Recruiting Others To Join The Team Series

RECRUITING OTHERS TO JOIN THE TEAM

Doing Life Together—Part 5

Roll “Evangelism Linebacker” Video Here

PHILIP SHOWS ME HOW TO BE A GOOD RECRUITER

The Philip File:

One of the seven organizers of food distribution in the early church

Became an evangelist, one of the first traveling missionaries

One of the first to obey Jesus’ command to take the gospel to other cultures

A careful student of the Bible who could explain its meaning clearly

1. I CAN MEET A PRESENTING NEED

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

[5] This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. [6] They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7 (NIV)

Vision casting a local outreach project here.

2. I CAN BUILD BRIDGES TO OTHER CULTURES

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. Acts 8:5 (NIV)

Jesus’ last words to his followers were a command to take the gospel everywhere, but they seemed reluctant to leave Jerusalem. It took intense persecution to scatter the believers from Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria, where Jesus had instructed them to go. Philip, one of the deacons in charge of food distribution, left Jerusalem and, like most Jewish Christians, spread the gospel wherever he went; but unlike most of them, he did not limit his audience to other Jews. He went directly to Samaria, the last place many Jews would go, due to age-old prejudice.

The Samaritans responded in large numbers. When word got back to Jerusalem, Peter and John were sent to evaluate Philip’s ministry. They quickly became involved themselves, seeing firsthand God’s acceptance of those who previously were considered unacceptable.

In the middle of all this success and excitement, God directed Philip out to the desert for an appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch, another foreigner, who had been in Jerusalem. Philip went immediately. His effectiveness in sharing the gospel with this man placed a Christian in a significant position in a distant country, and may well have had an effect on an entire nation.

Roll local youth short term missionary interview video here

3. I CAN EMPLOY A POWER PLAY

[6] When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. [7] With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. [8] So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:6-8 (NIV)

4. I CAN RECEIVE DIRECTION FROM MY COACH

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Acts 8:26-29

Spiritual Direction and Prayer Time Here

5. I CAN CAPITALIZE ON CURIOSITY

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. [31] "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31 (NIV)

6. I CAN BE HOSPITABLE

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. Acts 21:8 (NIV)

7. I CAN INFLUENCE THOSE CLOSEST TO ME

He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9 (NIV)

Offering—During the offering we’re going to show the Operation Christmas Child video.

Send Out Song