Welcome Home everyone
Today’s text is about leadership and commitment in the early church to solve problems and remain unified as one body.
Our context deals with division in the church. Divisions with culture. Divisions in orthodoxy. And divisions in religiosity.
My big idea for today is that together you and me would love enough to reject division in all its forms and unite under the banner of Christ Jesus.
My prayer for us today is that we would allow the work of God’s sanctifying grace to heal our divisive way and that there would be no one needy among us. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter 6, verse 1.
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:1-7
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 3 sections or points that stood out to me that must be understood.
POINT #1: The Problem
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 6:1
The first thing we see is that there are 2 groups Hellenistic Jews and The Hebraic Jews. The Hebraic Jews are Aramaic speaking most likely native Judeans. The Hellenistic Jews are those who were primarily Greek Speaking and were raised outside of the Judean regions as a result of the diaspora. Many Hellenistic Jews have returned to Judea in their old age in hopes they would die there and be buried in or near Jerusalem. Under the priesthood, the Jewish community had a program/ministry in place to care for the widows and others would were unable to care for themselves in accordance to the law of Moses. As more and more are coming to faith in Jesus they are naturally separated from the temple fellowship and therefore the apostles assume the role of the priests who collect for the needs of the poor and then distribute, respectively. The real issue is that the church is growing so rapidly that some are being overlooked. Now, this is not an intentional discrimination, they are simply struggling to keep up with the growing numbers.
However innocent it might be, the accusation becomes an us vs. them conversation. At this point there is an attempt by the enemy to divide as pit one side against the other by language and culture and the like. The bait of Satan is set waiting for the offense to be picked up. Culturally and religiously, we are looking at a potential division surrounding an old orthodox group verses a very contemporary/modern worldview. This may even be the first hinting of denominational mindset.
The issues that seek to divide us are not new. Some 600 years before Christ, Solomon wrote that there was nothing new under the sun. Yet every time Satan sets a trap whether it be race, denomination, or anything else we seem to fall right in. We take the bait. We must be aware of our problems and be wise to our inclinations so to avoid the snare the easily entraps us, fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ. {Hebrews 12}
I’ll move on to my next point.
POINT #2: The Solution
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:2-6
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
First, the Apostles addressed the issue and their intention in full transparency. They didn’t focus on the division but solved the root of the issue straight away. The Apostles gave the criteria for the new officials. “Known to be full of the Spirit and Wisdom.” And as a result of their multicultural makeup the chose men tat represented that same multicultural composition. Once they reached an agreement the Apostles approved and commissioned these 7 men of God.
The apostles understood that their task was to remain with the ministry of the Word and prayer. So, as the church grew the administration apparatus also had to grow. As issues arose, the Apostles also understood that procrastinating was only an opportunity for the devil to gain a foothold in their midst.
The disciples desired God’s presence for life and leadership and without prayer and the preaching and teaching of the word the church would cease to experience His presence. The stroke of wisdom here is that the Apostles focus on maintaining the unity of the church rather than the division proved that there were far more that ties us together than that which pulls us apart.
I’ll move to my final point.
POINT #3: The Outcome
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7
If the Apostles had failed to identify the problem and deal with it in a swift and sensitive manner, the out would have most definitely been different. If the enemy had been allowed to gain a foothold the efficacy of the evangelistic effort would have been very limited. The church as a whole would quite possibility suffered some serious setbacks.
Today we can see these examples of the early church as a model for leadership as well as a model for our personal ministries. How are we leading? How are we managing conflict? How are we managing growth? How are we navigating the cultural issues of our modern world?
In all thing we must commit ourselves to the ministry of prayer. Each of us should spend time daily in the presence of God. Each of us should be devoted to the ministry of the word. God message for us typically comes through our times of prayer and through reading His word. It is only through these disciples that we will be able to respond in the likeness of Christ. Because, when we engage the Holy Spirit in prayer and in the word we are influenced to become like Him and to respond like Him rather than react in our flesh.
In this relationship is where we become authentically His.
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’