SF277 - Growing Pains (Acts 6)

Acts 6:1‑7

INTRODUCTION

Two Kinds Of People

Pessimist

Ø See difficulties in every opportunity

Optimist

Ø See opportunities in every difficulty

Problem Is Growing Pains

Children

Families

Churches

Four Facts About Growing Pains

1A. WHERE THERE IS LIFE THERE IS GROWTH (6:1)

"increasing" = plethuno; to increase (trans. or intrans.):‑abound, multiply. Same as "increased" in 6:7.

1B. Every Church Should Grow

2B. No Growth ‑ No Life

PAINTING OF A DEAD CHURCH

Cob webs in the baptistery.

3B. Growth is Supernatural

Ø Spiritual life = spiritual growth = numerical growth

2A. WHERE THERE IS GROWTH THERE ARE PROBLEMS (6:1b)

1B. The real Problem

Widows were neglected; Greeks vs. Hebrews

2B. The wrong Reaction

"complaint" = a grumbling:‑grudging, murmuring.

Complaining is a form of disobedience

Philippians 2:14 (NASB) 14Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

When we complain we are really complaining against God

Exodus 16:8 (NASB) 8Moses said, “This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”

God takes our complaining seriously

1 Corinthians 10:7-10 (NASB) 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

People + Progress = Problems

3A. WHERE THERE ARE PROBLEMS THERE ARE GOD‑GIVEN SOLUTIONS

1B. It was a Reasonable Solution

The mark of the presence of the Holy Spirit is order

CREATION

Holy Spirit brought order from confusion

2B. Provided for the feeding the Sheep (6:2,4)

Preacher's primary task

Hungry sheep hunt other pastures

3B. Provided for the feeding of the Widows

Notice the Qualifications

Ø Good men ‑ impeccable character

Ø Godly men ‑ Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ø Gifted men ‑ wisdom "knowledge that works"

There Are No Small Jobs with God

Ø Stephen ‑ 1st martyr

Ø Philip ‑ 1st missionary

4A. WHERE THERE IS A GOD GIVEN SOLUTION THERE IS GREATER GROWTH (6:7)

"increase " = Same as 6:1

"greatly" = sphodra; as adv.; vehemently, i.e. in a high degree, much:‑exceeding (‑ly), greatly, sore, very.

1B. The growth Cycle

Ø The solution to a problem caused by growth produces greater growth.

2B. The growth/problem Principle

Ø When we meet problems in the power of the Holy Spirit we experience growth.

APPLICATION

1. Growth is the supernatural work of God in His church.

2. Growth is the “normal” condition of the New Testament church.

3. Growth will always produce “people” problems.

4. God always has a solution to our problems, but we must seek Him and keep our priorities straight.

5. God’s solution will result in church growth.

USE YOUR GIFT!

A talented, young concert pianist was drafted in World War I and sent to the front line. In a fierce battle he was badly wounded in his right arm. The doctors decided that unless they amputated that arm, which they did, the soldier would die.

Although this was devastating to the musician, he was determined not to let it destroy his future. After recovering, he went from composer to composer, asking for compositions for the left hand only. No one was willing to help until he visited Maurice Ravel, the brilliant French composer of Bolero.

He responded to the young man's need and wrote the moving Concerto in D Major for Left Hand. Audiences everywhere were stirred by the pianist's rendition of this beautiful music.

GROWING PAINS
Acts 6:1‑7

1A. WHERE THERE IS _______________________ THERE IS GROWTH (6:1)

1B. Every Church Should ____________________

2B. No Growth ‑ No __________________________

3B. Growth is Supernatural

2A. WHERE THERE IS _________________ THERE ARE PROBLEMS (6:1b)

1B. The ____________________ Problem

2B. The __________________ Reaction

Complaining is a form of _____________________

Philippians 2:14 (NASB) 14Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

When we complain we are really complaining against ____________________ (Exodus 16:8)