean to become a saint? It means we have been made holy.

                        Not by our works, but by the blood of Jesus Christ.

                        You’ll never go to heaven without being holy and you can only become holy by

                        faith in the gospel of Jesus!

            C.        THE SAINT WAS OBEDIENT TO BE BAPTIZED.

                        Baptism is not a sacrament. It cannot and does not bestow any saving grace!

                        It is one of the two ordinances that Jesus gave to the local Church.

                        (The other being the Lord’s Supper.)

                        It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

                        It is the believer identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

                        The word “Baptize” means to identify with, to dip, to immerse, to overwhelm.

                        1.         The Saint Sought It. (Acts 8:36)

                        2.         The Saint Submitted To It. (Acts 8:38)

Conclusion

Where does this local Church’s authority to baptize come from?

            It came from Jesus. (Matthew 28:19-20)

What kind of Baptism did the early Church practice?

            Believers Baptism by Immersion is all you will find in Scripture.

                        You will not find infant Baptism!

                        You will not find Sprinkling!

                        You will not find Pouring!

 What is the meaning of Baptism?

It is not a part of your Salvation. It is an act of obedience that is separate and distinct from Salvation.

It is the first thing that the Saviour wants you to be obedient to because it shows the world you are identifying with Christ!

            It is the outward expression of and inward spiritual grace!

Are you saved? If you were to die today do you know for sure that Heaven would be your home?

Have you been baptized since you’ve been saved? Why not submit yourself to the Lord and be obedient to Him in this matter? You’ll never be what you should be for Christ apart from being baptized after you are saved!

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