Sermon by Pastor Brent Kompelien
May 5, 2024
INTRO
Good morning! We’re continuing to work our way through the book of Acts as we see the incredible things that God was doing during the early days of the church.
One of the most important themes we are seeing come into focus in these early chapters is that there is opposition and all kinds of pitfalls or problems that endangered the infant Christian church in Jerusalem.
These issues are not merely neutral or innocent in nature. Peter made it very clear when he confronted Ananias and Sapphira that the powers of evil are at work to undermine the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the church. Just listen again to what Peter said to Ananias in Acts 5:3, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?”
Friends, I think one of the key themes we need to see in Acts is that Satan is trying to undermine and destroy the early church. And the same is true today. But remember what we learned last week: Nothing can stop the advance of the gospel!
This morning we are going to look at a new problem in the early church, something that has the potential to derail and destroy the brand new community of faith in Jerusalem. We’ve already seen two other tactics of the evil one:
In Acts 4 there was persecution from the outside as the Jewish leaders publicly shamed the apostles and tried to stop their teaching.
In Acts 5 there was internal deception and self-centeredness that threatened to weaken the integrity of the church right at the foundation.
And now in Acts 6, there is competition and complaining between believers. This new problem threatened to divide the church into factions and distract the apostles from their ministry of prayer and the Word. You see, the evil one is capitalizing on the early church’s difficult task of trying to minister to all kinds of new believers, and Satan would want nothing more than to sow division and competition and complaining into the early church so that they would be distracted from spreading the gospel and that they would undermine their own message of forgiveness, grace, and self-giving love.
Open with me to Acts 6:1-7. Here’s what we are going to do this morning: We are going to read this account and see what the apostles do in response to potential division and distraction. How do they meet the various needs of people and still maintain focus on their unique role of prayer and preaching?
After we read this passage, we are going to examine some of the Old Testament background and connections to other places where we see grumbling or murmuring or complaining in the Bible. This will help us see clearly how the early church reverse and redeem some of the mistakes we see people making elsewhere in the Bible, and it will help us learn how to protect against division and distraction from taking root in the church today.
Let’s read: READ Acts 6:1-7.
ORG SENT — We are going to look at this passage in three parts: (SLIDE 2) First, we will examine the problem in verse 1. Second, we will see the apostles’ proposed solution in verses 2-6. Third, we will rejoice in the results in verse 7. As we work our way through this, we will see parallels to the story of the Israelites in the wilderness in Exodus 16 and the crowds of people following Jesus in John 6.
MAIN 1 — The Problem (v. 1). (SLIDE 3)
Go back to verse 1. The problem actually begins as a good problem. (SLIDE 4) Did you notice what Luke records in the first half of the sentence: “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing…”
This is a great problem! There are more and more people coming to faith in Christ and joining together in fellowship within the infant church in Jerusalem. These are the kinds of problems every church wants to have: more people being saved!
Yet sometimes a good problem like this can cause ripple effects throughout a community. Change is hard, newness can be difficult, and adding more and more people to a church family can present challenges.
You see, the good problem of the rapid expansion of the church in Jerusalem began to be a bad problem: caring for everyone became too much for the apostles and some people were being forgotten or treated unfairly, so some people started complaining.
This may not sound like a “red alert” problem for the early church. But the reason Luke records this event, and the reason God in his sovereignty put this problem before the church, is that complaining and competition are indeed “red alert” problems for a church. (SLIDE 5) Unchecked, complaining will give birth to bitterness, and competition will only lead to division. This is a cancer for a church family that will spread and become a terminal illness, and Luke tells us this account in order to highlight the importance of dealing with these issues before they fester and spread.
SIDE NOTE: We aren’t talking about this topic today because there is lots of complaining going on in our church. It is simply the next passage in our study of Acts! But it is important to talk openly about, and in fact, there is a pattern in the Bible of murmuring and grumbling (SLIDE 6) that is important to understand so that we can see how the New Testament church in Acts reversed and redeemed this pattern.
The prime example of this pattern is the story of the Israelites in the wilderness under the leadership of Moses after they are miraculously redeemed from slavery in Egypt in Exodus 16.
