In today’s message I’d like to draw your attention to one of the lesser-known apostles: Philip.

Philip is mentioned 33 times in the Gospels and Acts. Most have Philip appearing merely as part of a listing of the disciples. Here are the special mentions of Philip.

First, it was Philip who, in John 6:7, says, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” when Jesus asked, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  Jesus then surprised the disciples by making five loaves of bread and two fish feed 5,000.

It was Philip who, second, along with Andrew, took some Greeks to see Jesus in John 12. Remember that one. It helps reveal something about Philip’s character.

Third, Philip appears twice in Acts 8. The first incident finds Philip in Samaria where people come to faith in Jesus through the Spirit using what Philip did and said. The second is more familiar. This is where Philip is used by the Spirit to lead an Ethiopian to faith – explaining the scriptures to him and ultimately baptizing him.

The final one is today’s Gospel narrative (John 1:43-51). Jesus calls Philip. He simply said to Him, “Follow Me.”

Something happened to Philip when he was with Jesus: he came to see Jesus was the long-promised Messiah or Savior. That’s an important statement. But what follows is just as important if not more so.

What did Philip do about it? Today’s text puts it so simply yet profoundly:
“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Did you hear it? When he learned the truth about Jesus he found Nathanael and told him about Jesus – simply, clearly, and precisely.

When his statement was questioned he didn’t get drawn into a great theological argument. He didn’t quote the Torah or Prophets to prove his point. He didn’t even get mad and leave. He simply said, “Come and see.” He then left the rest up to Jesus.

Philip isn’t one of the “three” disciples who are closest to Jesus. He didn’t run to the tomb to see Jesus there. When mentioned in the New Testament he’s almost always in the background – except for these instances I’ve mentioned.

Two of these tell us something of his character. He was a bringer! He brought people to Jesus.

Oh that our church had more “bringers” like Philip who love to tell the story. To go out and find people – brothers, sisters, moms, dads, cousins, friends, others – and bring them to Jesus.

Not people who need to be in the “up front” in positions of honor and glory. Not people who seek to be the “important ones” that others look up to. No, people with hearts filled with Jesus who simply bring others to Jesus.

That’s what the church needs. It needs bringers. Yet that, so often, is so far from what the church has.

An ancient story recalls how Satan once summoned his top three aides to plan how to stop a group of dedicated Christians from effective missionary work.

One of the lieutenants, Rancor, said to Satan, “We should convince them that there is no God.” Satan sneered at Rancor and replied, “That would never work. They know there’s a God.”

Another of Satan’s aides, Bitterness, spoke up. “We’ll convince them that God does not really care about right or wrong.” Satan toyed with the notion for a few moments, but rejected it because he knew that too many Christians know that God does care.

Malice, the third satanic helper, came up with his idea. “We’ll let them go on thinking that there is a God and that He cares about right and wrong. But we’ll keep whispering that there is no hurry, there is no hurry.”
Satan howled with glee. He advanced Malice higher in his malevolent organization. Satan knew that he would find this scheme successful with many, many Christians. [Illustration by Frank S. Mead]

Ouch! There is an urgency. There is a need. The Christian faith is, by its very nature, a “bringer” faith. Someone once said that Christianity is like the chicken pox. If you have it, you will give it to others.

There are a lot of people with broken hearts that need changed. That means there are a lot of “bringers” needed. Philip was a bringer. God used him to bring people to Jesus.

God wants to use you to do the same! Our job is not to cheer their hearts or even challenge their hearts. Our task is to bring people so the Holy Spirit can change their hearts!

We at Pilgrim Lutheran have been presented with so many mission challenges and opportunities. What we need is a congregation full of Philips! People so changed by their encounter with Jesus that they, like Philip, bring others to Jesus! People who don’t go witnessing. People who are witnesses.

Let me tell you one last story. It goes like this:

My three-year-old was on my heels no matter where I went. Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around, I would trip over him. I patiently suggested fun activities to keep him occupied. But he simply smiled an innocent smile and said, “Oh that’s all right, Mommy. I’d rather be in here with you.” Then he continued to bounce happily along behind me.

After stepping on his toes for the fifth time, I began to lose patience. When I asked him why he was acting this way, he looked at me with his sweet green eyes and said, “Well, Mommy, my teacher told me to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. But I can’t see Him, so I’m walking in yours.”

There are people whom God will lead to walk in your footsteps. As they follow you God will give you the opportunity to help bring them to Jesus. There’s someone God wants you to bring to Jesus – just like Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus. Who might that be? When you use the opportunity you’re given tell them to come and see. Amen.