WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.940 Acts chapter 6. 00:00:03.660 --> 00:00:07.679 And it's on page 914 in the Church Bibles. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:10.620 ! 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:12.620 What is the greatest risk to the Church in the Church? 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:13.620 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.539 A radical LGBT plus agenda. 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:37.579 Authoritarian government. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:39.019 Take your pick. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:50.079 However, in Acts chapter 6, the threat, I would want to argue, is far more subtle to the Church, but just as dangerous. 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:54.659 In Acts 4 and 5, do you remember that? We were in it in November. 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:57.140 There is opposition to the spread of the Gospel. 00:00:57.320 --> 00:00:58.659 More and more people are becoming Christians. 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:01.279 More and more people are being added to the Church. 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:09.039 At the start of chapter 5, you see the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:16.620 They are insiders, well-respected members, and yet are found to be hypocrites. 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:21.900 Chapter 5, verse 41, you've got this remarkable verse, haven't you? 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:27.459 That the disciples, Peter and John, they left the presence of the Council, 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:33.659 rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name of Jesus. 00:01:35.119 --> 00:01:38.219 These men had just received a beating from the Judaizers. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:41.219 They'd been warned not to speak any more about Jesus, 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:43.839 but they rejoiced in it. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:44.319 They were glad. 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:51.219 And so, can you see, in the early chapters of Acts, we have enemies within and enemies without. 00:01:52.679 --> 00:01:56.979 And of course, behind these attacks are the malevolent influence of the devil. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:01.000 He attacks from every angle, doesn't he? 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:08.140 And having failed to destroy the Church from the outside, from pressure and hypocrisy, 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:12.080 he goes for his most subtle attack of all in Acts chapter 6. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:18.560 That of distraction and diversion from the real priorities of the good news of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:21.259 Our section is pretty obvious. 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:24.159 So, verse 1 is the presenting problem. 00:02:25.420 --> 00:02:27.800 And then verses 2 to 6 are the resolution to the problem. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:31.360 And then in verse 6, we get the results. 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:34.819 So, let's look at the presenting problem. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:38.780 The chapter begins, doesn't it, chapter 6, verse 1 of Acts, with a growing church. 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:41.340 A growing church. 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:48.280 And we need to realise that with any growing church, there are problems that come hand in hand in that. 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:53.199 And here, it is murmuring and grumbling. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:55.000 So, chapter 6, verse 1. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:03:01.520 In those days, when the disciples were increasingly in number, a complaint by the hellness. 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:04.480 A better translation of that is grumbling. 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:08.439 The word is literally kind of grumbling and murmuring. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.960 What noise does your stomach make when it's grumbling? 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:14.419 What noise does it make? 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:17.340 It makes that noise, doesn't it? 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.240 That is the sense of the word. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:21.879 Literally, the sound of the word. 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:29.800 Here, there is grumbling by the Hellenists, the Greeks, against the Hebrews. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:38.560 And both of those things, this grumbling and murmuring, are because the church has grown. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:42.280 Can you see, it's a problem of a living church. 00:03:43.880 --> 00:03:47.280 In this church, in Acts chapter 6, there are people of all sorts of backgrounds. 00:03:48.480 --> 00:03:51.780 There are Hellenists, and there are Hebrews, Greeks, and Jews. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.120 There are widows and families. 00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:56.900 There are rich people and poor people. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:59.760 There are insiders and outsiders. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:01.900 There are old-timers and newcomers. 00:04:03.040 --> 00:04:09.900 And every real living church knows that when you get a cross-section of people, there will be friction. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:18.720 The eternal reality of every living church is that we are one in Christ Jesus. 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:28.300 We are one in Christ Jesus, and we have to keep putting off the old self and putting on the new self in Christ, reminding ourselves of that. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:39.200 And when we see murmuring and grumbling about the ministry in the church, it is a sure sign that actually we're not focusing on the true reality of eternity. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:42.020 We're not focusing on who we are in Christ. 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:47.599 We're focusing too much on the passing earthly realities of this world. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:59.960 And so instead of thankfulness that other people are being added to the church and being brought into Christ, there is, verse 1, grumbling that our needs aren't being met. 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:08.900 Every single one of us is a grumbler by nature. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:14.259 That is certainly the natural drift of my heart. 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:21.739 Interestingly, in verse 1, we're not told whether this neglect of widows was real or not. 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:25.439 Or whether it was just a perception. 00:05:27.239 --> 00:05:29.939 It seems safe to assume that there was some kind of oversight. 00:05:30.299 --> 00:05:33.279 Some people were missing out, particularly these Greek widows. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:42.919 There were many Jewish widows, many women who had lost their husbands in the kind of scattering of the diaspora. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:48.839 And some had come back to Jerusalem to live out their days there. 00:05:50.099 --> 00:05:54.659 And wonderfully, many of those widows had come to faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:05:55.559 --> 00:05:56.919 They'd been added to the church. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:57.939 They'd believed the gospel. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:04.199 However, this church had to suddenly deal with an influx of newcomers and outsiders. