Acts 6v1-7
Title: “Unqualified Leaders”
Text: Acts 4:13; 6:1-7
Objective: It is my objective to show that God is not asking for ability but availability. When a person is available, God will place them where He can use them. This may be in an area where they do not think they can serve but if they are available, God will use them as He sees fit.
INTRODUCTION:
1. God is not asking for your ability but your availability.
2. Will you do, say, be exactly what God wants or do you have reservations of your own making?
3. Strategies of the Church
a. Jesus Christ is the central theme
b. They cared for one another
c. They were saved, baptized and added to the church
d. God Chose leaders
e. Unity was and is of high priority
f. Being filled with the Spirit was essential for growth
g. Prayer was another key
4. Read Acts 5:41-6:7
I. Persecution came
A. They were Preaching Jesus Christ
B. They told the people that Jesus Christ is alive and in the way of salvation
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” NASB 95.
C. The Leaders were Jealous—Many were turning to Jesus, Their crowd and power was dimishing
Acts 5:17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. NASB 95
D. Peter and James told the leaders they had crucified Jesus
Act 4:8—Peter filled with the Spirit
Acts 4:8-12. 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. (Quoting Psalm 118:22). 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” NASB 95
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (RESULT) began to speak the word of God with boldness. NASB 95
E. Application:
1. We ought to obey God rather than man.
2. If we live Godly, we will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. NASB 95
3. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; NASB 95
II. Problem
A. Many were being saved
1. Day of Pentecost—3000
2. God added daily –2:47
3. Acts 4:4—5000 men
4. Act 6:1—Increasing number of disciples
B. Problem arises
1. Ethnic problem—Helenist (Greek) vs. Native Hebrews
2. hurt feelings
3. Placing more importance on one person over another
C. Solution
1. You find 7 men
a. Qualifications—
1) Good Reputation—They have a good testimony—good witness
2) Full of the Spirit—Filled with the Holy Spirit
3) Full of wisdom--
4) Does not suggest experience in this job
5) Some would consider these unqualified
(Did not have a college education)
(Did not have the training in the Law)
(Had been with Jesus)
Acts 4:13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. NASB 95
2. We will appoint them
Authority of the leaders God appointed
3. Apostles continued to teach the Word and Pray
III. People
A. Apostles—The twelve who were with Jesus
B. Whole Congregation—New Believers who mostly knew the Old Testament
C. Widows—Those who were in dire straits
1 Tim 5:1-8—Take care of the widows
Family first to care for the widows--
Church second in line of responsibility
D. Deacons
Those who serve tables
Take care of the poor
Meet the needs of those in need
IV. Process
A. Essentials for power
1. Unity—Talked about last week
2. Spirit filling
3. Prayer
4. RESULTS—Power from God
B. Filling of the Spirit – Some of this from Fresh Power by Jim Cymbala
1. Deacons then Versus Deacons Now
a. Then
1) One who rolls up his sleeves and serves
2) Full o f the Spirit and wisdom—(QualificationS)
3) They were there serving in the church already
b. Some think today
1) One who sits on a prestigious board
2) Nothing is said about a college degree, education, money management, etc.
3) Must not let the Wall street corporate mentality invade the church
2. “Filling” means What?
a. Known to be filled with the Spirit
1) Different than having the Spirit—
Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. NASB 95
2) Distinct and observable 6:3 Known to be wise and filled
Galatians 5:22-23. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. NASB 95
3) Not all believers are full of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 … be filled with the Spirit, (Keep on being filled) NASB 95
4) Church at Laodecia—Rev 3:14-22 Luke warm
--Many have a hard time to come for only one hour of church and it must be entertaining.
5) Spirit filling is essential for there to be God’s work accomplished with God’s Power
--Not emotional high or some pulpit trick -This is not some unbiblical manifestation
--Not some holy laughter which teaches nothing but emotions
--Not associated with only one place—not associated with geography
--When 1st happened in the upper room. They did go back to the upper room
--Early Christians did not travel around to get the blessing
6) What does it mean?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. NASB 95
b. Surprising things happened
1) Act 6:7—Word of God kept on increasing
2) Stephen began to do great things
3) Stephen was never given the pulpit
--bubbled out in the market place
--Not people called reverend
--Not just staff personnel
No such thing as “Just an usher.”
No such thing as “Just a nursery worker”
4) Election is coming
--Looking for men full of the Holy Spirit and Power
--Deacons, Trustees, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendents,
--Teachers, custodians,
THE ISSUE IS NOT ABILITY BUT AVAILITY
3. Filling does not insure freedom from trouble
a. Stephen got into trouble
b. The church supported Him
c. Stephen was full of the Holy spirit and God busted
Romans 8:17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. NASB 95
d. One of the mob that killed Stephen was Saul
4. Unforeseen Fruit
a. Saul got saved later after Stephen was killed
--Many churches started
(But Stephen was dead)
--14 or 15 books of the New Testament were written by Paul
(But Stephen was Dead)
b. It is always better to be dead in God’s will than alive out of God’s will
c. Story of the Church in Quebec
--Jacque Alexanian went to Montreal many years ago
--Great persecution—drug around be their hair
--Stayed faithful over and over
--One day a person got saved
--Then one in his family
--Then one in the next town
--Just so happened that he went to visit relatives in the next town
--Churches began to spring up and SEMBEQ was started
d. Unforeseen fruit—Being filled with the Spirit
e. Some of you here can tell of a person that got saved years after much suffering and prayer by others
C. Much Prayer
Dear Father, forgive us for often ignoring your purpose for our lives. Pardon us for the sin of small and selfish living, with little thought of the privilege and potential in belonging to you. Reveal your will and purpose concerning us, and then give us the grace to pursue it with all of our hearts. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen. (From 121-122 Fresh Power by Jim Cymbala)