5/6/2022 [Book of Acts 24] www.lifechurchmissions.com

Servants who were Raised amidst Church Disagreements <Ac 6:1-7>

Introduction:

* Starting from <Ac 5>, the church continued to experience internal and external troubles.

* Yet the apostles not only did not retreat, but even preached more boldly that Jesus is the Christ.

* Satan started to use “divisive attacks” to divide the church.

* When problems arose, a small difference in perspective which had existed all along could develop into prejudice and doubts toward one another, thus resulting in divisions.

* But not every difference will end up in division.

* If we know how to act by the Holy Spirit, we will not give the devil a foothold, and we can even achieve a more beautiful outcome through the differences.

* Church serving cannot only have knowledge, but not knowing how to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

* A servant who is filled with the Holy Spirit not only knows how to do things, but also knows how to explain the Lord’s will and work to everyone.

Read <Ac 6:1-7>

1. <v1>: Background to the church having disagreements

1）Number of disciples was increasing

* When the church preaches Christ’s pure gospel, disciples will continue to increase.

* When the church continues to be refined in persecutions, disciples will continue to increase.

2）Disagreements that arose between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews

* Difference: Both groups had different culture and language background.

* Similarity: Both groups were Jews, and believed that Jesus is the Messiah.

3）Neglect in the distribution of food to the widows

* Probably the Jewish leaders who opposed the apostles no longer provided for the needs of Christian widows.

* The demand of thousands of Christians was indeed very great.

* Even though the neglect was unintentional, the two groups had their own viewpoints.

2. <v2-4>: How did the apostles view and handle the neglect of serving at the tables?

1）First, the apostles knew they must be faithful to the Lord’s calling, which was prayer and the ministry of the word

* Preaching work is also not easy job.

* A healthy church will clearly distinguish the duties of overseers and deacons.

2）Prayer and preaching must come together

3）How did the apostles handle the complaints of church members?

* First, the apostles did not put down those who complained.

* The apostles did not avoid the problem.

* The apostles did not shirk from the responsibility to lead.

* The apostles chose 7 deacons to handle the distribution matter.

4）Qualities of the 7 deacons:

* Had good repute.

* Full of the Spirit.

* Full of wisdom.

3. <v5>: The results of the apostles’ wise leadership

1）Everyone was pleased

2）7 blessed deacons rose up to serve the church, and Stephen was the greatly anointed one

4. <v6>: The apostles publicly commissioned the 7 deacons

5. <v7>: The advancement of the gospel after blessed servants were raised up

* Good church management is a beautiful testimony.

* When the church is well-managed, the leaders can preach the word without worries.