THE DEFINING OF A LEADER- Series Title
PART ONE IN A SERIES OF THREE
“A DEDICATED PARTNER IN THE WORK” - Sermon Title
Acts 6:1-7 • ©Larry L. Thompson (2002)
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] 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. [3] Brothers, 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 [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." [5] 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. [6] They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Introduction:
No church can be effective in ministry and in growing both numerically and spiritually without the intentional development of spiritual leaders. Over the next three weeks I am going to take the life of Phillip and instruct our church in the importance of your spiritual growth, maturity and the development of your personal leadership in the Body of Christ. I want you to pay close attention and take careful notes in this study because I need you, this church needs you and more importantly Christ has called you to mature in Him and use your spiritual gifts to help provide leadership in this part of the Body of Christ where you serve.
Biblical Background of Text:
The church is still very young but growing VERY FAST. Last count was 5,000 men whom theologians claim could have easily been 15 to 20,000 members including the women and children. Consider also the lack of ability to communicate. Attempting to spiritually feed the church while also dealing with the sin in the Body and trying to satisfy the administrative needs was impossible. So we see the church INTENTIONALLY ORGANIZING to meet the needs of the Body.
The catalyst for the organization was a compliant on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
Satan would love to disrupt the CHURCH and this was his third attempt when the church was so very young and attempting to establish for the purpose of fulfilling Christ’ great commission. It should be noted this was Satan’s third attempt to destroy or at least cripple the new church.
1. Through persecution in Acts 4-5 which actually only accelerated the growth according to Acts 4:4: “But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”
2. Through sin in the Body in Acts 5:1-11 but again God stepped in and judged Ananias and Sapphira. However, once again this attack only resulted in seeing the explosive growth of the church continue. Acts 5:14: “Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”
3. Through dissension in Acts 6:1-2. Satan sought to create dissension within the church. A church racked by internal conflict will find its message lost in the conflict and its energy dissipated. The church with dissension will focus on itself will find it difficult to reach out to the lost world. Before the church could evangelize the world, they would have to deal with any division within their ranks. This dissension was the need that spurred the church to further organize and define and identify leaders within the Body.
As often happens in the church, dissension began as a relatively insignificant issue. The Hellenists complained that “their” widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. The Hellenists were Jews that were Greek speaking and so immediately there is a racial and cultural difference in the Body. This is indicated by “THEIR” widows were being overlooked. One of the important factors that we understand in the Body of Christ it is NOT ‘us and them.’ We may be different in color and different in culture but we all have the same Father when we have been redeemed by the BLOOD of the LAMB. There is only ONE CULTURE in this Body and that is the culture of Christ.
The Apostles listened to the complaint and then offered a solution for organization to the Body. Notice what they said in Acts 6:2: “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.” The Greek word for tables is trapeza, trop’-ed-zah; a table usually for food; also a counter for receiving money.
PERSONAL NOTE: I am thankful that I have men that told me several months ago to quit trying to accomplish all the administrative details and simply focus on the word of God and pray and spiritually leading the Body. It has been some of the greatest counsel I have received in ministry. The apostles knew their priority was praying, preaching, teaching, and studying the Word. They would let nothing, however pressing, distract them from those duties. Pastors are given to the church “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph. 4:12). Our calling is to mature the saints so they can do the work of the ministry. By neglecting that calling, we then doom our congregations to languish in spiritual infancy which is a breeding ground for dissension.
There were seven submitted to the Apostles for consideration. The Apostles then made the decision where they would serve and said, “We will turn this responsibility over to them.” Among the seven men who were submitted to serve as deacons (servants) in the church at Jerusalem was an interesting character known as Philip. Like his six other brothers selected, he was a Greek-speaking Jew—a Hellenist. His name means “a horse lover,” and it is believed by some that he came from a wealthy family. We are not told when he actually encountered Jesus Christ as Savior, but it is evident that he held a place of high esteem among his fellow members in the church. While he is the only man described in the New Testament as an evangelist (Acts 21:8), he was a layman who loved the Lord and served in the Body of Christ as a LEADER in the early church. The brief biography of the life of this godly lay leader in the local ministry of the Body of Christ covers three specific areas, providing valuable insight when we talk about defining a true lay leader within our fellowship.
