BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 6:1-4.
KEY VERSE:
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom me may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:4).
HIGHLIGHT:
The men of honest are not born but made, though they only emerge when there are challenges in the family,
community, church and society. Seven men were members of the first century church, that included the one hundred (120) foundation members in the Upper Room in the day of Pentecost, the three thousand men (besides women and children) were miraculously converted after Peter's pentecostal message that same day, another five thousand (5000) men were saved and at the Beautiful Gate after the healing of the crippled man by Peter and John on their way to pray in the temple (Acts 2:47).
With this rapid growth the Church was “forced” to enter into another phase of the administration.
What were the problems or challenges the Church faced?
Examine this eight (8) problems:
- Burden of Church Growth “In those days the number of the disciples multiplied.
- Burden of ungodly values
“... there arose a murmuring (V. 1). - Burden of Multiculturalism
(Grecians and the Jews (Heb. v. 1 ). - Burden of Vulnerability (Weak Members) “…their widows (v. 1 )
- Burden of Social Justice System “…neglected … (v. 1 ).
- Burden of Administration
“… daily ministration”. (v 1 ) - Burden to Protect the Gospel "... we should (not) leave the word of God.” (v 2).
- Burden to Sustain Prayers
“... we will give ourselves continually to prayer (v 4)
It was on this premise that the need arose for the search for seven honest men to handle these eight challenges. The aforementioned eight points forms the outline of this very discourse. We will pick them one after the other.
MAIN DISCOURSE:
A. BURDEN OF CHURCH GROWTH
In those days the number of the disciples multiplied (v 1), This is also seen in the book of Numbers 11:11-15.
The Church especially at the local congregation is born to
grow. The increase of the membership always create opportunity for the “wrong members” to infiltrate. Jesus in His parable discussed about the enemy sowing tares among the wheat, but God would allow both to grow until the day of Judgement. The Challenge of Mixed multitude that followed Moses and Israelites through the wilderness illustrates that such problems are always there. Moses and Aaron had a very difficult time to handle them. Provocative words and unbelief were two words that was common among the “mixed multitude".
How did Moses handle this?
Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses advised him to seek God's approval and get helpers. The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY granted him 70 elderly men who have the same Spirit in Moses and anointed them to assist. These 70 elders were given to Moses for administration as to manage the challenge of the Jewish multitude, and the mixed multitude which resulted to the immeasurable growth of their time, because Moses sought the counsel and asked of God about it. He was successful.
APPLICATION:
What lesson should our pastors and departmental leaders in the church learn on managing the crowd and the growth in the Church?
The emergence of 70 elders to become co-leaders as part of the system of governance or was it an answer to a request to God?
What was the "quality of leadership" Moses exhibited that is relevant to us today?
B. THE CHURCH AND MULTICULTURALISM (ETHNICITY) v.1 c Acts 13:1-3
The crowd in the wilderness with Moses was described as “mixed Multitude”, but the crowd in early Church had other descriptions. At this point, it was multicultural. There is nothing wrong with "Multiculturalism" as opposed to “monoculture”.
In the upper room it was “monocultural,” …are these not all Galileans?” Here, two major factions were the Grecians and Jewish brethren. The Greeks who were non-Jews who were regarded as “gentiles”. In most of the “township churches”, people from different tribes and tongues worship together. We should be sensitive in the language of communication and fellowship.
Multiculturalism, if not managed well can lead to racism or tribalism or at best favoritism or sectionalism.
The emerging leader must be sensitive and create a leadership team that should protect the interest of all. This is not to say that each tribe must be represented in the leadership team, but that whoever serves, everyone should be accommodated.
Paul also warned against divisions “among you” (1 Corinthians 3:3). The church in Antioch was a classical multicultural church, and became an example of missionary church. Diversity is an asset and not a liability. Manage it well.
APPLICATION:
How do you compare the Church in the Wilderness led by Moses and the Church in Antioch led by the Holy Spirit?
How do you see the Church in Peter or apostles’ leadership, that Peter was the spokesperson all the time?
What are the suggestion that the laymen and pastors in the local church can strengthen synergy to manage a congregation with several tribes or cultures?
C. The Church And Murmuring (UNGODLY VALUES): v. 1 c; Ex.16:2-12.
The Church in the Wilderness with Moses 'murmured"
against the Great Jehovah, the Almighty God who fed them twice daily for forty (40) years and God was displeased with them. A tribal group in Peter's Church also murmured because “their widows” were neglected in daily ministration. The Church today is marked with several conditions that occasion or ignite "murmuring". Murmuring is sin and so it is not part of the “ethical values” of the church. Men of honest report, would not stir or promote such in the Church. Moses tried to handle in his own way by letting his anger control him. He "dishonored" God, and the Almighty God denied him access to the his dreamed land. The land he lost was his strength and effort for 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7-8).
In the First Century Church, Peter adopted a pre-emptive strategy before it snowballs to division or split. He knew that this burden was real and should not be taken lightly. He called for a Church Meeting and in a democratic manner engaged everyone to be a part of the leadership development that will manage the affairs creditably. Look out or search for these men. Apart from the good and honest report about them, they should also possess high cognitive capacity in knowledge and wisdom. Dealing with people requires character but also the wisdom from God. The young King Solomon and he prayed for it (2 Chronicles 1:10) and God invites us for free (James 1:5).
APPLICATION:
Murmuring is not part of church ethical values
because it is sin against God (Philippians 2:14-16) and leaders to rebellion against God (Exodus 16:2-15). What is the right channel to complain or protest ill treatment in the church?What inspiration do you have in the way Peter handled the situation as against how Moses did? What did Peter do differently?
How did we handle any related incidences in the past and now?
