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Acts 6 LJ 101705
Is it, "Who gets to" or "Who wants to serve?"
 We need help in the nursery!
Have you ever heard that from the pulpit? Its as though we would let just
anyone willing care for our babies. If its my baby I want some one great in
there!
God feels the same way and not just about
infants. The church is God's baby. He doesn't want "just anyone"
in there. In Acts 6, the church is still in its infancy and already
experiencing growing pains. The Twelve called a meeting of all
the believers. "We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the
word of God, not administering a food program," they said.
(6:2b)
Hey its just a food program. No it's a people program
and every need involving people has both the potential for greatness and the
seeds of disaster wove into its fabric. This food program issue could have
blown up and threatened the unity of the church. It is what the enemy always
hopes to do. . . divide us.
Whether the stories and criticisms between the people
groups were true or not some were saying discrimination was taking place .
Somebody is always ready to say. . . "our babies are not being cared for."
There is no announcement from the
pulpit. There is creativity, flexibility and the privilege to serve God's baby,
the church. Notice the action of the Apostles.
The people with the passion are told
to look for the answer among themselves.
Now look around among yourselves,
friends . . . Remember there was no
"position" in the church for this. The need is met with creativity and
flexibility.
Those with a passion are form a team -
not just give one person the job and be done.
. . . and select seven . . .
Team members are not just warm and willing bodies. They
must have the respect of someone else.
. . . men who are well respected
. . .This ministry is matters to the people served by it and take
trusted people to lead and grow this ministry with the church.
More than respect, team members have a spiritual
requirement.
. . . and are full of the Holy Spirit
. . . Everyone who is served should be exposed to the fruit of the
Spirit!
Trusted, Spirit powered team members and one more
thing.
. . . and wisdom.
Who comes to mind when you think of doing this
job? There is a practical requirement. Who has the practical
know how to deal with something like this successfully?
So we have people with a passion, a team, of respected,
Spirit infused, people characterized by practical wisdom. Sounds like an elders
board. . . but this is just the food distribution program! No its not. Its
God's baby and the people on this team know it!
Oh there is one more thing about this team. It is
something they are given.
We will put them in charge of this business.
They are given the authority to
do the work as they see best. Why not? Passionate, trustworthy, Spirit filled,
and wise, they should be in charge!
Perhaps if serving in the seemingly "small" things were
viewed as "caring for God's baby" maybe there would be more life in our
ministries. If we had more respect for what those who serve are doing more
people would desire the pr ivilege of serving.
What if you and I saw the church as "God's baby."
What if you and I filled our ministries with creative teams of people with
passion, who had our trust, filled with the Spirit and wisdom. What if we
actually empowered such people to be in charge of their business! What would
church look like when it comes together next week?
Nah. We don't have seven people in our
church like that. We just needed some help with our babies in the nursery
anyway. Actually we already have a barely warm body leading that ministry
anyway. Just forget it.
Is that "Spirit filled" thinking? God has given you
what you need. Maybe you need to be the person that is passionate. Maybe you
need to be more of a team player. Maybe you need to respect and trust others
more. Maybe you need to live the fruit of the Spirit more. Maybe you need to
wise up before God trusts you with being on a real team in charge of his
babies!
Think about it. Get angry. Then stop being such a baby!
Be the person others are looking to offer the privilege of caring for
God's baby! Glad to be with you in the Word. Pastor Art
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