WEBVTT

00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:03.220
 Acts chapter 6 verses 1 to 7.

00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.339
 Now in these days, when the disciples were increasing in number,

00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:12.419
 a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews

00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:15.919
 because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:20.300
 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,

00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:25.039
 It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables.

00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:30.059
 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,

00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:34.619
 full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:39.539
 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.

00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:43.219
 And what they said pleased the whole gathering,

00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:47.799
 and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,

00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:54.840
 and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas,

00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:57.179
 a proselyte of Antioch.

00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:02.979
 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:07.480
 And the Word of God continued to increase,

00:01:07.819 --> 00:01:11.400
 and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.

00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:15.319
 And a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:18.379
 This is God's holy and authoritative Word.

00:01:19.700 --> 00:01:22.680
 A pastor and Bible commentator, Kent Hughes,

00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:25.300
 tells the story of a certain Dallas church

00:01:25.300 --> 00:01:28.000
 that decided to split a number of years ago.

00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:32.040
 Each faction had filed a lawsuit against the other

00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:34.680
 to claim the church property as their own,

00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:35.660
 because they had a building.

00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:38.760
 A judge decided,

00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:40.520
 this is a secular court,

00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:43.080
 a judge decided that the matter had to be settled

00:01:43.080 --> 00:01:44.900
 by the denominational court.

00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:47.420
 And so they sent it back

00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:49.079
 to deal with it on their own.

00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:51.719
 And the denominational court assembled

00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:53.420
 to hear both sides of the case.

00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:56.560
 And the eventual losers in the case

00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:59.760
 withdrew and formed another church in the area.

00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:01.420
 And during the hearing,

00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:02.640
 it sadly came to light

00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:04.260
 that the conflict originated

00:02:04.260 --> 00:02:07.079
 during a church potluck,

00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:11.219
 when a certain elder received

00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:12.939
 a smaller slice of ham

00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:15.180
 than the child seated next to him.

00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:21.419
 I'm sure the small slice of ham

00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:24.280
 wasn't the only thing that caused the offense.

00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:27.419
 Likely, that ham was a petty expression

00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:30.280
 of the resentment and conflict

00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.400
 that was already brewing within the church.

00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:35.460
 But nonetheless,

00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:38.000
 that division brought dishonor to Christ

00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:39.360
 and discredited the church.

00:02:41.140 --> 00:02:42.140
 Sometimes,

00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:44.680
 when the smallest sparks

00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:47.360
 land on prideful hearts,

00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.840
 an unflattering comment overheard,

00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:54.659
 an invitation not received

00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:56.700
 or not responded to,

00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:00.259
 a service unnoticed or unrewarded,

00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:04.120
 even the smallest sparks

00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:05.699
 when they land on prideful hearts

00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:07.719
 can start wildfires

00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:09.539
 that burn down entire churches.

00:03:13.139 --> 00:03:14.879
 The apostles were facing

00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.219
 a potentially explosive situation

00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:19.239
 in Acts 6, verses 1-7

00:03:19.239 --> 00:03:22.000
 that threatened their gospel ministry,

00:03:22.859 --> 00:03:25.680
 but by responding humbly

00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:27.259
 to the complaint

00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:30.239
 and wisely diffusing the tension

00:03:30.239 --> 00:03:31.599
 between two factions,

00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:34.819
 they preserved the unity of the church.

00:03:36.239 --> 00:03:37.699
 The main point of this passage

00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:39.099
 is that the church grows

00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.959
 when the priority of prayer

00:03:40.959 --> 00:03:42.060
 and the ministry of the Word

00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:42.639
 is preserved.

00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:44.599
 First, let's talk about

00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:45.780
 the priority of prayer

00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:46.599
 and ministry of the Word

00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:47.639
 in verses 1-4,

00:03:47.859 --> 00:03:49.379
 and then about the necessity

00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:50.859
 of the ministry of the table

00:03:50.859 --> 00:03:52.379
 in verses 5-7.

00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:54.019
 It says in verse 1,

00:03:54.020 --> 00:03:55.159
 Now, in these days,

00:03:55.260 --> 00:03:55.820
 when the disciples

00:03:55.820 --> 00:03:57.480
 were increasing in number,

00:03:58.080 --> 00:03:59.960
 a complaint by the Hellenists

00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:01.300
 arose against the Hebrews

00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:02.660
 because their widows

00:04:02.660 --> 00:04:03.879
 were being neglected

00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:05.020
 in the daily distribution.

00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:06.840
 We were just told,

00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:07.300
 if you remember,

00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:08.080
 in chapter 4,

00:04:08.160 --> 00:04:09.260
 verses 32-37,

00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:10.200
 that the early church

00:04:10.200 --> 00:04:11.860
 shared everything in common

00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:12.760
 within one another

00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:14.379
 so that there was not

00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:15.960
 a needy person among them

00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:17.500
 for as many as were owners

00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:18.699
 of lands or houses

00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:19.360
 sold them

00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.439
 and brought the proceeds

00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.300
 of what was sold

00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:23.080
 and laid it at the apostles' feet.

00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:24.159
 And it was distributed

00:04:24.159 --> 00:04:25.919
 to each as any had need.

00:04:26.039 --> 00:04:27.439
 So there was no one with need.

00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:29.699
 Just two chapters earlier.

00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:31.519
 Chapter 4, verses 34-35.

00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:33.500
 So what's happening here

00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:34.500
 in chapter 6?

00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:35.979
 Has the church's love

00:04:35.979 --> 00:04:36.620
 for one another

00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:37.519
 already grown cold?

00:04:38.479 --> 00:04:40.159
 No, that's not what's happening.

00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:40.939
 The answer is given

00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:42.139
 in verse 1.

00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:43.899
 Now, in these days,

00:04:44.419 --> 00:04:45.560
 when the disciples

00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:47.219
 were increasing in number.

00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:49.719
 That's the context

00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:50.579
 of this complaint.

00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:52.299
 It's not that the church

00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:53.759
 didn't have enough resources.

00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:55.280
 People were still giving

00:04:55.280 --> 00:04:56.500
 generously to the church.

00:04:57.020 --> 00:04:58.240
 It's that there's a gap

00:04:58.240 --> 00:04:59.639
 in their daily distribution

00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:01.060
 due to the growing number

00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.800
 of disciples.

00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:05.340
 It's an administration problem,

00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:07.520
 not a generosity problem

00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:08.600
 or a lack of love.

00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:11.680
 The word distribution

00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.519
 is a translation

00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.759
 of the Greek word

00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:14.740
 diakonia,

00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:15.740
 from which we get

00:05:15.740 --> 00:05:16.759
 the English word

00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:18.800
 diakonite and deacon.

00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:21.800
 The word means

00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:23.819
 service or ministry.

00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:25.980
 But depending on the context

00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:26.800
 in which it is used,

00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:28.180
 it can refer more specifically

00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:29.439
 to table ministry,

00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:31.120
 waiting on tables,

00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:31.879
 as it does here.

00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:34.699
 In Luke chapter 10, verse 40,

00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:35.740
 the same word is used

00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:36.939
 to describe Martha,

00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.060
 who was distracted

00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.420
 with much serving,

00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:41.439
 serving, being hospitable,

00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:43.040
 hosting Jesus and his apostles.

00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.120
 Later in Acts 11, 29,

00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:46.900
 and 12, 25,

00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:47.879
 the same word is used

00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:49.540
 to refer to the financial aid,

00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:51.080
 the relief that the church

00:05:51.080 --> 00:05:52.100
 in Antioch collect

00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:53.000
 and then deliver to

00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.220
 the church in Jerusalem

00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:55.260
 affected by famine.

00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:57.400
 So we could characterize this

00:05:57.400 --> 00:05:59.160
 as a diakonal ministry.

00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:01.620
 And in this particular context,

00:06:01.820 --> 00:06:03.160
 this ministry or service

00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:04.520
 referred to the distribution

00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:06.420
 of food among widows.

