WORKING TOGETHER
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THEME: A Healthy Community
THEME: A Healthy Community
Text: ACTS 6:1-7
Text: ACTS 6:1-7
Intro
Intro
What is Leadership and How can we lead in our world today
What is Leadership and How can we lead in our world today
Overview of the Book of Acts
Overview of the Book of Acts
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:6–8 (ESV)
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mathias chosen to replace Judas: Acts 1:26
Acts 1:26 (ESV)
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The Day of Pentecost and the aftermath
Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Lame beggar Healed and the Beautiful Gate Chapter 3
Peter and John showing boldness before the Council Chapter 4
Ananias and Sapphira Die for playing with the foundation of the Church chapter 5
OUR PASSAGE: CHOSEN TO SERVE
OUR PASSAGE: CHOSEN TO SERVE
Acts 6:1–7 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Observing
Observing
The Church was Increasing in Number : Verse 1: Acts 6:1
Acts 6:1 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
A. Increase in number, causes crushes
A. Increase in number, causes crushes
B. Therefore, the more the number increases, the more the leaders must increase
B. Therefore, the more the number increases, the more the leaders must increase
1. The Leaders called for A meeting to address a complaint: Verse Acts 6:2
1. The Leaders called for A meeting to address a complaint: Verse Acts 6:2
Acts 6:2 (ESV)
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
The Leaders gave the Reason why they did not want to serve tables
The Leaders gave the Reason why they did not want to serve tables
Acts 6:3–4 (ESV)
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
2. The other believers were pleased: Verse 5 Acts 6:5
2. The other believers were pleased: Verse 5 Acts 6:5
Acts 6:5 (ESV)
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
3. the Word of God continued to Increase : Verse Acts 6:6-7
3. the Word of God continued to Increase : Verse Acts 6:6-7
Acts 6:6–7 (ESV)
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
4. The Number of disciples multiplied: Verse 7 Acts 6:7
4. The Number of disciples multiplied: Verse 7 Acts 6:7
Acts 6:7 (ESV)
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
APOSTLES UNDERSTOOD THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH
APOSTLES UNDERSTOOD THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH
1. PETER Reports to the Church Chapter 11
2. The Church at Antioch Was reporting to the Church in Jerusalem Chapter 11
3. Church persecution: James killed and Peter Imprisoned Chapter 12.
4. PAUL And BARNABAS sent off by the Church:
PAUL AND BARNABAS
PAUL AND BARNABAS
Acts 13:1–3 (ESV)
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH WHERE BELIEVERS WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS
THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH WHERE BELIEVERS WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS
Acts 15:22–35 (ESV)
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:
“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
And this Church at Antioch became the sending Church
And this Church at Antioch became the sending Church
When the Christians were scattered in Jerusalem, Antioch was like the main branch because it had more believers but still it reported to the Church in Jerusalem which was led by James.
An Old Testament Example
An Old Testament Example
Jethro Helps Moses
Jethro Helps Moses
Exodus 18:1 (ESV)
Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
After Arriving Jethro said:
After Arriving Jethro said:
Exodus 18:10–12 (ESV)
Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
And then Jethro Noticed something
And then Jethro Noticed something
Exodus 18:13–14 (ESV)
The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 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?”
Moses Responds
Moses Responds
Exodus 18:15–17 (ESV)
And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 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.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
Jethro Gives proper advise to Moses
Jethro Gives proper advise to Moses
Exodus 18:18–20 (ESV)
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. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.
WHAT KIND OF MEN DID MOSES CHOOSE
WHAT KIND OF MEN DID MOSES CHOOSE
Exodus 18:21–23 (ESV)
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. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”
DID MOSES LISTEN?
DID MOSES LISTEN?
Exodus 18:24–27 (ESV)
So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.
LEADERS THAT WE NEED IN OUR TIME
LEADERS THAT WE NEED IN OUR TIME
A Leader is a Person who aims to inspire people and motivate them towards a goal
they have have a Vision and Passion to reach a certain destination
Characteristics of Leaders
Characteristics of Leaders
Supporting their team members
Providing the tools for others to use as they also develop
Pushing people forward to bypass all hurdles in their Journey
Mentoring team members to perform better
Nature of True Leaders
Nature of True Leaders
1. They Challenge the status quo: They ask difficult questions, sometimes very unpredictable, have courage to cause change.
1. They Challenge the status quo: They ask difficult questions, sometimes very unpredictable, have courage to cause change.
2. They do not give themselves Titles in fact praise makes them very uncomfortable;
2. They do not give themselves Titles in fact praise makes them very uncomfortable;
3. True leaders are genuinely over-joyed to see others become better, growing in influence especially for God’s Glory.
3. True leaders are genuinely over-joyed to see others become better, growing in influence especially for God’s Glory.
4. Leaders have no time to be jealous of the other people because they are busy fulfilling their God given purpose.
4. Leaders have no time to be jealous of the other people because they are busy fulfilling their God given purpose.
4. But the major reason why leaders have this attitude is they know where they are from, where they are and where they are going:
4. But the major reason why leaders have this attitude is they know where they are from, where they are and where they are going:
The reason they know is because Leaders and readers: They have an accurate understanding of what is happening in the present as a result of the past, and what is expected to happen in the future because of the present.
The reason they know is because Leaders and readers: They have an accurate understanding of what is happening in the present as a result of the past, and what is expected to happen in the future because of the present.
5. This knowledge give leaders the sense of responsibility that super-ceds any one person and that is why they are never disturbed by another person’s success because their vision is based on transcendent and eternal significance
5. This knowledge give leaders the sense of responsibility that super-ceds any one person and that is why they are never disturbed by another person’s success because their vision is based on transcendent and eternal significance
On A Personal Level
On A Personal Level
5. True leaders have an accurate view of themselves: they know their weakness and they feed on their strengths.
5. True leaders have an accurate view of themselves: they know their weakness and they feed on their strengths.
A. And that makes them excellent in knowing other people,
A. And that makes them excellent in knowing other people,
B. and Because they know people, they have the competence to lead.
B. and Because they know people, they have the competence to lead.
C. And since humans can smell competence they follow
C. And since humans can smell competence they follow