WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:03.820 Morning troops. Keep your Bible open in Acts 6. You're going to need that open. 00:00:04.379 --> 00:00:09.740 But I want to kick off looking back to Luke's first letter to his mate Theophilus in Luke. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:15.400 Because in Luke chapter 8, Jesus tells his boys and disciples a story. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:17.800 It's known as the parable of the sower. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:20.960 And to a large degree, the point of the story is this. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:23.280 Living things grow. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:28.359 A farmer in that scene wants a harvest, needs a harvest. 00:00:28.359 --> 00:00:32.119 And so he goes mental, sowing this seed everywhere. 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:34.119 He doesn't mind where it lands. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:37.200 Wherever he goes, he's just sowing it all over the place. 00:00:38.119 --> 00:00:39.840 Now some of it lands on a path. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:43.519 Gets trampled on, gets eaten by birds. He gets nothing there. 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:46.320 Some of it lands on rocky ground. 00:00:46.659 --> 00:00:49.640 Doesn't take root, gets no moisture, nothing grows. 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:52.859 Some of it lands amongst thorns. 00:00:53.879 --> 00:00:55.600 They choke anything that grows. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:58.640 But some lands on good soil. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:07.040 And what lands on good soil grows like mad so that he makes 30, 60, even 100% profit on what he sows. 00:01:08.820 --> 00:01:12.780 And when Jesus tells his disciples that story back in Luke chapter 8, 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:16.799 he's actually preparing them for life in the book of Acts. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:27.259 He's saying, listen boys, as the farmer sowed the seed, preach the gospel to everyone and to anyone. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:28.719 Don't be stingy. 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:31.079 Don't be selective about the who or the where. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.259 Everyone and everywhere needs to hear this word. 00:01:36.739 --> 00:01:37.819 And boys, you need to know this. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:42.779 That in some places, the devil will steal it away and you will get nothing. 00:01:43.979 --> 00:01:50.979 In some places, the floggings you get from the authorities will scare people off so that you get nothing. 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:59.599 In other places, the enticements and the entrapments of the big city will allure people away and you'll get nothing. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:08.340 But I promise you that some of what you sow will find good soil. 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:13.240 And their living things will grow. 00:02:13.459 --> 00:02:19.680 Boys, you need to get ready that although in Acts chapter 1 you're going to start off in a tiny little upper room, 00:02:20.359 --> 00:02:22.939 very quickly you're going to burst out of that thing. 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:24.019 It's going to overflow. 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:32.860 Because there is a harvest of people that the devil cannot snatch, persecution cannot steal away, 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:37.860 and the enticements of the world cannot allure away from you. 00:02:39.160 --> 00:02:41.879 Living things grow. 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:46.280 If you were here last week, I presume you did Acts chapter 5, 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:49.580 and you will have heard a Pharisee guy called Gamaliel say this, 00:02:49.580 --> 00:02:53.580 that actually if this is just some kind of mad rebel revolutionary, 00:02:54.380 --> 00:02:57.860 it will come to nothing like seed planted among the thorns. 00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:04.520 But if it's from God, this living thing will grow. 00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:06.100 To nick another one of Jesus' parables, 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:10.780 from a teeny weeny little mustard seed to a mahousive tree. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:14.020 Because living things grow. 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:20.219 And in Luke and in Acts, it is the word of God that gives life and grows life. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:27.939 The word of God will spread, the church will increase, and the kingdom will grow. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.420 And Luke is so desperate for us to see this in the book of Acts, 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:36.240 that he gives us about six headlines from a newspaper 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.620 that tell you this time and time and time and time again. 00:03:39.760 --> 00:03:42.159 You've seen it already in Acts by this point, 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:44.120 but he then wants to make six headlines. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:48.460 He's seen already 120 in an upper room in Acts 1. 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:52.439 That expanded to about 3,000 in Acts 2 after Pentecost. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:55.600 In Acts chapter 4, that goes to over 5,000. 00:03:55.960 --> 00:03:59.080 And he wants to keep giving you the point that living things grow. 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:02.180 So, open your Bibles, track with me through his headlines. 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:04.060 Acts chapter 6, verse 7. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:04.980 We had it read to us. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:09.939 The word of God spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.060 and a large number of priests become obedient to the faith. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:14.639 See the point? 00:04:15.239 --> 00:04:16.240 Living things grow. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:19.019 Flick over to Acts chapter 9, verse 31. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:21.199 Second headline. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:26.779 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace, 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:30.300 was strengthened, and living in the fear of the Lord 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:34.060 and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in number. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:35.060 Living things grow. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:37.860 Acts chapter 12, verse 24. 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:39.019 Look over a couple of pages. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:40.519 12, 24. 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:44.519 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:45.379 Living things grow. 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:48.019 Look at chapter 16, verse 5. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:55.139 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:55.899 Next one. 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:57.600 Acts chapter 19, verse 20. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:03.040 In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. 00:05:03.160 --> 00:05:03.700 Last one. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:05.300 Last words of the book. 00:05:05.460 --> 00:05:07.160 Acts 28, 30, and 31. 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:10.439 For two whole years, 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:16.279 Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:20.860 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:24.639 with boldness and without hindrance. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:25.379 What is the point? 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.659 Living things grow. 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:33.420 As the word of God spreads, the church increases, and the kingdom grows. 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:38.580 So if you come back to Acts chapter 6 and you read the first verse, 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:43.200 it sounds like this is going to be a proper positive moment in the book of Acts. 00:05:43.580 --> 00:05:45.040 So Acts chapter 6, verse 1. 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:49.920 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing. 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:52.320 All right. 00:05:53.140 --> 00:05:53.960 It's growing. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.379 Especially when you come off the back of chapter 5. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:59.539 Because in chapter 5, at times it felt like rocky ground. 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:03.819 When the apostles have been flogged within an inch of their life. 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:04.859 It's tough soil. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:08.479 At times it's felt more like the kind of thorny ground 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:13.219 because Ananias and Sapphira have been lured away by the pleasures of this world. 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:20.379 You think Acts chapter 6, finally, after those two, we've got good soil. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:27.120 But as most teenage boys know, growing is rarely without growing pains. 00:06:28.100 --> 00:06:30.420 And that's exactly what you see in Acts chapter 6. 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:31.560 So read again verse 1. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:34.779 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:38.920 the Hellenistic Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:44.500 because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:47.120 Now here's the issue. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:52.500 And it's kind of like a complicated ming and onion that's got multiple layers. 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:55.759 The first layer is that the church is just growing. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.319 I'm a kind of 90s boy in terms of music, 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:01.339 so it's kind of the notorious B.I.G. problem 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:04.819 where the more people you come across, the more problems you see. