Untitled Sermon (15)

Gospel Community: Life Together in the Local Church

Series Summary:

God forms a people through the gospel, shaping them by Christ’s work, binding them together in love, and ordering them for gospel-centered ministry.

Series Sermons:

1/4 - Gospel Formation - Acts 2:42-47

1/11 - Gospel Unity - Acts 4:32-37

1/18 - Gospel Ministry - Acts 6:1-7

Gospel Ministry

Acts 6:1–7 “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.”

P.O.P.

Gospel ministry flourishes when the mission of the Word remains central, the work is shared, and God brings the growth.

Kids

God's church stays focused on the Word, everyone looks for ways to serve, and God makes his people grow.

1. Balancing the demands of gospel ministry.

Acts 6:1–2 “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.”

What was the early church balancing?

Growth

Complaints

Needs

Neglect

Priorities

Notice here, as we have seen in the other passages, that the preaching of God’s Word and prayer for the congregation is of highest importance. This is the primary calling of the Elders over the congregation. In the midst of growth persecution (ch. 5), and complaints, the Elders do not waver on their primary and highest task.

However, this does not mean that taking care of others in the church is not a high and important task. Notice, just because preaching and prayer are of high importance, this does not excuse the care of others in the church.

We also should not look at this as just isolated to widows. The point is that there was a need/complaint, and it needed to be handled.

The reality of the importance of preaching and praying maintaing it’s priority while also caring for the people is the great burden of not only leaders but also the church in gerneral.

Where a need arises, members must be ready to go.

2. Structuring gospel ministry wisely.

Acts 6:3–6 “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.”

Leadership for effective ministry

Elders/Overseers/Pastors

We are led by a plurality of Elders. We believe Scripture gives the care of each member in a local church to qualified men who meet the qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. These qualified men oversee the spiritual growth and care of the congregation. No one Elder has sole authority in the church, but each shares in the responsibility of shepherding the people.

Deacon

We are served by Deacons. We believe Scripture prescribes appointing members who meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 to serve the Congregation and the Elders. The two primary tasks associated with deacons consist of unity in the body of believers and administration to free the Elders for prayer and teaching (Acts 6:1-6). Deacons do not hold the same authority as the Elders, but function in designated tasks that serve the local church.

Spiritually qualified leadership

Elders

1 Timothy 3:1–7 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8–13 “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Spiritually gifted service

While we recognize that all service to the church is, or ought to be, spiritually gifted, certain offices are identified for the oversight of the whole church and its members. We recognize these as two offices: Elders and deacons.

The realization is, as I mentioned earlier, when a need is identified it is not the responsibilty to complain and to grumble but to bring the complaint to the surface and serve.

The only way for gospel ministry to maintain balance is for gospel ministry to be a collective burden met with a collective service.

Consumerism in the local church is not isolated to pragmatic minisry, attractional churches, or shallow theology but fosters in individualized Christians.

Effective leadership is also not relying on the right people to join but an ability to disciple and raise up godly and gifted leadership in the local church.

This does not just take experience but it also takes cultivating, teaching, modeling, and waiting.

Meansville Baptist - waiting to preach

3. Growing gospel ministry faithfully

Acts 6:7 “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.”

Gospel ministry growth first is an act of God.

Gospel ministry growth is an act of sacrifice

Sharing the gospel - building relationships with unbelievers, intentionally finding time to talk about the gospel.

Discipling new believers - meeting regularly to teach and model, carrying burdens and sacrificing time.

Gospel ministry growth is an act of unity in shared mission through shared service.

Series Challenge:

The Gospel forms a people, unites a people, and sends a people.