Dealing with Growing pains

Introduction

Church Polity

The increase of the church (v. 1)

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. (2:41)

Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (2:47)

But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. (4:4)

Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. (5:14)

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number (6.1)

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (6:7)

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (9:31)

The word of the Lord spread through the whole [Pisidian] region. (13:49) (We should desire this type of multiplication also: planting new churches.)

So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers [in the Galatian region]. (16:5)

In this way the word of the Lord flourished and prevailed [in Ephesus]. (19:20)

You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed. (21:20)

The impediments to growth (v. 1)

a complaint arose (murmuring)

5 problems that are usually present when a church grows...

There is a disruption of unity.

It can be difficult to meet all the needs.

Leadership can become overburdened.

Criticism arises

The church can become inward focused.

The identification of needs (v. 2)

serve tables

Exalting Jesus in Acts We Should Expect Problems When the Church Grows (Acts 6:1–7)

We must understand that failure isn’t always the result of sin. Sometimes failure is simply due to human limitations.

Exalting Jesus in Acts We Should Expect Problems When the Church Grows (Acts 6:1–7)

We must kill our wishes about church, choosing to be realistic about human limitations and knowing we will face challenges.

The installation of order (vv. 3-6)

Exodus 18:17–23 NASB95

17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 “Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22 “Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

Ministry of the Church

Mission of the Church

Conclusion