#1265. Ready and willing to share the gospel (7/5/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Today we begin our new series, Ready and Willing, where we’ll reflect on the life of Philip.

Today, from the life of Philip, let’s learn how to share the gospel with power. 

You can watch this devotional below:

1. A city gripped by counterfeit power

Before Philip arrived, the people of Samaria were captivated by a man named Simon. Through sorcery and self-promotion, Simon drew crowds and convinced many he carried divine power.It’s a picture of a world so often led astray by what looks impressive but lacks the truth and life of God. This is a picture of the people and places around us. God sees those who are being led astray by false shepherds and He wants to work through us to bring these to the true can Good Shepherd. 

2. Philip’s response: Preach the true gospel

Philip didn’t shrink back from this spiritually confused environment. Instead:

Philip was ready and willing to share the true gospel even in a place where many had a different— and wrong— faith! Philip called people to repent, turn away from this false faith in Simon, and put their faith in the true King— Jesus. And what happened?

• People believed.

• They were baptised.

• Even Simon himself was came to believe and be baptised. 

Philip’s gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, centred on Jesus, changed lives. and was accompanied by signs. 

3. Sharing with power

The gospel is  is a message that comes with transforming power:

Added to this conviction, conversion and faith, there are signs and miracles that authenticate the message. 

Philip’s ministry was marked by: Confirmation — The Holy Spirit confirmed his words through healings, deliverances, and changed lives.

This is the model we need today: a bold, Spirit-empowered proclamation of the gospel and a willingness to pray for the needs of people whom we are seeking to bring to Jesus. 

Today, Let’s Ask Ourselves:

• Am I ready and willing to share the true gospel — no matter the environment, opposition, or cost?

• Do I know the message of Jesus well enough to explain it clearly?

• Am I relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, not my own cleverness, when I share my faith?

Let’s Pray Together:

“Lord Jesus, make me like Philip — ready and willing to share Your gospel with clarity, boldness, and power. Help me not to be intimidated by falsehood or opposition, but to proclaim Your kingdom and name wherever You send me. Amen.”

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series Ready and Willing? looking at the life of Philip in the New Testament. Our passage from Acts 8 opens with persecution, the martyrdom of Stephen, and the scattering of believers—and yet it leads to this powerful line: “there was great joy in that city.” Despite hardship, God worked through Philip to bring hope and transformation.

We were reminded that, by God’s grace, like Philip, we can be ready and willing to give hope and joy—even in difficult times.

Main Point:If we are ready and willing, the troubles of life become opportunities for growth and for the gospel.

Discussion: 

Please read Acts 8:1–25 together, and then discuss:

1. Why do you think Philip was “ready and willing” to serve God and share the gospel even after such intense persecution?(What might have shaped his character and confidence in God?)

2. What was Philip’s message, and how did people respond to it?(Consider both the general reaction and individual responses like Simon’s.)

3. What did the apostles Peter and John bring to the new believers in Samaria?(Why was their visit significant?)

4. What do we learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in this passage?(Why was it important for the Spirit to come through the apostles?)

5. What does this event teach us about the importance of working with others who have different gifts or roles?(Think about Philip’s evangelism and the apostles’ follow-up.)

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything from Acts 8:1-25, which teaches and inspires us in our mission and our approach to it? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us. 

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Discuss and pray for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ (* See note) in your life—those open to you and the gospel.

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

Links:

• Audio version: https://communitychurchputney.podbean.com/

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59qst6EonKlI0EZHLQsfBy?si=mcPUnkdZR2WDPqAiytnHAw

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/community-church-putney-sermons/id566901794

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDzzo5gqIx6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@communitychurchSW15