Finding Your Seat on the Bus
Teach us The Way • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewJesus commanded the church to multiply believers all over the world. Church growth would be inherent in this process as people are added to the faith and trained to make new disciples. For this to happen the church must be working together to accomplish the task of discipleship on every level.
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There is a great leadership book entitle “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. He describes the similarities of companies that made the jump from being good companies to great ones. One of the characteristics for a good company to become a great one is getting the “right people on the right seat on the bus.”
This holds true in the world of churches as well. And is even a biblical concept.
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Certain people have been gifted or called to do specific things in the body of Christ. If the leaders are doing things that others can do then the influence of the gospel is diminished.
When you give in to things you give up some things.
When you give in to things you give up some things.
When you say yes to things you say no to other things.
When you say yes to things you say no to other things.
What Has the Spirit Gifted You to do?
What Has the Spirit Gifted You to do?
Every church has needs.
Every church has needs.
1 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.
Success depends on everyone's contribution.
Success depends on everyone's contribution.
2 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.
Pat, one of the ladies in our church had a emergency procedure done on Friday. She needed ministry from the body but I was in Marietta teaching these church planters. But God has provided us with a wonderful care pastor, Brant and his wife Jill that were able to sit with and minister to the family. Brant kept me updated through the surgery and Pat came through. Kim and I are visiting her this afternoon.
“Leaders should do what only leaders can do.”
“Leaders should do what only leaders can do.”
14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”
Leaders must learn to delegate.
Leaders must learn to delegate.
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.
Leaders must reproduce themselves in others.
Leaders must reproduce themselves in others.
21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”
What is your seat on the bus?
What is your seat on the bus?
3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
“Everyone is blessed when the Leader is not stressed.”
“Everyone is blessed when the Leader is not stressed.”
5 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. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
When everyone contributes, the ministry grows.
When everyone contributes, the ministry grows.
7 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.
How will you walk in the fullness of your gifting?
How will you walk in the fullness of your gifting?
The Spirit gifts us all to contribute to the Body.
The Spirit gifts us all to contribute to the Body.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
4 Characteristics of the fullness of the Spirit:
4 Characteristics of the fullness of the Spirit:
3 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.
Full of wisdom
Full of wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Full of Faith
Full of Faith
Acts 6:5 (ESV)
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit...
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
Full of Grace
Full of Grace
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Full of Power
Full of Power
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.