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:07.819 As the church is increasing, there's creaks. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:08.379 It groans. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:13.800 But the second stage is that as it groans, there's complaining. 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:15.759 They're probably speaking Hebrew. 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:17.379 Obviously some of them are speaking Greek. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.579 But although they're in Jerusalem, 00:07:19.719 --> 00:07:22.699 there's that kind of natural Scottish language of gurning. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.120 Something's wrong here in Jerusalem. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:26.740 Now what's going on? 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:29.360 Third layer, there's tension. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:36.579 Potential prejudice between Hebraic Jews and the Hellenistic Jews. 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:38.659 Now they're just two different groups of people. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:41.000 One from outside the city who spoke Greek. 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:44.699 Others from inside the city that spoke Hebrew. 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:49.000 But it seems to be that the final complicating layer is 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:51.759 that some people are looking at it and going, 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:58.039 our group are not getting the necessary food that our widows need. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:00.479 And they're starving. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:07.020 Now a lot of older folk in that time would have come from outside the city 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:11.720 back to Jerusalem because they would want to die and be buried in the holy city. 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:17.980 Now it's always the Bible's view that widows should be cared for by their own families. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.060 See that in 1 Timothy chapter 5. 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:23.020 But if their own families aren't around or aren't able, 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:29.240 then the Bible prescribes that it is the church that ought to care for the most alone, 00:08:29.359 --> 00:08:32.019 the most vulnerable in their community. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.480 But here's the problem. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:37.360 The church is growing great, 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.740 but widows are starving. 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:42.519 Far from great. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:49.120 And we need to see the potentially nasty flavor to this. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.299 As people look at it and see that it's one specific people group 00:08:54.299 --> 00:08:56.060 whose widows are being overlooked, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:59.659 people are at best questioning it. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:00.779 Maybe at worst they're going, 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:07.080 is there some institutional racism inside this church in Jerusalem? 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.720 Are the widows being overlooked, 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:12.700 especially because of where they're from 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.919 or maybe just the language that they speak? 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:18.899 Now you start off the chapter going, 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:19.679 oh, the church is growing. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:20.799 Wahey, happy days. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:21.979 And all of a sudden you're going, 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.779 flip, this church could split. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:28.779 This could be a devastating moment in the book of Acts. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.099 Now what I want to show you this morning, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:34.120 we could go a million different ways with this text. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:36.379 All I want to do is give you four applications 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:39.480 for you guys as Brunsfield Evangelical Church. 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:42.019 Some of them are going to be for all of us together. 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:44.439 Some of them are specifically going to be for the elders. 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:47.959 But the first one is one that hits us all together 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:49.099 and it's simple. 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:50.579 Church. 00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:51.539 So speaking of all of us, 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:56.419 church, people must not be overlooked. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:00.639 As a church, our primary responsibility 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:04.179 is to care to one another in the church. 00:10:04.459 --> 00:10:06.879 Now you could instantly kind of come back at me and go, 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.799 hang on, Primey, we're in the book of Acts here. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.339 The whole point is we're meant to take the gospel to the world. 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:16.500 However, one of the clearest ways that the church witnesses to the world 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:20.139 is the love and care that we show for our own people. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:25.399 And in the church, people must not be overlooked. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.720 You've seen that already in Acts chapter 2 at the end, 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.740 again at the end of Acts chapter 4. 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:31.860 If someone is in need, 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:34.220 we ought to be the ones who meet that need. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:37.320 If the church has people who are hungry, 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:39.800 the church should feed them their food. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.399 If someone is in need, 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:43.300 it is our responsibility. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.920 However, here's the struggle. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:49.300 And hasn't that been particularly clear in the last 18 months? 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:52.420 That there are periods in the church of life 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:56.200 where it's easy to accidentally overlook people. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:59.180 Especially when everyone can't be in the room. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:02.440 We don't have a scooby who's watching this. 00:11:04.140 --> 00:11:05.960 And so we need to make sure in this season 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:08.040 that the people we haven't seen for a while 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.200 or heard from a while 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:13.300 may not be either physically or spiritually being overlooked. 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:14.780 And whose responsibility is that? 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.200 All of us. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:18.520 Church. 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:21.220 People must not be overlooked. 00:11:21.540 --> 00:11:21.879 However, 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.259 it's actually more sinister here. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:29.660 The sinister reality is that even within a church, 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:34.600 it can be possible for people to be deliberately overlooked. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.360 In the book of Acts, 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:40.520 Luke wants to show us on repeat 00:11:40.520 --> 00:11:43.080 the attractiveness of the purpose of God 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:45.379 to bring people from diverse backgrounds 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:47.780 into the church of his son. 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:49.640 He repeatedly shows us 00:11:49.640 --> 00:11:51.780 the power of the gospel of Jesus 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:54.560 to unite people who were once enemies 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:57.519 and to break down the barriers and walls 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.759 that have culturally divided people for centuries. 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.859 The church is meant to be multicolored, 00:12:04.119 --> 00:12:04.779 multilingual, 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.339 and multiclass. 00:12:06.619 --> 00:12:06.939 However, 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:09.399 the book of Acts is not rose-tinted. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.439 It is real life. 00:12:12.239 --> 00:12:13.000 And since then, 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:13.979 and probably still today, 00:12:14.479 --> 00:12:16.519 some of the prejudices that we held 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.839 before we were Christians 00:12:17.839 --> 00:12:20.179 continue to have a hangover 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:21.659 now that we are Christians, 00:12:22.459 --> 00:12:26.819 which means we need to be on guard about this 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.859 in Grace Mount Community Church 00:12:28.859 --> 00:12:30.739 and in Brunsfield Evangelical Church. 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:35.599 Now, maybe that's on issues like classism. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.299 And we need to make sure 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:40.479 that we don't look down on people 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:42.179 because of where they have come from 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.839 or what their backstory has been. 