Acts 6:1-7 The Word of God and the Needs of the Widow

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Good Morning .. Pause

I welcome you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Out Scripture meditation is from Psalm 23 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3  He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

PRELUDE — Use these moments to prayerfully consider the Scripture meditation above, so you may properly give God the glory due to His name.

THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM

*God’s Word of Greeting

Call to Worship Psalm 23:5-6

English Standard Version (Psalm 23)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lordforever.

Let us rise for the singing of Gods Word

*Psalm of Praise Psalm 23A The Lord’s My Shepherd

INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.

And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.

We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

Responsive Reading

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance

Grant, Almighty God, that, since you have until now so kindly invited us to yourself, and daily invite us,

and often interpose also your threatenings to rouse our inattention,

and since we have been inattentive to your reproofs,

as well as to your Kindness to us your children

Help us to not proceed in our wickedness, and thus provoke the vengeance that we deserve

Help us to anticipate your wrath by true repentance,

and be humbled under your hand,

even by your Word,

that you may receive us into favor,

and nourish us and continue to draw us unto yourself,

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon Romans 8:1-4

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

LET US RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Thanksgiving

TPH 31A In You, O Lord, I Put My Trust

LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer

Lord, teach us to be resigned to your will; teach us to delight in your law;

teach us to have no will but your will;

teach us to be sure that everything you do is good and is the very best that can be done.

Help us to leave our concerns in your divine hands, being persuaded that you have sway even over evil; that out of it you bring good,

till your high purposes shall develop in your own perfect glory,

and in the perfect bliss of all those who put their trust in you.

blanks for move help with finding an appraiser.

janet traveling mercies to the Grand Canyon.

faulkners

jarons back

kyles diagnosis degenerative back pain and transition out of the military

david Williams tested positive for Covid -prayer for healing

pray for the military families

Prayer for PRC presbyterian reformed church

civil rulers and elections

prayer for the Connecticut and southern New York Presbyteria wisept

East Texas OPC Christ the king and Longview wisdom with their building

Tyler Providence Church BCS B Cgtation

Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.

YOU MAY BE SEATED

THE LORD FEEDS US FROM HIS WORD

OLD Testament Reading

TURN IN YOUR COPY OF GODS WORD TO Ruth 1:1-22

Hear Now the Word of the Lord

Ruth 1:1-22 1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

Naomi and Ruth Return

19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

May the Lord add his Blessing to this reading of His Word

TURN IN YOUR COPY OF GODS WORD TO Acts 6:1-7

Hear now the Word of God

Acts 6:1-7 “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. 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. 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. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 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. 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 …”

The Grass withers the Flower Fades But the Word of Our God Will Stand Forever.

HP The Word of God and the needs of the Widow.

What a text we have before us today.

We just read of a great Widow from the lineage of Jesus from our History Ruth the Moabitist

who was called to Faith by God graciously.

And Ruth is known throughout the ages for saying

For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

But God not only cared for Ruth.

God cared for Naomi by giving her such a faithful daughter in law.

Who even after loosing her husband wanted to stay with her mother in law until death according to verse 7

7 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

So God cares for windows in many ways.

Sometimes through hard providences in the case of Naomi and Ruth.

Which later are resolved through good providences through Ruth’s Kinsmen Redeemer Boaz.

Gods also makes provisions for the Widows and shows concern for them and anger towards those who would not take care of them or mistreat them Exodus 22:22-24

English Standard Version Chapter 22

22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

In Psalm 68:5 the Lord says he is a

Psalm 68:5 “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”

God is concerned about the widows. God says in

Deuteronomy 10:17-20 “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.”

God also gives us some insight into how the Jewish leadership was treating widows in the time of the apostles in Luke 20:45-47

“And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.””

James speaks about widows and Orphans in James 1:27

English Standard Version Chapter 1

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

So the Scriptures are full of the thoughts of God to give us insight into what true religion looks like and how God cares for widows.

Verse 1 of our text in Acts today says

“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.

Who were the Hellenists?

They were the Jews who lived in Jerusalem that primarily spoke Greek.

