Acts 6:1-7 Division Averted

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1 P a g e 1 Acts 6:1-7 Division Averted DIVINE MATHEMATICS The book of Acts teaches us some divine mathematics You probably didn t even know there was such a thing but God knows His math. Remember, there s even a book of the Bible called Numbers. God adds, subtracts, and multiplies. In Acts 2:47 we re told, The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. When any church is a healthy church God adds to that church. In Acts 5 the Lord subtracted two hypocritical members from the church Ananias and Sapphira. Sometimes God makes necessary subtractions. And in chapter 6 verse 7, we read, the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem... At times, God brings about explosive growth. He multiplies the number of disciples. God. God. God. These are all functions of divine mathematics. But notice God never. Satan uses Man to divide God doesn t divide! Summing up the events in last weeks Bible study The apostles are arrested for teaching in the Temple An Angel breaks them out of prison As the Angel directed them the next morning they're back in the temple preaching about Jesus. Arrested again, the Sanhedrin orders the apostles flogged, then send them away - commanding them to never again speak of Jesus. You'd expect these apostles to be nursing their wounds and indulging in a little self-pity. But no, they're rejoicing, honored to have suffered a little for the One who suffered so much for them. Yes, they were bold! They asked God for boldness He honored their request and gave it to them. "Now, I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ's name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of this tendency of our flesh to be afraid; which leads practically to endeavors to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for him who died lovingly for you." The apostles were not only enduring the waves of persecution they were surfing them PRAY Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and

2 P a g e 2 the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Ok let s unpack this together Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Houston we have a problem Accused prejudice During the days of Alexander the Great, Greek culture, style of dress, and philosophy of life permeated the then-known world. As a result, many Jews, known as Hellenists, adopted Grecian ways. Other Jews, referred to as Hebrews, remained true to the old ways and traditions of Judaism. The Hebrew believers looked down on the Hellenist believers as compromising, second-class Jews. Thus, with the Hellenists claiming that their widows were being neglected in the daily serving of food, discrimination set in. Consequently, there was a potential division in the baby church based upon who was supposedly more spiritual a problem that can surface whenever a church grows. To further simplify The Hebrews thought the Hellenists to be compromisers the Hellenist thought the Hebrews were holier than thou snobs. Satan is a strategist He will search and search for any possible weak spot and then exploit it to the max! Satan is relentless in his attacks persecution brings less rewards than division so he pounds the Church from within Discrimination can take place in all kinds of subtle ways, and the early church was no exception. Here in Acts 6, as the church was multiplying, storm clouds were forming that could have blown the whole thing apart. A sad example When a certain Dallas church decided to split, each faction filed a lawsuit to claim the church property. A judge finally referred the matter to the higher authorities in the particular denomination. A church court assembled to hear both sides of the case and awarded the church property to one of the two factions. The losers withdrew and formed another church in the area. During the hearing, the church courts learned that the conflict had all begun at a church dinner when a certain elder received a smaller slice of ham than a child seated next to him. Sadly, this was reported in the newspapers for everyone to read. What a great example of mega love, mega purity, and mega unity This brought great discredit not only to the church but to Jesus Christ! I met a Calvary Pastor at the Sr. Pastors conference small church; Maybe 30 people. His heart was heavy as he conveyed to me the 3 different times his church split. The latest happened after a young boy would run up to the goodies table at the end of service to get his weekly treat. Every time he made a mess with the

3 P a g e 3 crumbs falling to the ground the keepers of the treats would not give him any without the presence of his grandmother. Her went and told her they would not give him any treats This infuriated the grandmother next thing the church was in a full-blown split. (Unity God help us fight for it instead of fight over things that really don t matter. When the unity is gone the power is gone Satan is still pounding, searching, seeking waiting to pounce. The tiniest events sometimes cause great problems. Again and again a church has warded off a frontal attack only to be subverted from within. When Satan does not succeed in stopping the church with a frontal assault, he attacks from within. This usually happens subtly Quote unknown an invitation not sent... An or phone call not returned a critical comment overheard A decision made by leadership that is not agreed with then that opinion shared (disloyalty and seeds of rebellion are planted) jealousy over something that really does not matter (like the size of a ham slice). When the murmuring begins the devil rejoices. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. No they were not above serving tables we are all called to be servants yet God s call and giftings were not being used to the fullest to feed and Shepherd the Church. Our calling is not the distribution of food. Our calling is the distribution of the Word. Waiting on tables would have left the apostles little time for anything or anyone else. The apostles would have dried up spiritually under the pressure of serving meals plus all the counseling and preaching, with little time for preparation and prayer. One well known Pastor notes Church members can be unrealistic. They want powerful sermons on Sundays but they want the pastor on the run, visiting everybody and his cousin during the week. The church had experienced such explosive growth, its leaders and resources were unable to keep up. The church s infrastructure was being stretched too thin. Twelve men were being asked to do it all for a church of 5000 members. It was impossible for 12 men to oversee every ministry of the church without neglecting the most vital ministries the study of God's Word and prayer.

4 P a g e 4 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you 7 men of good reputation, Why did they choose 7? It may have been so that one could oversee the needs of the widows a different day of the week. Nevertheless (search prayerfully for 7 men of good reputation ) full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. Even though this was clearly under the leading of the Holy Spirit I m sure there were some dragons who protested Again verse 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. Now doubt these are the first DEACONS in the Church. The ministry of a Deacon is described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The word simply means "," They picked some good ones. servants. They could claim the same promise for faithful service that Paul specifically makes to deacons in 1 Timothy 3:13: For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, Philip went on to become an evangelist. The father of four daughters who became prophetesses, he was a godly man who increased the boundaries of ministry. This is the guy that will lead the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ immediately after successful mass evangelism in Samaria. Church history tells us that Prochorus would later become the secretary, or the assistant, to the apostle John. Following John s death, Prochorus became the bishop of Nicodema a large and growing church before being martyred himself. Many Bible scholars believe that, after serving faithfully for a season as a deacon, Nicolas started a sect known as the Nicolaitans, mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3. Although we might be mistaken and will find Nicolas to be a good brother when we see him in heaven, the weight of evidence seems to indicate that he was one who veered into heresy. The seven men all have Greek names, Amazing sensitivity to their brothers and sisters Most likely they all were Hellenists no chance or claiming No room for in the Kingdom of God

5 P a g e 5 Recent quote Pastor Sam Emory. There is no such thing for me as a black church there s no such thing as a white church. The church don t have no color the only color the church is is red. Because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Racism prejudice 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. whatever you do There is no work done for God and His glory that is more important in the eyes of God than any other work. in 1666 Monastery in Paris assigned believed the most mundane and worldly task can be done in love for God and doing it for the great King give the most humble task a spiritual purpose. In his Book, Practice the presence of God he is quoted, We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. Kudos to this young Church In the end the Hellenist did the right thing: They made the need known, instead of complaining and whining, and they trusted the solution of the apostles. The Hebrews who were accused of racism or partiality recognized that the Hellenists had a legitimate need and they trusted the solution of the apostles. Satan s attempts to divide the Church are thwarted by unity and love. Verse 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in

6 P a g e 6 Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Many Priests got saved No one is outside of God s reach even firmly established religious people. Jon Courson gives a wonderful affirmation to why Calvary Chapel teaches God s word verse by verse This verse should be starred, circled, underlined, and highlighted by everyone involved in ministry. The secret to church growth and ministry expansion is simply to feed the flock. Healthy sheep reproduce. It s inevitable. My heart is that you are the best-fed, most loved sheep on the planet!