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.940 In the church, 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:47.820 Christ unites us 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:49.960 more than class divides us. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:53.620 Our identity is not in our class. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.759 It is in Christ. 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:57.940 That is not meant to be a dividing barrier 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.800 for membership 00:12:58.800 --> 00:13:01.240 or leadership in Christ's church. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.080 But we need to be careful 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.340 not just on classism, 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.360 but on racism. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.759 If someone enters our church 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.920 and they raise a concern 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:12.460 that they feel like an outsider 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:14.220 because of where they're from 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.720 or the language they speak, 00:13:15.900 --> 00:13:17.120 we need to be asking ourselves 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.980 the hard question 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.019 that we are not 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:22.019 in some subtle, unconscious way 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:24.160 overlooking some people. 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:28.139 When our church is predominantly white 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:28.820 in a community 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:30.320 that is increasingly diverse, 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:32.300 we need to ask the hard questions 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:33.120 that we are not 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.900 maybe even deliberately 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:36.820 overlooking people. 00:13:37.920 --> 00:13:38.980 Because in the church, 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:41.660 people are not to be overlooked. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.579 Definitely not if they're needy 00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:45.259 and absolutely not 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.679 just because they are different. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:50.579 But that's the issue in Acts 6. 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.799 Widows are being overlooked 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.779 from one particular people group. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.500 Now, how do the apostles respond? 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.519 Have a look back in Acts 6. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:00.399 Look at verse 2. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:04.039 So, the 12, that's the apostles, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:07.100 gathered all of the disciples together 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:08.959 and said, 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:11.139 it would not be right for us 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:13.259 to neglect the ministry 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.600 of the word of God 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.939 in order to wait on tables. 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.519 So notice what the apostles do. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.699 They take the lead. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.759 They do it immediately. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.179 No time for this to fester. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:23.980 And they do it by gathering 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.100 the entire number of disciples 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.340 around them. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.939 And notice how they start. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.980 It's a surprising thing. 00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:32.080 They don't start by saying 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.300 what they must do. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.820 They start by saying 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:36.840 what they must not do. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.960 They start with something 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:41.180 that is not a right response. 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.340 So they say, 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.660 okay, overlooking people 00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:46.660 is a priority. 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:48.500 We must not overlook people. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.800 However, it's not the only priority. 00:14:51.760 --> 00:14:53.040 It would not be right for us 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.860 to neglect the ministry 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.120 of the word of God 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:58.120 in order to wait on tables. 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.340 So here's the second thing 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:00.759 this morning, 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.799 second application. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.460 And this one, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.879 especially to the elders in the room. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:05.899 So, Shanksy, 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.779 Alice is watching at home. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.779 Anyone else who's an elder? 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.500 Here's the important thing 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.759 we must remember this morning. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:14.320 Word ministry 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.700 must not be neglected. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:19.940 So people must not be overlooked. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.340 But word ministry 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:24.040 for elders in a church 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:26.759 must not be neglected. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.580 Here's the two things 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.120 that are not right. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.240 Widows being overlooked 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.660 or the apostles and elders 00:15:32.660 --> 00:15:34.000 overlooking the responsibility 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.660 to be teachers of the word. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:38.000 Now, that is not the apostles 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.020 saying that waiting on tables 00:15:40.020 --> 00:15:41.080 is beneath them. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:43.040 Like the queen saying, 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.660 wiping skidmuffs of a bog 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.199 is beneath her. 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.000 That's not the point. 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.659 It's not that they're too good 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.259 to do this. 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:48.980 The point is, 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.299 it's more like a nurse 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:50.919 in a hospital 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.539 who's saying, 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:53.240 I cannot leave my post 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.000 on the ward 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.519 to go and cook meals 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.279 for everyone 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.000 because that would be 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.639 neglecting what my role 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.939 is in this place. 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.059 It's not saying that 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:06.039 the chef is less needy 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.679 than the, 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.539 not needy is the wrong word, 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.079 but needed, 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.319 than the chef. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:09.779 But actually, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.419 the hospital will fall to bits 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.860 if both parties 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.860 don't play their vital roles 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.659 in this thing. 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.439 Without both, 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.699 the hospital falls apart. 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:20.000 It's not a difference 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.159 of importance, 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.299 but rather a difference 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.099 of calling. 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.039 Now, come back to the thing 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.879 we started at the start. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.819 Living things grow. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.059 And if the church 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.839 is to grow, 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.719 it is the word 00:16:33.719 --> 00:16:35.659 that will give life 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.659 and preserve life. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:40.100 So the life 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.439 and growth 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.059 of a church 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.839 is dependent 00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:43.120 on the apostles' 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.399 teaching of the word 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:44.899 of God. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.459 How did the widows 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:48.299 come into the church 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.179 in the first place? 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.839 Through the teaching 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:51.559 of the word of God. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.240 What's going to sustain 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.059 the widows 00:16:54.059 --> 00:16:55.819 even in their hunger 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.959 for physical food? 00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:58.639 The teaching 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.759 of the apostles' words. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.399 Now, they do need 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.459 the spiritual food 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:04.000 as well as 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.039 the physical food, 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.559 but whose responsibility 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.139 is the spiritual food 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.619 in the life 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.059 of a widow? 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.539 The apostles. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.619 And so just as 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.440 a nurse needs 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.099 to stay 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.319 on her ward, 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.059 the apostles 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.920 need to stay 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.819 in the ward. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.539 Now, it is 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.200 significant here. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.700 The apostles 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.119 don't try and silence 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:25.779 the complaints. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.000 They don't try 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.099 and spin the narrative 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.500 to preserve 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.500 their own reputation. 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.299 They don't try 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:32.759 and hide it 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.359 in darkness. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.799 They acknowledge 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:36.180 the complaints. 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.139 That is vital. 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.579 Widows are being 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:39.940 overlooked 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.480 and that must not happen, 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.599 but the first thing 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:43.720 they do is to make sure 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.579 that everyone knows 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:46.379 this is not going 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.180 to be 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.440 something that 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.539 we deal with 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.559 personally. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.279 Our task, 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.519 our service here 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.059 is the ministry 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.680 of the word. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.579 So elders, 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.480 you're not a psychologist, 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.019 you're not a social worker, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.359 you're not an entertainer, 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.559 you're not a delivery driver, 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.419 a gardener, 00:18:06.719 --> 00:18:07.779 a community worker, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.740 or a politician, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:10.359 you are a minister 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.179 of the word. 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.839 When people meet you, 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.879 they ought to be 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:15.000 served the word. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:16.339 Just like you can tell 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.819 by looking at a farmer 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.000 how much he's committed 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.059 to his harvest 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:22.019 by how much he sows the seed, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.079 you can tell 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.179 by looking at an elder 00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:25.219 how committed 00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:26.119 they are to 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.039 their people 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.000 and their community 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.240 by how much 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.019 they serve up 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.799 the word of God. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.139 And if you 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:33.919 were here last week 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.799 for Acts chapter 5, 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.539 you'll know that 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.259 doesn't just happen 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.039 from a pulpit, 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.220 it happens as they go 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.839 house to house 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.500 to house to house 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.039 to house. 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.359 Elders are not 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.399 to hide up here, 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.639 they're to go 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.139 to the houses 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:46.079 of the most vulnerable, 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.180 the most needy 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.559 to serve 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.700 the scriptures. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.220 Especially when 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.740 the church 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.619 is on the verge 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:54.460 of split 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.759 because of prejudice 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:58.619 and potential racism. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.539 What does the church 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.759 need most in that moment? 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.680 For its leaders 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.839 to teach the gospel 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.500 that doesn't just 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.920 unite us to God 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.579 but unites us 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.460 to each other. 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.700 The answer 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.460 in this moment 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.519 is not to split 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.160 the church 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.740 into ethnic groups 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.400 but to preach 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.980 the gospel 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.720 that unites 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.420 every group. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.720 And in these moments 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.519 of tension 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.579 the church 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.019 needs its teachers 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.460 to teach. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.339 But actually 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.299 when it comes back around 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.759 see if you look 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.579 to verse 4 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:33.700 they kind of reinforce 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.400 this priority 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.059 in verse 4 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.759 and they add something 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.200 to it 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.900 where it says 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.720 and we will give 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.339 our attention 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.859 to prayer 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.900 and the ministry 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.319 of the word. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.759 An elder 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.119 who does word ministry 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.420 without giving 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.039 their attention 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.799 to prayer 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.619 is still 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.559 neglecting 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.519 word ministry. 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.799 To preach 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.779 without praying 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.960 is to neglect 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.539 preaching. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.779 It's like 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.139 trying to send 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:01.519 a letter 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.299 without a stamp 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.680 on it. 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.019 It might have 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.599 good content 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.180 but it's going 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.639 nowhere. 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.119 And just as 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.639 the power 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.319 of the preacher 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.079 is not in his 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.460 preaching 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.079 but in the word 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.539 of God 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.379 the power 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.019 of his preaching 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.680 is not so much 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.379 in his preaching 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:15.559 but in his praying. 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:18.539 above the desk 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.039 of my study 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.440 where I write 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:19.899 my sermons 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.659 I've got a whiteboard 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.679 that's just full of quotes 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.259 that I've picked up 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.599 from somewhere 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.139 I've no idea 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.980 where they're from 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.859 but there's one 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.559 right at the top 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.200 that every week 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.720 says 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.419 he who has 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.619 truly prayed 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:31.220 has completed 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.059 the half 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.899 of his study. 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:34.980 So elders 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:38.019 are you doing 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.779 that half 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.700 of your study? 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:42.340 Because my guess 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:42.700 is 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.680 prayer can be 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.600 often more 00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:45.220 overlooked 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.039 than widows 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.440 are. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.299 Living things 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.539 grow 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.000 but they will 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.640 only grow 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.259 if the elders 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.819 give attention 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.539 to prayer 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.460 and to the 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.860 ministry 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:55.279 of the word. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.019 Now 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.160 here's what 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.480 we're up to 00:20:59.480 --> 00:20:59.920 so far. 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.519 There's still 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.080 a problem 00:21:01.080 --> 00:21:02.180 but all we've 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.259 kind of got 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.980 is there's two 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.380 things that 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.039 wouldn't be right. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.240 It's not right 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.860 that the 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.779 widows 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.279 are overlooked 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.440 it's not right 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.279 that the elders 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.820 neglect preaching 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.640 and prayer. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.680 So where do we go? 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.840 Something needs 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.340 to happen. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.740 So look at verse 3 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.240 look at what the 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.960 apostles lead 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.900 them into. 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.420 Verse 3 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.620 Brothers and sisters 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.840 choose seven men 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:24.940 who are among you 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.420 who are known 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.380 to be full of the 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:27.180 spirit and wisdom 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:29.799 we will turn 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.740 responsibility 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.700 over to them. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.559 So here's a second 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.980 application to elders 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:36.180 third one in total 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:37.039 but second to elders. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.799 Elders 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.340 you must 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.859 turn responsibility 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.799 over to the 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.220 church. 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.119 Notice here 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:44.939 the answers to 00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.619 the church's 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.179 problems 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.639 is the whole 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.119 church. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.779 The apostles 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.819 can't do everything 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.359 in the church 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.279 but thankfully 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.879 the apostles 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.480 aren't the only 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.019 ones in the 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.459 church 00:21:54.459 --> 00:21:56.139 and word 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:56.639 ministry 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.379 is not the 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.279 only ministry 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.859 in the church. 00:21:58.959 --> 00:21:59.459 Look at verse 00:21:59.459 --> 00:22:00.599 the word ministry 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.759 comes up in verse 2 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.399 it would not be right 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.980 for us to neglect 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.079 the ministry of the 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.839 word and it also 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.939 comes up in verse 4 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.900 and we will give 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.600 our attention to 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.400 prayer and the 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.960 ministry of the 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.220 word. 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.680 However 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:13.240 verse 1 uses 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.059 the same word 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:16.400 and when it says 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.960 because their 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.480 widows were being 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.220 overlooked in the 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.240 daily distribution 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.840 of food 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.880 the same word 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:22.140 ministry is in 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.400 there. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.279 There's different 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.160 types of ministry 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.539 in the church 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.200 there are some 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.039 who do the 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.920 ministering of the 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.700 word and there 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.340 are some who do 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.220 the ministering of 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.720 food 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:33.220 but both are 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.200 vital ministries 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.600 both are ministries 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:37.140 areas of service 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:38.380 that serve the 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.259 church and serve 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.799 the Lord Jesus 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.200 Christ. 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.400 Again it is not 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.480 that one is more 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.220 important than the 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.380 other they are 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.960 both vital they're 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.100 just different. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.880 What is vital is 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.019 the elders turn 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.519 responsibility over. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.580 Come back to the 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.120 illustration of the 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.200 hospital what would 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.539 kill a hospital is 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.700 if a nurse also 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.539 tried to be a 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.740 chef a cleaner an 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.799 administrator and a 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.580 security guard. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:04.240 the thing falls to 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.539 pieces. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.199 What makes a 00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:07.519 hospital thrive when 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.359 every different 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:10.000 person plays their 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.179 distinctive roles. 00:23:12.199 --> 00:23:12.960 What kills a 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:15.439 church when it 00:23:15.439 --> 00:23:16.519 relies on just a few 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:18.339 people who are 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.839 trying to do 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.259 everything. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.899 What makes a 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:24.399 church thrive when 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.319 everyone is fulfilling 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.960 their distinctive 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.419 roles. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.480 And here's where I 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.019 need to make a 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.899 confession and repent 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.539 and go my name's 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.199 Andy and I'm an 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.580 irritating micromanaging 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.500 control freak. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.259 And I think it's a 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.000 temptation that a lot 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.680 of pastors and 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.420 elders fall into but I 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.440 will drive myself to 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.559 burnout and my church 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.319 to a burning car crash 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.559 if I try and keep my 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.039 finger in every pie and 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.039 control over every 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.080 detail like a nurse 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.519 trying to do 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.120 everything in a 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.460 hospital. 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.400 And often I need to 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.500 ask my church for 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.620 forgiveness for the 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.500 times when out of my 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.039 arrogance and anxiety 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.799 I've neglected my 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.680 main calling and I've 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.100 underemployed everyone 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:04.100 else's gifts in the 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.480 church. 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:08.580 And so as leaders our 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.480 instinct needs to be the 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.680 same as Acts 6 where we 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:14.060 get over ourselves and we 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:15.019 remember we're not the only 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.779 people in the church and we 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.660 do the same as what the 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.240 apostles do. 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.340 To solve the problem we 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:20.799 gather everyone, verse 2. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.980 To remedy the problem we 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.519 employ all of the members, 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.279 verse 3. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.019 And employing all the 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.420 members, verse 5, they 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:31.259 please everyone and to 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.060 meet the need they 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:33.740 empower specific members 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.620 to deal with a specific 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:37.300 issue in verse 6. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.440 Now that shows us when 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.080 these moments of 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:41.440 tension come up in this 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.980 church, the way to 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.380 preserve unity in the 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.560 face of complaints and 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:47.700 prejudice is to decide 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.259 to face the issue 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.580 together. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:54.420 Living things grow but 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.720 the church collectively 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.559 grows through the active 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.940 ministry of every single 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.900 person. 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:05.259 So, elders, keep 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.079 turning responsibility 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.500 over. 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.519 And here's my final 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.759 application, number 4, 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.480 that comes to everyone. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:16.940 Church, be known for 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.420 being full of the spirit, 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:22.120 of wisdom, and of faith. 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:25.519 Be known for being full 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.839 of wisdom, full of the 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:28.939 spirit, and full of faith. 00:25:29.979 --> 00:25:30.899 What happens in these 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.859 verses and acts is the 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.739 church becomes the 00:25:32.739 --> 00:25:33.579 answer to its own 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.199 problems. 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.359 Both in its leaders as 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.299 they give attention to 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.919 the word and prayer, and 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:40.679 as all its members begin 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.479 to fulfill their 00:25:41.479 --> 00:25:42.079 ministries. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.779 And that happens as the 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.919 church look out for, 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:47.339 choose, and present 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:49.379 seven blokes who are 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.099 known. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.959 For what? 