Contending for Cities

“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” (Acts 8:1‭-‬13 KJV)

In this text I see a beautiful drama that is played out by four individuals:

1. One persecutor
2. One martyr
3. One evangelist
4. One wizard

I see how one man, Saul, could make life a living hell for the entire church; how one deacon believed unto death, and the whole church was revived and strengthened; I see how one deacon by prayer, preaching, and working of miracles and signs could contend for and liberate a city.

Philip, without a choir, without prayer warriors, with no supervision could single-handedly content and liberate the entire city of Samaria. Wow! so the question I ask is, “who is this Philip?”

“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:3‭-‬6 KJV)

1. He was a man of honest report
2. He was a man full of the Holy Ghost
3. He was a man full of wisdom
4. He was a man who belonged and submitted to a church till he was appointed
5. He was a man who continued in the apostles’ prayer
6. He was a man with the hand and prayer of the apostles over his head

This our time! We can also do more. It’s time to contend and liberate our city. We don’t give a damn as to what others are doing and what titles people call them by. We know what we have been taught. We shall desire the anointing and go out and preach the word of God.

This is the time to preach the gospel and work mighty signs and wonders that will liberate this city in the name of Jesus, Amen!

I love you, stay blessed!