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:14.079 And you can well imagine a situation when there's great growth in a church that things get hard to manage and change is difficult. 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:19.480 And church growth is never a tidy thing. 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:26.459 There are times out there, we've experienced that, times when the Lord has wonderfully answered our prayer for growth. 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:32.160 But that same growth brings challenges, difficulties, tension, even conflict. 00:06:34.279 --> 00:06:37.699 And as churches grow, it is very, very easy to feel left out. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.740 And so here they begin to grumble. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:47.879 And probably here in Act 6, there is a genuine reason for the neglect. 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:52.980 But it's very important for you and I to notice what Luke is telling us. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:56.779 That they were wrong to grumble or murmur. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:01.860 That's clearly implied by the language that Luke uses. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:05.699 The words that he uses in the Greek, murmuring, grumbling, complaining. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:08.079 That is always a negative thing in the Bible. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:13.360 So Luke, in the language that he's using, is describing this situation. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:16.240 And he's alluding to what happened in the Old Testament. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:19.600 He's wanting you and I to make that connection. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:22.159 Think back to the people of God in the wilderness. 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:23.500 They'd come out of Egypt. 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:25.920 They were God's people. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:27.340 But now they're in the wilderness. 00:07:27.960 --> 00:07:31.820 What characterized God's people when they were 40 years in the wilderness? 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:32.320 Do you remember? 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:37.580 What was it that was the great mark of that generation? 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:38.960 They were grumblers. 00:07:39.140 --> 00:07:39.600 They murmured. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:43.720 They complained against Moses. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:47.140 But ultimately they complained against the Lord. 00:07:48.760 --> 00:07:53.340 And in Exodus chapter 16 and 17 you see this incredible contrast to Exodus 15. 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:56.200 Exodus 15, they've come out of Egypt. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.939 They're singing songs of victory. 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:59.740 They couldn't be more delighted. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:10.400 But in the very next chapter, Acts 16, verse 2, the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:14.240 God gives them, doesn't he, miraculously manna. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:18.980 Every morning they got up and they were given this kind of honeycomb to eat. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:21.680 And then they grumble against that. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:23.139 And God gives them quail. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:25.319 He gives them what they need. 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:27.480 But remarkably they go on grumbling. 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:32.940 And the Lord says in Numbers 14, how long shall I bother? 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:37.139 How long will this wicked congregation grumble against me? 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:42.560 I've heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.259 The end of the story is this, isn't it? 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:49.200 That the Lord judges that generation. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:51.539 That generation is cast off. 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:55.300 And in Acts 6, it's the same word that's used. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:03.980 We may very well think that grumbling is an insignificant thing. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.899 It's no big deal. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:11.279 But it is a big deal in the Lord's eyes. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:17.960 And this grumbling, resenting, murmuring in church is actually a grumbling against God himself. 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:20.900 And it's incredibly dangerous. 00:09:22.560 --> 00:09:25.740 All you need to do is go home and read the books of Exodus and Numbers. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.420 And you'll see that their focus was on the world's thinking and this world's priorities. 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:31.160 And so they grumbled. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.019 In Acts 6, what's the issue over? 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.180 It's over food and drink, isn't it? 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:41.519 But in church life, it can be a whole host of issues, can't it? 00:09:42.339 --> 00:09:43.419 That we grumble over. 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:51.679 The focus of the grumblers is not on the eternal kingdom of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:57.019 However legitimate the issue may be, and it seems to be legitimate in Acts 6, 00:09:57.099 --> 00:10:03.419 grumbling and resentment is a sign that our eyes, biblically speaking, are on Egypt and not on the promised land. 00:10:05.859 --> 00:10:10.459 To use the words of Philippians 3, where Paul speaks so boldly to them, 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:14.819 your God is your belly, not the God who gave you citizenship in heaven. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:19.180 And it wasn't because they were all fatties in Philippi, when he says your God is your belly. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:22.879 He's saying your focus is here now. 00:10:25.260 --> 00:10:31.020 That's why the New Testament is really clear and commands us not to be grumblers like they were in the Old Testament. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:39.880 So 1 Corinthians 10, Paul says to the Corinthians, don't grumble and be destroyed as they were by the destroyer. 00:10:41.260 --> 00:10:43.700 It's a tough, isn't it, and an unpleasant message. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:49.960 Paul says these things happened, they happened as warnings, they were written down for your instruction and mine. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:11:01.280 Philippians chapter 2, he commands again, do all things without grumbling or resentful murmuring. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:06.940 Paul, can you put the bins out? 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.640 Can you do the food bin? 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:16.039 It's nearly impossible, isn't it, not to grumble and moan at that point, I find. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:19.019 Who's left the... 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:19.299 Yeah. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:23.399 But it's a challenge, isn't it? 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:28.000 Do all things without grumbling or resentful murmuring. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.980 Children, do you hear that? 