My sermon notes for Sunday, Oct 14th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
Acts 6:1-7 – “The faithfulness of His Church.” part 4
Keeping on Mission
Acts 6:1–7 – [1] 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. (ESV)
The church is on task- v. 1a
Mission – God redemptive purpose to establish His Kingdom.
Missions – The activity of God’s people, the church to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel to the world. So that God’s Kingdom can be establish.
- Us joining God in HIS WORK OF REDEMPTION. This why it is so important that we stay on HIS TASK.
- making disciples
It could be that so many churches allow conflict to disrupt the church…because we do not know why we are here or what we are supposed to be doing.
A situation arises from within the body – v. 1b
Notice in the book of Acts that regardless of what goes on around them… the church continues to be the church.
- persecution from without (4:1-31, 5:17-41)
- they pray and rejoice
- corruption and or moral compromise from within f(5:1-11)
- they deal with it. Biblical confrontation
- division, distraction, and squabbling (6:1-7)
- they determine issue and come to a resolution
- Doctrinal Compromise (Chap. 15 Jerusalem council)
- They engage in open biblical dialogue. Truth determined
- Thy weigh it against Scripture
The solutions are provided from within – vv. 2-6
Remember… the church is the body/family/household of God.
- Spiritual leadership and maturity from within the body is the solution
THE SITUATION
- It does not appear to be intentional
- Not biblical, immoral, or ethical….it is just something that came up.
- Groups of people = problems
- It is dealt with immediately
- The problem was impacting their task (point 1)
- Prayer and the MINISTRY OF THE WORD (Pastors ministry of the Word – love, feed, lead, care, and protect)
THE SITUATION SOLVERS!
We either put Gas or Water on issues. Our choice
The Characteristics of the situation solvers
- Disciples
- good reputation
- Full of the Spirit
- Full of wisdom
The Strategy of the situation solvers
- INTENTIONALLY and IMMEDIATELY – Deal with the problem. Deal directly with the issue and create a solution. SEE IT. DO SOMETHING. DO NOT IGNORE.
- PERSONALLY – Face to Face.
- SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS KEY – Act do not react. Attack the problem not the person.
- SO THE MAIN THING CAN REMAIN
Then the word of God continues to move forward – v.7
The Word and Prayer. The means and the power of the Gospel.
Too many times the church does not move forward, because we have never dealt with the situation, which can turn into a problem, which can turn into a distraction. WHICH CAN GET US OFF OUR MISSION.