00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.759
 We know that from verse 2,

00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.280
 where the apostles speak

00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:11.439
 of serving tables.

00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:12.540
 So they're talking literally

00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:13.660
 about getting food out

00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:14.240
 to the widows.

00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:16.879
 The fact that this was

00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.879
 a daily distribution,

00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.199
 I think, also confirms this.

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:20.100
 If they were giving out

00:06:20.100 --> 00:06:21.279
 allowances of money,

00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:22.439
 they could do that

00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.360
 on a weekly basis

00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:24.579
 or even a monthly basis.

00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:25.579
 But it's because

00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:26.220
 they're giving out

00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.040
 perishable food,

00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:27.720
 they have to do it

00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:28.740
 on a daily basis.

00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:32.639
 1 Timothy 5, 3 to 16,

00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:34.120
 provide detailed instruction

00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.480
 on how to care for widows

00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:36.060
 in the church,

00:06:36.159 --> 00:06:36.839
 and they were likely

00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:38.279
 following these principles.

00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:39.959
 Among other things,

00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:41.100
 in 1 Timothy 5,

00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:42.160
 it says that for a widow

00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:43.220
 to receive care

00:06:43.220 --> 00:06:44.120
 from the church

00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.520
 and to be enrolled

00:06:45.520 --> 00:06:46.220
 in the list

00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:47.140
 for the distribution

00:06:47.140 --> 00:06:47.800
 of food,

00:06:48.320 --> 00:06:49.140
 she must be,

00:06:49.460 --> 00:06:50.640
 quote, truly a widow

00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:53.100
 left all alone,

00:06:54.080 --> 00:06:55.379
 who has set her hope

00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:55.920
 on God

00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:57.400
 and continues in supplications

00:06:57.400 --> 00:06:57.900
 and prayers

00:06:57.900 --> 00:06:58.820
 night and day.

00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:00.040
 So this means

00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:01.700
 she must not have relatives

00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:03.120
 who can take care of her.

00:07:04.520 --> 00:07:06.080
 If she does have relatives,

00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:06.820
 the responsibility

00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:07.939
 for her care

00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:08.920
 falls on them.

00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:10.080
 And Paul says,

00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:10.399
 quote,

00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:11.139
 let the church

00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:12.199
 not be burdened

00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:12.899
 so that it may care

00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:13.719
 for those who are

00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:15.099
 truly widows.

00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:16.919
 So that gives you

00:07:16.919 --> 00:07:17.579
 a sense of what

00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:18.539
 this ministry

00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.579
 of daily distribution

00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:20.560
 of food to the widows

00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.259
 in the church

00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:21.819
 was like.

00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:24.079
 So these widows

00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:25.199
 who are in need

00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.579
 have no biological family

00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:28.699
 to care for them,

00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.719
 only their spiritual family.

00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:31.079
 And remember,

00:07:31.159 --> 00:07:31.779
 this is a time

00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:32.240
 when women

00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.699
 could not readily work.

00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:35.439
 So the widows

00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:36.620
 getting neglected

00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.139
 in the daily distribution

00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:40.180
 is quite a serious problem.

00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:42.740
 This is literally

00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:43.740
 their lifeline.

00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:47.319
 In particular,

00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:49.399
 it was the Hellenist widows

00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:50.279
 who were being neglected.

00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:51.240
 Verse 1 says,

00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:52.879
 a complaint by the Hellenists

00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:54.279
 arose against the Hebrews

00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:56.240
 because their widows

00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.259
 were being neglected

00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.319
 in the daily distribution.

00:07:58.839 --> 00:07:59.659
 The Hebrew widows

00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:00.699
 were not being neglected.

00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:01.800
 It was the Hellenist widows

00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:03.160
 that were being neglected.

00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:05.360
 Hellenists does not refer

00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.060
 to Greeks or Gentiles.

00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:08.520
 There are different

00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:09.520
 Greek words for those.

00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:10.780
 It rather refers

00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.620
 to Greek-speaking Jews,

00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:14.480
 Grecian Jews,

00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:16.560
 Jews who have been Hellenized,

00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.480
 possibly people

00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:19.759
 from the Jewish diaspora

00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.860
 who after living

00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:21.639
 in other Greek cities

00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:22.139
 for a time

00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.420
 decided to return to Jerusalem

00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.840
 to live among fellow Jews.

00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:27.500
 Hebrews, on the other hand,

00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.360
 refers to Aramaic-speaking Jews,

00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:30.379
 their native tongue.

00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.519
 At this point in the life

00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:33.519
 of the church in Jerusalem,

00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.019
 the vast majority

00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:36.360
 of converts were Jewish.

00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:37.939
 The Gentile mission

00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.120
 really hadn't taken off

00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.820
 by this point,

00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:42.700
 so there is no ethnic division

00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:43.980
 here between the Hellenists

00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:44.519
 and the Hebrews.

00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.240
 However, there is a cultural

00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:49.320
 and linguistic difference

00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:49.919
 between them.

00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.259
 In a similar way,

00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:53.179
 there would be between

00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:54.500
 a Chinese international

00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:55.960
 living in the U.S.

00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.580
 and Chinese American

00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:58.800
 who is politically

00:08:58.800 --> 00:09:00.560
 and culturally Americanized.

00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:04.220
 They share a common ethnicity,

00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:05.720
 but linguistically

00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:06.740
 and culturally,

00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:09.320
 there is a significant difference.

00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:11.980
 This fills out the picture

00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:12.720
 a little bit more.

00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:14.480
 The Hebrew Jewish Christians

00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.920
 and Hellenist Jewish Christians

00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:16.820
 in the first century

00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:19.720
 were likely less well-connected

00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.720
 relationally,

00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:23.640
 even if for no other reason

00:09:23.640 --> 00:09:24.500
 than this cultural

00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.600
 and linguistic barriers.

00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.240
 And as the church grew exponentially

00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.019
 from 3,000 in chapter 2, verse 41,

00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.259
 to 5,000 in chapter 4, verse 4,

00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:36.360
 to more converts than ever before

00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:37.779
 in Acts 5, verse 14,

00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.419
 the daily distribution of food

00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:42.039
 to widows became increasingly complex

00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:44.179
 as an administrative task.

00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.600
 And cracks were beginning to appear.

00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.279
 And the first people

00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.580
 to fall through those cracks

00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.440
 were the least connected people

00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.880
 of the minority Hellenist widows

00:09:54.880 --> 00:09:58.520
 because the apostles

00:09:58.520 --> 00:10:00.360
 and others who were put in charge

00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.020
 of the distribution

00:10:01.020 --> 00:10:01.660
 were Hebrews.

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.480
 Thankfully,

00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:06.000
 these Hellenist widows

00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.320
 had brothers and sisters

00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:07.900
 in the church,

00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:08.660
 fellow Hellenists,

00:10:08.760 --> 00:10:10.860
 who were willing to speak up for them.

00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:12.560
 And they brought a complaint

00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.780
 against the Hebrews

00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:15.000
 that their widows

00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.940
 were being neglected

00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.340
 in the daily distribution.

00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:21.960
 Recall from chapter 4,

00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.320
 verses 32 to 37,

00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:25.360
 that it was the apostles themselves

00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:27.040
 who were ultimately in charge

00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:28.800
 of distributing the proceeds

00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:30.180
 that people generously laid

00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:30.800
 at their feet.

00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.180
 So they could have tried

00:10:34.180 --> 00:10:35.540
 to save face

00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:37.580
 by being defensive

00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.560
 or denying that the problem exists,

00:10:41.160 --> 00:10:42.720
 but they don't respond that way.

00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:45.720
 They humbly acknowledge

00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.279
 that there is a problem,

00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:49.580
 that they did miss something,

00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:52.240
 that the Hellenist widows

00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.379
 have been overlooked.

00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.899
 So verse 2 says

00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:57.899
 that the twelve summoned

00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.000
 the full number

00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.879
 of the disciples.

