The Church is a Merciful People

Introduction:

· When I gave John Newton $50

· The “helping dilemma” – we want to do more… but what? Panhandler? Market St.?

LET’S LOOK AT THE PRIORITIES OF THE CHURCH, THE PROBLEMS THAT UNDERMINE THESE PRIORITIES, AND THEN THE GIFT GOD GIVES THE CHURCH.

I) What is the Priority of the Church? MINISTRY (of Word & Deed!)

A. The Church Prioritized Word & Deed Ministry…

i. Ministry was always proclamation & mercy Ministry

1. The Conflict: NOT “should we or shouldn’t we care for the poor…?”

2. “Ministry” – of the word…and of serving tables (vv. 1, 2, 4)

ii. What the priests saw: (vs. 7)

1. In fact: “Many priests” believe – why?

2. Priests were caretakers of the poor & saw new way to care for the poor

B. The Church Prioritizes Word & Deed to Show How the Gospel Plays out

i. How does the world understand Poverty?

1. On the left – people are victims, the system is to blame…fix the system(but: No personal accountability!)

2. On the right – people are irresponsible, fix the people (But: does not take into account complexities inherent in systems)

ii. The radically new way of understanding the power of the gospel

1. The gospel allows us to see that sin alienates:

a. People from people

b. People from their environment

c. People from God

2. THIS MEANS: you can be materially wealthy, and spiritually poor, and you can be spiritually wealthy, and materially poor

3. BUT: Jesus is the hope for us all, and he is redeeming all things!

BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS INTRODUCED IN VS. 1.

II) What is the Problem?

A. Divisions within the Church Threaten the Gospel Ministry

i. A Church Divided: Hellenists & Hebrews (vs. 1)

1. Liberal vs. progressives? Racial differences?

2. Probably not: Jewish widows of diaspora spending last years in Jerusalem

ii. Favoritism threatens the Priorities of the Church

1. Ministry to the poor is threatened by favoritism

2. Christ frequently crossed social, religious, cultural boundaries

B. Competing Priorities Threaten the Gospel Ministry

i. Professionalism: (vv. 2-3)

1. A “professional” solution: Hire an Expert (but ministry diluted!)

2. Somehow, the church needs a solution that promotes gospel witness

ii. “Paternalism:

1. We care for the poor in a way that excludes them

2. EXAMPLE: John Newton, revisited

3. Somehow the church must care for the poor in a way that honors them

YOU’LL NOTICE THAT NEITHER OF THESE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

III) How does God Gift the Church to Adapt?

A. A Tale of Two Ministers (vv. 3-6)

i. God leads the church to create the “ministry” of the diaconate

1. The “ministry” of tables and the “ministry” of the word will continue

2. The church adapts in order to ensure the needs of the poor!

ii. Following their lead

1. Deacons are God’s gift to the church: who lead us in caring for the poor

2. APPLICATION: When they invite your help… respond!

B. God Gifts the Church With Local “Servants” To Lead the Church

i. God entrusts the work to local leadership

1. All are Hellenists – that is Greek-speaking (vv. 5-6)

2. Avoiding paternalism – focusing on involving those in need in solutions

ii. The Outcome

1. EXAMPLE: [FROM WHH]

2. The gospel witness of word & deed proclaims: Christ is reconciling all things to himself! (vs. 7)

Transition:

Conclusion

Bearing witness to the resurrection in our care for the poor