Acts - the Chose Seven
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Text: Acts 6.1-7
In a side room of the court you could hear the hushed voices of those who gladly and only imperfectly wore the badge that sat obviously to large on the one’s self deemed Authorities. As these priests, and Sadducees hissed at each other you could hear them getting more and more worked up until final an older and possibly more political of the bunch took the room. and said, Acts 5:35-39
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
“IF IT BE OF GOD…”
The writing of Luke is concerned here in these first eight chapters with this subject.
Is this brand new church actually from God…
Is the Gospel that is sweeping thousands into the kingdom of Heaven actually from God. By the way a great question to be asking. I want to be in line with God. Not a denomination, not a teacher, not a dogma. I want to walk in that which God has ordained.
The Conclusion that He comes to would make sense as well. If God is for it than who can stand against it. If God has his hand on it then you cannot beat it and if it is not from God it will dissipate and fall away. Worse, and this is the unfathomable part if God is for it than you don’t wish to be found guilty of fighting against God.
The Church is here in the Name of the Lord.
So what Luke will write over the last several chapters all make sense when you see How 1 they claimed to be here because Jesus the Son of God has established them.
The Church is exploding in Growth by the power of the Lord.
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Stephen: 5 Important Lessons from an Ordinary Christian: Acts 6–7
By this point the church has become a huge movement. The Jerusalem church is at least 10,000 people big—all in one city—the entire population of which couldn’t have been more than 40,000. From here, we know, it is going to spread around the world.
The Church is under threat of an enemy trying to close it.
Satan is in Full attack against this church.
Satan couldn’t defeat the Bride Groom so instead he’ll attack the Bride.
In chapter 4 he attacked it through the intimidation of the Temple government.
In chapter 5 he attacked it through corruption trying to find its way in through Hypocrisy.
In chapter 6 he attacks it through grumbling, distrust, and backbiting.
This attack might be the most dangerous one of all of them.
Sometime the New man act a lot more like old man.
J.D. Greear points out…
J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Stephen: 5 Important Lessons from an Ordinary Christian: Acts 6–7
Now this is a pretty dangerous problem, because there is an edge to it. It’s a racial problem. “You’re prioritizing this group over this one because of their cultural ethnicity.”
● There are actually two problems with this complaint:
○ One, they assign motives: The text says, “The Hellenists complained against the Hebrews.” In other words, they assumed the Hebrews were leaving them out for racial and cultural reasons.
○ Second, they never brought this to the Apostles! The text says “a complaint arose,” which implies there was this general murmuring and backbiting going on that finally surfaced. “You know they don’t care about us …”
● Church: this is a significant threat! Nothing is used by Satan more effectively than distrust and resentment in the church. This is Satan’s third major attack on the church:
HERE ARE 7 REASONS WHY GOD HATES COMPLAINING SO MUCH…
1.COMPLAINING IS THE OPPOSITE OF THANKSGIVING
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2. COMPLAINING INFECTS THE ATTITUDES OF OTHERS
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
3. COMPLAINING IMPLIES WE DON’T TRUST GOD
And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
4. GOD TAKES IT PERSONAL WHEN WE COMPLAIN AGAINST HIS ANOINTED
And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you. But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
There were two problems
The Spiritual problem which we can see.
The Logistical problem - CHURCH GROWTH...
The number of the disciples was multiplying - Ac 6:1; cf. Ac 2:41; 4:4; 5:14 Increasing numbers in a congregation often lead to problems
It is more difficult to know everyone. Cliques begin to form based on common interests
Misunderstandings become more frequent HELLENISTS VS. HEBREWS...
Hellenists
Jews living in Jerusalem but originally connected with Diaspora Judaism and characterized by the use of Greek as their principle language, especially for worship and scripture - AYBDThe Hellenists in Ac 6:1 are Christian Jews, while in Ac 9:29 they represent the larger group of Diaspora Jews who have not converted - ibid.Hebrews
Aramaic-speaking Jews who held to their native language and culture In this passage they are evidently Christian Jews as well DAILY DISTRIBUTION...
Feature of communal Christianity practiced in Jerusalem - Ac 6:1; cf. Ac 2:44-45; 4:35Which was not the norm practiced elsewhere - see "Communal Christianity"NEGLECT OF WIDOWS...
Churches would provide support for widows, with qualification - cf. 1Ti 5:3-16The Hellenist widows were being neglected - Ac 6:1Leading to a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews DISTRACTING THE APOSTLES...