00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:02.320
 They bring the whole church together

00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:03.379
 to address this issue.

00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:06.160
 So there's a secondary lesson here

00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:07.879
 on Christian leadership as well,

00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:10.399
 that leadership requires humility,

00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:13.399
 a recognition that we are weak,

00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.059
 fallible, and sinful people,

00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.579
 and therefore need constructive

00:11:18.579 --> 00:11:20.159
 criticism and feedback.

00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:24.379
 It also requires faith

00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.819
 to be a leader,

00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:28.699
 to trust that God uses such criticism

00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:31.539
 to sanctify and strengthen us

00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.220
 in our ministries.

00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.379
 The apostles did not view themselves

00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.319
 with such self-importance

00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:40.460
 and self-satisfaction

00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:42.460
 to be above error or criticism.

00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.180
 So they humbly acknowledge

00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:45.720
 that the Hellenist widows

00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.900
 have been overlooked.

00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.860
 Likewise, Christian leaders,

00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.440
 and if you are in leadership positions

00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:51.780
 anywhere,

00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.640
 you should be quick

00:11:52.640 --> 00:11:54.260
 to confess sins

00:11:54.260 --> 00:11:55.240
 and admit failures,

00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:57.100
 such as breakdowns

00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:57.860
 in communication

00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:59.000
 and oversight as here.

00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.000
 But the neglect

00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.220
 of the Hellenist widows

00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.320
 is not the only problem

00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.320
 that the apostles see.

00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:09.400
 they foresee another problem.

00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:12.400
 And they say this in verse 2,

00:12:12.900 --> 00:12:14.160
 it is not right

00:12:14.160 --> 00:12:15.680
 that we should give up

00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:16.960
 preaching the Word of God

00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.620
 to serve tables.

00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.580
 In other words,

00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.400
 being in charge

00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:23.940
 of the daily distribution of food

00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:25.780
 is now a full-time job.

00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:29.020
 And we cannot do this job well

00:12:29.020 --> 00:12:30.420
 without neglecting

00:12:30.420 --> 00:12:31.840
 the preaching of the Word.

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:34.040
 because it takes time

00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:34.680
 to teach

00:12:34.680 --> 00:12:35.500
 and it takes time

00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.660
 to prepare to teach.

00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:38.780
 And it is not right,

00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.160
 they say,

00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.220
 to neglect the preaching

00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:40.720
 of the Word

00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.720
 to serve tables.

00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:43.000
 In fact,

00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:43.800
 it is not right

00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:45.820
 for any other reason

00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.519
 for that matter

00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.240
 to neglect

00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:48.480
 the preaching of the Word.

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.960
 The phrase,

00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.960
 it is not right,

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:53.560
 is literally,

00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:54.840
 it is not pleasing.

00:12:55.660 --> 00:12:56.560
 But this is not

00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.420
 an expression

00:12:57.420 --> 00:12:58.580
 of personal preference

00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:59.360
 by the apostles.

00:12:59.360 --> 00:12:59.919
 Well,

00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:01.820
 ministering tables

00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:03.399
 is beneath our dignity

00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.879
 as the twelve apostles.

00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:07.379
 That's not what

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.259
 they're saying at all.

00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.340
 Given the explicit commission

00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.320
 that they had received

00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.180
 from the Lord Jesus

00:13:12.180 --> 00:13:13.539
 earlier in Acts 1a

00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.899
 to be His witnesses,

00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.340
 to bear witness

00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:16.980
 to the life,

00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.379
 death,

00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:17.940
 and resurrection

00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.220
 and ascension of Jesus

00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:22.080
 for the salvation

00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:23.740
 of all of God's people,

00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:26.740
 the apostles likely mean

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.519
 that neglecting

00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.340
 the ministry of the Word

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.120
 to minister tables

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.799
 is an unacceptable solution

00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:31.519
 because it is

00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:33.379
 displeasing to God,

00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.840
 to their Lord and Savior.

00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.899
 Humans are bodily beings,

00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:42.200
 so providing for our bodily needs

00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.320
 is important.

00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:46.120
 But we are not merely bodies,

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.399
 we are souls

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.840
 destined for eternity.

00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.980
 For this reason,

00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.840
 it is imperative

00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.779
 that we proclaim

00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:55.180
 the person and work of Jesus

00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:57.759
 who alone can save us.

00:13:57.759 --> 00:14:00.919
 for whoever would save his life

00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:02.000
 will lose it,

00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.759
 but whoever loses his life

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.600
 for my sake

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.100
 and the gospels

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:07.419
 will save it.

00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.299
 For what does it profit a man

00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.580
 to gain the whole world

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:12.019
 and forfeit his soul?

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:15.139
 For what can a man give

00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.439
 in return for his soul?

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:20.039
 It's therefore nearsighted

00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:22.679
 to care for the people's temporal needs

00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:25.539
 while neglecting their eternal needs.

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.839
 There's so much wisdom

00:14:28.839 --> 00:14:30.039
 in the apostles' response

00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.059
 because we are human beings,

00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:33.500
 we are finite,

00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:35.719
 and we have inherent limitations

00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.620
 of time

00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.500
 as well as physical

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.459
 and emotional energy.

00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.179
 For this reason,

00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.339
 every time we choose

00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:43.379
 to do something,

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.779
 we are also,

00:14:44.979 --> 00:14:45.579
 by default,

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.939
 choosing not to do something.

00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:52.180
 because we can't do everything.

00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:56.740
 And that requires prioritization.

00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.500
 The apostles were faced

00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.200
 with the dilemma

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.240
 either the daily distribution

00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.680
 of bread

00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.680
 was going to be neglected

00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:07.060
 or proclaiming the word of God,

00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.020
 the bread of life,

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.700
 was going to be neglected.

00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:11.340
 And they conclude

00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.920
 that it is not right

00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.260
 that we should give up

00:15:14.260 --> 00:15:15.220
 preaching the word of God

00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.000
 to serve tables.

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.559
 This statement does not mean

00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.340
 that providing food

00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.279
 for the church's widows

00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:20.980
 is unimportant.

00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:23.039
 The apostles' following actions

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.919
 show that they thought

00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:25.179
 that it was very important.

00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:28.559
 In Galatians 2, verse 10,

00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.259
 Paul says that

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.919
 when the twelve first gave him

00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.759
 and Barnabas

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.860
 the right hand of fellowship

00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.440
 and encouraged them

00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.320
 to go and preach the gospel

00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.220
 to the Gentiles,

00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.220
 they specifically,

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:37.820
 the apostles,

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.980
 asked Paul and Barnabas,

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:42.059
 asked them to remember the poor,

00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.179
 the very thing

00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:44.700
 that Paul was eager to do.

00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:46.580
 So the apostles

00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.580
 clearly believed

00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.340
 in the importance

00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.080
 of caring

00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:50.220
 for needy members

00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.840
 of the church.

00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.580
 But even when you're faced

00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.420
 with important things to do,

00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.400
 not all things

00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:58.020
 are equally important.

00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.080
 Nevertheless,

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.720
 even when confronted

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.500
 with the pressure

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:05.060
 of genuine ministerial need,

00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.120
 a need that requires people

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.540
 who have good reputations

00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.840
 and are full of the Spirit

00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.379
 and of wisdom,

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.820
 to meet,

00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.919
 the apostles stand firm

00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.480
 on the ground

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.480
 that no matter what,

00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.460
 preaching the Word of God

00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.580
 must not be neglected.

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.519
 John Piper writes in his book,

00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:26.059
 Brothers, We Are Not Professionals,

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.960
 quote,

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.200
 most interruptions

00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:29.980
 and most of our busyness

00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.600
 are ministry-related,

00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.360
 not worldly.

00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.159
 The great threat

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.899
 to our prayer

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.840
 and our meditation

00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.759
 on the Word of God

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:41.779
 is good ministry activity.

