Acts 06_01-07 Smoothing Out the Rough Spots

Read Acts 6:1-7 – God’s at work in the early church; so is the Devil! First, he tried to stop them in their tracks by persecution. But they prayed for help and Acts 4:31b: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Next he tried corruption in the hypocrisy and deception of A&S, but God dealt with that severely, insuring the purity of the church and Acts 5:14 “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord.” But Satan never quits. Here comes another test, and it’s from the inside.

Various Roman emperors imposed 10 great periods of persecution under in its 1st 300 years. But the church only grew until it became the official religion of Rome under Constantine! Julian followed Constantine, wanting to destroy Xnty. He realized persecution wouldn’t do. His strategy was to disrupt church unity. So he called the Xn bishops together and told them to sort out their differences hoping that would trigger disunity. He said he learned that “no wild beasts are as dangerous to man as Xns are to each other.”

His efforts failed as did Satan’s efforts at division in Acts 6. That early church cared for its own – some even selling property to help the needs of the poor – especially the widows. But now 1b) “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews bc their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” Israel was home to 2 kinds of Jews at this time – those born and bred in Israel, Jews to the core and speaking native Aramaic. The 2nd group were Jews who had lived outside Israel most of their lives, then returned to the homeland for various reasons. But they were steeped Greek culture (hence, Hellenists) and spoke Greek and the native tongue of their previous homeland.

Both groups are in the church. But old prejudices die hard. Somehow, on purpose or accidentally, the Greek-speaking widows were not getting a fair share of the daily food distributions. With thousands of new converts, it’s not hard to see how this could happen. But it’s a foot in the door for the Enemy.

The problem is referred to the 12 who wisely address the issue. But they realize if they do the work themselves, they will soon be spending all their time waiting tables. So they call the church together, ask them to pick out 7 highly qualified men to see to this problem and submit them to the apostles who authorize them by praying for them before loosing them for ministry. Conflict is avoided, focus on the gospel is renewed, and the work goes forward with renewed energy. That’s the big picture, but it illustrates 4 great principles of church leadership. This is wise leadership every church needs.

I. Be Faithful to Your Calling

The 12 knew their priorities and would not be diverted: 2b) “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” They’ve been criticized as too high and mighty to distribute food? Won’t roll up their sleeves and help. Maybe Jesus’ lesson on foot washing didn’t take too well!

But that misses the point. In v. 2 they say they should not “serve tables” but rather (v. 4) devote themselves to the “ministry of the word” -- “ministry” being the same word translated “serve” in v. 2. They weren’t above serving. They didn’t see one job as above the other. Their choice was between serving physical food or serving spiritual food, and they knew their gifting and their commission. It wasn’t a question of one job being more important than the other; it was a question of remaining true to their calling – which, by the way, allowed someone else to be true to their calling! Right? They were saying, “You serve the food; we’ll serve the Word.” They had focus!

Do you realize how many good men leave the ministry? It’s around 20,000 – every year. Sometimes it’s too little pay, too much criticism, but at the top of the list is unrealistic expectations. The pastor is often expected to do it all – from hospital visits to admin to special projects to cleaning the restrooms – oh, and have a good sermon on Sunday. Burn out is the #1 killer for pastors. So, they must know their priorities – from God. And like the 12, top of the list must be prayer and the serving the Word. If there’s time for more, great. But those are the priority. The 12 knew that. So must any pastor worth his salt.

When someone tells a pastor, “But that’s what we pay you for – to serve,” he ought to say, “No, it isn’t.” Pastors are paid to train the congregation for the work of ministry. You say, “Where did you get that?” From the Bible. Eph 4:11) “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12) to [do what – visit, administer, write, evangelize? No. They are to] equip the saints [all believers] for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Check it out! Who are the ministers in a church? All of us. If we’re not all ministering (serving), being involved, using our giftedness – we not a church, we’re a social club. So, we should not fool ourselves.

But as each of us begins to understand our gifting and put it into practice, oh – what a difference that makes. Each one faithful in using the spiritual gifts that have been given to every believer to accomplish the specific calling that God has put on our lives for this time and place. That’s a thing of beauty.

Michael Eisner was CEO at Disney for 10 great years. But Frank Wells was president, freeing Eisner from the management duties so he could work his magic on movie projects, theme park rides, TV and countless other endeavors. Wells was killed in a helicopter crash in 1994; Eisner never again found the right manager, and never regained the magic touch. That’s the principle the apostles apply here – each faithful to his or her calling. Ministry is for all of us. It’s like a 1000—piece puzzle. One missing piece ruins the whole thing.

II. Share the Workload

The 12 knew they could not meet this need alone – without sacrificing their own calling. So the solution – share the workload. Others are given the opportunity to utilize their giftedness. 3) “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute.” This is the principle of division of labor, and it is crucial to smooth sailing. Any church following the norm of 10% of the people doing 90% of the work is going to have a stifled existence.

Moses had this problem with millions of people. God had just used him to deliver Israel from Egypt when his father-in-law, Jethro, came for a visit. Jethro complimented Moses and rejoiced with him. But then: Exod 18:13: “The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14) When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15) And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16) when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17) Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18) You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.” Interesting? Here’s one of God’s choicest servants. But he had a flat spot. Thought it all depended on him. Took a nosy relative point it out.

