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Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 42:07
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Church growth problems
Church growth problems
There is much we can learn from the early church, what they went through, what they did, in other words how they handled things. The thing being handled here is church growth. Church growth did not then, nor does it today come without some potential problems. So may we look, glean, learn and apply some of what we read and study tonight.
As the disciples, followers of Jesus, grew, as the numbers increased so did the problems.
Problems from the outside (Act4:1-3; Act5:17-18)
1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.
Problems with the Jews, the religious folk. It brought about persecution as further exampled in Act5:17-18 where there is our convict, Peter, back in prison again being persecuted because of the preaching of the Gospel.
(Transition) - so from the world, even the religious world there were problems pressing in on the early church, which we know and can see that even today can’t we. But what about when the problems come from within the church, the body of believers?
Problems from inside (Act5:1-11)
In Act5:1-11 is the story of Ananias and Sapphira and their lying that cost them their very lives came from within the body.
Can there be problems that occur from within the body? Not speaking here, as of yet, of growth problems but division problems or other problems?
(Transition) Now we get to chapter six and it is a display of continued difficulties with the growing church.
Continued difficulties
Difficulties, complaints from within (Act6:1-7)
Difficulties, persecution from without (Act6:8-15)
(transition): there were complaints and we see that the complaints as we look at this section do not stay in the complaint box, the suggestion box, but are addressed, first in hearing and identifying the problem, then the summons, solution to the problem (appointing of the seven) and then finally the results of the appointing.
The problem
The problem
Problems have a way of making themselves known. What we do when they are made known is important. We need to identify that there is a problem and what the problem is (Act6:1).
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
Church growth was happening from
3000 back in Act2:41
5000 as seen in Act4:4
and more and more according to Act5:14
Now in our passage today, just in this verse we see what is happening, continued church growth, now it says “multiplying” and with the growth we see a problem that is presented, people were being overlooked.
(church growth picture inserted here)
In the growing church people were being overlooked (Act6:1)
it was the Hellenist widows who were being overlooked
The complainers - Hellenists
So, who were the Hellenists?
Originally they were Jews who were from other places, (i.e. Greece) that were now living in Jerusalem.
They used their original language more so than Aramaic the language of Jerusalem.
These are Christians in this passage as compared to non-Christians as seen in Act9:29.
The complainants - Hebrews
This is the Christian Jews who are from Jerusalem, who are Aramaic speaking as native language, but have been converted to Christianity.
So this problem is a Christian problem, a church problem, a division problem and we see it broken down more as a distribution problem
The complaint - Distribution (Act2:44-45; 1Tim5:3-16)
We need to remember the church were all of one mind, one accord and gave so no one was in need.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Now scripture does define true widows in 1Tim5:3-16 and you are encouraged to read that. You would see first the family is to take of family, then the church would take care of the church, those in need. But hey, read it yourself and you can draw a conclusion, for what we are looking at here today is the diaspora, the disbursed much like Aquila and Priscilla who had to relocated (but with them it was to Ephesus).
(Transition) So there was a distribution problem, but there was a secondary problem that could be potentially even a bigger problem.
The distraction (Act6:2; Exo18:13-26)
2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
Look at it, what do you see as the other problem, diversion from the Word.
I know I can get so busy in ministry that I get distracted from the ministry of the Word and that is my main purpose in being here.
This was not an original problem either, you can see it happened with Moses in (Exo18:13-26) but I just wont to give one verse so you get a flavor, but again, I encourage you to go read the entire passage in context. I want you to see the solution there and the solution we have offered in our passage today is very similar
21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.
Now back to the problem and the start of the solution.
The apostles call the multitude and present their problem, distraction from the Word is not good. Leaders should not be distracted from their primary purpose. We know from the passage the primary purpose of the apostles
4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
(Transition) so the problem was really more than the Hellenist widows, it was a problem with unity in the church and the spread of the word. The solution that is offered up is a solution that can be applicable to any growing church or in solving church related problems.
The Solution
The Solution
So, we have seen the problem, now we get to the solution. It has a summons, a solution and a selection happen within it.
2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
The Apostles summons (Act6:2)
They call for the multitude of disciples
The Apostles explain (Act6:2)
They explain a part of the problem we just mentioned about being distracted from main purpose, which is prayer and ministry of the word and that it is not good.
The Apostles propose (Act6:3-4)
They propose a solution to the problem
Solution with conditions, maybe we better stop and look at those verses again just for a minute
3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
There were to be seven of them
They were to be of good reputation
Full of the Spirit, as well as wisdom
Ones who could be trusted and put in charge of the task at hand
Distribution
End any potential distraction to the primary purpose of the Apostles.
The disciples select (Act6:5-6; Act7:57-60; Act8:4)
5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
Let’s take a minute and look at this list, focus on a couple of them that we can know from scripture more about them.
By the names we can tell they are of Greek origin, so Hellenistic in nature
One was a Gentile who became a Jew and then became a Christian (Nicolas)
They were imparted with miraculous gifts (Act6:8; Act8:6-7; Act19:6)
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
So we have Stephen and we will get to him in much more detail in lessons to come.
6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
Then there are names you may know from scripture - Stephen whom you know according to this passage is full of faith, and you see faith fully displayed in (Act6:8-7:60)
There is Philip
6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
oh wait there is more
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
there was the disciples who were Ephesus that Paul touched (there were 12 of them according to (v.5)
(expand on the purpose of the miraculous gifts)
(Transition) so we have the problem, a problem brought to the Hebrews (the Hebrew Christians) but then they appointed 7 Hellenist Christians. From appointment came anointment
The Apostles appoint (Act6:6; 1Tim5:22; Act13:1-3)
6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
The appointed were brought and put before the apostles
Appointed with prayer and laying on of hand. this indicates just as when they brought the proceeds to the apostles feet that they acknowledge the authority of the apostles
It did not mean it was on the apostles, they were doing the appointing, check out Act13:1-3)
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
The laying on of apostles hands was for the imparting of spiritual gifts to accomplish God’s purpose.
(Transition) - so the congregation, the multitude, the disciples were pleased, the Hellenist Widows needs were met and the Apostles were not distracted from their primary purpose. so, it should not be surprising the results.
The Results
The Results
According to (Isa55:11) God’s word will accomplish it’s purpose and the results of our passage today prove that to be true (Act6:7).
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Had to give you that verse for it is such a great verse. Now onto our final verse for tonight, well verse in our passage that it.
7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Church growth (Act6:7; 2The3:1; Act5:42)!
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
God’s word brings about church growth!
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
So we need to keep on in everyplace in everything to keep on sharing God’s Word
Disciples were multiplied (Act6:7; Act2:41-47; Act4:4)
You can look at these verses, Church growth happens, multiplies when the Word of God goes and is unhindered!
More results were more conversions (Act6:7; Jn12:42-43)
There the religious folks were leaving religion and coming to relationship that brought people into fellowship
Maybe this was previous undercover believers as you read about in (Jn12:42-43); they were more worried about man and what man thought and being put out vs. what God thought. Oh wait, I better give there verse for there is more to glean from it.
42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
(Transition): Don’t be an undercover believer, you will miss out on the approval of God or in other versions it says the praise of God! - We are the church, we are a growing church, we need help for we know that Satan wants to distract us from the work or discourage us and make us weary
Conclusion
Church growth is a good thing but comes with potential problems
Church growth problems can be solved successfully
Come together and work together so we can grow together for “Together we can!”
(invitation - Be the church picture) - to the saved, to the unsaved
be the church by being in Him (invitation slide -2) song, prayer, close