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.240
 The apostles

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.720
 are not being asked here

00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.259
 to organize

00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:54.120
 a Fortnite video game

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.220
 tournament for the church.

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:58.480
 They're being asked

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.440
 to provide

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.639
 for Hellenist widows

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.440
 who have no food to eat.

00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.920
 And even then,

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.740
 they insist

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:08.400
 that they must attend

00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.160
 to the ministry

00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.940
 of the Word.

00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.240
 This reveals

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.900
 the utmost priority

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.180
 of the ministry

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.740
 of the Word.

00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.360
 Apostle Paul

00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.319
 adjured his protege

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.839
 Timothy

00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:24.640
 in 2 Timothy 4, 1-2,

00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.660
 I charge you

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.140
 in the presence

00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.720
 of God

00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.640
 and of Christ Jesus

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.720
 who is to judge

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.660
 the living and the dead

00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.500
 and by His appearing

00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.220
 in His kingdom

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.700
 preach the Word.

00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.759
 It's difficult

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.660
 to imagine

00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.840
 a more solemn charge

00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:37.980
 except that this charge

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.200
 is still intensified

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:41.080
 by what preceded it

00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:42.900
 in 2 Timothy 3, 16-17

00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.280
 that the sacred writings

00:17:44.280 --> 00:17:45.900
 are able to make you

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.160
 wise for salvation

00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:48.020
 through faith

00:17:48.020 --> 00:17:48.940
 in Jesus Christ.

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.000
 All Scripture

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.259
 is breathed out by God

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.880
 and is profitable

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.460
 for teaching,

00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:53.140
 for reproof,

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.940
 for correction

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.720
 and for training

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.240
 in righteousness

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.080
 that the man of God

00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.900
 may be complete,

00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.940
 equipped for every good work.

00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.660
 Unless you preach the Word,

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.480
 unless we share

00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:04.019
 the ministry of the Word,

00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.940
 people will not be made wise

00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.799
 for salvation

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:09.940
 through faith in Jesus Christ.

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.640
 Unless the Word is ministered,

00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.259
 the church will not be complete,

00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.799
 equipped for every good work.

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:19.339
 It's no wonder then

00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.319
 that Charles Spurgeon

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:22.039
 described the pulpit

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.379
 as the thermopylae

00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.639
 of Christendom,

00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.940
 the place where the fight

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.500
 will be lost or won

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:31.639
 because it is the chief means

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:33.399
 by which people's souls

00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:33.919
 are fed.

00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.559
 However,

00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.460
 the ministry of the Word

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.220
 doesn't refer

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.700
 only to

00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.960
 the formal preaching

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.619
 of God's Word

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.539
 during corporate worship.

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:42.659
 worship.

00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.680
 The word preaching

00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.579
 in verse 2

00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.779
 is actually not there

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.019
 in the original Greek text.

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.359
 It simply says

00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.599
 it is not right

00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:52.159
 that we should give up

00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.480
 the Word of God

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.559
 to serve tables.

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.539
 As we see throughout Acts,

00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.779
 the apostles ministered

00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.279
 the Word of God

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.839
 to people

00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.519
 in various contexts.

00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:02.960
 Yes,

00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.599
 definitely in the corporate context,

00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.180
 but also in private context

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.319
 in people's homes.

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.579
 So this refers

00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.700
 not only to

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.960
 the preaching of the Word,

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.619
 but also to

00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.619
 the ministry of the Word

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.059
 in personal ministry,

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.740
 counseling.

00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.939
 As a church,

00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.980
 we have many opportunities

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:27.019
 for good ministries.

00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:28.480
 Many.

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:31.319
 But we must never forget

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.259
 to prioritize

00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.619
 the ministry of the Word.

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:37.019
 We must together ensure

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:38.619
 that the proclamation

00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:40.119
 of the gospel

00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.940
 of Jesus Christ

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.940
 continues unbroken.

00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.420
 And it is by remembering

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.099
 that priority

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.839
 that we avoid

00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.900
 the mistake of Martha

00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.799
 in Luke 10,

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.740
 38 to 42,

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.579
 when she was distracted

00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.599
 with much serving,

00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.400
 while Mary sat

00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.079
 at the Lord's feet

00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.440
 to listen to the Word.

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.039
 So faced with

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.700
 the necessary work

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.680
 of ministering the table

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.299
 and the essential work

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.319
 of ministering the Word,

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.720
 the apostles decide

00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.419
 to delegate

00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:08.619
 the ministry of the table.

00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.099
 In verse 3,

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.399
 it says,

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.359
 Therefore, brothers,

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.559
 pick out from among you

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.960
 seven men of good repute,

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.220
 full of the Spirit

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.799
 and of wisdom,

00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.859
 whom we will appoint

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.679
 to this duty.

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.720
 There are helpful

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.639
 secondary lessons

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.480
 in this verse

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.539
 on church governance

00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.119
 and structure as well.

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.220
 The apostles wisely

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.379
 involve the rest

00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.000
 of the congregation

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.379
 in this selection,

00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.980
 since they presumably

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.139
 do not know everyone

00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.159
 in the congregation

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.920
 equally well.

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.580
 Notice the insightful

00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.400
 interplay between

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.220
 church leaders

00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.320
 and the church.

00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:43.500
 The brothers,

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:43.980
 it says,

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.800
 the brothers,

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.360
 the church,

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.440
 pick out from among them

00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.700
 seven men of good repute,

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.960
 full of the Spirit

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.519
 and of wisdom,

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.580
 whom we,

00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.160
 the apostles,

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.800
 will appoint

00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:52.640
 to this duty.

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.019
 So the apostles

00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.200
 provide leadership

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.500
 by delineating

00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.340
 the criteria

00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.140
 that the men

00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:59.279
 chosen for this

00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.960
 responsibility

00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.940
 must meet.

00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:03.220
 then the selection

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.880
 is left

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.840
 to the congregation.

00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.039
 It only mentions

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.299
 brothers and not

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.140
 sisters because

00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.220
 the men likely

00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.320
 represented their

00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:12.380
 respective households

00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.460
 in this decision.

00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.259
 And finally,

00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.519
 the actual appointment

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.920
 or the authorization

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.000
 is done by

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.120
 the apostles themselves.

00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.039
 Biblical church

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.140
 polity or governance

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.940
 should incorporate

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.100
 these dynamics,

00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.799
 this interplay

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.059
 between church members

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.839
 and church leaders.

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.079
 Let's look a little

00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:33.619
 more closely

00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.639
 at the qualifications

00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:37.299
 of these men

00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.659
 that will be chosen

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.339
 for this duty.

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.399
 They must be

00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.819
 of good repute,

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.359
 full of the Spirit

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.240
 and of wisdom.

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.779
 First,

00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:47.139
 why is good reputation

00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.619
 important?

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.819
 Because if the officers

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.480
 of the church

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.139
 have a bad reputation

00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:53.339
 among their communities

00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.119
 and among unbelievers

00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.700
 in particular

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.339
 due to their,

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:58.759
 it brings disrepute

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.339
 to the church.

00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.339
 Of course,

00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:02.139
 good Christians

00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:03.959
 can have bad reputation

00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:04.779
 among unbelievers

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.039
 because of their faithfulness,

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.679
 but that's not what

00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.500
 this is talking about.

00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.319
 If a Christian

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.399
 is known

00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:12.679
 as irresponsible

00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:13.480
 or lazy

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.559
 in the workplace,

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.939
 or if a person

00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.339
 is known

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.179
 as a drunkard,

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.179
 or as being domineering

00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:20.980
 or abusive

00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.599
 in the home,

00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.240
 or if a person

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.679
 is known

00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.599
 for selfishly

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.359
 taking advantage

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.000
 of his neighbors,

00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:28.079
 or if a person

00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.480
 is known

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.519
 as a philanderer

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.619
 who has been

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:33.019
 in serial divorces

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.579
 and marriages,

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.519
 unfaithful,

00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.119
 then such people

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.019
 should not serve

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.899
 as church officers.

