TEXT: ACTS 6:5-7
KEY VERSE:
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom me may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:4).
BACKGROUND:
The e passage illustrates that there are men in the Church that have unique personalities and have become models for the Godly living, but unknown. The for them. No names were mentioned, but what made them to be singled out was there were things very common among them:
1. They were men of honest Report "Men“ in good standing”, excellent spirit, bearing the witness of God.
2. They were men full of the Holy Spirit
- Born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8);
- Baptized by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4),
- Living in the Spirit (Gal.5:16-17);
Fruiting in the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), - Gifting of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-9) and
- Powered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8).
3. They were men of Wisdom
Wisdom obtained from God as a gift (James 1:5).
4. They were men of Faith (Acts 6:8).
You will notice that the congregation was pleased. There are problem-solving revelations that the Church leaders at all levels need, to resolve challenges. Only God can give it, when we are committed to the purpose of God and love people. The people picked or choose those men, (it was not difficult, they knew them). They presented them before the Apostles (Spiritual authority), and the Apostles prayed (consecration)
and laid hands on them (for God's anointing). That's the
[process. The Outcome of this exercise was in tremendous
expressed in four-fold: v. 7
- The Word of God increased.
- The Disciples population multiplied greatly.
- The Priests were obedient to the faith.
In summary the passage gave four (4) perspectives about such men and the Bible we find them standing out from
the crowd.
1. MEN OF GODLY VALUES:
Men of Honest Report.
2. MEN OE SPIRITUAL FULLNESS:
Full of the Holy Spirit.
3. MEN OF UNDERSTANDING
Full of Wisdom
4. MEN OF FAITHFULNESS
Everyone that God uses must possess all these spiritual qualities: CHARACTER, HOLY SPIRIT, WISDOM, and FAITH.
Let us examine how these qualities played out among these real servants of God Almighty.
DISCUSSION:
- Men of Honest Report are Men of Godly Values: v.4
Values are more than being honest or truthful. It has to do with manners or character that transmits itself through attitude and depositions.
In Daniel 1:8, the Bibles records that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with food sacrificed to idols. Joseph asked Potiphar's wife: “How can I do such wickedness and sin against God” (Gen.39:9).
In First Thessalonians 1:5, Paul included “manner”, in his team adopted intentionally, as part of the entry strategies for the gospel for his missionary exploits. He elaborated in chapter 2 : 4 - 12, ”… Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and blameless we behaved ourselves among you..." v 10. In a similar epistle to the Corinthians, Paul also said, “... therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to everyman's conscience in the sight of God" ( 2 Corinth. 4:2).
These were conscious effort by apostle to live as a “man of honesty report". It requires going an extra mile and making commitment to live a life worthy of emulation.
REVIEW:
Why are godly values important in the preaching, promotion and defense of the gospel?
What are these values that the Church and the Community live expect from you as a model?
Are men born with these values or are they developed by individuals? Give examples.
Men of Full of the Spirit: v.4
Men of honest report are men that have experienced the
following steps of "Life in the Spirit":
Born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8;1:13). The Holy Spirit regenerates the individual in his first encounter with the Savior, Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. This experience is where the journey of life in the Spirit begins.
Baptized by the Spirit (Matt.3:11, Acts 2:38). This is the experience that accompanies salvation or the new birth in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Peter calls it the gift of the Holy Spirit. It usually comes with initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
Renewed by the Spirit (Titus 3:5; Eph. 4:29). This is a daily experience of the Man, full of the Spirit, how he submits to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Gal.3:1-3;5:16-18). The sanctifying experience renews the mind of the inner man to maintain conformity with the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8). This experience begins from the first day in the life of a saint, when baptized by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 speaks of two experiences. First, "when the Spirit comes upon you" and secondly “you shall receive power” and the outcome "ye shall be my witness".
Praying in the Spirit (Rom. 8:26, Eph.6:18). The Holy Spirit understands that even a man of honest report is still a human being with all the infirmities attached. The Holy Spirit, then helps him to pray both in the language of men and in tongues (strange language) that even the speaker may not understand but still prays mysteries to God (1 Corinthians 14:2), and also makes intercession.
Fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23). The Man of honest Report, being full of the Spirit sustains his spiritual relationship with God by generating or bearing the nine (9) fruits of the Spirit. It impacts his life style, relationship and ambition.It is defines and molds Character and godly attitude and values.
Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinth.12:1-7). The nine (9) gifts to the Spirit are divided into three:
Revelation Gifts - Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge and discerning of Spirit;
Power Gifts - Faith, Working of Miracles and Gifts of healings, while the Utterance Gifts include Prophecy, Speaking in other tongues and Interpretations of tongues.
A man of honest report, full of Holy Spirit experiences these gifts by the help of the Holy Spirit.Led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14). This is about guidance and counseling. When Man of honest report is confused in decision making or choices of action, the leading of the Spirit will be clearing manifested. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas, though were sent forth by the Holy Spirit from the Church in Antioch came to point in their journey the Spirit stopped them severally to move to Europe, until the Macedonnia Call came by vision. Peter also went to the house of Cornelius because the Spirit said to him: “three men are waiting for you, go with them for I have sent them (Acts 10:19-22).
Walking in the Spirit (Gal.5:16; 25; 1 John 3:24). This is similar to led by the Spirit, but "walking in the Spirit", is
more of having your conversation in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The Man of honest report views the life from the spectacle of what the Spirit of God wants to teach
and direct or instructs him, He is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and attachments as partner and friend for life any eternity He is familiar with the will of God.because"the Spirit is with him and in him",as the LORD promised (John 14:17).
- Men of Full of Wisdom: v.4
“Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom (Proverbs.4:7).
Wisdom has two other brothers; it does not come alone as it were. His other brothers - understanding and Knowledge always accompany wisdom. Hear King Solomon's advice:
“And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou do stem brace her” (Prov. 4:8,9).
Men of Honest Report require wisdom to navigate the intricate relational demand within the space or ecosystem they serve. Solomon acknowledged this when God gave him an open cheque to ask for anything. He asked for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:9) Read - 1 Kings 3:3-15. Then God responded: “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right.
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