April 11, 2021
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
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
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
Application Questions
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.