00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:43.599
 They must be

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.459
 of good repute.

00:22:45.699 --> 00:22:46.019
 Second,

00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:46.659
 they must be

00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.699
 full of the Spirit

00:22:47.699 --> 00:22:48.319
 and of wisdom.

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.919
 In order to be useful

00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.980
 in Christian service,

00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.720
 one must be

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.740
 full of the Spirit

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.959
 because without

00:22:53.959 --> 00:22:54.679
 the enabling

00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.319
 and empowering

00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.179
 work of the Spirit,

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.759
 our ministries

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.639
 are ineffectual.

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.700
 If we serve

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.720
 out of our own

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.159
 fullness,

00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.579
 out of our own

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.079
 determination

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.079
 and intelligence

00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.159
 and willpower

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.200
 and strength,

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:09.259
 we will very soon

00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.659
 run out of gas

00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:13.679
 and run on fumes.

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:17.340
 similarly,

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.539
 they must be

00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.820
 full of wisdom

00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:21.220
 because caring

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.299
 for needy folks

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.740
 in the church

00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.960
 requires wisdom

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.680
 so that they might

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.220
 take care,

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.360
 they might have

00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.660
 tact and sensitivity

00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.880
 in ministering to them

00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.120
 so that the right

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:33.120
 kind of help

00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.799
 can be given

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.920
 in right proportion

00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.160
 at the right time,

00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.560
 considering the

00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.500
 complexities of each

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.259
 person's life

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.080
 and relationships.

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:44.079
 ministering in the

00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.799
 church requires

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.059
 wisdom from above,

00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:47.059
 wisdom from God.

00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.720
 And so this is

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.220
 the solution

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.079
 proposed by the

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.439
 apostles,

00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.240
 appointing seven

00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.339
 men of good repute,

00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:54.579
 full of the Spirit

00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.339
 and of wisdom

00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.399
 to take charge

00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:57.460
 of the daily

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.240
 distribution.

00:23:59.439 --> 00:23:59.720
 But,

00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.639
 the apostles

00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.659
 continue in verse 4,

00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.879
 we will devote

00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:05.359
 ourselves to prayer

00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.659
 and to the ministry

00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.179
 of the Word.

00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.159
 It's interesting

00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:10.119
 that in verse 3,

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.019
 the apostles only

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.939
 mentioned preaching

00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:12.639
 the Word of God

00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.699
 or the Word of God,

00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.979
 but then here

00:24:14.979 --> 00:24:15.819
 they mention both

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.919
 prayer and the

00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.799
 ministry of the Word.

00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.639
 This is because

00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.379
 the effective

00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.799
 ministry of the Word

00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.599
 and prayer

00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:24.119
 are inseparable.

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.919
 This is now

00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.919
 the third time

00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.819
 in the book of Acts

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.039
 that we are told

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.959
 of Christians

00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:32.019
 being devoted

00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.579
 to prayer.

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.979
 Acts chapter 1,

00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.659
 verse 14,

00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.620
 these with one

00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.200
 accord were

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.320
 devoting themselves

00:24:40.320 --> 00:24:41.360
 to prayer.

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.880
 Acts chapter 2,

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.440
 verse 40,

00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.320
 they devoted

00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.580
 themselves to,

00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.600
 among other things,

00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.300
 the prayers.

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.840
 Acts 6,

00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.320
 verse 4,

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.300
 we will devote

00:24:50.300 --> 00:24:51.759
 ourselves to prayer

00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.040
 and the ministry

00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:53.720
 of the Word.

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.820
 Pastor Leonard

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.440
 Ravenhill

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.420
 puts it provocatively

00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.100
 in his book,

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.580
 Why Revival Tarries.

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.700
 Quote,

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.860
 No man is greater

00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.960
 than his prayer life.

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.500
 The pastor

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.539
 who is not praying

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.680
 is playing.

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.559
 The people

00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.799
 who are not praying

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.920
 are straying.

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.740
 The pulpit

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.980
 can be a shop window

00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.680
 to display

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.539
 one's talents.

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:20.120
 The prayer closet

00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:22.000
 allows no showing off.

00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.200
 People could preach

00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.200
 for selfish motives,

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.940
 but no one's going

00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.700
 to go into a closet

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.640
 where no one is looking

00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.640
 to pray unless they

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.279
 mean it,

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.080
 unless they believe it.

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:38.660
 It's possible

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.480
 for preachers

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.240
 of God's Word

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.360
 to leverage

00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.559
 their biblical knowledge

00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.559
 and speaking skills

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.759
 and effective branding

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.480
 and charismatic personality

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.500
 to gain a following

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.640
 and make a name

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.259
 for themselves

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.940
 without,

00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.319
 for one moment,

00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.019
 depending on the power

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.039
 of the Holy Spirit

00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.559
 in prayer.

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.580
 But that kind

00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:00.039
 of ministry

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.539
 is like

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:02.200
 a growing apple tree

00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.360
 that is tall

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.620
 and full of leaves

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.720
 and yet year

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.779
 after year

00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.880
 it fails

00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:09.299
 to produce fruit

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:11.120
 due to lack

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.180
 of cross-pollination.

00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:17.819
 Unless the wind

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.759
 of the Spirit

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.580
 blows upon that tree,

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.200
 it will never

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.960
 bear fruit.

00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:30.840
 in Andrew Bonar

00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.600
 of Puritan

00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:31.940
 Ministers'

00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.500
 Journal,

00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.660
 there are many

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.700
 entries that speak

00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.279
 of the connection

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.120
 between power

00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.620
 in preaching

00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.259
 and prayer.

00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.019
 July 16,

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.019
 1842,

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.740
 I feel that

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.799
 unless the soul

00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.740
 be saturated

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.380
 with prayer

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.000
 and faith,

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.180
 little good

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.000
 may be expected

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.819
 from preaching.

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:51.359
 August 4,

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.240
 1842,

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.779
 past six hours

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.659
 today in the church

00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.119
 in prayer

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.000
 and scripture reading,

00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.259
 confessing sin

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.159
 and seeking blessing

00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.939
 for myself

00:26:58.939 --> 00:26:59.599
 and the parish.

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.779
 February 22,

00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:06.039
 1846,

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.419
 God will not

00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.220
 let me preach

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.819
 with power

00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.579
 when I am not

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.679
 much in Him.

00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.839
 More than ever

00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.679
 do I feel

00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:14.480
 that I should be

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:14.960
 as much

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.720
 an intercessor

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.960
 as a preacher

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.559
 of the Word.

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:19.259
 June 4,

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.139
 1848,

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.079
 it is praying

00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.579
 much

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.779
 that makes

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.139
 preaching felt.

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.659
 December 29,

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.399
 1849,

00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.579
 my chief desire

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.179
 should be

00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:30.099
 to be a man

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.619
 of prayer

00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.619
 for there is

00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.220
 no want

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.779
 of speaking

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.359
 and writing

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:33.879
 and preaching

00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.460
 and teaching

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.079
 and warning

00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.299
 but there is

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:38.000
 need of the Holy Spirit

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.019
 to make all this

00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.740
 effectual.

00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.299
 May 12,

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.159
 1888,

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:45.079
 look at how much

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.839
 time has passed

00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.419
 and yet he is

00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.539
 writing the same

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.240
 things.

00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.420
 Found time

00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.359
 to give the whole

00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.099
 of this day

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.700
 entirely to prayer

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.779
 and meditation.

00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:58.220
 There will be

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.980
 fruit of it

00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.460
 to me

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.619
 and my people.

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.779
 This is why

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.420
 the apostles

00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.259
 say in verse 4,

00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.599
 we will devote

00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.119
 ourselves

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:09.240
 to prayer

00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.079
 and to the ministry

00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.779
 of the Word.

