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#1266. Ready and willing to work with others (9/5/25)

  • Writer: Matt Beaney
    Matt Beaney
  • 3 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), as we continue our new series, Ready and Willing, where we reflect on Philip's life.


As we look at the life of Philip today, let’s learn how partnering with others who carry different gifts opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work more powerfully and fruitfully among us.


‘When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.’ (Acts 8:14-25)

You can watch this devotional below:


1. Why were the apostles Peter and John sent to Samaria?

Philip had preached powerfully in Samaria, and many responded by believing and being baptised. However, the new believers hadn’t yet experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit. So the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to:

  • Pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

  • Lay hands on them, affirming the unity of the church - Jew and gentile - and ensuring this revival was grounded in apostolic teaching and authority.

This wasn’t a correction of Philip’s ministry — it was a continuation, where different gifts were needed to complete the work God was doing. Where Philip had helped the apostles in his service in Jerusalem, now they were helping him in Samaria. 


2. What are the wrong ways in which Philip could have responded?

Philip might have been tempted to react wrongly:

  • Pride — thinking, “I’ve done the work here; why should they come?”

  • Jealousy — fearing Peter and John might overshadow him.

  • Insecurity — doubting his calling when others were sent in.

  • A Territorial spirit — becoming possessive over the believers he had reached.

However, again, Philip’s character is confirmed as he avoided all these traps and receive apostolic ministry. 


3. what attitude did Philip have toward the apostles?

Philip showed humility, joy, and a kingdom-first attitude:

  • He welcomed Peter and John’s involvement without jealousy or fear.

  • He honoured their apostolic authority and gifting.

  • He was focused not on his personal role, but on the bigger picture of God’s work.

  • He was ready and willing to work alongside others for the sake of the gospel.

This is the heart God blesses — one that values unity, shared ministry, and the Spirit’s work over personal recognition.


4. How did the ministry of the Spirit flourish through Philip’s godliness? 

Peter and John, building on the ministry of Philip, saw great advance in the work of the Spirit in Samaria:

  • They laid hands on the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit in a clear, visible, powerful way.

  • They addressed sin and false motives in Simon the sorcerer, showing that true ministry cannot be bought or manipulated.

  • They preached the gospel in surrounding Samaritan villages, expanding the revival Philip had begun.

Because of their godliness, humility, and boldness, the ministry of the Holy Spirit wasn’t hindered but multiplied.


Let’s Ask Ourselves Today:

  • Am I ready and willing to work alongside others with different gifts?

  • Do I welcome their contribution, or feel threatened by it?

  • How can I cultivate humility, like Philip, and make room for God to work through others around me?

  • Am I seeking to bring myself and others into the fullness of the Holy Spirit? 


Let’s Pray Together:

“Lord Jesus, thank You for giving different gifts to different people. Help me to be like Philip — ready and willing to work with others for Your glory. Remove pride, jealousy, or insecurity from my heart. Let me celebrate others’ gifts and make room for You, Holy Spirit, to move in greater power as we serve together. 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.



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