Here is what happens…
The Church Works…
The Apostle acknowledge the primary strength of the church.
The Word and Prayer.
You see a church can do without a lot of things, but it cannot do without the Word and Prayer. As a matter of fact if you lose these two things you have lost the thing that makes a church a church.
The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth. If a church trades in the word of God for social work, or social justice it will cease to be the church.
The Word is the defining characteristic of the church.
Prayer is the process of the church. We run to him casting all of our cares upon him with the certainty that he cares for us.
We have the high preist of CHrist who feels the feeling of our infirmaty. And we offer this same Jesus to the world around us.
The reason that the church has not been lost is because God’s Word still stands and it still works.
The reason that the church has not been lost is because Prayer is still at our finger tips.
There is one more element…
The Gospel
You see the Church Works because its Gospel is still life changing and sinner transforming. The Holy Ghost is still transforming darkness to light and making old things new.
The congregation to select seven men,
Men of good reputation
full of the Holy Spirit
full of wisdom
Whom the apostles could appoint over the distributionSo the apostles can be devoted to prayer and the Word
I think it is good for us to remember that a good reputation comes as a result not of Western thinking and thought. It is not a result of enlightenment. But the good reputation and wisdom of these men were a result of a Holy Spirit that endwelled these men.
Someone may ask,
How does someone get a filling of the Holy Ghost.
This should matter to us because it is commanded for the believer in Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
We know the result of such a thing
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We seek his Holy Spirit in surrender of ourselves to his control.
It has been well said, “you do not get more of the Spirit he gets more of you.”
THE MULTITUDE PLEASED...
The proposal pleases the multitude - Ac 6:5They select seven men - ibid.
Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, later the first martyr - Ac 7:57-60
Philip, who later served as an evangelist - Ac 8:4; 21:8
Prochorus,
Nicanor,
Timon,
Parmenas
Nicolas,
Note well: the church, while mostly Hebrews, appointed seven Hellenists!
[The congregation was pleased, and the widows' need was met. Not surprising, therefore, was...]
THE RESULT
WORD WAS SPREAD...
Once again the Word of God had free course - Ac 6:7; cf. 2Th 3:1They were able to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word - cf. Ac 5:42
DISCIPLES WERE MULTIPLIED...
Once again the growth of the church grew exponentially - Ac 6:7Which is what happens when the Word of God is spread - cf. Ac 2:41,47; 4:4
Catch this…
PRIESTS WERE OBEDIENT...
A great many of the priests were obedient to the faith - Ac 6:7
What is it that made the difference?
Why is it that this is a turning point for the priest? Because in the OT the care for the poor was overseen by the priests. But here you have a church with a life changing Gospel taking the reigns of caring for the widows. It wasn’t the smooth speech or the well organized arguments of the speakers. It was the action of Holy Spirit changed souls that cling to the word and prayer like it is the thing that sets us apart and a lost blind world can’t help but have their hearts challenged.
The Church Still Works.
You ask how is it that these thousands of years later we still have the church that Gamaliel was just waiting for it to die? Because the church still works.
Here is what I think we need to get back to…
Church you and I are not done. The church isn’t done and withered away like Gamiliel surmised. It is still marching forward. It still prays, It still loves the Word, and it still surrenders to the use of the Holy Spirit. Here is what I ask for you to consider. Do you still believe it tonight. If so I would ask you to find your place among the seven.
I’m glad our congregation no matter how big we have gotten has not lost a place for teens to be a part of our ministry. It isn’t a burden to see a teenager just serving God. Let me tell you, that God will use you by the power of his Spirit. We don’t just have you here as place holders. We want God to use you because you are a sinner being changed by the Word, Prayer, and the Spirit.
There are some ustas. Some of you usta teach, preach, go out soulwinning, usta work on a bus in a Sunday School. I’m okay with usta’s but just know even the church in the first century was threatened with distraction.
There are some in here that wanted God to use you but things haven’t turned out the way you wanted. and youve grown cold and distant from the Lord, People didn’t recognize your contribution, a pastor didn’t take your kindnesses into consideration, and we say fine I am not involved. This is not different than the distraction of the widows.
Your faithfulness to God has nothing to do with you not getting yours or the failures of others. Maybe tonight by the power of the Holy Spirit God would let you put all that behind you.