God’s Organizational Chart
The First and foremost goal/mission is to spread the gospel.
There should be more peace in God’s house than any where else.
Acts 6: 1-7. Spreading the Gospel FIRST
“God’s organizational chart”
In these short 7 verses it is Awesome how God lays out the roles that fulfill both the Spiritual and Physical needs of the church Body.
If we take this serious and organize our churches and ministries according to God’s organizational chart we can expect verse #7 to describe our ministry results.
Acts 6:7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Of course this is as long as the leadership does not forget that they are simply servant leaders and start to prance around like pharisaical peacocks. *Pride is one of the sneakiest and deadliest sins and has destroyed many churches/Ministries whom were once strong beacons of light.
In Acts–A the jewish community were being converted to Christianity there were a huge number of widows and orphans. The “Christian Community”. (the flock) developed a system to help the NEEDY.
There were Greek speaking jews who grew up outside of Jerusalem who felt that they were receiving smaller portion of the money, food, etc.
* What COULD have happened was a church split like many modern day churches. The effect of that would have been the death of the church because there would be NO UNITY.
The needs were not being met. Have you ever felt like that? You feel as if your being neglected even though you ARE part of the church Body.
The Greek speaking Jews complained. The result of this complaint, really set in Motion the Growth of the church.
** The complaint became an “Opportunity” for the church to bring more people in Leadership and Prioritize the need of the church because what was at stake was the GOSPEL-NOT personal achievements or programs.
What we see is that the apostles were running the foods program but as it was expanding there was just too much work on their hand.
The need was there so they passed out bread but eventually they realized that all they did was Caring for the needy and NOT Preaching.(Bandaide to problem).
We are so easily convinced that those placed in leadership already have control etc.
The temptation of those who serve is that they feel like without them the church would not run.
The apostles could have done that. Saying we ARE the original 12 and yes we should be the ones to take care of this. The church relies on us. But led by the spirit they rechecked the reason for the existence if a church.
****Yes we need to help the needy but our first and foremost goal/mission is to spread the GOSPEL.
Here in Acts 6 shows us how we need to duplicate ourselves. We need to realize that we are replaceable at all times……Sometimes we are selfish when it comes to ministry and not share, teach or mentor others…
The apostles gathered everyone and told everyone:
* that preaching the gospel supersedes keeping the needy (not replace it)
* They acknowledged the important of helping the needy as well.
*They called in those who are filled with the spirit to take leadership.
The leaders were not picked because the position was in need and to simply full the empty body.
*These leaders were also filled with the spirit. These were the first deacons. Deacons simply mean servants. That was the solution.
*These seven men of good and attested Character and Repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and Wisdom.
It’s so apparent when you come on the sunday morning are the praise team and the pastor. But what are YOU doing? It’s highlighted by this passage is that no ministry is minor.
Serve the church not with the mindset if “they need me” but work the heart to serve the Lord our God.
**But always realize, the primary purpose of the church is the GOSPEL and this supersedes everything.
The result in Acts 6, was that the church spread and even the temple priests who were against the church became converted.
Sometimes God will allow problems to come into your home, marriage, with your children, on your job, etc. to take you higher.
We always want the numerical over the biblical when we should concentrate more on the Word versus the numbers.
Being one with God simply means following Jesus, who willingly chose to suffer rejection and lay down His very life.
“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
How does God reveal His Will to us? He speaks to us and guides us as we read and meditate upon His Word.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet; and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Matthew 13:23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
*If Jesus needed the 12 disciples in His ministry who are WE to think WE can do it alone? We need the entire Body and we need to be a part of it!
Lord guide us all and speak to us on how You want us to serve. Put it upon our hearts Lord, knowing we are serving You First then man. Help us to help the Body keep the Gospel number 1 in all we do and say. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet; and a light unto my path”.
In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.