Devotion And Service Part 2 Series

Acts Pt5- Devotion and Service 2

Review/Recap

When- angel freed the Apostles- he instructed them to-

Act 5.20

God is the source of life, Jesus is life itself- (Rom 6.23)

Jn 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

Jn 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

Jn 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Our culture is very confused over life issues- all life comes from God and has value.

I have no problem with saving the whales or the rain forests- God called us to tend/shepherd His creation.

Only man is made in God’s image and his life is above and different from other life forms.

Act 6.1-7 read

v6.1

Complaint- behind the scenes talk, grumbling in private, secret murmuring.

God- active in the early church- there was much unity-

Acts 1:14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer ...

Acts 2:46 Day by day continuing w/one mind in the temple ... breaking bread from house to house, they were taking ... meals together ...

Acts 4:32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul ...

As they grew- problems arose- people resorted to grumbling/complaining/murmuring-

enemy- attempting to bring dissension/division.

So much so that the Apostles had to call the entire church together to solve the problem.

That is not to say that there are not valid problems- but-

There are appropriate/inappropriate ways to handle problems- murmuring to others- always- wrong way.

Always go to those who can resolve the problem.

Num 12.1-15 Aaron/Miriam complain- Moses

We will also often direct our complaints towards God-

Num 14.27 Jewish people complain about God

Whenever there is a problem- it is easy for us to ascribe to leaders/authority- less than noble motives.

Eph 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Unwholesome- corrupt, rotten, as when vegetable/meat becomes putrid, having no value, harmful, offensive.

edification- a building up, strengthening, by your words

grace- bring favor and benefit to those listening

Avoid destructive complaining! Ja 3.2-12

Use words to bless and not curse others.

v6.2

Neglect- to leave behind, to forsake or abandon.

Apostles- understood- could not build the church and neglect hearing God’s Word- what is God saying?

They had to be able to hear God to build His church.

It is just as important for us not to neglect listening to God through- written Word/revelation of His Spirit-

Heb 4:2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

Jews abandoned God’s Word and died in- wilderness.

Establish clear priorities, principles, and practices to live by.

v6.3

Should these 3 qualities not belong to every believer?

Every person is going to be full of something- the question is what will you be full of?

Were you ever tempted to say to someone-