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Sermons

April 11, 2021

The Ministry of the Word & Prayer

Steven Lee (North Campus) | Acts 6:1-7

Sermon notes to come.

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.—Acts 6:1–7

Sermon Discussion Questions

Main Point: The church must 1) prioritize the ministry of the word and prayer and 2) not neglect to delegate care in order to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the church body. 

Outline

  1. The Problem (Acts 6:1)
  2. The Solution (Acts 6:2–4)
  3. The Implementation (Acts 6:5–6)
  4. The Result (Acts 6:7)

Launching Question: Ephesians 4:15 calls all believers to speak the truth in love. Often, Christians can tend to lean toward being “more loving” or “more truthful,” and they often struggle with balancing both. Have you noticed this tendency in yourself, and if so, why might that be?

Discussion Questions

  • Why does a complaint arise, and does it seem to be justified? (See James 1:27)
  • How do the apostles respond in Acts 6:2–4, and is that surprising or not? Why do they reply in the way that they do? What does their response illustrate?
  • How does this passage seem to bridge between Acts 1–5 and Acts 6–12? How is the word of God advancing (according to Acts 1:8), and why is this passage key?
  • What is striking about the qualifications of these seven men (Acts 6:3) and what a few of them (Stephen and Philip) go on to do and say?
  • What is the result of prioritizing the ministry of word and prayer, and creating a structure of care? (Act 6:7) What does this say about the nature of the body and the unstoppable advance of Jesus’ work?

Application Questions

  • Are we tempted to complain and grumble? If we notice deficiencies or neglect in certain areas of our church, how can we contribute, participate, or bring it to the attention of the elders?
  • In Acts 6:1–7, the disciples were gathered, they picked out seven men, the plan pleased the whole gathering, and the word of God continued to advance. How can we participate in the life of the church and grow as men and women who serve with a good reputation, full of the Spirit, and full of wisdom?
  • In what ways do we appreciate the ministry of the word and prayer? In what ways do we prioritize the ministry of word and prayer? In what ways are we to emulate the leaders in pursuing the ministry of word and prayer?
  • How can we avoid cultivating a culture of victimhood and a culture of complaining and grumbling? How can we cultivate a culture of truthfulness, reconciliation, and mutual care and love?
  • Consider ways you and your small group can devote yourself to pray for unity, love, clarity, and mutual understanding for our church (and three campuses) during the next 12 months. Create a plan to pray regularly for the church and its future. 

Prayer Focus
Praise God for this passage that illustrates the advance of the gospel despite the threat of internal division and neglect. Confess any sins of complaining, grumbling, and gossiping. Thank God for his mercy, and the preaching and teaching of the word of God that reminds us that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Ask God to give the elders wisdom like the apostles and to be freshly filled by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to lead with wisdom and discernment. Ask God to cause his word to increase at Bethlehem and for the number of disciples to multiply greatly in the Twin Cities and beyond for the glory of God.