Sundays 7th & 14th September 2008

Acts 6 - The Appointment of "The Seven"
We are looking through Acts, not just as a series to hang some sermons on but to envision us for church
Acts – the story so far….
Jesus ascends to heavenThe Holy Spirit is poured out at the feast of Pentecost… as a result 3,000 believe and are baptizedDescription of the new communityHealing at the Gate beautiful, Peter & John siezedJudgement of Ananias & SaphiraMany healingsMore persecution – the apostles are seized
Acts 6 & 7
A problem arises over alleged discrimination in the churchThe apostles tell the people to choose 7 menof good repute, full of the Spirit & wisdomThe apostles lay hands on them and turn the job over to themThe word of God spreads, numbers increase.Stephen does “wonders and miraculous signs”He encounters opposition and is brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling councilHe speaks with respect and courage but they don’t like what they hear!Stephen is stoned. Mob rule.Widespread persecution of the church follows and church is scattered
We’re going to look at 6 things
1. Don’t be surprised by problems
Our goal is not to be problem free.As we look at Acts we need to recognise it wasn’t all rosy.Growth is uncomfortable and requires adjustments.We need to get used to it!What worked as a group of 5,000 may not now work with 20,000Growth inevitably produces challenges and problems
But we need to realise that not growing also has problems!If a business stops growing, it doesn’t stop having problems – it just has different problems!For the Roman Empire – consolidation marked the beginning of the endThe Empire depended on conquering new people and assimilating them into the Empire so they became the soldiers, the business men, the politiciansThe gospel conquers people for Jesus and sets them to work in the kingdom.When Rome stopped growing it became weak. The seeds of decline were sown

2. The Threat to Unity
Threat to unity.
Dispute between Gk speaking Jewish Christians and those who spoke Aramaic. They would have had different culture and customs. So there was alleged discrimination on grounds of race and culture.The distinctive of Acts 4 - "there were no needy among them", was being lost
So amidst the amazing growth of church, this serious problem aroseA problem that could lead to disunity and divisionLater on Paul said in Gal 3:28 – there is neither Jew nor Greek – all one in Christ Jesus
3. How did apostles deal with it? Relevant to any area of leadership - church, work or home. Actually relevant to everyone!
They didn’tIgnore the problem and hope it would go awaySay "we’re growing it’s just one of those things, it’ll sort itself out"Say "Those Hellenists – always divisive!"SAy "We’re too busy we’ll deal with it later"Sympathise and do nothingOver spiritualise.Shift the blame onto othersSee it as a personal attackSay "We’ll get hold of the ring leaders"Say "Do you realise we’ve just been flogged!"
NO - They faced it head on and came up with a holy spirit inspired wise solution. A solution that was both practical and spiritual
They released people into ministry. Roger “Way forward is to release people”.They did not micro-manage the situation – they releasedThey didn’t say – the only way to get a job done properly is to do it yourselfNo they said we will “appoint them over this business” – gave them real responsibilityThey didn’t play it safe. Faith.
(Were they appointing deacons?)
We need to see principles, not a blueprint for Elders & Deacons.Luke does not call them deacons. He calls them "The 7".Serve at tables – may not mean to be waiters – rather may mean to sit at the table, managing the process.Maybe the apostles were saying "God hasn’t called us to sit behind desks!"
NIBC suggest the Seven were more like pre-cursor to Elders
My view is this passage is not a blue print for organising the church nor is it a job description for Elders or Deacons, rather it is a principle of how to handle pressures of growth.It was a wise and spirit inspired solution to a real and pressing problem

4. The qualifications that really matter
They didn’t look for the most unlikely candidateThey didn’t look for someone with management experienceThey didn’t look for a “charismatic personality”They didn’t look for someone who could knock a few heads together
They looked for men of good report, Full of the Spirit & WisdomIf those are the qualifications, then is anyone potentially disqualified?
So… these are the job qualifications…

5. What else we can learn about Stephen?
Full of faith and the Holy SpiritFull of grace and powerAnd did great wonders – not limited by his job description – alive to the opportunities for God to use himHe spoke with wisdomHe was respectful in his replyHe was able to give accountHe doesn’t fight his own causeHe is not timid – he engagesHe is not a man-pleaser. If I’d been there I’d have been willing him to tone it down! He was willing to upset people for the sake of the gospel. He didn’t compromise.He forgives
Did he have a special anointing that is beyond us? No. Don’t put him on a pedestal and admire him, but rather be motivated by his example
6. Looking forward
The ministry of Stephen resulted in a turning point. No longer did the church have favour. It was not even tolerated. It was scattered.
We need to remember that having favour in our community is not our goal! Nor is it a measure of success – Jesus said in Luke 6 – “Beware when people speak well of you…”. There are always times in church history when persecution comes.
We’re at a phase where we have favour – it might not always be so and it’s certainly not our goal.
So if we want to serve our Lord what are the qualifications? – be full of the Spirit and wisdom!