Atmospheric Holiness – Atmospheric Holiness – Part 9: ServicePart 9: Service

Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:1-7

Acts 5:17 - 21

• There is a tendency in our human nature to evaluate life from a personal perspective rather than a community perspective.

• The fellowship of the church is being split into two factions with different emphases.

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.

Acts 6:1-7

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.

Acts 6:1-7

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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:1-7

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. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:1-7

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.

Growth tested their forms

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.

Two solutions were offered: right priorities and right people

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.

Two solutions were offered: right priorities and right people

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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

The right priorities.

• The apostles did not respond defensively.

• The apostles admitted their limitations.

• They focused on their priorities.

The right priorities.

• It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables

• We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

• We reveal a lot about ourselves by the way we handle conflict.

The right people.

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

The right people.

• The need is best met by those who feel the pain.

choose from among you

The right people.

The right people.

The right people.

• Spiritual service is best done by those who live spirit led lives.

• known to be full of the Spirit

• Spiritual service requires spiritual wisdom

• known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom

Bottom Line:

A Jesus-centered church is effective when it is committed to right priorities and the right people in the right ministry with flexibility in form.