Guarding the Growth of God’s Church

Text: Acts 6:1-7
Theme: A needed element of growth in the church is careful navigation by the leaders.
Key verses: “Things were going so well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained…” (v. 1) “The twelve convened the entire community of disciples. ‘We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. So friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith'” (v. 2-3a). “The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith” (v. 7).
What God said to me: Dwayne, can you hear me? Really? I sincerely doubt you can hear me clearly this morning. Your ears are stopped up with selfishness and sin. Confess and forsake your evil thoughts and deeds, then come back and try listening again…Ok, here’s the scoop: I didn’t call you to oversee everything, to manage everything and to tend to every situation and need in my family. Your responsibility as an overseer is to guard the growth of my people and encourage the expansion of my Kingdom. You are to teach the Word, plant the seeds, and water the garden of understanding in your fellow Jesus-followers. You are to invest the majority of your time sharing my message with this lost world. That means you will need to let some things go–not by the wayside, mind you, because management issues and situations are important. Therefore you must enlist others–godly others–who have a like passion as you to see my Kingdom grow, but who have the time and opportunity to attend to these details and things. You focus on people and on ministering to them. You serve them every chance you get. You get your hands dirty any time it’s needed. But don’t allow yourself to get bogged down in petty problems that would distract you from your calling.
What I said to God: Father, I am humbled that you would count me worthy to be a teacher and leader of your people, to be a servant of the Most High. Help me feel the awesome weight of serving you and ministering to others. Thank you for the many wonderful servants you have sent us at our church and to Next Level Worship. You have blessed me with great friends and helpers to do the ministry you’ve called us to. Praise you for your faithfulness and power and love. And thank you for your Son you sent to save us.