And why would Jews , speaking Greek, get them a special name?

Because Hebrew was the language of the Jews not Greek.

But these Jews who spoke Greek.

These Helenists

They were upset.

And let’s remember that even though we may have valid complaints.

like these hellenists.

It is not always wise for us in the church to voice them publicly.

And the Hellenists might have been unbelievers or might have been believers.

The Helenists are saying that the Hebrews are in sin publicly.

1 Tim 5:8 teaches us

1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV): But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

They are saying that the Hebrews are not providing for the widows. And in turn their families might not be providing for them.

The church is the last resort for women who don’t have husbands or children or families that can step in to help.

Becasue if we as believers don’t help our families when we can or should. The Word of God calls us unbelievers.

Not just unbelievers.

Worse than unbelievers.

But we don’t know all the background but we know this is a complaint from the Hellenists who probably are not Christians

And they probably still didn’t embrace the teaching that the apostles would later write down In Galatians.

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Even the Jews and 1st century Christian’s struggled with there being no separation between Jew or Greek in the church when you come to faith in Jesus Christ.

So what should the Helenists have done?

why not go to the priests first and try to handle the matter of the widows without making a spectacle.

that speaks to the hearts of these Jews who were speaking Greek.

Isn't that the heart of man though.

we always want to point out what someone else is not doing.

Instead of taking that finger and pointing it at ourselves.

AND SAYING WHAT CAN I do to help this situation.

our communities today are ripe with complaints publicly.

And especially on social media.

What will be the next great injustice That all the world will complain about on social media.

Rather let us focus on the problems at hand that we can solve in our own church’s and in our own communities.

This is the example that the apostles give us.

They hear of the problem and say hear is how we can solve this.

Church find us 7 men that are qualified for such a task.

And then empower and direct those men to the widows in need.

But this is this is the situation we see in our text

the Helenists start complaining publicity against the Hebrews.

And why was this?

Was it a valid complaint?

It was according to the apostles because they take up the matter.

These Hebrews were being neglected in the daily distribution.

And what did this daily distribution look like.

Well someone would be sitting at a table and giving out mony daily to the widows

A denarius was a daily wage then.

So the widows would receive a denarius daily so they could live.

And these widows are being neglected.

Neglected by the Hebrews

These same Hebrews who’s decedents were delivered by the Lord Yaweh from Egypt just to name one deliverance.

So these Hebrews are resembling the scribes spoken of in Luke 20

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers.

And the Hellenists should be upset.

Having the means to do help the window

And Neglecting this daily distribution

The money these widows feed themselves with.

So this was Sinful on the part of these Hebrews.

But God will use the sins of these Hebrews

The sin of not caring for the widow.

Those who have no husband to take care of them who have no older children to take care of them.

That is who we are talking about the truly needy.

He will use this instance of the Hebrews not opening their Wallets to the truly needy, to develop his church, and as we will see bring some of the Hebrew priests to faith.

Lets read verses 2-6 again

Verses 2-6 The leadership of the church takes action

English Standard Version Chapter 6

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.

The apostles hear the need for the widows.

And they say we have to help these widows.

But we can’t neglect the work God has called us to which is preaching and the Word of God.

Which is fulfilling the great commission that was given to them in Matthew 28:16-20 “.

Which says

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So the Disciples had one of the early session or presbytery meetings.

And they are not the only ones there.

The text says they summoned the full number of the disciples.

So all those who were in the early church gathered together.

And they tell the church we can’t neglect the work we are called too.

But the tables still need to be served.

The widows still need their daily Distribution.

And the church does the job the Hebrews were supposed to do.

The apostles tell the church to pick 7 qualified men from among them to take up this work.

What is the qualifications they give to the church.

They need seven men.

In Greek the word “ANER” which means man or husband.

So that excludes the ladies from this work.

They have to be of Good repute.

That means that you would speak favorably or speak well off.

This means they manage their households well.

They take care of their own wives and their own children.

They have to be Full of the Spirit - They are Christians.

And Wisdom - they are wise they handle their own finances well.

