Acts
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Seven Chosen to Serve or The Magnificent Seven
Acts 6 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. 2 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. 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.
This account is not a giving out of duties. It is an example of a fellowship growing.
When fellowships grow, problems will arise.
We should expect problems. We should also expect God to move. A Gospel centered church will preach, pray, grow, anticipate drama, manage drama, pray, keep preaching, and get ready for more drama.
Trials are part of God’s work. (Purpose) Trials put God’s power on display. Trials prepare us for service. Trials make me depend on God. Trials show others that God is dependable.
When fellowships grow, believers are devoting themselves to his call.
Jesus beckoned his disciples on the beach much as he does us today. Matthew 4:18-22
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
What is God calling you to? What is your place in the kingdom work? What is your place in his church? Don't be generic but be specific.
This complaint was a complaint but not necessarily a truth. What we need to practice in the fellowship is the art of peacemaking.
Being a member says this is where I serve the King and not this is where I sit.
When fellowships grow, the word of the Lord is at the center. .
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Growth problems are examples of Gospel possibilities.
We must view our present troubles as future possibilities.
The answer to current trials is to continue to preach the Gospel.