Introduction

Good morning, my dear friends in Christ. We are here today, gathered in His love, to share, to learn, and to grow in faith. We are here to listen to His word, to understand His teachings, and to seek His guidance.

Our scripture today is from Acts 6:1-6,

"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.' This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them."

This passage is a window into the early church, a glimpse into their struggles, their solutions, and their faith. It talks about growth, not just in numbers, but in understanding of what it means to be a community. It talks about grievances, not as a source of discord, but as a chance for growth and understanding. It talks about the need for prayer and preaching, the twin pillars of our faith.

G.K. Chesterton, a man of great faith and wisdom, once said, "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people." This quote rings true for us even today. We are called to love, to serve, and to understand, even when it's hard, even when we face grievances and differences.

As we reflect on this passage today, we will see how the early church faced these challenges, how they empowered their community, and how they prioritized prayer and preaching. We will see how their experiences and solutions can guide us in our faith journey today.

Let us begin with a prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for your love and your grace. We thank you for your Word, which guides us and nourishes us. As we reflect on this passage from Acts, open our hearts and minds to your teachings. Help us to grow in faith, to serve with love, and to seek your guidance in all that we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Growth and the Grievances

In the early days of the church, as we see in the book of Acts, the community was growing. More and more people were coming to faith, and with this increase in numbers came an increase in complexity. The church was no longer a small group of disciples, but a large and diverse community with different needs and expectations. This growth brought with it challenges, as the disciples struggled to meet the needs of their expanding community.

The distribution of food: The Hellenistic Jews, those who were Greek-speaking and often from outside of Jerusalem, felt that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. This was a serious concern, as widows were among the most vulnerable members of the community. They relied on the support of the church for their daily needs.

The disciples: They, recognizing the gravity of the situation, did not dismiss the grievances of the Hellenistic Jews. Instead, they gathered the community together to address the issue. They acknowledged that it was not right for them to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. The ministry of the word, the sharing of the Gospel, was their primary calling. But they also recognized the importance of serving the physical needs of the community.

They proposed a solution: They asked the community to choose seven men who were known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. These men would take on the responsibility of distributing food, ensuring that all members of the community, including the Hellenistic widows, were cared for. This was a practical solution, but it was also a spiritual one. It required men who were full of the Spirit, who could serve with love and wisdom.

The response: The community responded positively to this proposal. They chose Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas to take on this responsibility. These men were presented to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. This act of prayer and laying on of hands was a way of commissioning them for their service, of acknowledging their role in the community.

How the early church dealt with the challenges of growth: They did not ignore the grievances of their members, but listened and responded with love and wisdom. They found a way to meet the physical needs of their community without neglecting their spiritual calling. They empowered members of their community to serve, recognizing that the work of the church is not just for a select few, but for all who are filled with the Spirit.

Provides a model for us today: As our own communities grow and change, we too may face challenges. We too may have members who feel overlooked or neglected. But like the early church, we can listen to these grievances with love and wisdom. We can find practical solutions that meet the needs of our community without neglecting our spiritual calling. And we can empower members of our community to serve, recognizing that the work of the church is for all who are filled with the Spirit.

Empowerment for Equity

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