7 Chosen To Serve

I. A Complaint (v.1)

Hellenists - Greek speaking Jews

Difference between Greek speaking Jews and Hebrew speaking Jews

II. Priorities (v.2-4)

The apostles new what priorities were most important.

The Apostles were being distracted by the charity work and were not doing the ministry of the word.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches in his commentary that many missions groups and churches have moved from gospel ministry to philanthropy.

Taking care of someone’s physical needs will only help them for this time here on earth (a mere 70-80 years) we must have even greater concern for the spiritual needs.

(We still must help with physical needs - but let’s not forget the spiritual needs)

Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

III. Servants Chosen (v.5-6)

We only hear more about Stephen and Philip (we do not here about the rest in the book of Acts).

Some believe that this was the first calling of Deacons - however, the word for deacon is never used but the word for serving is (which supports that these men were deacons) however this word is used in other places where service occurred in the New Testament.

IV. The Increase of the Word (v.7)

The church still grew even with the:

Attack from inside the church (or sin in the church) (Ananias & Sapphira)

Persecution from outside the church

And disputes within the church

These last three weeks we watched the Apostles do a few key things:

The Apostles…

Guarded God’s holiness and the purity of the church (Acts 5)

Preached the Gospel in the middle of persecution (Acts 5:12-42)

Prioritized gospel ministry while still taking care of others.

The Apostles did not do it alone...

You and I are called to serve in different capacities

Maybe your called to teach and that is your gifting

Maybe you are called to help lead in worship

Maybe you are called to come and help clean and organize

Maybe you are called to hospitality

Maybe you are called to help lead a Bible study

Maybe you are called to be a good follower and helper.

3 Points

The ministry of the word is the most important job of the church

We should strategically care for those in our community

We must serve