Immediately after the supernatural work of God to save them through the plagues in Egypt and through the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites went out into the wilderness of Sinai and realized they have no food or water.
Exodus 15 and 16 records these words:
First they had no water. Exodus 15:22-24 — (SLIDE 7) “Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
Next they had no food. Exodus 16:2-3 — (SLIDE 8) “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
In both case, the text says that “the Lord heard their grumbling” and God graciously provided water from the rock and he provided food through the daily provision of manna from heaven. (SLIDE 9, blank) But what we see throughout the rest of the wilderness wanderings is the Israelites grumbling again and again. Their lack of trust continues into the settling of the Promised Land where they worship other gods and eventually are carried off in exile.
We see this same pattern of complaining and division and falling away also in the Gospel of John.
In John 6 there is a huge crowd of people who are hungry, just like we saw in Exodus 16. But rather than them complaining first, Jesus anticipated their need and provided bread miraculously, not merely what they needed for that meal like the manna in the wilderness, but an abundance and overflow of 12 extra baskets!
Yet later the crowds still grumble and complain. Why?
This is what Jesus said to them in John 6:26-27, (SLIDE 10) “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.”
What is this food that doesn’t spoil? Jesus goes to say, “I am the Bread of Life.” He says in John 6:32-33, (SLIDE 11) “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” He’s talking about himself!
And what happens next? (SLIDE 12, blank) The text says “Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves” and they “grumbled about this” and ultimately “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
Do you see the pattern?
Grumbling led to discord. Opportunities to trust God led to division. And eventually both the Old Testament Israelites and the crowds of Jesus’ followers turn their backs on God.
But what happens in Acts 6? Here we are at another fork in the road. Here we see the biblical pattern of grumbling and murmuring happening again. For the astute Bible reader, we must recognize the gravity of this situation. Will they follow the same trajectory of discord and division and eventually destruction of the church?
You see, the practical problem of the unfair distribution of food between the Hebraic Jews, who were were culturally Hebrew, and the Hellenistic Jews, who were culturally Greek, presents a moment of tension. What will happen now?
MAIN 2 — The Proposed Solution (vv. 2-6). (SLIDE 13)
Go back to the text now, and let’s look at verses 2-4 to highlight how the Apostles handled this situation:
First, they gathered all the disciples together: it was a family conversation.
Second, they made clear their unique priorities as apostles: ministry of the Word.
Third, they asked for help: choose seven godly and wise men.
Fourth, they shared leadership: turning responsibility over, they focusing on prayer and the Word.
There are some important principles (SLIDE 14) here that are critical for understanding how a local church can function in a healthy way:
Address Issues Head-On As A Family (SLIDE 15) — The problem was addressed transparently with the whole church. In other words, this truly was a family, and they gathered together as a whole group to talk about what was going on. This is how the Apostles stopped the festering of complaints and murmuring: They were willing to admit mistakes and talk openly about deficiencies in how they were caring for people and ask for help!
There Are Different Roles In The Body of Christ (SLIDE 16) — The Apostles recognized something here: There are different roles in a church family. These different roles are not about competing for influence or notoriety. Rather, they are for the health of the church and the advance of the Kingdom and the glory of God.
IMPORTANT: There is no hint that the Apostles saw the work of caring for widows as inferior. Rather, they saw the need for differentiation of duty and calling. They need help taking care of practical ministry needs. Sharing the load allowed them to do that third principle.
Stay Focused On Key Priorities (SLIDE 17) — They also felt a conviction to stay focused on their priorities of prayer and Word. They know that it wouldn’t be right for them to neglect their unique responsibility. In fact, this unique responsibility is presented here in Acts 6 as vital to the health and growth of the church. Remember, the evil one would want nothing more than to see a church stop praying and stop preaching God’s Word.
ILLUST: John Stott wrote, (SLIDE 18) “If Satan can preoccupy the Apostles with administration, which though essential is not their calling, they would neglect their God-given responsibility to pray and to preach, and so leave the church without any defense against false doctrine.”
