A NEW DAY FOR THE CHURCH
#776 A NEW DAY FOR THE CHURCH
Scripture Acts 6:1-7, NIV Orig. 2/24/1980
Rewr. 11/21/1987
Passage: In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So 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. 3 Brothers and sisters, 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 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This 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. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Purpose: Using this study from Acts to give impetus to the church at a time when consideration is being given to the selection of deacons.
Keywords: Bible Study Holy Spirit Priorities Deaconship
Vision
Introduction
A day of grave concern has come over the followers of Christ. As a church, they have faced external crises before. Now, they are faced by concerns that are internal. Things are happening that are stimulated by the people themselves.
They had been forewarned that Satan was their enemy. That he would seek to unsettle their fellowship. Satan, of course, thought that those external rumblings would be sufficient. Now he understands that new forces must be called forth if he is to succeed and the church is to fail. So, the next line of attack will be from within the family of faith.
One of the truly insightful authors of contemporary Christian books is C.S. Lewis. It was he who wrote The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. One that hasn’t made it to television was a book [(The Screwtape Letters)] which came out as a series of articles written for Saturday Evening Post. Mr. Lewis was commissioned to write a series of so-called letters from the devil. Satan, called “Screwtape,” is writing one of his henchmen, here called “Wormwood.”
I quote, “My dear Wormwood, I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. . . . We must make the best of the situation. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a brief sojourn in the enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favor. One of our great allies at present is the church itself.”
He goes on to explain this in acceptable terminology. People often fail to live their faith clearly.
I. The New Day Was a Day of Vision. Acts 6:1, “There arose a murmuring on the part of the non-local Jews (Hellenists) because some of their widows were being neglected.”
It was visionary because it brought insight concerning one of their problems. Ephesians 5:13, “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” It is important for Christians of any era to be open, honest, forthright. Too much sensitivity, and directives, needed for growth, go lacking. Pride causes too many, rather than being honest, [to show] artificiality about our faith.
The text speaks of “murmurings.” There are two kinds. There is the murmuring of the malcontent. There is the murmuring of concern: The Greek here seems to suggest a very private outcry, rather than a public one; it is directed toward the apostles; it seems that they were doing everything needful.
Vision has its inception when we see a need and seek to meet it. Every significant mission project begins thusly. Church in Slidell beginning preaching point in truck stop.
Churches must reckon with their communities and reach out in Christ’s name. The apostles were being leaned on heavily. Limits had been reached. What other people were uniquely fitted to serve these needs? Not a separation of clergy/laity. Jesus taught them a prayer lesson. They were to commit themselves and pray.
Every believer has a place of service. Find it. Engage it loyally.
Vision brought the local congregation to the place of expansion. It is expansion for service. It is acknowledgment of faithfulness.
II. This New Day Was Also a Day of Visitation. Acts 6:3f, “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who have proven themselves to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom; we will turn this responsibility over to them, and give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
To these early believers, the leadership of God came in a spectacular way. A problem arose. They faced it honestly and forthrightly. God used the inner, spiritual resources of the people themselves to solve the problem. What it boiled down to, was a variance in the church among those who were natives, and those who were not. The homefolks continued to expect ministry from the primary leaders. Others, who had moved in from Roman towns, though they were Jews, were not being ministered to at all. The leaders could not get to it all. Some thought these not entitled to this ministry. Sounds familiar.
It was divine intervention calling believers to ministry, to a place of service. Many churches face perplexing internal rifts. Fortunate is the church that is able to settle the problems honorably. They can disagree without being disagreeable. Their murmurings are the murmurings of concern. Words spoken about the church are spoken in love. When limitations are recognized, how important it is to be a part of the cure rather than the problem. Offer help to those who are overextended. Faithfully pray for staff, and offer sincere assistance. “All his money is tied up in mops.”
God’s most significant work with His people is with the whole of the people. Second year in wilderness: Numbers 2:17. Left Sinai: “Every man in his place by their standards.” They didn’t stay. Centuries passed. Hebrews have returned from captivity. The Samaritans had controlled their homeland for half-century. Tough times ahead: Nehemiah 4:6, “the people had a mind to work.” “We made our prayer to God and set a watch against them.” V16, “Half the people wrought in the work; others held spears, bows, etc.”
We see here in Jerusalem an endeavor of cooperative faith.
III. As it Was a Day of Vision and Visitation, it Was also a Day of Victory. V7, “And the word of God grew, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a great crowd of priests obeyed the faith.”
The Bible didn’t get thicker; the people were now better able to deliver its message. The seven chosen were men best able to serve the needs of Hellenist Jews. Others were serving Palestinians. These all had Greek names, and thus shared a cultural purpose. It is reasonable that other needs would be met by other selected people. They were not chosen primarily as proclaimers, but as practitioners. Simeone: “An idea is not yours until it comes out of your fingertips.”
What were the qualifications? (a)Men; (b)reputable; (c)believers; (d)spiritual; (e)wise. How often are we guilty of selecting people on basis of popularity rather than proven service? How important that people not withhold themselves from opportunities of service.
Note please that the Word had to begin to grow in effectiveness before other good things could happen. Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man does not live by bread alone . . . but by every word of God.” Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light.” Ephesians 6:17, The battle “gear” for the believer is topped off with the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.”
Conclusion
Back in the seventies, some people were spotlighted who were unwilling to take up arms to defend the homeland. Some even burned their draft cards. It is not unlike the case of believers who for all practical purposes have burned their “commitment” cards.