Who do I think I am?

The Gospel brought to us by Jesus Christ was planted first in the ears of the Jewish people in Jerusalem and from there out to the rest of the world. The twelve apostles led the rest of the disciples in selecting seven men to “serve tables” but this is not all that they did. Two of them impress me.

The first was Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” who preached a message that so enraged the Jewish religious leaders that they “. . . cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

Even though the Bible says, “Saul approved of his execution” and that day began a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem that scattered believers throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, I cannot help but think this affected Saul in more ways than one. He eventually was confronted by the Lord Jesus Christ who said to him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Saul responded, “Who are you, Lord?” and heard the Lord say, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:1–6)

Saul soon became Paul the Apostle, transformed from a persecutor of the church to the builder of it, a great instrument in the hands of the Lord. Was it because the stoning of a godly servant named Stephen burned a memory into his heart that Jesus used to convict him of sin and bring him to his knees? Perhaps.

God also used another man of those seven who were all said to be, “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” and asked to take care of the feeding of widows. His name was Philip.

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. (Acts 8:4–8)

Philip’s ministry went beyond waiting on tables. He fled to Samaria because of persecution and wound up in Samaria where he shared the Gospel — and they listened!

Not only that he also listened when the Lord spoke to him through an angel:

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:26–30)

The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah. Philip jumped in the chariot and started with the passage the man was reading, explaining the good news about Jesus. The result? The man believed and was baptized. Then, “The Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:35–40)

This is not the last mention of Philip. Sometime later, Paul and his group of men found him there, married and faithful to share the gospel with his family. Luke, who was with Paul, writes about that encounter:

“On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.” (Acts 21:8–9)

This story convicts me. We attend a church whose most visible ministry is brunch after the service. This is not a small feat as it means preparing and serving a huge selection of food for 400-600 people. Every Sunday. The kitchen crew work before the service. There are others who stock the shelves, cut up the fruit, lay out the tables (including white tablecloths and roses), make sure nothing runs out as people dish up, and then clean up after, including taking leftovers to another mission, washing tablecloths, and shopping for groceries.

I’ve washed dishes and tablecloths and done some clean-up but serving is not my main spiritual gift and sometimes my excuse for not being involved in this brunch ministry. However, Stephen preached and Philip evangelized. God used them in powerful ways to build the church — but they began their work for God waiting on tables and making sure all the widows were fed.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord, if waiting on tables led these men to the use of their more dominant gifts, who do I think I am? Next time Your people put out a call for more help in the kitchen, or in whatever job is needed, I had better think twice about my mental excuses. You might have something else in mind for later, but if not, I need to remember that You called these men, full of wisdom, faith and the Holy Spirit to the kitchen. Who do I think I am?