How The Church Grows

A church was debating what color to paint the church building. One group passionately wanted white, while another was equally passionate about painting it blue. After several heated discussions, they finally decided to settle it with a vote. In the end, white won by a narrow margin.

The next Sunday, the pastor, being a wise man, stood up and said, “Well, we’ve agreed to paint the church white, but let’s remember that no matter the color, we’re all here to reflect the light of Christ. After all, it doesn’t matter if the building is white or blue—because we all know, the Church isn’t about the paint on the walls, but the love in our hearts!”

One member in the back shouted, “Pastor, that’s true, but I still think love looks better in blue!”

Historical/Cultural Context -

Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Acts is addressed to “Theophilus,” about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” about Jesus.

Biblical Text -

Acts 6:1–7 NKJV

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Believers Need To Be Doing Their Calling & Strive For Unity With Each Other.

Life Point- Do Your Calling, Not Someone Else’s

Exegetical -

Acts 6:1–4 NLT

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Homiletical -

We know from our previous readings that the church was growing pretty fast. It says their number was multiplying almost daily. Now there arose a problem for widows in the the daily distribution of food. The hellenists, that is the greek speaking believers were not getting what the Jewish widows were given.

A widow’s position in society at this time was tough, to say the least. Without a male protector, who could be a close family relative, she would not have any social standing.

A widow would not have many ways to earn an income either. They would do menial work, such as gleaning in the fields. Now a widow with a trade, such as weaving and garment making could sometimes make some money, usually a modest amount.

So in reality a widow would rely on religious, community, and family support to survive. This meant they were rely on the kindness of others.

So what would happen if the community or family support was withheld? They would starve. They would be unable to meet the needs of daily life.

Widow’s were important to Jesus. He wanted them taken care of and he praised them for their faith.

He was highly upset with religious folks who would take, take, take from the widows who had nothing.

Mark 12:38–44 NLT

Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.” Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

So we have this disparity amongst the two types of widows and the apostles know how important it is take care of them and make sure they are not overlooked. Did they go personally to oversee that ministry? NO.

Did they hire someone and pay them to take care of the problem? NO

Did they ignore the problem? NO.

They created the ministry of the deacon right there. They looked inside their church and found seven men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They put them in charge of the food pantry, as it were. I am sure that the apostles over-saw what was going on, but they didn’t handle the day-to-day of that ministry.

Why?

Because they had a calling to preach and teach God’s Word. They were not to neglect their calling.

let’s look at what would have happened had they done that.

1) The leadership would have become inward seeking in the church and not outward seeking to call sinners to repentance.

There are churches all over America that will close their doors this year because instead of sharing the Gospel message they are too worried about the inward things of the church and not the main purpose of the church. The main purpose is to preach and teach the lost with the Good News of Salvation.

2) The leaders would neglect the Word of God and up not being effective to anyone, inside or outside the church.

Let us all remain faithful to the calling that God has called us. Whether it is to be a believer who does the work of the ministry, Or a deacon who oversees specific ministries, or pastoral leadership that prepares everyone to do their work.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Romans 12:4–8 NKJV

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Illustration -

I was listening to another minister once talking about when he came to his church. He showed up and so did the people. All throughout the first week people would ask him to come and do things for them. Clean their house, mow their lawn, cook their lunch, and one guy even showed up to have his car fixed by him. Now this pastor didn’t know how to fix a car, he wasn’t a mechanic.

He asked each one why they would come to him for these services and the answer he got back, every time, was “well the last pastor did it.” So he asked another question “Why did he leave?” The answer he got back, every time, is that he said he was burned out and couldn’t do the work of the pastor.

No he couldn’t do the work of the pastorate because he was doing all these other things. As a matter of fact he couldn’t work another job in this smaller sized church because he was too busy doing these other things.

So the new pastor asked them one last question “How was his preaching?” The answer was always something like this, He preached but we couldn’t follow it. It was like he never studied.

He neglected the call on his life rather than trying to find someone or a couple of someones to oversee these other things that were burning him out.

The main job of the Pastor is to equip you, the saints for the work of ministry. The work of sharing the good news in any way you can.

Galatians 6:9 NLT

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Life Point - Strive For Unity With Other Believers

Exegetical -

Acts 6:5–7 NLT

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

Homiletical -

This solution pleased the entire congregation so they went with it. Then they go through the men’s names of whom they chose.

They then brought them to the apostles who prayed for them and lad their hands on them.

The laying on of hands is simply putting your hand on someone and praying for them for a specific purpose.

The most common reasons:

1) imparting the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:17 NLT

Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

2) For Healing

Mark 6:5 NLT

And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Acts 9:17 NLT

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

3)Blessing

Mark 10:16 NLT

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

4) Empowering believers by the impartation of Spiritual Gifts

2 Timothy 1:6 NLT

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

5) Ordaining someone to a particular ministry. This is the one that is happening here. This is why a pastor or group of ordained ministers will very often lay hands on the individual that is being ordained to the deacon ministry.

Acts 13:2–3 NKJV

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

So the people have put deacons in charge of the daily distribution and have taken care of the problem in the church. There is no division just unity in this church.

What is the result of a unified church?

The scripture tells us. The message of Jesus continued to spread, many people were being converted and even many of the priests were converted too.

Unity is what is needed in churches all across America today. Unity amongst the believers is a special and wonderful gift. One that we have been enjoying. Let us continue in unity.

In my research I found the best definition of Biblical Unity.

The biblical definition of unity revolves around the idea of believers being one in faith, love, and purpose, grounded in their relationship with God through Christ. Unity in the Bible emphasizes harmony within the body of Christ, despite differences in background, culture, or personal convictions. It is a spiritual unity that comes from a shared faith and commitment to Jesus, not just an organizational or external unity.

Illustration -

Think of a forest filled with redwood trees. They can grow over 300 feet tall, making them some of the tallest trees in the world. You might think that such enormous trees must have incredibly deep roots to support their massive trunks. But in fact, the roots of the redwood trees are surprisingly shallow, often only going down about 6-12 feet. So how do they stand against strong winds, storms, and floods?

The secret lies in their interconnected roots. Their roots spread out horizontally and intertwine with the roots of other redwood trees, creating a vast underground network. By supporting each other, they gain strength from the unity of the entire forest. Alone, a redwood tree would easily fall, but together, they can stand against the windows, storms, and floods.

Life Principle– Believers Need To Be Doing Their Calling & Strive For Unity With Each Other.

Call to Action – altar call….