Jun 4, 2023
Acts 6:1-7
The Word Will Not Be Stopped
1) Having Needs and Meeting Needs is Biblical v.1, 3, 5
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.
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.
Good Repute = Followable
Full of the Spirit - Maturing,
Full of wisdom = Peaceable
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.
2) Serving Addresses a Multitude of Sins v. 1, 2, 4, 7
A) Sin of society against widows
B) Sin against Greek speaking widows
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.
C) Sin of hindering the ministry of the Word
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.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word
D) -Sin of unbelief
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.
3) Everbody Deacons
diakonos
Matt 23:11-12 11 The greatest among you shall be your deacon. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Mark 9:35 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and deacon of all.”
John 12:26 26 If anyone deacons me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my deacon be also. If anyone deacons me, the Father will honor him.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be deaconed but to deacon, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Abilities Survey Picture
Image of Excel file
Sermon Questions
1. Would you rather ask for help or do without? Why?
2. When you become aware of a need are you quick to respond or do you wait to see if someone else will take care of it?
3. Where would you like to serve to help the Word proceed forward?
4. Are you in an environment here where when you can be known? Do you prefer to stay hidden?
5. Ask the Spirit to remind you of a time you were “deaconed” and worship Him with gratefulness.
6. Does anything need to change in order for you to “deacon” (serve) here?