Acts 6:1-7
The disciples had been looking at the apostles to do everything, which was not conducive to the growth of the church or the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the apostles. But, when the believers stepped into their own call, listened to the Holy Spirit, and followed his lead, the word of God spread, and the number of disciples grew rapidly.
I’ve told y’all before that there are thousands upon thousands of books that give instructions on revitalizing your church and how to grow your church. And I have no doubt that many of the authors have written their books because they saw their method work in their own church. But that doesn’t mean that method will work anywhere else. I say that because I believe God gave these authors a vision for their own church, and they and their churches followed God’s direction, and the church grew. A human-led program for growth will not lead to sustainable growth.
Every human is born with an innate need to hear their Creator’s message. Our souls long to hear God. While we talk a lot about the world being different now and how people just don’t want to hear God’s message, verse seven shows us that no matter how determined someone is to hold on to their beliefs, God’s message will get through. When the early Christians began living into the call God placed on them, not only did the number of disciples in Jerusalem increase rapidly, a large number of priests became obedient to the faith! There couldn’t have been any people more resistant to accepting Christ than Jewish priests, but they heard God’s call through the disciples and came to Christ.
Sometimes, people may not listen because it is our message we are giving, not God’s message. We need to be in prayer listening for God to tell us through His Spirit how to speak Jesus to others.
Sermon Audio
Daily Prayers
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Acts 6:1
1 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.
Praise be to you, Lord, our God forever! (1 Chron 29:10) Lord, forgive us for the times that we let our difference cause problems in the body of Christ. Thank you for sending your Spirit to soothe our hearts and our tempers. Through your Holy Breath, we can receive the peace we need to find solutions without anger. Show us ways to heal any divisions between us and your plan for us. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen
Monday, August 22, 2022
Acts 6:2
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.
Lord, you are our God, and we praise you! (Exodus 15:2) As Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Because of this, Lord, your workers are tired. Father, we are doing as Jesus said to do. We are asking for workers to help us with your harvest. Show us ways to make disciples that will help us transform the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Acts 6:3-4
3 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 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Lord, we continually praise you! (Psalm 34:1) Forgive us for the times that we expect too much of others while not doing all that we (ourselves) can do. We thank you for our church family and ask you to help us see what we (ourselves) can do to function fully as the body of Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Acts 6:5
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. .
Lord, you are our praise; you are our God! (Deut. 10:21) Father, when we look at the number of people in our congregation, we feel defeated before we ever start. The work before us seems too immense; our numbers seem too few. Thankfully, Lord, you provide what we need to do your work if we put our trust in you. Help us deserve the confidence you place in us. Help us trust in you. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Acts 6:6
6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Lord, we sing praise to you! (Psalm 104:33) We don’t always wait patiently for your provision Lord; forgive us when we try to accomplish things by the force of our own will. Help us recognize the people that you have placed among us that will help us fulfill our task. Hear our prayer Father in the name of your son Jesus we pray, Amen.
Friday, August 26, 2022
Acts 6:7
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.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name! (Psalm 8:8) Father, forgive us for allowing opportunities to witness to others slip away. The spread of the Gospel across the world began with the twelve that Jesus trusted. We want to be the people that live up to the trust you place in us to spread the Gospel across our community and beyond. Help us, Father, to be disciples of Christ everywhere we are. In his name, we pray, Amen.
Saturday, August 27, 2022
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.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name! (Psalm 8:8) Father, forgive us for allowing opportunities to witness to others slip away. The spread of the Gospel across the world began with the twelve that Jesus trusted. We want to be the people that live up to the trust you place in us to spread the Gospel across our community and beyond. Help us, Father, to be disciples of Christ everywhere we are. In his name, we pray, Amen.