00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.299
 To devote

00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.240
 oneself to something

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.099
 means to stick

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.480
 to it,

00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.599
 to pay attention

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:15.980
 to it,

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.879
 to be faithful

00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.199
 to it,

00:28:17.219 --> 00:28:18.000
 to persevere

00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.679
 in it over

00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.399
 many years

00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:19.859
 no matter

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.419
 how hard

00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.199
 it may be

00:28:21.199 --> 00:28:22.219
 to persevere

00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:22.399
 in it,

00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.279
 to be busily

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.299
 engaged in

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.759
 something.

00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:26.419
 The pastor's

00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.099
 primary task

00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.859
 is not only

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.500
 to preach

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.559
 but it's also

00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.299
 to pray

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:32.480
 because truly

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.599
 the time spent

00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.220
 in our own

00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.700
 strength

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.639
 ministering

00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.639
 is never

00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.819
 as well spent

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.259
 as time spent

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.339
 seeking God's

00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.059
 strength for our

00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.919
 ministry in prayer.

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:46.940
 As it says

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.980
 in 1 Samuel 12

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.580
 23,

00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.740
 ask for me,

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.460
 far be it

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:51.940
 from me

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.660
 that I should

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.900
 sin against

00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.519
 the Lord

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.700
 by ceasing

00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.440
 to pray

00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.120
 for you.

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.560
 The ministers

00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.420
 of the Word

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.660
 must be devoted

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.300
 to prayer

00:29:03.300 --> 00:29:04.539
 and as we try

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.320
 to raise up

00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.980
 people to be

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.500
 elders in our

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.660
 church,

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.160
 that's what we

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.759
 should look for.

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.060
 Prayer from them.

00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:18.460
 That's the priority

00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.980
 of prayer

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.500
 in the ministry

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.960
 of the Word.

00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.759
 Let's now look

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.399
 at the necessity

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.119
 of the ministry

00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.539
 of the table

00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.759
 in verses 5 to 7.

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.859
 It says in verse 5,

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.700
 And what they said

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.619
 pleased the whole

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.079
 gathering,

00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.599
 and they chose

00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.019
 Stephen,

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.819
 a man full of faith

00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.679
 and of the Holy Spirit,

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.319
 and Philip,

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.039
 and Prochorus,

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.740
 and Nicanor,

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.240
 and Timon,

00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:36.139
 and Parmenas,

00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.659
 and Nicholas,

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.079
 a proselyte of Antioch.

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.099
 In verse 2,

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.859
 the apostles said

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.819
 it is not right,

00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:42.319
 or literally,

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.259
 it is not pleasing

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:45.439
 to neglect the preaching

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:45.859
 of the Word

00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.720
 to serve tables.

00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.039
 But now it says

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.859
 in verse 5,

00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.980
 what they said

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.000
 pleased the whole

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.500
 gathering.

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.339
 The church found

00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:55.159
 a way to reconcile

00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.359
 those two priorities,

00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.419
 to preserve both

00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:58.179
 of those priorities,

00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.259
 to minister to

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.119
 the needy widows

00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.299
 without neglecting

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.939
 the ministry

00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:02.480
 of the Word.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:04.179
 And that's the kind

00:30:04.179 --> 00:30:05.319
 of satisfactory solution

00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.279
 that local churches

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.039
 should seek

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.079
 when faced

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.720
 with decisions

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.779
 regarding ministry

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.700
 prioritization,

00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.220
 when they're faced

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.359
 with important things,

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.339
 necessary things

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.819
 that the church

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.579
 must do.

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.180
 The first of the

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.920
 seven men named

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.480
 is Stephen.

00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.119
 All seven men

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.019
 presumably meet

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.859
 the qualifications

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.639
 of verse 3,

00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.059
 of being of good repute

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.299
 and full of the Spirit

00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:27.799
 and of wisdom.

00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.059
 But verse 5

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.099
 singles out Stephen

00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.799
 as a man

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:32.399
 full of faith

00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.220
 and of the Holy Spirit.

00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:35.500
 This introduction

00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.980
 sets Stephen up

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.779
 for the prominent role

00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.360
 that he will have

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.380
 in the following passages.

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.039
 Philip is mentioned here

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.819
 and again later

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.660
 in chapter 21,

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.140
 verse 8.

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:46.079
 He's called the evangelist,

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.200
 one of the seven

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.440
 in chapter 21.

00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.860
 He's the evangelist

00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.539
 who is instrumental

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.759
 in bringing the gospel

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.420
 to Samaria

00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.579
 in chapter 8.

00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.140
 He is the one

00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:57.079
 through whose ministry

00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.559
 the Ethiopian eunuch

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.480
 is converted

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.660
 in chapter 8 as well.

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:02.759
 Nicholas,

00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:03.560
 who is mentioned

00:31:03.560 --> 00:31:04.720
 last on this list,

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.259
 is described

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.279
 as a proselyte

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.040
 of Antioch.

00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.180
 That means he was

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.040
 a Gentile

00:31:09.040 --> 00:31:09.800
 who converted

00:31:09.800 --> 00:31:10.840
 to Judaism

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.920
 and eventually

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.640
 to Christianity.

00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.040
 So the fact

00:31:15.040 --> 00:31:15.980
 that he is singled out

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.640
 as a proselyte

00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.360
 means that the other

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.980
 six men

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:19.040
 were born Jews.

00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.640
 We don't know

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.240
 much details

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.000
 about the other men

00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.380
 mentioned,

00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.120
 but what is notable

00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:26.180
 is that all the men,

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:28.080
 all of the seven people

00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:29.220
 appointed for this task

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.360
 have Greek

00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:32.319
 and not Hebrew names,

00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:34.480
 which suggests

00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.819
 that they were likely

00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.779
 all Hellenist Jews,

00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.600
 with the exception

00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:42.460
 of Nicholas,

00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.220
 who was a converted Jew,

00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.200
 proselyte,

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.240
 Gentile proselyte.

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.960
 This is a brilliant solution

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.700
 to the initial problem

00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.319
 that they had.

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:55.240
 Since the Greek-speaking widows

00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.100
 were falling through the cracks

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.919
 by appointing leaders

00:31:58.919 --> 00:32:00.299
 who know them

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:02.159
 and can speak to them

00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:04.099
 in their native tongue

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:05.419
 to ensure

00:32:05.419 --> 00:32:06.959
 that the underrepresented

00:32:06.959 --> 00:32:08.419
 minority in the church

00:32:08.419 --> 00:32:10.139
 is not neglected.

00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.240
 Verse 6 says,

00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.740
 These they set

00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.740
 before the apostles,

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.539
 and they prayed

00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.919
 and laid their hands

00:32:22.919 --> 00:32:23.359
 on them.

00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:25.919
 In the book of Acts,

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.299
 the laying on of hands

00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:30.459
 is frequently associated

00:32:30.459 --> 00:32:31.359
 with the impartation

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.059
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:35.419
 Probably for that reason,

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.979
 later in Acts chapter 13,

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.459
 verse 3,

00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:39.079
 when the church in Antioch

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.039
 is commissioning Paul

00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:41.919
 and Barnabas out

00:32:41.919 --> 00:32:43.139
 on a missionary journey,

00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.939
 they lay their hands

00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:45.319
 on them

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.219
 and then send them off.

00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:47.819
 Similarly,

00:32:47.979 --> 00:32:49.039
 in the pastoral epistles,

00:32:49.179 --> 00:32:49.479
 for example,

00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.899
 in 1 Timothy chapter 4,

00:32:50.939 --> 00:32:51.500
 verse 14,

00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.240
 and chapter 5,

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.819
 verse 22,

00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:54.519
 the laying on of hands

00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:56.119
 is used as shorthand

00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:57.399
 for the ordination

00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:58.039
 of elders.

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.700
 So when the apostles

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.679
 pray for these seven men

00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:04.079
 and lay their hands

00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.359
 on them,

00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:05.720
 they are commissioning them

00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:07.399
 for an official task,

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.960
 recognizing their role

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:11.139
 and ministry publicly

00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:12.200
 for the church to see

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.879
 and investing them

00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:15.019
 with authority

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:16.480
 peculiar to their work

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.079
 so that they might

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.639
 execute their charge.