We see him as, A DEDICATED PARTNER IN THE WORK (Acts 6:1-7), A DYNAMIC PROCLAIMER OF THE WORD (Acts 8:5-8, 26-40) and A DEVOTED PARENT IS HIS WITNESS (Acts 21:1-9).
This week we will deal with the first area in this study, that of:
A DEDICATED PARTNER IN THE WORK
As we have discussed our text today reveals that a problem had surfaced in the life of the early church. The remedy was to choose seven men to undertake these duties of service, and thus free the apostles to give themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. Among those chosen to serve in this manner was Philip. For the purpose of this study we shall isolate him from the rest and observe four things that made him a dedicated servant in the local church.
I. A LEADER IS A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN
The twelve gathered all the disciples and said, “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:2-3). It is important to note that Philip was chosen from “…all the disciples…” (Acts 6:2). This obviously indicates he was a committed Christian. At some point he had become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is not difficult to discover how men and women became disciples in those days. Peter made it clear on the day of Pentecost that those who intended to become disciples of Jesus Christ had to “…repent,…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and…receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). This involved:
1) A Changed Mind: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent’…” (Acts 2:38). Repentance is an inner spiritual revolution which leads to a change of life. It involves the total activity of mind, heart, and will in turning from sin to God through faith in Christ. Repentance includes a hatred of and grief for sin. This is not simply a sorrow or the fact that you have been caught, like that of Judas and Saul. Such a sorrow as theirs works death (see 2 Cor. 7:9-10); but a “…Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation…” (2 Cor. 7:10). Without repentance there is no salvation.
2) A Clean Heart “…Repent, and…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). Baptism is the outward expression of an inward cleansing. That cleansing only comes through faith in the Savior who shed His blood for the remission of sins. The very heart of the gospel is that “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3). If repentance means a turning to God, then remission signifies a trusting in Christ.
3) A Controlled Will: “…you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Notice that each person of the Holy Trinity is involved in this miracle of conversion. Repentance involves a turning to God, remission involves a trusting in Christ, and regeneration involves receiving the Holy Spirit. This receiving of the Spirit is more than just a quickening to life: it means handing over the reins of one’s life to the indwelling sovereignty of the Spirit. All this had happened to Philip. That is why he was a committed Christian and a disciple of Jesus Christ. Have you experienced such a genuine conversion? No congregation has a right to submit a person into leadership who is not a committed Christian. One of the greatest reasons the church is so ineffective today in her witness to the world is because so many leaders who serve in her ranks are uncommitted Christians. If you want your life to count for Jesus Christ, then make sure you are soundly converted. Only then can you call yourself a committed Christian.
Illustration: There is no such thing as partial commitment. When the pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway there is a certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air, or the plane crashes disastrously to the ground. That pilot cannot change his mind when the plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway. Unfortunately, our churches are filled with members who “have never left the ground.” They have been sitting there for years and years gunning their engines. They are always “prepping,” getting ready. They are going to get busy. They have been planning on it, meaning to, wanting to, trying to, going to, aiming to, hoping to. But, tragedy of tragedies, they have never left the ground!
II. A LEADER IS A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN
He was a man “full of wisdom” or “good reputation” (Acts 6:3) “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” The root of the word report is the same as that from which we derive the term “witness” or “martyr.” To be “full of wisdom” denotes a good witness. This is a rare characteristic in these days, but it is a New Testament standard for those who hold leadership responsibilities in the life of the church. So many people call themselves witnesses, but are not honest. Deep down in their hearts they know they are not martyrs for Jesus Christ. A martyr is not made by death, but is discovered at death. Unless YOU are a living martyr you can never be a dying one. This calls for a willingness to die daily to sin and self; it demands purity of motive and honesty of purpose, in order that the Christ-life might shine through. Philip was a godly, consistent Christian. Can that be said of you? The sin of hypocrisy and inconsistency, on the part of Christians, has been a stumbling block to the lost world.
Illustration: Don’t take a position of leadership in our church unless you are prepared to be honest, pure, and loving in your lifestyle. Leadership is a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibility. God holds teachers of His truth doubly responsible because we who lead are in a position where we can either draw people toward Christ or drive them away from Him. This is illustrated in the life of the famous author Mark Twain. Church leaders were largely to blame for his becoming hostile to the Bible and the Christian faith. As he grew up, he said he knew elders and deacons who owned slaves and abused them. He heard men using foul language and saw them practice dishonesty during the week after speaking piously in church on Sunday. He listened to ministers use the Bible to justify slavery. Although he saw genuine love for the Lord Jesus in some people, including his mother and his wife, he was so disturbed by the bad teaching and poor example of church leaders that he became bitter toward the things of God.…Let’s make sure we attract people to the Savior rather than turn them away and let’s be doubly certain that when we call men and women out to be leaders in God’s church that they are consistent Christians!
