Sermon Tone Analysis

Title: “Unqualified Leaders”

 

Text:  Acts 4:13;  6:1-7

 

Objective:  It is my objective to show that God is not asking for ability but availability.

When a person is available, God will place them where He can use them.

This may be in an area where they do not think they can serve but if they are available, God will use them as He sees fit.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  God is not asking for your ability but your availability.

2.

Will you do, say, be exactly what God wants or do you have reservations of your own making?

3.

Strategies of the Church

      a.

Jesus Christ is the central theme

      b.

They cared for one another

      c.

They were saved, baptized and added to the church

      d.

God Chose leaders

      e.

*Unity was and is of high priority*

      f.

*Being filled with the Spirit was essential for growth*

      g.

*Prayer was another key*

 

4.

Read Acts 5:41-6:7

 

I.

Persecution came

      A.

They were Preaching Jesus Christ

 

B.

They told the people that Jesus Christ is alive and in the way of salvation

 

Acts 4:12 ESV And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

C.

The Leaders were Jealous—Many were turning to Jesus, Their crowd and power was diminishing

 

Acts 5:17 ESV But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy

 

      D.

Peter and James told the leaders they had crucified Jesus

 

            Act 4:8—Peter filled with the Spirit

Acts 4:8-12 ESV 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

/(Quoting Psalm 118:22).

/12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:31 ESV 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (RESULT) continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

E.

Application: 

            1.

We ought to obey God rather than man.

2.

If we live Godly, we will suffer persecution.

 

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

 

3.  1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

! II.

Problem

 

      A.

Many were being saved

            1.

Day of  Pentecost—3000

            2.

God added daily –2:47

            3.

Acts 4:4—5000 men

            4.

Act 6:1—Increasing number of disciples

 

What was the secret of this amazing growth?

Read 5:41–42 for the answer: the leaders were willing to pay any price to serve Christ, and the people lived their faith daily.

Acts 5:42 is a good pattern for us to follow: (1) daily Christian service; (2) service in God’s house; (3) service from house to house; (4) work from every member; (5) continuous service; (6) teaching and preaching the Word; (7) exalting Jesus Christ.

Godly pastors and officers alone cannot make a church grow; every member must do his or her part.[1]

B.

Problem arises

            1.

Ethnic problem—Helenist (Greek) vs. Native Hebrews

            2.

Hurt feelings—Playing favorites

            3.

Placing more importance on one person over another

 

     

 

 

C.

Solution

            1.

You find 7 men

 

                  a.

Qualifications—

 

1)  Good Reputation—They have a good testimony—good witness

                        2)  Full of the Spirit—Filled with the Holy Spirit

                        3)  Full of wisdom--

                        4)  Does not suggest experience in this job

                        5)  Some would consider these unqualified

 

                              (Did not have a college education)

                              (Did not have the training in the Law)

                              (Had been with Jesus)

 

Acts 4:13 ESV Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.

And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

2.

We will appoint them

                  Authority of the leaders God appointed

 

            3.

Apostles continued to teach the Word and Pray

 

III.

People

      A.

Apostles—The twelve who were with Jesus

 

B.

Whole Congregation—New Believers who mostly knew the Old Testament

 

      C.

Widows—Those who were in dire straits

            1 Tim 5:1-8—Take care of the widows

                  Family first to care for the widows--

                  Church second in line of responsibility

      D.

Deacons-Servers

            Those who serve tables

            Take care of the poor

            Meet the needs of those in need