Acts 6: 1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 6 records a tipping point in the growth of the early church. How would they respond to the challenges of growth and conflict within? This passage gives us insight into that specific situation and demonstrates to us our own need to empower people, to delegate, to focus on calling, to care for the poor, and to do what is right.
I will be speaking on this passage this weekend. Here are some notes from my conclusion:
Are there any Stephens among us this morning? Today is the day for you to say “yes” to being a part of the solution. I wonder if there are people here who are overwhelmed who need to stop trying to do things on their own? Maybe you’re the leader who needs to be a releaser and a multiplier. There is a Stephen waiting in the shadows. There is Philip. There is a man or a woman who is an emerging leader with untapped potential and calling, but you hold the key to the door that needs to be opened.
I know there are ministries that are overwhelmed right now. I know that in the city of Seattle there are ministries that are in desperate need of men and women who are full of the Spirit and wisdom. I know there are people our circles of influence whose lives could be touched if we just reached out.
This passage shows us that when people are released to serve, the Word of God spreads.
The Word of God spreads as a result of shared, expanding, multiplying, leadership. It takes food servers and apostles and everything in between.
Most of you have heard this kind of a message before, but the Lord wants to make it come alive for you today in your specific situation. There are really two different ways that this could be applied.
First there are some of you that need to get into the game. To step up. There are some of you who are called to serve. To get involved. To do something simple -- To meet needs in Jesus name, realizing that this is what you are called to do. It will transform your life. You’ll find tremendous fulfillment doing this. As you do this it will unlock something great in you, in this church and in this world.
Others of you are in the role of the apostles. You have become busy, distracted, overburdened and overwhelmed. You have compromised and set aside your true calling.
It is time for you to release someone. It is time for you to delegate. To give someone else an opportunity and to go back and begin doing what God called you to do in the beginning.
As we conclude our service today would you address these questions: #1: Have you become distracted and overwhelmed trying to do too much? Have you neglected the things the Lord has really called you to do? If so, it’s time to let go and it is time to find a Stephen. Second question: Have you been sitting on the bench minimizing and dismissing the role you can have in making a difference in the church and in the world, and today, the Lord is challenging you to take a new step by committing yourself to serve in some new way? Which of these two questions has the most to do with where you are at right now?
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