They are known for making wise spiritual decisions regarding the Word of God.

Their lives are guided by the spirit of God and the Word of God.

So the church picks these men.

And the church leadership the apostles appoint these men for the duty of waiting tables.

They are the first Deacons.

In fact that word serve in verse two is

Diakone - means to Serve, minister render assistance serve wait on someone.

or to act as a go between

And these men are going to serve the church this way.

And we are given more clarification to this office in 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:8-13 “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 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.”

and in Titus

Titus 1:7-8 “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”

And what are these men freeing the apostles up to do?

Verse 4 tells us

English Standard Version Chapter 6

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

So men how could we apply this to the church today.

We need not only Men to serve as Elders in the church.

We need men to serve as Deacons in the church.

Both offices are needed.

Both offices are essential.

And if their are not Deacons the Elders ministry in the Word and teaching would be hindered. And the Word of God is our Spiritual nourishment.

And if their are not Deacons the Windows Orphans and all the physical needs of the church will not be met.

So again Both offices are essential for the needs of the church to take care of the sheep.

And both offices are needed for the mission of the church to grow.

We will see in our text how these first faithful deacons by doing the job they were called to led some of the Hebrew priests to faith.

Lets read verses 6-7

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.”

So the church not only acknowledged the gifts that God had given these 7 men to be Deacons.

They not only met the needs of these widows

These priest came to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Spirit used his people to stir the faith of unbelievers.

The church called these men and made it formal by laying hands on the Deacons and making it know before the church that these men are being set aside to do this work for the widows.

To meet their physical needs that were being neglected.

The apostles prayed for them.

Layed hands on them.

And what was the result church?

The Word of God continued to increase.

When things are done God’s way for Gods glory it seems to be a theme in the book of Acts that the Word of God continues to increase.

The number of Diciples are multiplying greatly.

And its not only the Greeks that are coming to faith

The text says a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith”

So the Word of God is supposed to resonate with believers.

Call them to not only Rest in Christs great finished work on the Cross.

But the Spirit of God enables us to die unto self throughout our lives.

So remember what Christ has done for you.

And see how the Word of God gives you instruction to operate within the church.

If your a man that has the gifts of Administration or Mercy.

Then Christ calls you to this work in the church and to start doing it within the church.

And it won’t be long if you do this work well that your brothers and sisters in Christ will recognize it and call you to the work officially.

And the Elders will examine you and lay hands on you.

To help Christs bride.

To the Glory of God.

HP - Because the The Word of God speaks to the Needs of the Widow

The Word of God knows the Needs of the Widow.

And the Word of God sees to the needs of the Widow through the gifts of Deacons and Elders.

Let us pray to that end that the Lord would continue to grow his church here in Wichita Falls.

That his Spirit would continue to work in his saints here and that he would call men to serve as Deacons to meet the needs of his saints and his church.

And that Jesus Christ would be glorified in this.

Let us pray to that end Church.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father I pray that today your people have heard you speaking to them this morning.

Help us to apply this in our walk with you and with our brothers and Sisters in Christ And those around us who are unbelievers.

Help us to show the Love of Christ to others in sharing your Word and Gospel Call to Salvation with this lost and this dying world.

Help us to be generous with our abundance with those who are truly in need.

Help us to be witness for you Lord here in Wichita Falls and good disciples.

Help us to have comfort in the knowledge that we will live forever with you.

And help us to look forward to that day when you will say well done you good and faithful servant enter into the rest of your Lord.

And we pray in Jesus Christ name.

Amen

LET US RISE

*Psalm of Response

.TPH #57 Be Merciful, O God

WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

Let us Pray

Father in heaven be with and keep this your people throughout the week.

Father in heaven encourage these your people to discuss with their families the sermon and how they can apply this to the people who they run into through the week.

And father help them through your spirit to have a stronger walk with you and to make this word preached effectual in their lives.

In Christ name

Amen

Closing Hymn TPH 567 Doxology

Praise God from whom all Blessing Flow; praise him all creatures here below; Praise him above ye heavenly host praise Father Son ands Holy Ghost Amen.