Acts 6_1-7 God Corp GRocks

Acts 6:1-7

God Corp.

Secular: What is your expertise?

Musical… nails on a chalkboard…

Mechanical… drive you crazy when others try?

Computers… come naturally… others struggle?

Sewing, or needle point… fly at it not looking…

Not practical for everyone to do their own thing…

The essence of community!!

Do what you do well…

Compliment the gifts of others!!

Build a community….

Biblical: NIB Acts 6:1 In 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. 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, 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.

Personal: What did your parents say…

• Get a good education… to get a good job
• You are going to have to carry your own wait

What do the commercials say:

• Buy for yourself
• Save for yourself
• Pamper yourself

Hardly an idea of community!!

This passage talked about the Acts 2 church and how it needed to function!!

It was a tight knit community!!

It was a loving community!!

It was an interdependent community!!

Bridge:  Organized community isn’t a bad thing!!

It helps us achieve the church’s mission…

Upreach…

Inreach…

Outreach…

Body:

The Reason: Acts 6:1,2,4

• When the church is effective it grows
• When we are touching the World
• When we have Purity in our beliefs
• When we experience the Power of God
• When we meet Persecution
• When we are truly productive
• In those days the number of disciples will be increasing

What will our response be?

• Hiring Staff helps… calling a 2nd pastor…etc.
• But it was from amongst the concerned groups
• Just as we are hearing from the congregation that we need to get our small groups program running…
• We need hosts
• We need facilitators (leaders)
• We need the people interested to sign up
• The need is identified… it is time to respond!!
• The church is required to care for its own…
• Spiritually
• Emotionally
• Physically
• It is a corporate responsibility…
• We have a role to play…
• We are required to all do what we do well!!
• 1+1.
• THE REASON

The church was impacting the World and Growing… a growing church must mobilize its people… We are to live a life of compassion and growth…

The Requirements:

• They recognized the need for focused care
• People who could knew the situation
• People who knew the need
• People willing to act

• But it shows that we should have a ‘pool of individuals’ ready to take on ministry responsibilities
• Amongst you… * “Who are known” of good character
• Full of the Spirit… live lives yielded to God
• Wisdom… is knowledge + their relationship to God.
• The church was impacting the World and Growing… a growing church must mobilize its people… We are to live a life of compassion and growth…
• THE REQUIREMENTS

The Roster

• The church was in harmony
• Largely Jewish converts appointed a group of Hellenists
• People up to the task!!
• Practically
• Freed up the Spiritual resources!!
• The church was impacting the World and Growing… a growing church must mobilize its people… We are to live a life of compassion and growth…

The Results

So the word of God spread.

Well organized

• Communication Good
• Right people… using their gifts in the right spot

• Well cared for…
• When our physical, emotional and spiritual needs are met * Well loved…
• When we function as ONE BODY… a family
• Well taught…
• When we continue to grow in our faith
• Well led…
• When we have vision, and passion for the mission of Christ
• Then… the word of God WILL spread
• The numbers of believers in our area… our Jerusalem… will grow….
• A unified, well taught church will be a powerful witness to the lost world.

Conclusion:

The Reason – When you grow it is harder to care comprehensively

The Requirements – We need godly people to stand in the gap

The Roster – those affirmed in the faith and dedication

The Results – Well organized, well cared for, well loved, well taught, well led… the Word of God will Spread