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:55.559 Not a CV that impresses 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.139 in Jerusalem. 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:57.939 It's not what they're 00:25:57.939 --> 00:25:58.459 looking for. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:02.839 But for character that 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.899 impresses King Jesus. 00:26:05.459 --> 00:26:06.399 These men, verse 3, are 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.219 known for being full of 00:26:07.219 --> 00:26:07.599 the spirit. 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.659 That means that the 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:10.099 spirit is the driving 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.439 influence in their life. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.459 These men are being 00:26:13.459 --> 00:26:15.299 known for full of wisdom. 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.379 That means they take the 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.719 apostles' teaching and they 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:19.899 apply it to every aspect of 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.439 their life. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:22.880 They're known for being 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.580 full of faith. 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:25.360 That means that what their 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:27.000 lives are impacted by is 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:30.580 not the visible and the 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:33.080 temporary, but the 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.519 invisible and the eternal. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.640 And these guys stand out in 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.420 Jerusalem as being 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.440 different because of their 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.420 relationship to Jesus. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.720 These types of people would 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.340 stand out in Brunsfield 00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:45.460 because of their relationship 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.100 to God. 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:49.019 They're known for it. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.559 That's a challenge, isn't it? 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.400 What are you known for? 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.980 It's a reminder. 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.019 See if you look at one of the 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.279 names. 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.420 Just got time to look at one. 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.500 In verse 5 you get this guy 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.259 called Nicholas. 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.100 Notice how he's described. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.319 He's described as a convert. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.620 Now if you're new to 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.920 Brunsfield, new to church, 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.200 that's something you need to 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:11.039 get that you don't join a 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.460 church simply by coming. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:15.299 You join Jesus' church by 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.360 being converted. 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.840 His word gives you a new 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:20.079 life as you repent of your 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:22.180 sins, trust in Jesus and 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.480 trust that he forgives your 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:23.960 sins. 00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:25.460 This isn't a club. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.640 It is a hospital where 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:31.600 Jesus' crucifixion extracts 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:33.660 the fatal sin within you. 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.920 Where Jesus' righteousness 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:39.079 imputes his perfect record to 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.940 you and Jesus' resurrection 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.620 life implants eternal life 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.180 within you. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:48.299 And when you are converted by 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:51.080 him, there's a change in you. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:53.120 Like in Nicholas, he was a 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:53.539 convert. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.940 And that change is recognized, 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:59.420 it's known in the church. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:01.779 So much so that they spot it, 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:04.039 they empower it and they employ 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:07.000 it to overlook the church and 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.120 make sure that no one is 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.580 overlooked. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:11.139 That's a searching question. 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.279 What are you known for? 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:16.399 And has that changed since you 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.039 became a Christian? 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:18.619 Full of the spirit, full of 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.899 wisdom, full of faith. 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.379 There's a great story that Paul 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:25.539 tells, not a story, he writes to 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:27.799 the master of a former slave who 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.099 had bolted from this guy. 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.799 But the slave, when he bolted, 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:33.039 met Paul, probably in prison. 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.799 He gets saved and Paul writes back 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.379 to the master. 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.480 And what he says about him is 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.760 this. 00:28:37.760 --> 00:28:39.560 He was once useless to you. 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:43.080 But now he is useful both to you 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.540 and to me. 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.620 That's what Jesus does. 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:47.360 He saves us when we were useless. 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.440 But then what does he do? 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:52.060 He fills us with his spirit. 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.660 He teaches us his wisdom. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.840 He strengthens our faith so that we 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:59.000 become useful in Jesus' church. 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:02.160 And Brunsfield Evangelical will be 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:05.559 at its healthiest when all of its 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:07.599 members are flourishing in these 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.339 three things. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:11.460 My conversion from the old useless 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:14.200 me means that I'm now full of the 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:16.559 spirit, full of his wisdom, and full 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.059 of faith. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.259 You do not come to church as a 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.960 spectator. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.019 And that's the danger of the last 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.599 18 months. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.880 We've kind of got into that place, 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:26.019 particularly if we're still watching 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:28.259 from home, where we think, I come 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.200 here as a consumer. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.339 Not true. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.660 You don't come here as a consumer. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.500 You definitely don't come here as a 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.200 complainer. 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:39.539 You come here as a convert if you're 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.000 a Christian. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:43.160 A convert to serve, to care for the 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:45.599 needy, to strive for unity, and to 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:48.960 take the gospel to the ends of the 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.180 earth. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.680 Which means, if you're sat here and 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:52.200 you're a Christian this morning, it 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:54.920 needs to be your thing when you come 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.379 to church to go, I'm going to make 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.420 sure no one's overlooked. 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.680 I'm going to make sure the needy are 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.140 cared for. 