Dealing with Divisions!

INTRODUCTION

It is easy to see by even a casual look at our national drama that we are a divided nation! Those divisions grow more strained and further apart weekly it seems. Economically, racially, politically, religiously…you name it, our differences seem to be the focus of life right now.

In the previous chapters of Acts, we’ve covered a lot of verses in a moving story of Spirit fueled Gospel growth in the middle of persecution from the enemies of Jesus and His Gospel. Today. we will consider just seven verses in a story that reminds me of a middle school youth group drama…remember I served 13 ½ years as a Youth Minister!

The church was experiencing “growing pains” and this was making it difficult for everybody.

1 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.

The “Hellenists or Grecians” were the Greek-speaking Jews who had come to Palestine from other nations, and therefore may not have spoken Aramaic, while the “Hebrews” were Jewish residents of the land who spoke both Aramaic and Greek. The fact that the “outsiders” were being neglected or at least perceived as such created a situation that could have split the church. However, the Apostles handled the problem with great wisdom and did not give Satan any foothold in the fellowship.

2 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.

The Apostles studied the situation and concluded that they had greatly contributed to the problem. They had been riding that “horse” since it was a church of 120 and now it was a mega-church of well over 5,000. They had been so busy trying to meet the needs of that large number that they were neglecting the main ministry that had been entrusted to them: namely prayer and the ministry of the Word of God.

A. W. Tozer advises, “Church difficulties are spiritual also and admit of a spiritual answer. Whatever may be wrong in the life of any church may be cleared up by recognizing the quality of the trouble and dealing with it at the root. Prayer, humility and a generous application of the Spirit of Christ will cure just about any disease in the body of believers.”

When a church faces serious divisions, this presents the leaders and the members with a number of choices.

For one thing, Divisions give us the opportunity to examine ourselves and our ministry to discover what changes need to be made

In times of success, it is easy for us to maintain the status quo, but this is dangerous. Henry Ward Beecher called success “a last-year’s nest from which the birds have flown.” Any ministry or organization that thinks its success will go on automatically is heading for failure. We must regularly examine our lives and our ministries lest we start taking things for granted.

They had created their own problem because they were trying to do too much. Even today, some pastors are so busy with tasks that other members should be involved in, that they fail to spend adequate time in study and in prayer. This creates a “spiritual deficiency” in the church that makes it easy for problems to develop.

This is not to suggest that other efforts are menial tasks that are unimportant, because every ministry in the church is vital. But it is a matter of priorities; the Apostles were doing jobs that others could do just as well. D.L. Moody used to say that it was better to put ten men to work than to try to do the work of ten men. Certainly it is better for you, for the workers you enlist, and for the church as a whole…and it is Biblical. Ephesians 4:11-16 teaches us:

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Now, let us return to Acts 6 for the rest of the story:

3 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; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 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, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

The church body, not the apostles, chose these men, discerning that they are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Their names reveal that they were Hellenists. In Fact, they were chosen to lead the ministry of the distribution of food, but as we go on in Acts, Stephen and Philip play a key role in the next stage of the church’s expansion. Nicolas is identified as a proselyte, a convert to Judaism, which prepares the way for those who were not born Jews to join the church. That he hails from Antioch is important. The church there is started and endorsed by people from Jerusalem. It would become the bridgehead for the mission into the gentile world and later commission Paul and Barnabas along with others for this ministry.

Divisions give us an opportunity to exercise faith: not only in the Lord, but also in each other

The leaders suggested a solution, and all the members agreed with it. The church was not afraid to adjust their structure to make room for a growing ministry. When structure and ministry conflict, this gives us an opportunity to exercise faith and trust God for the solution. It is tragic when churches destroy ministry because they refuse to modify their structure or become territorial and jealous regarding areas of ministry.

Divisions give us the opportunity to express love and inclusiveness.

The fact that the members of a predominantly Hebrew church selected six men who were Hellenists and one man who was both a Gentile and a proselyte to Judaism needs to be seen through the lens of love and inclusiveness!

What an illustration of Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

And Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. When we solve church problems, we must think of others and not of ourselves only.

Divisions give us the opportunity to see Gospel Growth and Glorify God.

7 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.

The Greek verb for “increased” also appears in 6:1, and its usage enfolds this account and reveals its emphasis. “The word of God” is portrayed as a dynamic power that grows of its own accord. The gospel’s growth is no longer due solely to the preaching of Peter and John and other members of the Twelve; the seven men and many others, who remain anonymous, extend its impact.

Luke describes the evangelistic consequences of the church’s solution to the problem. The church solves the problem, keeps preaching the gospel, and as a result more people are converted.

We should probably consider this the normal church pattern: preach, pray, grow, anticipate drama, manage the drama, pray, keep preaching, and then get ready for more drama. When it hits, keep praying.

Times of crises provide the church unique opportunities. Throughout the history of the church, difficulty, persecution and controversy has served to purify and strengthen the church. So let’s choose to see our challenges today as opportunities for growth and God’s glory.

You and I are living lives full of ups and downs. There are days that seem like a victory, and other days when we feel defeated. On the hard days it’s easy to look around and become discouraged. It’s easy to feel like things are never going to work out.

I want you to be reassured with the truth of God’s eternal promises. The end of the story is already written, and we win! Jesus has claimed victory. Through faith in him, we can rest assured that he will set all things right and make all things new. We’ll get to celebrate with him forever. Therefore, Love isn’t a story with a happy ending. Love is a story with no ending!

When we choose to love people the way Jesus loves people, the world will change. Don’t treat others the way they treat you; treat others the way God treats you. Embrace the love of Jesus in your own life, and then model the example of Jesus in your relationships. Jesus changed the world with love, and he wants you and me to continue this.

He wants to give you a new heart and a new life. When you step from this life into eternity, His love will be all that matters. Live your life with a heart of love for God and other. You’ll be amazed at what will happen as a result.