00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:22.600
 the apostles were not

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.840
 self-important people

00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.420
 who believed

00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:26.340
 that nothing will be done

00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:27.180
 to their satisfaction

00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.320
 if they don't do it

00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:28.920
 all themselves.

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.940
 They readily

00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:32.400
 ceded authority

00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.620
 in certain areas

00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.660
 for the upbuilding

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.300
 of the church.

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:39.000
 So in this passage,

00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:39.799
 at this stage

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.779
 of the church's life,

00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:42.180
 we see the twelve,

00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.839
 and we see the seven,

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.980
 and we see the full number

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.559
 of the disciples

00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.259
 in verse 2.

00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.859
 That's kind of the structure

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.419
 that they have

00:33:49.419 --> 00:33:50.919
 at this moment

00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.940
 in the church's life.

00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.639
 There's no mention

00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.859
 of the offices

00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.720
 of elders

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.559
 and deacons

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.200
 in this passage.

00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:58.079
 They have not yet

00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.000
 been formalized.

00:33:59.639 --> 00:33:59.960
 However,

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.079
 we do see here

00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:02.259
 the structure

00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:02.879
 and organization

00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:03.720
 of the church

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:05.160
 beginning to take shape.

00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.660
 The twelve

00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.079
 are given

00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.720
 to the ministry

00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.260
 of the word

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.240
 and their responsibilities

00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:11.300
 correspond well

00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.500
 to the ministry

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.220
 of elders.

00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.920
 1 Timothy 3,

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.599
 verse 2,

00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:16.340
 says that the elders

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.160
 must be able

00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:17.760
 to teach.

00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.760
 1 Timothy 5, 17,

00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.579
 speaks of elders

00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.180
 who labor

00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.820
 in preaching

00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.480
 and teaching.

00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.740
 So the seven

00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:25.720
 were given

00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.720
 to the ministry

00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.320
 of the table

00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:29.619
 and their responsibilities

00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.619
 correspond well

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.119
 to the ministry

00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.840
 of deacons.

00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:33.680
 who are not required

00:34:33.680 --> 00:34:34.240
 to be able

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.260
 to teach the faith

00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:36.059
 but are instead

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.380
 required to hold

00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:37.800
 the faith

00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.840
 with a clear conscience

00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:40.300
 in 1 Timothy 3, 9.

00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.220
 3, verse 9.

00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:43.120
 The seven's role

00:34:43.120 --> 00:34:44.840
 is not yet set in stone

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.960
 and later in Acts

00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.780
 it does seem like

00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.440
 some of them

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.740
 take on more

00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:50.440
 of an elder-like role

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.760
 especially among

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:53.640
 the Greek-speaking population.

00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:54.980
 For example,

00:34:55.120 --> 00:34:56.079
 we see Stephen

00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.940
 preaching Christ

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.539
 throughout the Greek-speaking

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.220
 synagogues

00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:00.659
 of Jerusalem

00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:02.299
 in Acts 6, 9.

00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.559
 However,

00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.619
 the dominant usage

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.579
 of the word deacon

00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.859
 in its various forms

00:35:07.859 --> 00:35:08.919
 throughout Scripture

00:35:08.919 --> 00:35:09.559
 as well as

00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:11.299
 the later formalization

00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:12.139
 of the office

00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:12.799
 of deacons

00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.859
 and their ministry

00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:14.779
 evidenced

00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:16.039
 throughout church history

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:17.099
 suggests that

00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:18.099
 diaconal ministry

00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.739
 of the table

00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.739
 comprises any

00:35:19.739 --> 00:35:21.539
 ministry of service

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.959
 that meets

00:35:22.959 --> 00:35:23.639
 the temporal,

00:35:23.919 --> 00:35:24.659
 physical needs

00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.500
 of the church

00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.779
 in order to relieve

00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.519
 and release

00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.079
 the elders

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.679
 for prayer

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.299
 and the ministry

00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:29.819
 of the word.

00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:35.460
 Matthew 25, verse 44

00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.279
 encapsulates

00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:37.199
 what this ministry

00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.859
 of service

00:35:37.859 --> 00:35:38.679
 might entail.

00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:40.059
 It speaks of

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.859
 the ministry,

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:42.159
 ministering to people,

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:42.940
 to a person

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.619
 who is hungry

00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.919
 or thirsty

00:35:44.919 --> 00:35:46.019
 or a stranger

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.859
 or naked

00:35:46.859 --> 00:35:47.719
 or sick

00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.919
 or in prison.

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:51.900
 The diaconal ministry

00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.039
 entails such things

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.200
 as feeding the hungry,

00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:55.700
 housing the stranger

00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:56.360
 or visitor,

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.659
 clothing the naked,

00:35:57.860 --> 00:35:58.840
 caring for the sick,

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.019
 and visiting

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.420
 the imprisoned members,

00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.639
 hopefully due to persecution

00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.500
 and not for some

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.240
 criminal behavior

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:06.760
 of the church family.

00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:12.220
 this doesn't mean

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.660
 that elders

00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.560
 care only

00:36:14.560 --> 00:36:15.860
 about people's

00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.520
 spiritual needs

00:36:16.520 --> 00:36:17.040
 and deacons

00:36:17.040 --> 00:36:17.860
 care only

00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.640
 about people's

00:36:18.640 --> 00:36:19.320
 physical needs.

00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:20.100
 Of course,

00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:20.920
 the elders and deacons

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:22.380
 both care for both,

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.560
 but there's a

00:36:23.560 --> 00:36:24.660
 differentiation of roles

00:36:24.660 --> 00:36:25.360
 so that neither

00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:26.260
 is neglected.

00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:29.460
 And when the deacons

00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:29.920
 of the church

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.280
 effectively discharge

00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:31.920
 their duties,

00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:33.700
 the priority of prayer

00:36:33.700 --> 00:36:34.280
 and the ministry

00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.760
 of the word

00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:35.480
 in the church

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.139
 is preserved

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.980
 and the church

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:38.619
 grows as a result

00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:40.119
 of their humble service.

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.079
 It says in verse 7,

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:44.099
 And the word of God

00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.860
 continued to increase

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.860
 and a number

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.760
 of the disciples

00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:49.500
 multiplied greatly

00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.280
 in Jerusalem

00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:51.679
 and a great many

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.400
 of the priests

00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.300
 became obedient

00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:53.960
 to the faith.

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.179
 The initial problem

00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:58.360
 of neglected widows

00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.139
 in the distribution

00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.719
 stemmed from

00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:00.619
 the church's growth

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:02.199
 and the appointment

00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.860
 of the seven

00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:04.179
 allows that growth

00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.880
 to continue.

00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:07.219
 the word of God

00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:08.900
 continued to increase

00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:10.019
 because the apostles

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:11.940
 ensured that the word

00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.480
 of God

00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:13.679
 is not neglected.

00:37:15.280 --> 00:37:16.300
 So then,

00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.059
 deacons

00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:19.420
 are exemplary

00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:22.300
 members of the church

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.920
 who love

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:25.240
 the word of God.

00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.179
 They serve

00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:30.500
 so that the word

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.079
 of God

00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:32.780
 might not be neglected.

00:37:32.780 --> 00:37:34.200
 they serve

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.080
 because they love

00:37:35.080 --> 00:37:36.080
 to see the word

00:37:36.080 --> 00:37:36.500
 of God

00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:37.519
 increasing.

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:42.180
 If the eldership

00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:42.660
 is like

00:37:42.660 --> 00:37:43.760
 a quarterback

00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:44.940
 on a football team,

00:37:45.620 --> 00:37:46.500
 the deaconship

00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:48.200
 is like the offensive line

00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:49.320
 that defends

00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:49.860
 the quarterback

00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:50.720
 so that he doesn't

00:37:50.720 --> 00:37:51.380
 get pummeled

00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:51.920
 to the ground

00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:53.040
 and so that he has

00:37:53.040 --> 00:37:53.600
 the time

00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.440
 and space

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.120
 to throw

00:37:55.120 --> 00:37:56.140
 the football forward.

