For the Sake of Others (Acts 6:1-7)
I remember a random season in my life where it felt like my minivan was always breaking down. It felt like every week there was something new to repair and after fixing whatever problem was ailing our vehicle, it was only a matter of time before that dreaded “check engine” light turned on. We then proceeded to head over to the mechanic for yet another costly repair.
The ironic thing about the whole situation was that one of my best friends is a mechanic, and when he had heard about all of the woes that our family went through having to do repair after repair, he told me, “I wish you asked for help!”
“I didn’t want to inconvenience you or take advantage of you” I replied rather embarrassingly.
“Jason, we’re friends, I want you to inconvenience me… I know how to fix cars… I wish you would take advantage of our friendship!”
Not everyone may have a friend like this, but when we think of the church as a family and as a group of believers who are united under the life and example of Christ… how do we present our needs to one another? Are we willing to be inconvenienced in order to help a friend or loved one in our church family? Are we willing to listen to and address the needs of those who feel marginalized within our community?
This week we’ll be looking at Acts chapter 6 and how a group of people with a tremendous need that went unmet ultimately lead to a boiling point. In our message this weekend we’ll be taking a look at how we can posture ourselves as a family of believers to commission one another to care for the needs of those in our community who are hurting, feel unseen, or left out.
Looking forward to breaking open the Word with y’all this Sunday!!
Blessings!
Jason
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
- Acts 6:1-7