III. A LEADER IS A CONSECRATED CHRISTIAN
He was “…full of the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 6:3). In Old Testament times, the word consecration (Exodus 28:41; Leviticus 21:10), was used on the occasion of the installation of a priest to holy service. In New Testament teaching, consecration implies the filling of the life by the Holy Spirit. So we read that Philip was a man “…full of the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 6:3). Writing to pastors, members, husbands, wives, parents, children, servants and masters, the apostle Paul exhorted: “…be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). To be a consecrated Christian begins with the filling with the Holy Spirit and this demands three actions of the believer.
1) An Abandonment to the Spirit “…do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Just as an alcoholic abandons himself to liquor, so the believer must abandon himself to the Spirit. Instead of satanic intoxication there must be spiritual intoxication. This calls for a decisive act of the will and the handing over of one’s total life to the Spirit’s control.
Illustration: Imagine yourself driving down the road of life. When you come to an intersection you see Jesus Christ standing there trying to flag you down. You stop the car, and He says He wants to ride with you. First, you open the back door, but Christ refuses to get in. Then you open the passenger door, but He still won’t enter. Finally it dawns on you: Christ won’t get into the car unless you move over and let Him take the steering wheel!
2) An Abiding in the Spirit. The words, “…be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), might be better translated “be being filled with the Spirit.” The verb is in the present tense, and thus gives the thought of continuance. The secret of such abiding is obedience to the Word of God. John reminds us in1 John 3:24: “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” As we obey the Word, so our capacities are developed to receive the greater fullness of the Holy Spirit; thus our experience of consecration never becomes static but progressive and always growing in spiritual maturity.
3) An Appropriation of the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit means to “…drink deeply of God’s Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). This implies the appropriation of the Spirit’s resources that make it possible for a Christ-like life to impact the world around us. John 7:37-38: “… Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Drinking deeply of God’s Spirit is the secret of overflowing and being a blessing to others. In this sense Philip was a consecrated Christian leader because he was full of the Holy Spirit. Do you know anything of this experience in your life? In the early church, no one was qualified to serve without being full of the Holy Spirit. This does not merely apply to officers, but also to members.
IV. A LEADER IS A COMMON-SENSE CHRISTIAN.
He was “…full of wisdom…” (Acts 6:3). The word wisdom is used in Scripture to speak of God or good men.
In the New Testament, we read of two kinds of wisdom:
1) There Is a Self-seeking Wisdom: James 3:13-15: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.”
This kind of self-seeking wisdom can and does surface in the church and cause havoc. This is why the apostle James calls it “earthly, sensual, and demonic.” God save pastors and people from self-seeking wisdom!
2) There Is a Spirit-controlled Wisdom: James 3:17-18: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
This Spirit-controlled wisdom is the right use of knowledge. While it has insights that are often supernatural it also manifests itself in what can be called “Spirit directed common sense.” Common sense is an indispensable qualification for Christian leadership and service. So many people are so heavenly-minded that they are of little earthly use. Still others are so earthly-minded that they are of no heavenly use. A person becomes balanced in all matters of faith and practice through complete dedication to the indwelling Spirit.
Is it any wonder that Philip was a dedicated partner in the work of Christ and His Church? Anyone could detect at once that…
As a leader he was: a committed Christian. His discipleship was unquestionable. As a leader he was a consistent Christian. There was honesty about his witness and his life.
As a leader he was a consecrated Christian. It was evident to all that he was full of the Holy Spirit, for everywhere he went he communicated blessing. To crown it all…
As a Leader he was a common-sensed Christian. He exhibited no “holier-than-thou” attitude, but rather a healthy balance between doctrine and duty, belief and behavior.
Conclusion
Philip’s brief biography has been left us by the Holy Spirit in order to present us with a challenge. Are you a dedicated partner in our local church? Can it be said of us that we are men and women who are disciples of Jesus Christ daring to make a difference! We are characterized by a common sense under the control of the Holy Spirit? If not, why not? If not now, when?