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.240 I'm going to make sure no one is 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.799 starving. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.440 I'm going to make sure if Shanks is 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.920 doing something that he shouldn't be 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:07.279 doing because he's an elder, so he 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:09.359 should just be doing the word and 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.859 prayer, and he's doing stuff that I 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:12.819 could do to take off him, then I'm 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.759 going to take it off him. 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.839 Because it is only as the elders are 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:20.599 fixated on their thing, and all of us 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:23.059 are doing our thing, that the word of 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:26.079 God is going to take off in this 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.480 place. 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.779 And by the way, don't then take that 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:32.019 as an excuse to go, fine, they get to 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.419 preach and teach, and I don't have to 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:34.740 do any of that evangelism thing. 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.480 Nonsense. 00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:38.460 One of the guys who's chosen as a deacon 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.159 in these verses is a guy called Stephen, 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.139 and you're going, fine, Stephen, what's he 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.539 going to do? 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.919 He's going to wait on tables. 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.960 Look at what he's going to do next 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.319 week. 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:49.259 The rest of Acts chapter 6, the Holy 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:51.720 Acts chapter 7, he preaches one of the 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.939 best sermons you'll ever hear and gets 00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:54.799 murdered for it. 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:56.220 And you're going, Stephen, you've just 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.759 been set apart to wait on tables. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.740 You're stealing the elder's job. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.240 Nah. 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:03.119 Just because something is their priority 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:05.259 doesn't mean it's also something that we 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.480 get to be involved with. 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.700 We're to go and do ministry. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:12.299 We're to go and be the church. 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:15.379 Because when a church is faced with a 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:17.740 threat to its unity, we need to see here 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.680 the answer is found within the own 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.240 church. 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.620 And look back to verse 7 as we finish, 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:25.860 because look what it unleashes. 00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:28.720 When every member is doing his ministry, 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:30.240 every member is provided for, when none 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:32.000 are needy, none are overlooked, when the 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.260 elders are giving their attention to the 00:31:33.260 --> 00:31:34.800 word of God, look what happens, verse 7. 00:31:35.320 --> 00:31:38.680 So, the word of God spread. 00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:43.120 The number of disciples increased rapidly. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:47.879 And a large number of priests became 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.879 obedient to the faith. 00:31:50.719 --> 00:31:52.339 They were groaning at the start. 00:31:53.739 --> 00:31:56.319 But all of a sudden, they're growing again. 00:31:57.479 --> 00:31:59.479 It looked like at the start of Acts chapter 6, 00:31:59.739 --> 00:32:01.699 he was a hurdle for the gospel. 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:04.959 But by the Spirit, he takes what is a hurdle 00:32:04.959 --> 00:32:07.279 and he makes it a stepping stone for the gospel. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:12.099 Now, I'm not a mathematician, but apparently 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:14.940 there would have been about 10,000 priests in 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.879 Jerusalem at this time. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:19.200 And Luke says that a large number of the 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:21.519 priests became obedient to the faith. 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:24.139 What do you reckon a large number of 10,000 is? 00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:28.039 A couple of thousand? 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.440 4,000? 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.019 5,000? 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:33.200 Now, here's the challenge then. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.240 They were growing and there was problems. 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.980 What's now happened even more? 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.559 More growth. 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:41.299 What's going to come at them? 00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:42.980 More problems. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.700 People will be overlooked. 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:47.900 The elders will be tempted to give away their 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:49.960 attention to the word and to try and solve all the 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.299 problems. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:53.000 And so the whole thing in this beautiful 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:57.380 livingness kicks off all over again. 00:32:57.380 --> 00:33:00.560 Which means that there will never be a moment in 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:02.100 our church where we don't need to get these 00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:02.660 things right. 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.280 Right. 00:33:04.060 --> 00:33:05.420 No one should be overlooked. 00:33:05.760 --> 00:33:08.020 The elders must not neglect the ministry of the word 00:33:08.020 --> 00:33:08.440 and prayer. 00:33:08.820 --> 00:33:11.600 Therefore, elders must turn responsibility over. 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:15.760 And church, you must continue to be known for being 00:33:15.760 --> 00:33:19.160 full of wisdom, full of the Spirit, and full of faith. 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:22.020 Because here's what you can guarantee. 00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:25.760 That kind of life grows. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:30.400 And whatever challenge hits us next, more COVID stuff, 00:33:30.520 --> 00:33:32.680 more lockdown, more tension in the church, 00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:35.580 the Spirit can take through the word of God, 00:33:36.300 --> 00:33:38.140 even the worst hurdle for the gospel, 00:33:39.040 --> 00:33:41.660 and make it into a stepping stone for more growth. 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:43.360 Shall we pray? 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:47.800 Our gracious Father in heaven, 00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:53.340 we thank you that when we were dead in our sins, 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:58.919 you graciously gave us life in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:01.500 Thank you for the reminder this morning that that is not 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:05.539 just a life on our own, but a life within the living church 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.279 of the living Lord Jesus. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.000 And I pray for this congregation. 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.619 I pray for my little church up the road. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:15.099 That we would be members known for full of wisdom, 00:34:15.259 --> 00:34:17.619 full of faith, and full of the Spirit. 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:22.079 And that together we would navigate the challenges of the world, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.380 the flesh, and the devil. 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:27.380 And that you would work all things for your glory, 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:30.699 for our good, and for the growth of the gospel 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.920 in this city and beyond. 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.699 And we pray these things for Christ's sake. 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:34.960 Amen. 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.139 Amen. 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:35.179 Amen. 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.239 Amen. 00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:35.299 Amen. 00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:37.239 Amen. 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:39.239 Amen. 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:39.299 Amen. 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:41.239 Amen. 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.239 Amen. 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:44.239 Amen. 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.299 Amen. 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.239 Amen. 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:45.299 Amen. 00:34:45.299 --> 00:34:46.239 Amen. 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:47.179 Amen.