D. THE CHURCH AND MEMBERS' VULNERABILITY (WEAK & POOR) v. 1 d, 1 Timothy 5:4; Psalm 68:5, and 146:9.
Jesus said, The poor are always with you (Matthew 26:11). The list of the vulnerable persons, that is those who cannot be easily taken advantage of or manipulated, neglected or abandoned. The “vulnerable” are generally weak, poor, hungry and depend on the rich and strong for livelihood. The Widows, Women, Children, Elderly, Sick, Orphans or Fatherless. God has special command concerning them as a Church (Matthew 25:40, Galenthians 2:10). Paul however advised those who own widows (especially the younger ones) to take care of them and lift the burden off the shoulders of the Church. In practice, a lot of “vulnerable members” are planted among us as a test towards obedience to God. You need to Love your neighbor!The church classified or described the kinds of widows that should be taken care of (1 Timothy 5:9).
APPLICATION
- Since taking care of widows and other vulnerable members of the church,as the primary constituency of the Church, was mandatory, what do you suggest that should be a step-by-step approach in caring and giving helping hand?
What should be the motivation of the individual members, especially the Men their Ministries to manage the responsibility?
Narrate any past incidences of steps taken to take the burdens off the shoulder of the Church. What is your recommendation?
E. THE CHURCH AND MEMBERS’ SOCIAL WELFARE (JUSTICE) Zechariah 7:9-10; Matthew 25:31-40.
Social Justices and Social Welfare Go Together.
Delay or denial of Social Welfare to the people especially the vulnerable leads to need for Social Justices System that will become care and advocate for their welfare and fight against the violation of their rights-human rights.
The bible says the widows of Greek background were "neglected". Neglecting, depriving or ignoring a person and preventing him or her the rights and privileges of life is a “crime”. It is an act of injustice.
APPLICATION:
Is there anything in the local church today that is very oppressive and requires to be corrected? Among leaders and their followers Pastors or Members.
What are the major obstacles in tackling these acts of Injustice you have noticed?
What do you recommend the Men's Ministries should do in the local or national church to run a good social injustice system to stop neglect, bullying, oppression and the like in the church, including impunity?
F. THE CHURCH AND MINISTRATION (DAILY ADMINISTRATION): v.1, First Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:8; and Ephesians 4:11 - 12.
The daily ministration in the first century church was expected to resolve the problem of Social Welfare for the widows. The food was enough, but those whose responsibility to handle it well, failed.
People have made sacrifices to put the food on the table of the widows and other vulnerable persons in their time and space. However,the management and administration of the services were not well monitored, nor was there any provision for accountability to character, attitude and service delivery system. Often people are forced to speak out, let their voice be heard under an
oppressive administrative system or when impunity becomes the rule, rather the exception.The relations to the widows here murmured. Peter and other apostles rose up to the challenge - Commendable!
APPLICATION:
If their agitation or protest against the social injustice meted to the widows of Grecian origin was right, what makes “murmuring” wrong, knowing that every sin is against God?
What do you think the Church leaders would have done differently to fix the problem before it escalated, using our 21st Century context.
How do you resolve social justice matters in your
family, community, church and the society that you influence?
G. THE CHURCH AND MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL (THE WORD OF GOD), v.2, Philippians 1:17
The Church is under attack, because of the gospel. The gospel is the hope for man. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ, faith in Christ will not be established, because faith comes by hearing the word of God. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that the gospel has the light to open the eyes of those in darkness (2 Corinthians 4:1-4), and the devil is doing everything possible to distract the church from preaching that good news.
As an “endangered” agent of truth, the gospel and the word of God must be defended from internal and external distractions. This is why Peter said: “we cannot leave the word of God to serve tables”. Serving table means “administration”, which he later called “this business”. Some other equally anointed persons can be nominated and appointed to do that job, while the apostles to preach the
Word.
Today, in many parts, those entrusted with the preaching of the gospel have diverted into everything else but the gospel.
APPLICATION:
As legitimate and urgency of handling the social welfare problem in the church was, is any argument strong enough to assert it can take place of preaching the gospel?
The intervention of Peter and other apostles, was it
primarily in defense of the poor widows or the gospel? Explain your position scripturally.How often do you repeatedly have the distractions from the gospel (Evangelism) by other Church programs and how do you usually fix it? Can we learn any lesson here?
H. THE CHURCH AND MOBILIZATION TO PRAY (WITHOUT CEASING) v. 4 a; Ephesians 6:18.
The counsel to “Pray without ceasing” was another gospel related mandate that was under threat by this distraction.
The devil tries hard to occupy with other family and business matters, with the intention to distract us from fervent prayers. In verse 4, the Peter stated clearly the intention of this gathering:so that the new team,will relieve them to“devote themselves to Pray and Preach".These two are what makes the church to match forward above any other. The 21st Century Church leaders must realize this.
TO PRAY, TO PREACH are two key mandates of divine service.
APPLICATION:
Why is itimportant that the local church leadership-
the pastor,the board,the departmental leaders and
others to be part of preserving these spiritual legacies at all cost?Can a local or national church be diverted to other
things except the two mandates? What are the
consequences if your answer is Yes?Can you share any recent experiences of a local church anywhere that are suffering the effect of neglect of the preaching and praying consistent or has given less than 30%of their program away from Evangelism and Prayers?
CONCLUSION:
The Church is constantly undergoing crisis or phases in its development, and the enemy of our souls, seeks to take advantage of the circumstance or situation to prevent the Church from preaching and praying. It is important to mobilize and engage other workers who will take care of this business. But the first analyze the tricks of the devil and pre-empt it.
You should look out for men of honest into this business on when you have identified the problems or challenges. Eight challenges or dangers were diagnosed and seven men of report, full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and also faith, were appointed to handle.
Seven Men, not Women!
The Men's Ministries in the local church should look out for such men.
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