Text: Acts 6:1-7

= Good News on the Sins of

Men:

Hebrews 9:28 - Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.

1John 3:5 - And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.

Vs. 1 - the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Topic: Overcome the Spirit of Negligence

= Ministry of Purification: 2Corinthians 11:2 - I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

= Need of Purification: 2Corinthians 7:1 - Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

James 4:8 - Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1John 1:8-10 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

How Can We Enjoy the Beauty of the Church in

this world?

1. 1. Church in the Process of People

Vs. 1 – In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,

= What is the Original Plan of Jesus, the Head of the Church, on His Church?

Matthew 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

(1) God’s MissionEphesians 2:1-2 - Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Acts 26:17-18 – I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

(2) God’s ExpansionActs 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Colossians 1:24 - Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

(3) God’s HouseholdEphesians 1:5 - God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

1Timothy 3:15 - if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God.

= What usually does Take Place in the Normal Process of Church Movement?

(1) People are Multiplying Vs. 1 – In those days when the

number of disciples was increasing,

2:47 - And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

4:4 - But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

5:14 - more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number

6:1 - In those days when the number of disciples was increasing

(2) People are ClashingVs. 1 – the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Philippians 4:2-3 - Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News.

(3) People are MaturingEphesians 4:13 - This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

2. 2. Church in the Groups of People

Vs. 1 – In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews

= How Many Kinds of People Do You Think Make Up the Church of Christ?

Vs. 1 - the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

We are Singaporeans: There was a time when people said That Singapore won't make it, but we did. There was a time

when troubles seemed too much For us to take, but we did. We built a nation, strong and free,

reaching out together. For peace and harmony.

This is my country, this is my flagThis is my future, this is my lifeThis is my family, these are my

friendsWe are Singapore, Singaporeans

= What does this Case of Complaint of One Group against Another Teach Us about in the Growth of the Church?

Vs. 1 – 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.

(1) Church has Trouble(2) Church has Division(3) Church has Discrimination

Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Ephesians 4:2 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Phil. 2:5-7 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

3. 3. Church in the System of People

Vs. 3 - 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.

= Why do You think the 12 had to Gather All the Disciples together?

Vs. 2-4 – 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.

(1) To handles an issue of Division.

Vs. 2 - So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said,

Vs. 1 - the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews

(2) To handles an Issue of Ministries

Vs. 2 - 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.

Ephesians 4:11-12 - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

(3) To handles an issue of Responsibility

Vs. 3 - 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.

= What Kind of People Should be Chosen to Strengthen the Church?

Vs. 2-3 - It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 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.

Vs. 5 - 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.

A Case Study of StephenActs 6:8 - Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

Acts 6:9-10 - Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen - Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

A Case Study of PhilipActs 8:4-8 - Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the

miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:38 - And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Acts 21:8-10 - Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

= What was the Fruit of Strengthening the Church System to Do Ministries more Effectively?

Vs. 6-7 - They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 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.

How Can We Enjoy the Beauty of the Church in

this world?

Church in the Process of People Church in the Groups of people Church in the System of People