Helping Along the Way

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Introduction to the text: The books of Acts is all about how the early church functioned in this new reality where they were saved by grace through faith. There was no longer any need for the sacrificial system because Jesus was the final once for all sacrifice that paid for our sins. But the early church grew so big so fast that they had to deal with a lot of problems on the fly.

They didn’t have the new testament, they were daily being guided by the Holy Spirit. But they were not perfect. In fact pretty early on, they had to deal with a pretty substantial issue of racism in the early church. Between the Hebrew Jews and the Hellenist (or Greek) Jews.

For their entire lives they were taught not to like each other and now they have to learn how to play nice in the church.

Let’s read what happened.

Acts 6:1-

Acts 6:1–7 ESV

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 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. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 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.

Big Idea: Work together to Meet needs head on.

1. As people increase, needs increase. (1-2)

Explanation: The early church was facing one of those problems that we sometimes wish we had. Too many people were coming to Jesus. And these people weren’t just coming to Jesus on a weekly basis, but were abandoning all to follow the way to God.

But the truth is that they came with a lot of needs. And these needs were overwhelming to the young church. The apostles who were acting as the pastors of the this young church had a choice to make, would they sacrifice to the teaching and preaching of the gospel to meet all of these needs or would they find others who could meet those needs?

Illustration: As quarterback, my coaches wanted as best they could to protect me from taking big hits. I wouldn’t be the lead blocker on a running play. At the same time, if I found myself out there with the potential to block, I better do my best.

You see in a church, a pastor can and should serve when he sees a need, but his primary role is the preaching and teaching of God’s word. Therefore the meeting of needs of the congregation must primarily fall to others.

Still for pastors we should do for one what we wish we could do for all.

Application: As a church, don’t always come to the pastor with needs. Work through the deacons first. And also ask, is this a need that perhaps I can meet myself?

2. The church chooses deacons to serve. (3)

3. Character is always more important than initial ability.

Explanation: Now something really interesting is going on here and we get to see the entirety of the leadership structure. The congregational identifies the problem and they bring it to the pastors. The pastors come up with a plan and charge the congregation to follow through with that plan. The congregation goes and does what the pastors ask and bring their results back to the pastors for final approval.

And here is what was decided. The pastors would continue to teach, preach and most importantly pray. The congregation would select 7 men who could meet the needs of those in the congregation.

Now it was just any able bodied person. These people needed to be qualified for the job. And their qualifications were not based on ability or experience but on character. In God’s kingdom, character is always more important that initial ability. Ability will come, but character is hard to come by. In fact a deacon with great ability and no character can do a lot of harm in the congregation of God. gives us the qualifications of deacons.

1 Timothy 3:8–13 ESV

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 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.

It’s like the old

1 Timothy 3:8-

Illustration: It’s like the old Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade meme, “Choose....but choose wisely!”

Application: Do you know your deacons? Do you go to them when you have need?

3. Deacons and Pastors work together to meet the needs of the people. (4-7)

Explanation: In this passage we see a clear delineation of roles in the leadership of the church. Pastors/Elders/Apostles are primarily responsible for “prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Deacons are primarily responsible for “serving tables.” Now we have to remember that serving tables is not to be considering menial work below that of pastors. This simply speaks to the priority of teaching.

However, let’s not neglect the needs of the people.

They have 2 needs:

Spiritual Needs: Met by the pastors

Physical Needs: Met by the deacons.

And by working together, the needs of the congregation are met head on. But it was so important that we understand that the pastors must let the deacons serve and empower them to do the role that God has called them to. And deacons must all the pastors to do what God has called them to do.

Also with the congregation understanding this, they can also let the deacons serve and not overburden the pastors.

Illustration: Teamwork is such an important life-skill. It takes a lot of humility and cooperation. It says, I can’t do this all on my own. I need the help of others who are co-laboring. Someone who believes if you want something done right you have to do it yourself is just as harmful as the person who passes the buck saying, “that’s not my job!”

Application: Let people do the work that God has called them to do. Empower people to serve you. What part will you play in the church?

Reflection: Has God not called you to serve?

Conclusion:

Shall we look at the result of the teamwork between the apostles and these new deacons?

“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.”

What we need to understand is that it is not about who does the work or who gets the credit but it’s about expanding the kingdom of God on earth but sharing the name of Jesus with as many people as possible.

The world is watching the way we work together.

Closing Illustration: Deacons play a prominent role in the early church. And perhaps no deacon is more famous than that of Stephen.

Acts 7:54–60 ESV

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

acts 7:54-

And let’s not forget that even our greatest enemy seeing our love and devotion for Jesus can have a seed planted in their heart. Paul would go on to be the greatest missionary. And perhaps it all began through the obedience of a deacon.