Everywhere You Go (Acts 8:40)

Acts 8:40 – But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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This verse tells where Phillip went after sharing the gospel with the Ethiopian official. What catches my attention about it is the simple description of what Phillip does as he goes along. Everywhere Phillip goes, he preaches the gospel. When he is in Samaria, he preaches the gospel. When he is sent by God to the Gaza road, he preaches the gospel. When he ends up heading toward Caesarea, he preaches the gospel in every town he comes to. The theme, the pattern, here is that Phillip preaches the gospel.

It can be very easy for us to get side-tracked from the simple preaching of the gospel. There are so many great doctrines and important social causes that can take up our time and energy that we sometimes fail to return to the cross of Christ. However, our lives must be marked by the gospel. No message that we can ever share is more important. No cause can ever take precedence over our first calling, to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.

Perhaps you have gotten caught up in a pet project, political cause, or some other kind of good distraction. Let this picture of the life of Phillip call you back to an essential component of the Christian life. Wherever you go, make it a priority to preach the gospel. Tell people about Jesus. Tell people about the cross and the empty tomb. Tell people how they can be made right with God. Tell people what they need to do to bring ultimate glory to God and ultimate satisfaction to their own souls. Let such telling mark your personality.

Lord, I recognize this morning that I want to be like Phillip. I want to be one who preaches the gospel wherever I go. I do not want to be one who hides behind social issues, even good ones. I want to boldly, honestly proclaim the gospel wherever I go. Please help this to be something that defines my life. Help me to be one who preaches your gospel. Grant me an opportunity, even today, to share the good news of Jesus with someone.