And to suggest a solution! 21) “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Division of labor. And a leader who was wise enough to listen. 24) “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” Charlie Brown is watching TV when Lucy comes in and changes the channel. Charlie protests: “Why do you get to watch what you want?” Holding her hand, fingers spread, she says, “See these 5 fingers. Individually, they are nothing. But when I curl them together into a single unit, they form a weapon that’s terrible to behold!” With that, Charlie walks out of the room looking at his fingers and says, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?” Division of labor – working together toward a common goal. Any church that doesn’t share the work will never be all it could be. And will answer for it.

III. Take Qualifications Seriously

So, are these the original deacons? The word “serve” is διακονέω – the verb form of deacon. So while they are not called deacons, they are doing deacon work – serving. But it’s likely the office didn’t exist yet. And at least two of these men, Philip and Stephen, are shortly found in evangelistic ministry themselves. But if not officially deacons, they are precursors to the office.

Their selection shows while division of labor is a critical principle, we must mind who is appointed to what. Qualifications matter. Moses chose carefully Here attention is paid to both spiritual and physical qualifications. The church is to “pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” The 12 didn’t say, get some strong natural leaders, here. Their first concern was these be men full of the HS, controlled by Him, submissive to God, humble. Men of wisdom – who know the Scripture and how to apply it. Men of good reputation. Those chosen met the test as seen by the fact they got the job done and 2 became preachers! They got qualified people, reminding us of the qualification lists in I Tim 3 for elders/deacons.

They took them seriously, and so must we. So often we read the lists in I Tim 3 and Titus 2, conclude that no one meets those qualification in total, and sort of ignore them. Shame on us. They are meant to be followed. While none of us is perfect, we have an obligation before God to pursue His definition of leaders as closely as possible. If we don’t, we deserve whatever we get.

Physical attributes are helpful. These 7 all have Greek names, meaning they were probably Hellenists themselves, thus sympathetic to the needs of the neglected widows in a way others might not have been. But that was not the main reason they were chosen. Physical talent helps. Management ability is good. But foremost, leaders must be people who know God, love God, are seeking God and obey God. That’s what matters most.

In the CW Genrl McClellan was appointed to head the Army of the Potomac early on. Everyone loved him at first. Great organizer. Great natural ability. But afraid to fight. After a few months, Congress was fed up. Ben Wade from Ohio strode into the WH one day and told Lincoln McClellan had to go. Lincoln said, “And who should I put in his place?” Wade answer, “Anybody!” Lincoln replied coolly: “Wade, anybody will do for you, but I must have Somebody.” Eventually Lincoln found his somebody in Grant.

We must be equally cautious in church. Not just anybody will do, tho they may be well-qualified physically. We need somebody – somebody who is committed to Jesus first, who talks about God, who knows God, who obeys God. Someone who if not perfectly qualified is at least seriously qualified.

IV. Prioritize the Word

Please notice that the church grew. But before that, the “word of God continued to increase.” The apostles knew their priorities. As they taught the Word – as it grew in the sense that more people knew it and more people were living it– then the church grew. How do you grow a church? More and better entertainment? Great music? Spectacular programs? All may have their place, but without the emphasis on the Word, all you’ll do is have a nice social club. To build disciples requires the priority of the Word.

That means pastor/teachers must study and work at knowing, teaching and applying the Word of God. Look how Paul instructed Tim: I Tim 4:11: “Command and teach these things. . . . 13) Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14) Do not neglect the gift you have. . . . 16) Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” II Tim 4:2: “Preach the word.” Let the word increase and see how God works through that. True church growth requires nothing less, and very little more.

And then I love this: 7c) “and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Isn’t that wonderful? It has been estimated that there were about 8,000 priests attached to the temple ministry in Jerusalem and “a great many” put their faith in Jesus. You know why I think that was? I think the priests had a better grasp on the OT teachings about Christ than the average person. And they spent their lives involved in the sacrifices that prefigured His coming. As the “word of God continued to increase” due to the priority of the apostles, its truth penetrated from the minds to the hearts of these priests, and many of them believed as well. But it all starts with the Word.

Conc – So we see how effective leadership by the apostles thwarted one more tactic by the Devil to ruin the church in its infancy. They were faithful to their calling, shared the workload, took qualifications seriously and prioritized the Word. And God blessed them greatly. Isn’t that how we’d like to operate?

John MacArthur writes: “God did not design the pastor to be the church’s errand boy. Nor is the pastor the only one gifted to do the ministry. In fact, he does not possess all the gifts necessary for the proper and complete building up of the body. His gifts are equipping gifts, whereas the other members of the body have the useful gifts for a well-rounded ministry to the whole body. It is foolish for a church to expect its pastor to do all the ministry, as it is equally foolish for a minister to see himself as the only one capable of serving the saints. His job is to equip. Theirs is to minister to one another. The end result is an edified church.” Isn’t that what we want? It’s in our grasp by Prioritizing the word, each doing his or her part to get the job done. Let’s pray.

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