Acts 6:1-7

When put in a difficult spot the disciples never seemed to buckle under pressure

They were not procrastinators and they addressed issues as soon as possible.

So naturally when issues in their ministry arose they addressed them promptly and wisely

Church I want to encourage us this morning to act promptly and wisely in this ministry

Acts 6:1–7 KJV 1900

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Opening us up in verse 1

The scripture says that the “disciples were increasing in number”

So the word of God was spreading and faithful followers of Jesus were growing

but an issue arose

verse 1 continues and says “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution”

Lets address what this means

The Hebrews were upset because the Hebrew widows who did not have a husband that would provide for them was missing out

See daily food was given out to those in need but these women were receiving none because their husband was not there to bring it to them.

So here is an issue lets look at how the apostles address it in hopes that we can address future issues wisely

Acts 6:2–4 KJV 1900

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Now the disciples did not see this as below them but they had ministerial duties to maintain sharing the word of God and their plate was full

So the disciples address this issue by first calling the believers together and explaining to them that their plate was full but they had a plan to address such a problem

They said in verse 3 “Pick out 7 good and honest men, who are full of the Holy Ghost and wise”

The thought was simple. the body has grown and we are sharing the word of God and do not have time for this issue but because the body has grown we can find someone who does.

So we find the apostles here acting quickly, faithfully and wisely

I want to encourage this church to act faithfully, quickly, and wisely

Let me ask you this.

Many of you have been in church life for a long time.

You have seen issues within the body

I have been guilty of this as I know other pastors and church leaders have as well

We see an issue and instead of being honest with ourselves and being proactive to fix that issue we allow it simmer and cause hurt feelings

I want to suck up my pride and say that in my ministry here that their has been times that my procrastination in an issue caused the church problems.

Therefor I want to encourage us today that when a present issue is in the body, be it big or small

This congregation addresses it kindly but quickly and wisely.

Because even the small issues could become big when brought to our attention and we do nothing

imagine if the disciples here had tried to ignore this issue for whatever reason

Hurt feelings would have been had

But they knew in which was to address this just as we are learning today

in verse 4 the apostles finish addressing this issue by saying simply something I pray we all rely on in these issues

Acts 6:4 KJV 1900

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Ultimately the mission of the Apostles is not feed a Hebrew widow but they knew this issue of ministry could prohibit them from continuing their work here

finally in verse 5 they appoint these 7 men

Acts 6:5 KJV 1900

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

So here they chose the men who would deliver the meals to these widows

But I want to prove to you that the apostles did not take this lightly.

Because in verse 6 we see what they did

They didn’t appoint these men and forget about it

Acts 6:6 KJV 1900

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

so they laid hands on these men and the prayed for them and the work they were about to do

I want to strongly encourage us this morning not to allow issues to simmer inside or congregation

I wan tto encourage you and to not put anything on the back burner but to address it kindly and faithfully

When we begin to allow the little issues to bother us and eat at us it is only a matter of time before the word of God is slowed because of something simple

Rather we need to pay attention to how the disciples addressed such situations

First they addressed it to the believers

They came up with a solution

and the faithfully prayed and worked through that solution

They acted swiftly and faithfully

Guy we have the word of God and the possibility of advancing that or slowing that resting on our shoulders

The very thing that may determine how far we can carry it is how we respond in situations such as that very one

The small issues and the large issues.

We should not let them simmer until they tear the church apart

Rather we should address them early and faithfully

The last verse of today tells us all we need to know

Acts 6:7 KJV 1900

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Because the disciples were faithful and acted wisely the advancement of the word hardly missed a beat

The issue was prayed through, addressed and they went on teaching the word.

I have to believe that in many of modern churches this issue of feeding the widows would be procrastinated and before you know it the body would be harmed by it

When those issues arise today let us address them in the same manner of the disciples and let act wisely and quickly