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:37.300 Do all things without grumbling or murmuring. 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.779 That's a great word from the Lord for me. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:44.039 In Acts 6, there were real issues to be addressed. 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:48.180 But the way to resolve those issues, can you understand this? 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:51.419 The way to resolve those issues is never resentful murmuring. 00:11:56.939 --> 00:12:01.059 It's often the case that grumbling arises from misunderstanding. 00:12:02.959 --> 00:12:04.899 And my guess is that is the case here. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:14.539 I think many problems in church life arise from misunderstanding. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:23.279 But misunderstanding often occurs because you and I are very ready to misunderstand. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:28.639 I found it really surprising. 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:35.120 I don't think I had any idea how people, including myself, misunderstand things. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:45.319 And the truth is, we often misunderstand because deep down in our hearts, there's a spirit of self-focus. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.620 The easy spirit of discontent. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.240 I find that in my own heart. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:13:01.459 And if you're anything like me, you tend to easily put a negative construction on things first, not a positive. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:08.019 And we can easily assume the worst, can't we? 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:15.720 And not the best because the drift of our hearts is towards uncharity rather than charity. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:21.399 Paul, again, in 1 Corinthians 13, says, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:23.340 Love is kind. 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.399 Not resentful. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.000 It doesn't murmur. 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:33.740 And I have to pray about many of you. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:36.639 Help me to think well of you. 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:38.559 And you have to pray that too. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:43.439 Lord, help me to think well of that brother or sister. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:49.480 As I read Acts 6, I find myself often reacting like these widows, grumbling, murmuring. 00:13:49.760 --> 00:13:52.620 I can easily assume there was a simple oversight. 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:56.920 And I think, no, no, it's deliberate, studied, neglect. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:58.720 Intentional. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.580 And here in Acts, there's an oversight. 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:04.600 Probably because of the wonderful growth of the church. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:07.600 The apostles could barely cope with the growing situation. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:12.540 But the natural assumption of people is, we're being neglected. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.420 I'm being left out. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.159 They don't care about me. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.519 I'm not in. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.679 And so we feel we're on the outside. 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:28.360 And that spirit is really common in church life, isn't it? 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:36.860 And it's easy for you and I to fall into this, no one cares about me attitude. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:40.460 Nobody thinks I'm important. 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:42.480 Resentment builds. 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:44.980 Bitterness begins to grow. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:48.700 And it's exactly at that point that the devil gets a foothold. 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:53.500 And Satan is right in there, stirring up murmuring and resentment. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.220 And so people get together. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:59.659 And instead of sharing encouragement about the gospel and each other, 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:05.779 rejoicing in people being converted and finding salvation, 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:10.500 of the church growing, they speak of the problems and the perceived slight 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:13.480 or the things that really ought to be done better in the church. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:21.379 And even things that are good can have faults in our eyes, can't they? 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.600 And pretty soon, everything is disastrous. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:30.579 We have this exact warning in Hebrews 12, 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:33.419 see to it that no one fails to attain the grace of God, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:38.679 that no root of bitterness springs up and causes us trouble, 00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:39.899 that we might become defiled. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.759 It's precisely what the devil is trying to do in Act 6, 00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:46.279 to stir up resentment and murmuring, 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:49.059 to work with the natural drift of our hearts. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:54.759 And it's a tactic that the devil has used very effectively in the church in the UK. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:16:00.759 And he will do it in a growing and lively church. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:04.220 In every church where God is at work, the devil will be trying to do this. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:07.740 So secondly, let's see the resolution of the problem. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.840 The resolution of the problem, the response of the gospel, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.100 the apostles in verses 2 to 6, 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:18.500 is they resolutely set the priorities of church's ministry. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:22.200 They manage it. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.220 We can say that. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.419 And I think that's a surprise. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:29.000 In Acts chapter 6, it's not a super spiritual response. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:35.220 They recognize that behind this practical issue is a spiritual issue. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:41.179 And the very first thing that the apostles do in seeking to resolve this 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:44.399 is they put the gospel of Jesus Christ right at the center. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.519 Right at the center of the church's life. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:51.399 And when they've done that, they put the gospel at the center, 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:53.720 then they work out the practicalities that come from it. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:17:00.000 So notice there's no knee-jerk reaction to the practical issue. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:04.480 How they don't rush to pander to the complainers. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.539 It's very tempting to do that. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:09.359 The temptation, I find, is to want to go to those people, 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.779 massage their egos, make them feel a little bit special. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:16.799 And the result is they calm down, things are smoothed over. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.500 And there's peace again. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:23.099 The big problem with that approach is this. 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:28.579 It reinforces that the way to get attention in church is by murmuring and complaining. 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:33.379 On a completely side note, nothing to do with act sex. 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:33.839 All right. 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:37.859 When little children are crying in church, isn't it? 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.740 We need to put up with that. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:44.079 Because if the first response of parents is just to rush out with them, 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.019 what does the child learn? 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:48.519 If I cry my eyes out, I get taken out of the service. 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:48.939 All right. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:51.480 So let's be patient with mums and dads. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:53.759 So crying, murmuring, grumbling. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:56.400 We don't want that the way to get attention. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.059 Now that is nothing to do with act sex. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:58.500 All right. 00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:00.980 But it's a very, very helpful sideline. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.460 All right. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:07.140 And so it would be very easy for the apostles to drop everything, 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.920 to devote themselves to temporal needs to the widows, 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:11.620 drop the teaching of the word and prayer, 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.440 and go into a PR frenzy. 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:16.620 Their popularity would have soared. 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:21.620 And they would have flung themselves into this issue of the widows. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:26.919 But actually they resolve to keep the gospel of the Lord Jesus 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:31.079 and the word of God and prayer firmly at the center of church's life. 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.359 Look at verse 2. 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:37.239 The twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 00:18:37.419 --> 00:18:42.819 it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:47.099 On first reading, that might not sound like a rebuke, 00:18:47.179 --> 00:18:48.479 but the clear implication is this, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:52.680 that the grumbling was about what they think the apostles should be doing. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.980 The grumbling is against the apostles and their priority. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.099 These people, all they do is preach and pray. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.400 And the apostles are adamant that the ministry of tables 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:07.120 is not a priority for them over the ministry of the word. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:12.079 They refuse to be that diverted from the ministry of the word and prayer. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.779 However, we need to notice, don't we, 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.920 that they didn't say that the ministry is important. 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.220 And we're just going to stick with that. 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.920 That's all we're going to do. 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.820 They didn't say, we're not going to address this problem. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.779 We'll just preach and pray. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.820 That's all I do. 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:32.400 We won't reorder the church and change the church. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:35.539 We're not going to get involved in the reforming and managing of the church. 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.820 All we'll do is preaching and praying. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:37.519 They didn't say that. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.820 And so it is possible, isn't it, 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:43.340 to have the gospel where it is preached and taught, 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:47.000 but the principles of the gospel don't work themselves into church life. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:52.500 I think it's one of the real sadnesses of the last 70 years 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:56.319 that there's often been churches where the gospel has been preached, 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:59.639 where there's been a faithful preaching ministry, 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.539 the word has been taught, 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:03.559 but it hasn't actually changed the church. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:07.720 And the congregations have been really happy to have 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:10.679 a kind of evangelical gospel preaching man in the pulpit, 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:14.500 but they haven't allowed that to change the structures of the church. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:18.679 And so it's why, in times of crisis, 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.579 or when there's a time to call a new minister, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:24.099 the gospel that's been preached for 20 or 30 years 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:26.839 is actually denied by the decisions that are made. 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:31.879 Some of you will know that the Church of Scotland 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:35.179 had many, many faithful men preaching the gospel, 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.399 but they didn't change their churches. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.299 And so when it came to making a stand, 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.839 the churches weren't equipped to do it. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.819 And we see it in the Church of England, don't we? 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:50.500 Churches being really happy to have good preachers, 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.480 faithful preachers, 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:55.579 but that same gospel has not been applied 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.759 into their structures and into church life. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:02.079 Into the nitty gritty of how we relate to one another. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:07.059 It's not driven the priorities into the church. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:10.299 And so when it comes at a point to stand 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.900 and do something and take action, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:14.700 well, nothing happens. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:20.880 Driving the priorities of God's word 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:23.640 into a congregation's life is hard and difficult. 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:27.440 There's a real difference between 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.740 a gospel-preaching pulpit 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:31.400 and a gospel-preaching church. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:36.560 And that distinction is eradicated 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:39.760 only by the hard work of applying the gospel 00:21:39.760 --> 00:21:41.820 into the life of a church family. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.960 And so as a church grows and develops, 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:51.340 that inevitably means change has to happen. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:55.120 And a refusal to make those changes 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:56.740 will just resist in blockage 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:59.880 and increasingly will become a focus 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.700 for division and complaint. 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:05.079 And what the apostles are doing here 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:07.380 is they are driving the principles of the gospel 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:09.319 firmly into the church's life. 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.900 They're saying and they're showing 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:13.259 that eternal issues, 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.600 eternal issues 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:18.680 must drive us as a church family. 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.540 Not the temporal ones. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.400 It's not right 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:24.660 to have it the other way around. 00:22:25.820 --> 00:22:27.060 They're saying we will not give up 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:27.800 gospel proclamation 00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:29.340 to focus on another kind of ministry. 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:32.299 The principle is 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.699 that the gospel must drive 00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:34.939 the ministry of the church. 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.179 And it will dictate 00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:39.059 how the church is run and managed. 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.199 And so verse 3, 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.039 pick out from among you 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.039 seven good men of good repute, 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.959 full of the spirit and of wisdom, 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.659 and we'll appoint them to this duty. 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.539 They're spiritual men. 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:54.659 And their chief focus above everything else 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.259 was the gospel, 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.899 even in the ministry of tables. 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.640 That's the kind of person 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:01.200 who is needed 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.340 for practical ministry 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:04.019 in the church. 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.780 It's not two spheres. 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.640 One is spiritual, 00:23:07.780 --> 00:23:09.360 one is practical. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.980 Practical ministry 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:14.180 is always profoundly spiritual. 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.560 It is implication, isn't it, 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.540 for our church deacons. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:19.040 Here is the seed of church deacons. 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:20.720 You're not just looking for people 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:22.140 who are good up a ladder 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:24.180 or are good practically. 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.019 You're looking for 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.000 spiritual people 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.079 whom the Lord has equipped 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.079 with gifts 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.099 that can help others. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.519 It's interesting to note 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.680 that all the names appointed 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.660 are Greek names. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.920 Which would have certainly helped, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.220 wouldn't it, 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.700 when they were dealing 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.339 with the hellness. 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:45.059 None of these things 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.700 would have been easy 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.220 to implement. 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.680 But it is part of 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.940 the ministry of the word 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.240 to apply these things 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.839 into the structures 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.619 and life of the church. 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:55.259 We are not told 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.879 how long these decisions 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.839 took to come about 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.559 in Act 6. 00:23:59.979 --> 00:24:00.939 And we're only given 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.699 a few verses. 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.439 But I don't think 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:03.919 that means it was 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.659 a short process. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.739 Managing change 00:24:07.739 --> 00:24:08.699 in church life 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:10.639 comes only with 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.359 much discussion, 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.279 disagreement, 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.099 prayer, 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.739 frustration, 00:24:14.739 --> 00:24:15.399 even tearing 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:16.279 what little hair 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.819 you have left out. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:21.059 You often say 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.319 about many of these issues, 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.559 we do not know. 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.859 We don't know 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.279 what to do. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.119 But that's realistic, 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.419 isn't it? 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.019 That's what church life 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.419 is like. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.799 The apostles had to give 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.659 time and attention 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.799 to the problem of order. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.299 That they would establish 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.200 a right pattern 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.159 of ministry permanently. 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.619 It's why it's right 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.679 in elders meeting 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:42.659 that we give attention 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.460 to the oversight 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.059 of the church 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:44.599 in looking at 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.539 the various ministries, 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.679 managing change 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.320 in the congregation, 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.680 discussing different 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.660 ways of working, 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.779 putting the priority 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.279 of word and prayer 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.820 at the centre 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.500 of church life. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.580 And your elders 00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:57.400 have to do that 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:59.080 because gospel principles 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.880 drive gospel priorities. 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.860 It's been stated, 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.240 isn't it, 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.799 often by preachers, 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.720 keeping the main thing 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.940 the main thing. 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:12.120 The main thing 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.880 of the gospel 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:14.140 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.580 And that takes hard work 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.460 as well as preaching 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.919 and prayer. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.899 It is the calling 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.519 of elders 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:23.759 to grasp 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.059 difficult nettles 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.939 in church life. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.799 It is the calling 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.339 of elders 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.960 to make difficult 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.519 decisions 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.419 which will not 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:32.379 always be popular. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.799 So that the priority 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.699 of the gospel 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:38.500 is driven into 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.599 the nooks and crannies 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.279 of church life. 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:42.019 Thirdly and finally, 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.599 the results. 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:45.559 the problem, 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.639 the resolution, 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.359 the results. 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.599 Verse 7 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.519 gives us the results. 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.279 The word of God 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.219 continued to increase, 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.379 grow, 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.719 and the number 00:25:55.719 --> 00:25:56.699 of disciples 00:25:56.699 --> 00:25:58.159 multiplied greatly. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.159 Other parts of Acts 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:02.679 were added 00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:03.259 to the church, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.919 but here it is 00:26:03.919 --> 00:26:04.699 multiplied greatly. 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.819 And a great many 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.719 of the priests, 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.859 the very people, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.299 who had been opposing 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.720 the gospel 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.079 in the early 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.700 part of Acts, 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.539 became obedient 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.099 to the faith. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.059 It's one of the 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.279 key phrases in Acts. 00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.839 The word of God 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.279 spread, 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:19.839 chapter 1, 00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.319 verse 7, 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:20.919 chapter 12, 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.779 24, 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.579 13, 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.099 49, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.639 19, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.079 20. 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.059 The word of God 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.579 spread. 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:28.480 And we can see 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.240 in Acts chapter 6 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.799 that knowledge 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.819 and understanding 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.359 of the gospel 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.720 grows inside the church 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.759 and outside. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.180 The influence 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.980 and the rule 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.759 of King Jesus 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.279 expands. 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.019 The two are 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.539 linked together. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.799 As knowledge 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.539 and understanding 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.220 become deeper 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.639 in the life 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.039 of the church, 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.180 therefore the church 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.180 affects the world 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.940 more and more. 