00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.199
 forward.

00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:59.299
 The football

00:37:59.299 --> 00:38:00.960
 cannot advance

00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:02.359
 without either.

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.659
 Can't help

00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:10.139
 but think about

00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:11.000
 the last Super Bowl

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.519
 as I'm talking

00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:11.980
 about this.

00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.299
 If you saw,

00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:14.799
 you know exactly

00:38:14.799 --> 00:38:15.279
 what I'm talking

00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:15.579
 about.

00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:20.019
 a great quarterback

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:22.239
 being helpless,

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:24.019
 totally being unable

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.900
 to do anything

00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.679
 because he's just

00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.460
 getting beaten

00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.119
 down to the ground

00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:29.119
 every single time.

00:38:31.259 --> 00:38:32.460
 No time and space

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:33.099
 to throw the ball

00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.400
 anywhere.

00:38:39.819 --> 00:38:40.299
 Likewise,

00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:40.920
 it's when

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.880
 both the elders

00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:42.340
 and deacons

00:38:42.340 --> 00:38:43.119
 are faithfully

00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:43.739
 ministering

00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:44.919
 that word of God,

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.379
 that faithfully

00:38:47.379 --> 00:38:47.859
 ministering

00:38:47.859 --> 00:38:48.839
 and discharging

00:38:48.839 --> 00:38:49.279
 their duties

00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:50.359
 that the word of God

00:38:50.359 --> 00:38:51.639
 continues to increase

00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:52.239
 and the number

00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:52.859
 of the disciples

00:38:52.859 --> 00:38:54.319
 multiply greatly.

00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.500
 That's a wonderful

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.039
 expression.

00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:58.459
 The word of God

00:38:58.459 --> 00:39:00.099
 continues to increase.

00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:01.779
 It personifies

00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:02.599
 the word of God

00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:03.479
 as if it's

00:39:03.479 --> 00:39:04.319
 a living thing,

00:39:04.939 --> 00:39:05.919
 like a seed

00:39:05.919 --> 00:39:06.659
 that is planted

00:39:06.659 --> 00:39:07.379
 and continues

00:39:07.379 --> 00:39:07.899
 to grow.

00:39:09.379 --> 00:39:10.319
 That's because

00:39:10.319 --> 00:39:11.399
 the word of God

00:39:11.399 --> 00:39:12.219
 is living

00:39:12.219 --> 00:39:12.759
 and active.

00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:15.199
 Luke uses

00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:16.019
 this expression

00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:16.779
 again and again

00:39:16.779 --> 00:39:17.559
 throughout Acts.

00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:18.759
 It says in Acts 12,

00:39:18.859 --> 00:39:19.319
 13,

00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.979
 but the word of God

00:39:20.979 --> 00:39:22.579
 increased and multiplied.

00:39:22.799 --> 00:39:23.879
 Acts 19, 20,

00:39:24.179 --> 00:39:25.099
 the word of the Lord

00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:26.479
 continued to increase

00:39:26.479 --> 00:39:27.319
 and prevail

00:39:27.319 --> 00:39:28.419
 mightily.

00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.179
 It's almost as if

00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:29.739
 the word of God

00:39:29.739 --> 00:39:31.119
 itself has agency.

00:39:35.919 --> 00:39:36.979
 Because as Paul says

00:39:36.979 --> 00:39:38.359
 in 1 Corinthians 1, 18,

00:39:38.439 --> 00:39:39.559
 the word of the cross

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:40.199
 is folly

00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:40.619
 to those

00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:41.379
 who are perishing,

00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:42.539
 but to us

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.519
 who are being saved,

00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:45.059
 it is the power

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.640
 of God.

00:39:46.740 --> 00:39:48.140
 The word of God

00:39:48.140 --> 00:39:48.780
 declares

00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:51.140
 that Jesus' death

00:39:51.140 --> 00:39:51.780
 and resurrection

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.599
 on behalf

00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:53.960
 of death

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.920
 and damnation

00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:56.119
 deserving sinners

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:57.760
 brings forgiveness

00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:59.780
 to debtors.

00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:01.220
 It brings restoration

00:40:01.220 --> 00:40:02.240
 to rebels.

00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:04.180
 It brings adoption

00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:06.200
 to orphans

00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:08.279
 into the family

00:40:08.279 --> 00:40:08.779
 of God.

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.899
 It's because

00:40:12.899 --> 00:40:14.079
 of that gospel

00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:14.980
 that is so precious

00:40:14.980 --> 00:40:15.419
 to us

00:40:15.419 --> 00:40:16.279
 that we cherish,

00:40:16.759 --> 00:40:17.319
 without which

00:40:17.319 --> 00:40:18.480
 there is no salvation

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:19.279
 for anyone

00:40:19.279 --> 00:40:20.119
 in this world,

00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.779
 that we must

00:40:21.779 --> 00:40:22.480
 preserve

00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.339
 that priority.

00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:23.460
 Lord.

00:40:29.180 --> 00:40:30.320
 We're not appointing

00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.440
 our deacons today.

00:40:31.600 --> 00:40:32.260
 We had planned

00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:33.260
 on doing that today,

00:40:33.740 --> 00:40:35.000
 but for logistical reasons

00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.760
 we've delayed it,

00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:36.900
 but you can be praying

00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:38.960
 for our deacon candidates

00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:40.200
 whom we will appoint,

00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:41.000
 Lord willing,

00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:42.320
 on June 8th.

00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:46.559
 Let's get to work together

00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:47.500
 in proclaiming the word

00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:48.160
 as a church

00:40:48.160 --> 00:40:50.220
 and preserving

00:40:50.220 --> 00:40:51.260
 its priority

00:40:51.260 --> 00:40:53.000
 in our church.

00:40:53.340 --> 00:40:55.500
 so we might be

00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.260
 faithful witnesses

00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:57.180
 of Jesus Christ.

00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:01.860
 Heavenly Father,

00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:04.579
 we acknowledge

00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.539
 that we cannot do this

00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.300
 without your help.

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:08.039
 We are so prone

00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:09.100
 to wonder,

00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:10.079
 to be distracted.

00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:14.740
 We need you

00:41:14.740 --> 00:41:15.480
 to help us

00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.620
 to have

00:41:16.620 --> 00:41:18.039
 an eternal mindset

00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:20.360
 of biblical priority.

00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:22.780
 Lord,

00:41:22.780 --> 00:41:23.300
 we need

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:24.040
 humble men

00:41:24.040 --> 00:41:24.440
 and women

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:27.060
 to be raised up

00:41:27.060 --> 00:41:29.260
 to serve,

00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:31.100
 to preserve

00:41:31.100 --> 00:41:32.140
 the priority

00:41:32.140 --> 00:41:32.620
 of prayer

00:41:32.620 --> 00:41:33.120
 and ministry

00:41:33.120 --> 00:41:33.620
 of the word.

00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:36.340
 Help us

00:41:36.340 --> 00:41:37.100
 to be a church

00:41:37.100 --> 00:41:38.220
 that is devoted

00:41:38.220 --> 00:41:39.740
 to the apostles' teaching

00:41:39.740 --> 00:41:41.140
 and to the prayers

00:41:41.140 --> 00:41:42.080
 and to the fellowship

00:41:42.080 --> 00:41:42.880
 and to the breaking

00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:43.380
 of bread.

00:41:44.340 --> 00:41:44.860
 Make us,

00:41:45.060 --> 00:41:45.100
 Lord,

00:41:45.220 --> 00:41:45.740
 devoted

00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:47.759
 to these precious things.

00:41:50.899 --> 00:41:52.319
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.279
 Amen.