Friends, hear be clearly: We cannot let this happen. We must never lose a focus on prayer, we must never lose a focus on the Word of God. These are never optional, and the meeting of practical needs is always an extension of and natural fruit from the right teaching of the Word and the ministry of prayer. (SLIDE 19, blank)
What was the outcome? Look now at verses 5-6.
The proposal pleased the whole group.
They presented these seven leaders to the apostles who prayed to commission them for service.
In this, we see the beginnings of a totally new trajectory from the pattern we’ve seen in earlier passages in the Bible. Suddenly this grumbling turns into transparent conversation. The problem opens an opportunity to work together to help the church. People soften their hearts rather than harden their hearts. The tall task of daily care for the church now leads to fruitfulness, not division and discord and destruction. Just look at what happens next…
MAIN 3 — Rejoicing in the Results (v. 7). (SLIDE 20)
READ v. 7.
Wow! This moment of potential crisis, when grumbling and competing could have derailed the early church, now turns into another example of growth in the spread of the gospel. People are coming to faith! Not undermining the gospel message by grumbling and dividing.
You see, there is a theme we will see throughout the book of Acts: (SLIDE 21) Potential problems are redeemed to turn into fruitful growth for the church that glorifies God.
The only way this is possible is when you are secure in the gospel (SLIDE 22), knowing you can address issues with transparency as a church family, admit shortcomings, ask for help, and bring about greater cooperation and unity as the church continuing in the mission of spreading the good news about Jesus Christ.
You see, the Apostles could have gotten defensive. They could have felt threatened. They could have been self-important, self-protective, or self-serving. Rather, they were humble, honest, and open to adjusting their approach. They admitted that they needed help, and they were doggedly committed to good doctrine and to prayer.
These are gospel-centered leaders. This is modeled after Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28).
This takes all kinds of forms: serving in the home, in a business, in a school, in a hospital, in a factory, in neighborhoods, with friends, family, or as a missionary, church staff, para-church ministry leader, or pastor.
The Apostles were leaders who recognize that God calls all his people to ministry, yet he calls us to different ministries (SLIDE 23). Both the ministry of prayer and Word and the ministry of service is important because we are all ultimately serving the Lord.
When the early church approached ministry in this way, what was the result?
The text says three things:
“the word of God spread” — you can’t stop the gospel!
“the number of disciples increased rapidly” — more salvations!
“a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith” — now we suddenly see some of the Jewish leaders coming to faith in Christ!
KEY: In addition to better care for the needy, there is good doctrine, good teaching, more prayer, more evangelism, and more effectiveness in reaching the surrounding community. This is the kind of church I want to be a part of!
APPLY (SLIDE 24, blank)
Let me bring this home for us. We have such a healthy and vibrant community of faith here. I am personally so blessed by this church.
As we move forward, I know that our church needs to continue to grow in sharing the load, embracing our spiritual gifts, and developing teams. We have so many people stepping up to help meet practical needs, serving on ministry teams, participating in outreach and evangelism, and embrace our goal this year of growing in prayer.
There are so many opportunities to work together to serve one another and to share the gospel in our community. This passage reminds us of the importance of sharing that load and of engaging the whole Body of Christ in working together.
I have felt sometimes overwhelmed by the needs, often sacrificing preaching prep time or delaying working on other creative teaching opportunities in order to address urgent administrative needs or practical needs, which are certainly very important!
Where what this means: The Elders are asking me to be more accountable to focus on preaching, teaching, vision, prayer, counseling, and outreach. I know I need more help with administration!
As we move forward, we will continuing making adjustments, equipping team leaders, and inviting everyone to use their gifts and skills to serve the Body. Just like this passage from Acts 6, this means we embrace the unique roles and keep our focus on our unique responsibilities. That may mean saying “no” sometimes to things that aren’t in our focus area. But that allows someone else in the congregation to step up.
In this way, my prayer is that our church will continue to reach people with the gospel, and even while we meet practical needs of people, that we would never lose our focus on prayer and the Word so that we move ahead as a healthy and vibrant church that glorifies God.