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.759 And the result 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.299 in Acts 6 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.279 is multiplying 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.920 greatly. 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.839 It's an extraordinary 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.259 thing 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:01.460 that these priests 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.920 who had been 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:03.200 so adamantly 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.339 against the gospel 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.980 are being added 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.500 to the faith. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.359 They bowed 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.940 the knee to King 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.220 Jesus. 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.600 And that happened 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.660 because more 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.400 and more 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.759 the church 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.700 became obedient 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.259 to the faith 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.820 themselves 00:27:14.820 --> 00:27:16.600 and more obedient 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.240 to the Lord Jesus 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.880 and his promises. 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.799 They became 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.259 more obedient 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.380 to his priorities 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.220 and not their own. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.480 To their heavenly 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.059 citizenship, 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.299 to their heavenly 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:26.680 calling, 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.940 they sought first 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.779 the kingdom of God. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:28.879 God. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.039 How do we 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.339 resist the devil 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:36.920 seeking to destroy 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.379 us 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:39.200 through 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.099 dissension 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.539 and distraction, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.759 through murmuring 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.359 and grumbling? 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.720 We put the gospel 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.359 of the Lord Jesus 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:47.759 Christ, 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:50.399 the eternal gospel, 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.839 resolutely 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.519 at the center 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.299 of church life 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:56.079 and the priority 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.859 in the church's mission. 00:27:56.859 --> 00:28:00.339 And so whether 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.439 we are ministering 00:28:01.439 --> 00:28:02.039 God's word 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.859 or whether we are 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.759 serving at tables 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.079 side by side 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.719 contending 00:28:05.719 --> 00:28:06.559 for the faith, 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.719 surely that is 00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:10.659 one of the purposes 00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.619 of the Lord's Supper, 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.039 isn't it? 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.979 And that the Lord's Supper 00:28:14.979 --> 00:28:16.099 reminds us 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.359 to keep the main thing 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.399 the main thing. 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:20.399 That what are we 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:20.899 to proclaim? 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.699 We proclaim 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:23.019 Christ's death 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:25.159 until he comes. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:28.240 And when we do that, 00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:29.440 when a church does that, 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.460 his presence 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.580 will overshadow 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.259 everything 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.940 that is done. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.840 And his grace 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.620 and his power 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.200 will be seen 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.320 and he will add. 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:39.860 Ordinarily, 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:40.540 the church 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:41.519 of Jesus Christ 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.960 grows. 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.540 He will add, 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.460 he will even 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.620 maybe multiply 00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.160 the number 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.660 of disciples. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.759 Because Jesus Christ 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:51.960 says, 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:52.580 I will build 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.060 my church. 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:55.700 and the gates 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.259 of hell 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.700 will never 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.119 be able 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.539 to prevail 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.399 against the church 00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:01.000 that has 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.480 the gospel 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.259 of Jesus Christ 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.899 as its ultimate 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:03.359 priority. 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.700 May that be so 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:07.399 for IPC Ealing. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.119 Let's pray together. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.559 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:38.539 Thank you.