WEBVTT 00:00:00.860 --> 00:00:04.379 Why don't we pray and ask the Lord's blessing as we enter into his word. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:13.640 Father, we thank you for yet another Sunday where we can gather as your people and consider the words of your Holy Scripture. 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:18.280 Lord, by your Holy Spirit, we ask that you would minister to us this morning, 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:24.260 that you'd open our eyes to truth that we have either grown cold to or maybe have never considered. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:31.360 And Lord, we pray that we will be not just hearers of the word, but forever, forever, Lord, we will be doers of the word. 00:00:31.900 --> 00:00:34.660 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:45.760 If any of you have watched, it was a couple of years now, The Last Dance on Netflix, it's a great documentary. 00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:51.200 The language is not great. A bunch of basketball players, and they're not holding back. 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:55.920 But it's about the last championship run of the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:04.700 If you've seen it, you'll remember that what ended that dynasty had more to do with internal politics, 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:13.700 the struggle in the locker room with management, than it did with the 20-odd teams that also played in the NBA that season. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:21.079 In a big way, the Chicago Bulls, they were unbeatable that season. 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:21.879 They were excellent. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:25.600 But the team suffered from internal strife. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:32.140 Management sparred with players, coaches, with management. 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:38.939 And eventually, the team, before the start of the season, it was broadcast that this would be the last run. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:53.039 It's a great life lesson for us, in general, when we consider the importance of unity, conflict resolution, 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:57.400 and team over self, in general, in life. 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:05.840 That oftentimes, when we fail, a good amount of the time, it's because of own goals. 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:10.340 Things are going, by and large, okay. 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:12.420 We trip ourselves up. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:22.259 I bring this up this morning because we enter into Acts chapter 6, where the church will face yet another conflict. 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:30.580 Not round three with the Sanhedrin, but the third conflict that they will face will be from within. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:35.800 I mean, thus far, there's been a highlight reel of the church. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:40.380 Boldness of the apostles in front of the Sanhedrin twice. 00:02:40.920 --> 00:02:41.860 Incredible boldness. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:47.520 Times of wonderful prayer of the Holy Spirit visiting the church. 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:53.680 Opposition, and yet the spread of the gospel continues to go forth. 00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:05.040 New converts, new converts, thousands of people, many men, women, and children, confessing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:07.340 Jerusalem has been turned upside down. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:17.180 The ministry of the word that is preached and taught by the apostles from the scriptures, it has proven extremely fruitful. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:28.460 However, an issue has arisen from within that had the potential to do what the Sanhedrin couldn't. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:35.620 Really, to trip up and, I don't want to say destroy the church, but certainly, certainly splinter it. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:55.920 You may remember that the ministry of the word, it has been front and center thus far in Acts, but only a few, in fact, only two specific references to the ministry of mercy that has happened in the church. 00:03:56.340 --> 00:04:04.620 There's been just summary statements that talk about how nobody was in want or people sold everything they had and distributed among the poor. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:10.159 So there's two different ministries at work within the early church. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:19.660 Both the ministry of the word and the ministry of mercy or the ministry of charity were key to the obedient faith life of God's people. 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:21.819 And why wouldn't it? 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:27.840 The church is to pray, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:31.740 And in heaven, there is no want. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:35.780 In heaven, there is no hunger. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:38.340 There is no rich or poor. 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:42.439 There is no elite and lowly. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:48.660 And the community of God's people are to reflect that reality. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:05:01.300 The new community that is marked by the death, resurrection, ascension of Christ was to be a community of mercy and equality. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:05.540 No one was supposed to be overlooked. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.560 There would be no wants. 00:05:07.340 --> 00:05:13.259 And yet, and yet, an issue arose because a group of widows were overlooked. 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:16.819 So what would happen? 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:27.900 This internal problem had the potential to do great damage because it threatened to create factions and power struggles and tribalism within the church. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:44.079 So unity would be broken and there would be little pods or groups of people that would have conflicting interests that weren't looking to bless but to consolidate power and to look out for themselves. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:48.939 So the text will shed light on God's heart for the broken. 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:53.120 That's what we'll see in this as we take a deeper look into it. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:58.459 It'll shed light on God's heart for the broken, his love for unity in his church, 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:06.699 and his commitment to the ministry of reconciliation, the ministry of evangelism, of the word. 00:06:07.599 --> 00:06:13.719 So, for the sake of simplicity, we'll break the section into, the text into three sections. 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:19.019 The first, we'll look, it'll just be verse 1, the deep problem of overlooked widows. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:27.299 The second will be verses 2 to 6, and it'll be the wise solution of needed administration. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:32.279 And finally, verse 7, the godly result of continued proclamation. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:36.539 So, let's just jump right into it, the deep problem of overlooked widows. 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:40.379 If you have a Bible, please turn with me to verse 1 of chapter 6. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:52.379 Pause real quickly there. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:07:00.040 The Hellenists, it's a catch-all term for Greek-speaking or Greek-encultured Jewish people. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:07.819 The church, at this point, had not spread, by and large, to the non-Jewish world, the Gentiles. 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:12.259 So, when we see the Hellenists and the Hebrews, it's specifically talking about Jewish people. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:21.279 Some from the Greek-speaking world, and then those that are native to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:30.219 So, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:38.700 So, we learn that Greek-Jewish widows were not being cared for the same as the Hebraic-Jewish widows. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:45.840 In all likelihood, given that in the first part of verse 1, that the disciples were increasing in number, 00:07:45.960 --> 00:07:49.800 it's a good possibility that this was just a mistake. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:08:04.160 They, that is, the apostles, couldn't create the structures of distribution fast enough to address the growing number of people that needed mercy or charity. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:10.199 It could very well also be that there was prejudice against the Greek-speaking widows. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:16.360 I mean, the text, it doesn't say, so, at best, we are only at liberty to speculate. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:26.699 But regardless of the reason, the problem was, the problem was that Greek-speaking widows weren't getting the food and the resources that they needed. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.719 That they were being overlooked. 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:31.360 The problem was a legitimate one. 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:34.600 And it was starting to cause internal strife. 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:41.220 The Greek-speaking folk in the church were saying, what's the problem with our people? 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.560 Why can't you supply the needs for the Greek-speaking widows? 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:53.019 And you can picture in your mind the Hebraic widows saying, at the expense of, or the Greek-speaking Jews, at the expense of our widows. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:55.720 And all of a sudden, we have a faction starting. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:01.820 We have not a unified group of people under the lordship of Christ, but we have interest groups. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:06.060 They do not get along. 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:09.860 They are not in solidarity in any sense of the term. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.500 But they're in opposition. 00:09:12.780 --> 00:09:14.740 So the apostles had to get this right. 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:20.020 They had to get this right because factions were a huge problem. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:25.320 But they also had to get this right because what we have here is a litmus test 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:32.379 for how God's people understood their own relationship with God and how they were to express their faith in response. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:33.800 So what do I mean? 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:40.000 Throughout the Old Testament, widows, also orphans and foreigners, 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:50.080 they were often mentioned as vulnerable people that had nobody to advocate for them. 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:52.460 They didn't have resources, no ability to work. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:10:00.180 They were people that were extremely vulnerable to swindlers and scammers 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:05.019 and people that would take advantage of them in their helpless estate. 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:07.400 Unless they had a wealthy benefactor, 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:16.379 they were subject to begging or getting some kind of money from the temple. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.500 They lived in poverty. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:20.580 And in short, they were helpless. 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:27.639 The care of widows is a major biblical theme because it reflects who God is, 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:31.720 who he has chosen to reveal himself as, 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:34.440 using the language of a caring and protective husband. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:39.560 Also, God, he talks about himself being an advocate for those 00:10:39.560 --> 00:10:43.280 that have injustice committed against them, that have no voice. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:50.159 So God does not stand idly by when injustice and neglect are evident. 00:10:50.959 --> 00:10:56.019 And especially when that happens to the orphan, the widow, and the foreigner. 00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:58.620 So here's some of these scripture verses. 00:10:58.959 --> 00:11:00.539 There are a ton I could have picked from. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:04.799 I picked three that communicate the heart of God. 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:10.359 So Deuteronomy 10.18, speaking of God. 00:11:10.859 --> 00:11:15.620 He, God, executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:19.559 and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.359 Deuteronomy 24. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:37.700 Malachi 3.5, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:42.000 Then I will draw near to you for judgment. 00:11:42.160 --> 00:11:46.460 I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:48.879 against those who swear falsely, 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:52.740 against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:55.100 the widow and the fatherless. 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:59.500 You feel God is, he is a, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:05.240 he is a good father to the broken and the vulnerable. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:08.480 You feel God's passion, his care. 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:13.080 If you remember the Exodus, in addition to all this, 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.399 you remember the Exodus, 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:19.139 it was a prime example of the Lord showing his kindness to a helpless people. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.500 Remember, widows are helpless, 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:27.279 but so too were the people of Israel when they were in Egyptian slavery. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.539 They cried out to God in their helpless estate, 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.279 and what did God do? 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:34.240 He rescued them out of Egyptian slavery. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.399 The helpless had a voice. 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.580 They had an advocate. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.419 So it was supposed to be the same with the church. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.600 For the church, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:45.039 like the widow, 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.320 like the orphan, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.399 like the foreigner, 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:50.120 like the people of Israel in Egypt, 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:53.740 they are a collection of helpless people. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:57.500 Helpless to fight against the sin in their own lives. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:01.399 Helpless to fight against the power of death 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:03.360 that claims all, 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:08.659 and helpless to fight against the evil that is always encroaching. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:13.899 The church is a collection of helpless people. 00:13:14.939 --> 00:13:17.179 And what does God do to helpless people? 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.059 He saves them. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:21.779 And that's what he has done with the church through the cross of Christ. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.099 So, 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:25.579 the church ought to reflect, 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.019 and imitate, 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.059 and mimic 00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:29.899 the God who 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.679 hears the helpless, 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:33.599 who does not overlook the marginal. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.360 For God can't overlook the marginal. 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:39.700 He sees all and knows all, 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:42.560 and because his very nature is that of love, 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:44.480 he is compassionate and merciful. 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:47.159 He sees the plight of the downtrodden. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:50.139 And this is a wonderful truth for us to hold on to. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.700 He does not get compassion fatigue. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:57.980 God doesn't grow weary of doing good to those who need help. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.980 God doesn't grow weary of doing good to those who need help. 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:02.500 That's excellent news if you are overlooked. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:07.639 That's excellent news if you desire to be seen and understood. 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:11.580 And that just seems to be an elusive desire 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:14.159 because you feel forever overlooked. 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:17.100 Passed over. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:23.060 We have an internal, deep, in our DNA need 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:25.200 to know that we matter, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.360 at least to somebody. 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:28.800 That we have a desire to be, 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.659 ultimately, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:32.620 to know God and be known by Him. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:35.580 And this is something that is 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:37.720 just way more evident in widows. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:42.659 So on the need to be seen and understood, 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.320 not too long ago, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:46.100 I was talking to a friend of mine, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.220 struggling to understand 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:50.000 the purpose of 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.940 what God has with, 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:55.840 for them in a daily struggle, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.800 in their daily struggle, 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:58.580 especially when 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:01.120 God could easily remove the daily struggle. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.300 So what is the purpose of it? 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.780 What is the meaning of it? 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.259 Why must I go through this daily grind? 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:08.580 This is the conversation. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:09.940 So we talked, 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:10.960 I asked questions, 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.480 and my friend shared. 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.700 And really, 00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:16.639 it was like a good half an hour discussion. 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.300 And in the end, 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.620 my friend told me 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.979 that they felt heard 00:15:19.979 --> 00:15:20.659 and understood 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:23.959 any feelings of being alone 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:25.339 or passed over 00:15:25.339 --> 00:15:25.899 or overlooked 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.439 were gone. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:27.359 And I bring this up, 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:29.139 not to talk about how 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:31.579 great a listener I am, 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.519 because to be honest, 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.159 I'm a so-so listener. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.599 But I bring up this 00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:36.879 example, 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.879 because it's a good one, 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.659 because I had the privilege 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:42.439 to witness somebody blossom 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:44.939 when they were heard 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:46.080 and understood 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.299 and seen. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.580 I saw this person blossom 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.419 before my eyes. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:50.840 It was a, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:51.620 I don't know, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.100 it was a very, 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.080 I'm sure it's happened 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.779 in the past, 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.980 but it was a unique moment. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.259 At least I saw it 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:59.120 for what it was. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.620 Well, for you, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.220 when you've felt broken 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:05.059 and a kind word 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.600 or somebody sitting beside you, 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.379 listening to you, 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.240 not necessarily offering advice, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:12.600 but interested in you, 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.720 how has that affected you 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.539 when you needed it? 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.500 The apostles, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.500 you see, 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.820 they couldn't afford 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:22.019 to mess up the distribution 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.820 to these widows 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:24.240 because they were 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.639 to imitate God. 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.279 They were to, 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:27.919 in a sense, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.799 have the church 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:31.820 have a little bit 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.759 of a foretaste 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.860 of what heaven would be like, 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.700 a little taste, 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.559 a little sample. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:40.279 they were to care 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.279 for the helpless 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:43.100 as those who were 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.039 themselves 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.860 once spiritually helpless 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.120 and, 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.259 to be perfectly honest, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.039 still helpless. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.500 The problem 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.539 could have the potential 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.179 to compromise 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.139 the very gospel message 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.639 and undo the church. 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.080 So, 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.240 if that's a problem, 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:58.879 and it seems to be 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.559 a glaring problem, 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:01.340 it's not just an issue of, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:01.960 hey, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.399 we need to get 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.080 these widows fed. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:06.660 It's a much bigger problem, 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.700 and indeed it was. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:08.740 So, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.140 what would be 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:10.079 a suitable solution? 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.480 And this brings us 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.380 to our second point, 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.200 the wise solution 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:17.559 of godly administration 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.940 or delegation. 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.420 Verses 2 to 6. 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:24.140 And the twelve summoned 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.480 the full number 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.180 of the disciples 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:26.720 and said, 00:17:26.800 --> 00:17:27.500 it is not right 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.240 that we should 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.360 give up preaching 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:30.259 the word of God 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.060 to serve tables. 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.100 Therefore, 00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:32.700 brothers, 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.240 pick out 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.300 from among you 00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:36.039 seven men 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.880 of good repute, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.000 full of the spirit 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.259 and of wisdom, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.320 whom we will 00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.620 appoint to this duty. 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:43.759 But we will devote 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.220 ourselves to prayer 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.080 and to the ministry 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.620 of the word. 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.600 And what they said 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.940 pleased the whole gathering, 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.840 and they chose 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:52.059 Stephen, 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.460 a man full of faith 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.380 and of the Holy Spirit, 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:54.860 Philip, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:55.840 Prochorus, 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.640 Nicanor, 00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:57.480 Timon, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.500 Parmenas, 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:00.860 and Nicholas, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.840 a proselyte 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:03.820 of Antioch. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.480 These they set 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.220 before the apostles 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.000 and they prayed 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.039 and laid their hands 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.440 on them. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:09.860 So, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.519 the apostles, 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.460 they recognized 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.400 that the problem 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.799 was a real one. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.600 But they weren't 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.559 the ones 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.240 to address it. 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:18.240 They were very honest 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.160 with their ability, 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.940 their calling. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.279 They were laser-focused 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.980 in a sense 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:25.720 of obeying Christ 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.279 and His calling 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.960 on their lives. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.200 They understood 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.120 their limitations. 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.800 It's not that 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:34.279 in any way 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.259 in this text 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:35.940 do we see 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.240 a downplaying 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.000 or a minimizing 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.920 of the importance 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.640 of the ministry 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.519 of mercy. 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.180 It just wasn't 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.820 their ministry. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.140 The apostles 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.640 were called 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.519 to prayer 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.680 and to proclaiming 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.560 the word of God. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:49.460 They had to be 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.339 true to their calling 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.879 because it was 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:51.659 Christ's calling 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.819 on their lives. 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.119 So, 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:54.839 the apostles, 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.839 they don't 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.339 on one hand 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.139 ignore or 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.019 downplay the issue. 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.159 Instead, 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.319 they call a council. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.700 They see that 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.200 the problem 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.000 has the potential 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.179 to snowball 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.960 both in terms 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.759 of the potential 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.240 for factionalism 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.220 or tribalism, 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.639 splintering, 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.259 disunity, 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.599 but also 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:14.019 they see it 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.440 as a potential 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.019 problem 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.579 in that 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.500 it will distract 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.480 them from doing 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.180 their calling. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.299 That is the 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:20.700 proclamation 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.379 of the word. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.819 They communicate 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.599 that they see 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.160 the problem 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.980 but they also 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.480 communicate 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.740 that the solution 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.680 cannot be found 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.119 in them. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:29.519 So, 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.700 they call 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.279 the council 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.740 together. 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.039 And this is wise 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.819 because it means 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.019 everybody has a say 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.920 both the Hellenists 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.700 and the Hebrew 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.240 speakers. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:41.460 everybody has a 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.180 place at the table 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.620 to solve an issue 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.180 that affects 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.779 everybody. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.880 Calling a council 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.180 has always been 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:50.359 the way the church 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.480 has solved huge issues. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:51.640 Now, 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.259 this isn't like 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.740 the first council 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.339 was the Jerusalem 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.220 council we'll read 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.759 in the future 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.519 but this is kind 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.980 of like it. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.099 There was an issue 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.019 that was a problem 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.279 that had to be solved 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.380 and a council 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.099 was called. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.559 There was no 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.339 tyranny here. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.720 There was no 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.519 strong arming 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.299 by the apostles 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.839 but the invited 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.240 the entire 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.379 group of disciples 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:12.539 to participate. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.959 As a minister 00:20:15.959 --> 00:20:17.439 of the Word 00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:18.019 and sacrament 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:20.439 my ministry 00:20:20.439 --> 00:20:21.399 is to primarily 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.839 lead our congregation 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.759 as an under-shepherd 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.619 to the great shepherd 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.019 Jesus. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.579 So, 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:28.379 I trained 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.179 and was examined 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:30.079 and called 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.119 to teach God's Word 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.279 to administer 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.319 the sacraments 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.599 to intercede 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.419 for you all 00:20:35.419 --> 00:20:37.460 provide spiritual 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:37.939 counsel 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:38.599 when needed 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.159 and encourage 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.980 evangelism 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.939 and to keep 00:20:40.939 --> 00:20:42.119 Christ lifted high 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.960 through the proclamation 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.759 of the gospel. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.559 And that doesn't mean 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.639 that I do not touch 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:48.259 anything administratively. 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:48.700 In fact, 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.879 in many ways 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.099 the first year 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.519 or so 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.700 of planting the church 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.359 and a bit before 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.819 I felt like I'd 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.839 almost do 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.179 only administration. 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.220 There's seasons 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.740 for that. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:20:59.659 So, 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:01.059 I do participate 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.480 in that 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.019 but that 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.799 is not my calling. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.639 My calling 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:07.759 is the ministry 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:09.720 of the Word 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.599 and sacrament. 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.359 And to be perfectly 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.500 frank with you guys 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.679 you guys make this 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.519 pretty easy. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.879 It's a 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:19.500 wonderful group 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.299 of people we have. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.399 We're in a sweet season 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.200 of the church plant. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.779 Many of you serve 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.259 in one or more 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.119 areas 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.339 and have rolled up 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.879 your sleeves 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.519 to help out 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.319 in remarkable ways. 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.980 I mean, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.440 maybe if I 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.140 spent 10 minutes 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.839 thinking hard 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.420 I could come up 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.860 with an example 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.480 but I can't think 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.980 of an example 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.160 of somebody 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.799 kind of rolling 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.539 their eyes 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.720 or kind of 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.240 doing something 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.039 begrudgingly 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.420 here in this church. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.279 There's a real joy 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.339 in how people serve. 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.880 It's a wonderful thing. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.779 Folks have spearheaded 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.559 ministries 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.120 of mercy. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.279 They have helped 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.220 with kids ministry. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.240 You guys have given 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.960 your time 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.740 and your talents 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.539 and your resources 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.579 in various ways. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.720 And honestly, 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.220 genuinely, 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.960 thank you 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.039 for that. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.400 Keep doing it 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:03.839 by the way. 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.319 But friends, 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.220 we'd be foolish 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.420 if we thought 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.120 this would always 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.680 be the case 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.059 where things 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.180 would always be sweet. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.160 That we'd always 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.079 forever have a sweet 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.120 season in the church. 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:15.720 See, 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.600 as we grow, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.460 when I was training 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.360 early, 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.640 early, 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.339 early in the church 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.620 planning, 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.120 somebody said 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.100 something very wise 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.579 to me about 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.220 how communities 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.720 are built. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.620 I've shared this 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.160 with some of you 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.660 if you were around 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.440 in the early days. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.759 When you gather 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.480 a group of people 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:30.900 together, 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.920 and then you have 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.779 pseudo-community. 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.180 Things are nice, 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:34.960 you know, 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.539 friendly, 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.360 there's new people, 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.019 we're Christians, 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.640 I'll pray for you, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.059 sure, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.319 let's grab coffee. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.420 And then conflict 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:41.900 happens. 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.480 Why? 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.200 Because you are sinners. 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.400 And so am I. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.420 But we're sinners, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.500 so what happens? 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.740 And then conflict 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.059 happens, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.440 and then we have 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.039 an opportunity 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.839 to either deal 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.399 with the conflict 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.279 in a godly way 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.559 or leave. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.859 And if we deal 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.839 with it in a godly way, 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.779 we have real community. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.500 But the thing is, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:01.339 this isn't a closed-off 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.139 church. 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.480 We have an open door, 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.659 an unlocked door 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.220 in this case. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.399 We have an open door 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.119 in our church. 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.779 So that means 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.720 new people come in 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.659 and then all of a sudden 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:12.759 we have community 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.139 mixed with pseudo-community, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.139 mixed with conflict, 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:17.200 mixed with potential resolution 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.960 or people leaving, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.940 and it's a big, 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.639 giant mess. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.740 Sometimes. 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.179 We are in a sweet season 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:25.659 of the church, 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.659 but it might not 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:28.000 and likely will not 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.839 be this way 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:30.019 forever. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.399 Factionalism in the church 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:34.220 is a real thing 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.220 and the fear 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.519 is that 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.579 those that are called 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.339 to mercy ministries 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.619 will be distracted 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:42.179 and I will be distracted 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:43.779 from the ministry 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.859 of the word. 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:47.079 These are very real threats 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.599 to the spiritual growth 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.139 and health 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.819 of our church. 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.259 It's a real, 00:23:52.419 --> 00:23:53.000 real problem. 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:54.819 Not an impossible one. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.000 Why? 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:58.179 Because we are called, 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.740 all of us, 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.419 to imitate Christ. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.099 We have been given 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:04.079 his Holy Spirit 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:05.339 and hear these words 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.259 of Christ himself 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.539 from Matthew chapter 20 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:09.059 starting in verse 25. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.159 He's saying this 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.740 to his disciples. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.039 You know that the rulers 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.440 of the Gentiles 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.339 lord it over them 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:16.140 and their great ones 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.519 exercise authority 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.079 over them. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.140 It shall not be so 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.660 among you, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.220 but whoever 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.480 would be great 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.099 among you 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.779 must be your servant 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.319 and whoever 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.519 would be first 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.160 among you 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:29.039 must be your slave. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.740 Verse 28, 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.960 Even as 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.339 the Son of Man 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.599 came not to be served, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.000 but to serve 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.640 and to give his life 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.319 as a ransom 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.900 for many. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:41.120 That is the very 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:42.519 animating force 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:44.140 behind why all of us 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.259 serve in the church 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.200 because we are 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.220 imitators of Christ. 00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:49.640 And our king, 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.380 our leader, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.300 our shepherd, 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.100 our captain, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.920 our savior, 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.400 he served. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.120 He takes off 00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:00.060 his outer garment 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:01.100 and ties a towel 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.180 around his waist 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.340 and he cleans 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.340 the stinking feet 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.160 of his disciples 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:06.640 before he goes 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.320 to the cross. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:09.060 He laments 00:25:09.060 --> 00:25:09.860 in the garden 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:13.540 that the cross 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.160 before him 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.540 was so intense 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:16.180 and heavy 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.660 and yet he still went. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:21.200 He took beatings 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.360 upon his back 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.380 and on his brow 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.519 and on his face 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:26.519 and hung on the cross 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:28.080 and did not call 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:29.100 for an army of angels 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.540 to take him down. 00:25:31.280 --> 00:25:32.180 But he stayed. 00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:32.700 And why? 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.460 Because the Son of Man 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.640 came not to be served, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.259 but to serve 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.160 and to give his life 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.279 as a ransom for many. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.039 Friends, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.759 we will have 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.359 various opportunities 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.319 to serve both 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.319 inside and outside 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.920 the church. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.259 Our driving force 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.960 in serving, 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.460 it has to be 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:54.099 the imitation of Christ 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.519 who is the servant 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.019 of all. 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.980 When conflict 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.019 comes in this church, 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.740 when frustration 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.500 with each other 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.660 might come in this church, 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:04.740 we serve one another. 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.360 We don't bicker 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.060 and grumble. 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.340 There's a whole history 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.420 of Israel grumbling 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:12.759 in the desert 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.940 and that did not 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.600 go well with them. 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.259 They did not see 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.120 the promised land. 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.600 Let us instead 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:19.800 take the posture 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.420 of Christ 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:23.040 and serve one another. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.019 So, 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.220 we have a problem 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.320 that has been identified, 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.500 the solution 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.200 that has been suggested 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.060 and implemented, 00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:30.940 the appointing 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.480 of the seven. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.380 Now, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.180 what do we see 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.000 as a result? 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.680 Look with me finally 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.940 in verse seven. 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.160 And the word of God 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.380 continued to increase 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.080 and the number 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.960 of the disciples 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.299 multiplied greatly 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.000 in Jerusalem 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.400 and a great many 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.160 of the priests 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.920 became obedient 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.840 to the faith. 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.539 So effective 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:53.400 was the solution 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:55.220 that it resulted 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:57.120 in continued growth 00:26:57.120 --> 00:26:58.000 in the church. 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.759 So the words 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.160 increased and multiplied 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.480 in their original language 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.080 in the original 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:03.460 common Greek. 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.860 The tense 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.600 that is used 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:07.560 for both of these words 00:27:07.560 --> 00:27:08.700 conveys a continuous 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.560 and ongoing 00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:11.700 spread and growth. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.200 It continued 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.120 and there's an 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:15.040 ongoing increase. 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.900 There's an ongoing 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.800 multiplication. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.300 And remarkably, 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.300 even some of the 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:20.340 Levitical priests 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.920 came to obedient faith. 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:22.820 Now, 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:23.800 I mean, 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.200 maybe, 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.120 but likely, 00:27:25.540 --> 00:27:26.320 unlikely rather, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.980 that this is a reference 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.099 to the Sanhedrin, 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.640 any members 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.299 of the Sanhedrin. 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.360 You would remember 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.259 that some members 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.000 of the Sanhedrin 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.200 were of the priestly class, 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.539 but there was also 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:37.440 a whole class 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.000 of priests 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.740 in Jerusalem, 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.380 hundreds and hundreds 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.759 that would take turns 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.380 participating 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:45.240 in the work 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.259 at the temple. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.740 And these priestly 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.539 class were almost 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:50.819 certainly not people 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:53.240 of lots of means. 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:55.360 If you are familiar 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.019 with the Bible, 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:58.259 when God is divvying 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.419 up the promised land, 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.379 the Levites 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.059 don't get a portion 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.539 of the land. 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.519 The Levites 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.179 are the priests. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.439 The Levites, 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:04.879 the priests, 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:05.519 don't get a portion 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.019 of the land, 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.799 but the rest 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.599 of the nation 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.039 of Israel, 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.719 the people of God, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.539 are to take care 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:10.939 of them. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.919 So the priests 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:13.139 act on behalf 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:13.699 of God, 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.539 but the people 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:16.819 provide for the priests. 00:28:16.939 --> 00:28:18.019 But by and large, 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.740 these priests, 00:28:20.219 --> 00:28:21.259 given their number, 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.779 would not have been wealthy. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.559 They would have relied 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:27.200 upon charity as well. 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.359 They were kind of like 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.799 helpless widows, 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.000 not necessarily 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.700 as they lost a spouse, 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.919 but they were helpless. 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.359 In the church, 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.759 the priests may have seen 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.359 a community 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:43.019 that reflected 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:45.460 the call of God, 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.759 the reflection of God, 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:48.039 the committed heart of God 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.919 to care for those 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.899 who could not 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:51.519 take care of themselves. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:51.599 themselves. 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.980 And again, 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.740 this is speculation, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.299 but that must have been 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.319 a beautiful 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.639 and exciting thing 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.119 for people 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.139 that were marginalized. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.420 In essence, 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.660 these priests, 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.920 they were witness 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.700 to a faith 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.379 that was truly 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:09.259 obedient to 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.220 and reflective of 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.160 the heart 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.119 of Christ himself. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:15.119 So in our cultural moment, 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.859 a situation 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.579 like the one 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.200 we have in 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.240 chapter 6 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.819 of Acts 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.920 would potentially 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.579 be met with 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:21.960 grumbling, 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.819 disruptions, 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.319 and calls 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.019 for an upheaval 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:26.079 of the power structures 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:27.180 of leadership. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.519 Down with the Hebrews, 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.359 they've been in power 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:31.920 too long. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.680 They've always 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:35.140 oppressed us. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.700 Maybe, 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.400 maybe not. 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.880 But without a doubt, 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.839 if it happened today, 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.180 it would dissolve 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.740 and devolve 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.539 into a type of 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.279 tribalism 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.660 where various 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:48.099 factions claimed 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.539 various grievances. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.480 And tribalism 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.440 and factionalism 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:54.019 unfortunately 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.519 are an all-too-common 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:55.960 solution 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.700 in our current 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.559 cultural moment 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:59.799 because they stress 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:01.000 differences, 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.759 constantly criticizing, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.859 tearing down 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:05.180 without a viable 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.480 and healthy vision 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.139 of what things 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.480 ought to be like. 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.539 There's no solution. 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:12.000 For it never builds, 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.519 it only dismantles. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:16.039 But consider the vision 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.799 that Christ has 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.440 for His church. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.579 And it's not just 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.460 this tiny group 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.819 of people 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.720 because the church, 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.259 especially at the 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.559 tail end of chapter 6 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.420 with the martyrdom 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:24.940 of Stephen, 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.660 6 and 7 rather, 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.819 with the martyrdom 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.259 of Stephen, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.859 the church will spread 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.660 and spread 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.859 all through Europe 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.839 and church history 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.319 tells us 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:35.920 into parts 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.799 of what is now 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.379 India, 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.900 all over 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.079 the known world. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:42.500 So this vision 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.179 that Christ has 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:43.659 for His church, 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.879 really for the human race, 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.240 is of unity. 00:30:47.439 --> 00:30:49.099 Where in Christ Jesus 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:50.599 real unity exists 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.899 without the elimination 00:30:51.899 --> 00:30:52.720 of difference. 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:55.039 Historic and current 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.539 issues and grievances 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.759 do not, 00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:58.500 should not, 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.519 find their way 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.759 into the church. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.639 So for instance, 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.919 it should happen 00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:06.419 and I would love it 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:06.899 to happen 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.780 if, 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.400 and you guys 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.700 know my background, 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.960 if I could worship 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.540 alongside 00:31:11.540 --> 00:31:13.019 of an Arab 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.060 born in Nablus 00:31:14.060 --> 00:31:14.980 in our church, 00:31:15.300 --> 00:31:15.519 that would be 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.300 a beautiful thing. 00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:18.040 It would be 00:31:18.040 --> 00:31:18.880 a wonderful thing 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:21.300 if this was 00:31:21.300 --> 00:31:22.560 in the deep south 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.800 in the 40s 00:31:23.800 --> 00:31:24.519 or 50s 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:24.860 to see 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:26.680 a black man 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.040 and a white woman 00:31:28.040 --> 00:31:28.620 together 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.160 worshipping 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.160 the same God. 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.680 Still black, 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:32.400 still white, 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.700 still Jewish, 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.700 still Arab, 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:38.640 but the dividing line 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.779 is destroyed 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.860 in Christ Jesus. 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:43.319 See Galatians chapter 3. 00:31:44.340 --> 00:31:45.539 See Ephesians 2, 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:45.860 3, 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.960 and all of Ephesians. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.600 Why? 