Serving the Flock of God

Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim 3:8-10

Introduction:

What would you say to someone who said:

We’ve agreed on a contractor and signed the contract, now we can decide on what to build.

I’ve been given an excellent position serving others. I start on Monday when I will be told who I will serve and what I will be doing.

Is it any less puzzling when some churches vote on those who will lead ministries or serve others without having fully defined what needs to be done and the qualifications of those considered for service in some areas.

Things that they don’t teach you during normal classes.

What June Yeaman taught me

The Scripture provide us with some excellent examples and templates for defining ministry needs and the spiritual qualities of those whom we would prayerfully appoint.

Selecting Servers - Acts 6:1-2

Now in those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose.

cc Previously, now in the those days when the disciples were increasing - Acts 2:41, 47 - the Sadduccees, the rulers and elders and the scribes stirred up the extended religious community and after calling Peter & John before their council charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus - Acts 4:18 -

Response - cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard - 4:20 - because no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved - 4:12 - prayer, spoke the word with boldness - 4:31

God purged the church of those who lied to God - Ananias & Sapphira struck dead- 5:4 - church had been attacked from within

Fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things - 5:11

Apostles arrested & freed - some wanted to kill them - 5:33

Suffered dishonour but did not cease preaching and teaching that the Christ is Jesus - 5:41-42

It was in those days of preaching and teaching that the Christ is Jesus in the midst of persecution and purging that the disciples were increasing in number, that a complaint by the Hellenists, Greek speaking Jews, arose against the Hebrews, Hebrew speaking Jewish believers, that their widows, the Greek speaking widows were being neglected.

Complaint - too weak - murmuring KJV a bit too weak - goggusmos - grumbling

More than expressing a need, speaking against as from a distance because of a gulf that divides them

Used of Jews who felt Jesus was leading the people astray and were discrediting Jesus.

John 7:10–13 ESV

But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

Arose - against the Hebrews -

Against the benevolent ministry that was already taking place - 2:45; 4:32-37

Against the 12