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BRINGING CAUSE FROM CHAOS.
ACTS 6:1-8
A. This is the first place that there was trouble in the church. There was commotion, confusion, disorder . They say that a church should never have any disorder in it. That may be so but there has never been a church that didn’t run into problems and have their share of confusion in the congregation.
JOKE: I am reminded of the story of the fellow that always fell asleep during the pastor’s sermon. The wife had decided to keep him awake - so she took a large hat pin with the intention of sticking him with it when he nodded off. Sure enough, right in the middle of the pastor’s message, he nodded off. It was just at the time that the Pastor asked a question. He said, "Now who was it that made the heaven and the earth?" Just about that time she jabbed her husband with the pen. He just up out of the pew and screamed, "GOOD GOD, ALMIGHT". The pastor said, "That’s right Brother – that’s right"
So sometimes even confusion can work out right.
Is trouble in the church good? No, the Word teaches against strife and turmoil in the church but it does seem to be unavoidable.
I must say that this church has been the most harmonious church that I have ever been a part of but even in our church - from time to time there is disorder and confusion? If you say, "I am not aware that our church has ever had any problems - then it would mean that we dealt with it as Jesus taught us. However I want to tell you that we serve a God that can bring about a wonderful results to even our muddling. God did in this first incident of confusion in the church.
B. Now, let us not be deceived. It is God’s will that we live in peace and harmony and there be no division or strife in the church. We are taught to work toward unity in the body of Christ.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
God told us that there was 6 things that he hated and the 7th was an abomination.
Walk with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
C. It is God’s will that we not complain.:
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled
D. I cannot speak for all pastors but I can speak for me. There is nothing I know of that is as discouraging as to have a bunch of church members acting like spoiled children and bickering and fighting with one another. More damage has been done to the work of Christ because of this than any other thing.
E. However, There is a bright side even to this dark cloud. God can bring good out of our problems. He can bring a good cause even out of our chaos. GOD GRACE CAN OVERRULE OUT GRUMBLING.
T/S In the incident that is before us here today (because of this trouble in the church), I can see 10 wonderful results coming out of it.
I. FIRST, WE SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IT IMPOSED DIVINE ACTION. Verse 2, . . .the twelve called the multitude of disciple unto them . . .
A. Sometimes it take trouble and difficulty to make us realize that something has to be done. This problem had no doubt been in the church for awhile. I sure that many had said, "We’re going to have to do something about this someday." but, it was not until the problem exploded that they were forced to do something.
I like the statement:
"DO SOMETHING IN LIFE: LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY."
B. Sometimes we need to just call ourselves together and review the basics. If we are not careful we can get caught up in doing so many things that we forget the basics.
What are the basics? The soul purpose of this church is to Worship God and carry out His commission. Disciple - Baptize - teach.
C. If we are not careful we will stop and plant flowers in the wilderness.
II. SECOND, WE SEE BECAUSE OF THIS TROUBLE IT CAUSED OTHERS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE MINISTRY. Verse . . .look ye out seven men . . . .
A. This problem cause God to set another ordained office in the church. It was the office of Deacon. Now these men were not called to wait on tables. They were called to stop the murmuring in the church.
B. Notice the qualification of these men:
1. Honest report
2. Spirit Filled men
3. Wise men
4. Business men
C. Not only Deacons and Preachers should be involved in the work of Christ but every single member of the church should be involved.
III. THIRD, WE SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THIS TROUBLE IT IDENTIFIED THE ROLL OF THE PASTOR. Verse 4 . . . we will continually give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.
A. Now the pastor is called upon to do a good many things. I’m glad I’m involved in many different aspects of the church but I should never forget nor should you ever forget that the main reason for me to be here is to minister the Word of God.
It is the preaching of the Word that saves souls. It is the hearing & obeying of the Word that make our faith grow.
All scripture
FORTH WE SEE THAT THE END RESULTS OF THIS TROUBLE WAS HARMONY AMONG THE MEMBERSHIP. Verse 5 . . .It please the whole multitude.
I tell couples that are fighting that there is good fighting and bad fighting. Good fighting is the kind that will lead to a solution. Bad fighting is the kind that send you apart mad with the problem unresolved. The same is true in a church. Jesus said, "It is impossible that offences won’t come."
However, when they do come our Lord has given us specific instruction on how to deal with them to bring peace back to the Family of God.
FIFTH - WE SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THIS TROUBLE IT BROUGHT THE CHURCH TO PRAYER.
Verse 6, . . . when they had prayed.
SIX, WE SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THIS TROUBLE IT CAUSED THE WORD OF GOD TO INCREASE. Verse 7 . . . the word of God increased.
What does it mean to have the Word of God increase?
It can increase in a geographical sense.
It can increase in a Spiritual sense.
It can increase in a mental sense.
It can increase in a social sense.
SEVENTH, WE SEE THAT BECAUSE OF THIS TROUBLE IT LED TO PEOPLE BEING SAVED AND JOINING THE CHURCH. Verse 7 . . . the number of disciples multiplied. ..
A. It is interesting to me to note that the beginning of this trouble was when the membership increased . . . but after they got the problem straighten out it cause the church to grow even larger.
EIGHTH - WE SEE THAT THIS TROUBLE EVEN INFLUENCED THE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE TO GET SAVED. Verse 7 . . .a great number of the priest were obedient to the faith.
IX. WE SEE THAT THIS TROUBLE ENDED UP WITH SIGNS AND MIRACLES BEING DONE AMONG THE PEOPLE. Verse 8 . . .did great wonders and miracles among the people. .
X. TENTH AND LAST THIS TROUBLE IN THE CHURCH BROUGHT ABOUT A MISSIONARY SPIRIT. Steven and Philip turned into preachers and when everywhere preaching.
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CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTOR: Larry Jacobs
email: LarryJ713@aol.com