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.600 Because 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:52.380 we actually hold 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:53.240 one thing in common. 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.840 We are unified 00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.400 on one thing, 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.200 that we are sinners, 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:57.200 that we have fallen short 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.360 of the glory of God, 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.819 that we are in deep need 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:01.140 of a Savior. 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.720 And the other thing 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.460 that unifies us 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.140 is that God 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.360 has sent a Savior 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.319 for us. 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.740 All distinctions 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.819 and divisions 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:12.100 are obliterated 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:12.920 by the cross 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:15.000 because we are unified 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:16.519 on the issue 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.380 of sin 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.920 in our helplessness. 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.340 So you see, 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.360 in a very real way, 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.779 the entire human race 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.600 is just a giant collection 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.220 of orphans, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.559 widows, 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.079 and foreigners. 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.340 Helpless people 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:30.600 in our sin 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.279 and slavery 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.200 to death and evil. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.440 But Christ Jesus, 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:35.039 by hanging on the cross, 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.799 being buried, 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.980 resurrecting 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.700 to new life, 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:39.480 ascending into heaven, 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.700 sending the Holy Spirit, 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:42.059 He removes our sin, 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:43.140 He conquers death, 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.340 and He defeats evil 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:45.700 so that the orphan 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.340 is adopted, 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:48.019 the widow protected, 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:48.779 and the foreigner 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.980 is made a citizen. 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.480 It's a beautiful thing 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.160 about the Gospel. 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.120 And friends, 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.799 this reality 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:56.120 must mark the Church. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.100 It must animate 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:57.920 our decisions 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.400 as we grow 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.000 and consider 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.140 mercy ministries, 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.880 evangelistic endeavors, 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.080 catechism 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:04.740 to old 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.560 and to young, 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.860 Sunday worship, 00:33:07.020 --> 00:33:07.920 midweek study, 00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:09.259 whatever it may be. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.840 We must fight 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:13.500 against a pseudo-community 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.980 that is a counterfeit 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.600 for real 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.240 and godly 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.280 community. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.860 So, 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.780 as we seek 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:23.180 to obediently 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.120 live out 00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:25.680 our faith together, 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.540 we ought to expect 00:33:27.540 --> 00:33:28.520 that in God's way 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.740 and in God's time, 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:30.920 we will see 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:32.460 continued increase 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.980 and multiplication 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.079 of disciples. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.240 That we will grow 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.519 in our love 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.119 for Christ, 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.519 our love 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.559 for one another, 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.099 and 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:41.779 however many 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.579 God chooses 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.839 to give us, 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.859 grow in number. 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:48.079 If we stay focused 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.779 on the things 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.579 that He has called us 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.480 to focus on, 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.180 and we deal with issues 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.139 as they arise. 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.759 And by God's strength, 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.339 we'll do that. 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.379 Amen? 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.980 Let us pray. 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.240 Father in Heaven, 00:34:01.320 --> 00:34:01.800 we thank You 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.880 for all of Your 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:04.300 many blessings 00:34:04.300 --> 00:34:06.820 in the early church, 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.480 that You do not 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:10.119 spare in Your Word 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.320 the difficult 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:13.240 passages, 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:15.320 the uncomfortable 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:17.039 and ugly passages. 00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:18.760 Lord, 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.400 Acts 6, 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.000 verse 1, 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.420 could have been 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.280 really, really bad, 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.280 and yet, 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.460 in Your goodness, 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.800 You brought 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.559 this wonderful 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:29.260 reality to bear 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.260 on the church 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:31.400 that increased 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.940 ministry. 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:33.780 Lord, let us be 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.500 people that see 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:34.840 need, 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.740 that see 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:38.460 opportunities to serve 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.440 and serve with 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.539 joyful hearts, 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.619 that do not 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.699 flee conflict, 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.720 nor do we run 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.760 to it with swords 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.159 drawn, 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.539 but Lord, 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.240 we look to You 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.699 for resolution. 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.139 Father, 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.519 that we would trust 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.000 that You 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.460 will build Your church, 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.420 that You love our church, 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.340 that You will continue 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:56.039 to love our church 00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:57.840 until eternity, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.920 for this church 00:34:58.920 --> 00:35:01.860 is the very body 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.380 of Your Son. 00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.539 So, Lord, 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.240 we pray that You 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:06.019 bless us this morning 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.500 and bless us 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.900 as we go forward. 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.860 In Christ's mighty name. 00:35:10.680 --> 00:35:11.000 Amen.