Philip the Table-Tender
We're looking at the ordinary people in the book of Acts who lived extraordinary lives. This week we will turn our attention to Philip, and we'll read the same passage we looked at last week when looking at Stephen. The main preachers and teachers in the church found they were trying to do too much, so we read:
"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. Brothers and sisters, 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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.' This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip..." (Acts 6:2-6)
Philip begins by simply availing himself for service - for the work of gathering food and distributing it, and seeing to the widows and the needy in the community - freeing up the others to focus on preaching and teaching.
Why Service Is Non-Negotiable
Jesus' message was one that called people to service.
Two brothers were travelling together through the snow-covered plains of America in the winter of 1867. The temperature had dropped to brutal lows, and though they were bundled in heavy furs, the cold was winning.
Then they spotted him - a lone traveller collapsed in the snow, barely conscious, nearly gone.
"We have to stop," said the first brother. "We can save him."
"Save him?" the second brother shot back. "We'll freeze to death ourselves if we stop. Keep moving. That's not our problem."
But the first brother couldn't leave a dying man in the snow. He climbed down, wrapped the stranger in one of his own furs, and hoisted him onto his back. Step by exhausting step, he carried him through the snow until he caught up with the sled.
"Brother!" he called out, breathless. "I saved him - and honestly, I think the effort saved me too. I'm actually warm for the first time all day!"
There was no reply.
His brother was still seated in the sled, buried in his furs. Frozen to death.
The man who refused to give warmth to someone else had lost all his own. The man who gave his away had more than enough.
You've got to serve to live! You've got to serve to live an extraordinary life.
The Greatness of Serving
Jesus spoke regularly about this. Perhaps one of the most famous occasions was when the disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest, and we read: "Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'" (Luke 22:25-27)
Jesus was willing to be not the one seated at the table, waiting to be served - but the one doing the serving.
Philip, I think, took these words to heart.
Will you?
Stephen's accusers covered their ears and yelled to drown out the truth - a warning against the noise and distraction that can keep us from hearing God's voice today.