Balancing Spiritual and Practical Needs in the Church

 

Summary

In our study of Acts 6:1-7, we see the early church facing its first internal crisis—a division between the Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking Jewish Christians over the care of widows. This passage highlights the importance of addressing practical needs within the church while maintaining a focus on spiritual responsibilities. The apostles, recognizing their primary calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word, appointed seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the daily distribution to the widows. This decision not only resolved the immediate issue but also set a precedent for the establishment of the diaconate, emphasizing the importance of service and care within the church community.

Reflecting on my recent experience at the Shepherd's Conference in California, I was reminded of the power of God's strength in our weakness. Despite losing my voice, I was able to deliver a message to thousands of pastors, underscoring the truth that our strength is perfected in weakness. This experience also highlighted the current famine of the Word in America, where many pastors are burdened with roles that distract from their primary calling to preach and teach the Word of God. The apostles' example in Acts serves as a reminder that the church must prioritize the ministry of the Word while also caring for the practical needs of its members.

The early church's response to the crisis of neglected widows teaches us the importance of community and shared responsibility. By appointing deacons, the apostles ensured that the church could effectively meet both spiritual and practical needs. This model is still relevant today, as churches must balance the demands of pastoral care, administration, and the proclamation of the Gospel. At St. Andrews, we strive to follow this biblical model by expanding our diaconate and session to better serve our growing congregation. The dedication of our deacons, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, exemplifies the true spirit of service and enables the church to function as a body united in purpose and mission.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balancing Spiritual and Practical Needs: The early church faced a crisis that required balancing spiritual responsibilities with practical needs. The apostles prioritized prayer and the ministry of the Word while appointing deacons to address the care of widows, demonstrating the importance of shared responsibility in the church. [13:00]

2. Strength in Weakness: My experience at the Shepherd's Conference reminded me that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we rely on Him, even in our most challenging moments, we can accomplish what seems impossible, as His power is magnified through our limitations. [05:38]

3. The Famine of the Word: In today's world, there is a famine of the Word, with many pastors burdened by roles that detract from their primary calling. The church must prioritize the ministry of the Word, ensuring that pastors are equipped and encouraged to preach and teach effectively. [07:01]

4. The Role of Deacons: The appointment of deacons in the early church highlights the importance of service and care within the community. Deacons play a crucial role in meeting the practical needs of the congregation, allowing pastors to focus on their spiritual responsibilities. [17:09]

5. Community and Shared Responsibility: The early church's response to the crisis of neglected widows teaches us the importance of community and shared responsibility. By working together, the church can effectively meet both spiritual and practical needs, fulfilling its mission and purpose. [16:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Acts 6:1-7
- [00:48] - The Apostles' Decision
- [01:30] - Choosing the Seven
- [02:08] - Personal Experience in California
- [03:00] - The Shepherd's Conference
- [04:14] - Overcoming Weakness
- [05:06] - God's Strength in Our Weakness
- [06:14] - Record Attendance at Grace Community Church
- [07:01] - Famine of the Word
- [07:59] - Division in the Early Church
- [09:06] - The Care of Widows
- [10:53] - The Loneliness of Widows
- [12:24] - The Apostles' Mandate
- [13:59] - Modern Challenges for Pastors
- [16:27] - Establishing the Diaconate
- [19:18] - Expanding the Diaconate at St. Andrews
- [20:42] - The Role of Deacons in the Church

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:1-7

Observation Questions:
1. What was the main issue that arose between the Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking Jewish Christians in Acts 6:1-7? [00:10]
2. How did the apostles respond to the complaint about the neglected widows? [00:28]
3. What criteria did the apostles use to select the seven men to oversee the distribution to the widows? [00:48]
4. What was the result of appointing the seven men in terms of the church's growth and unity? [01:47]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why did the apostles prioritize prayer and the ministry of the Word over serving tables, and what does this reveal about their understanding of their roles? [13:00]
2. How does the appointment of deacons in the early church reflect the balance between spiritual and practical needs within a church community? [16:27]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church today might be experiencing a "famine of the Word," and how does this relate to the roles of pastors and deacons? [07:01]
4. How does the pastor's experience at the Shepherd's Conference illustrate the concept of "strength in weakness," and what implications does this have for personal ministry? [05:38]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the balance between spiritual and practical needs in your own church. Are there areas where one is being neglected? How can you contribute to addressing this balance? [13:00]
2. Consider a time when you felt weak or inadequate in a task. How did you experience God's strength in that situation, and how can this encourage you in future challenges? [05:38]
3. The sermon mentions a "famine of the Word" in today's churches. How can you support your pastors in prioritizing the ministry of the Word? [07:01]
4. Think about the role of deacons in your church. How can you show appreciation for their service, and are there ways you can assist in meeting the practical needs of the congregation? [20:42]
5. The early church faced a crisis of neglected widows. Are there individuals or groups in your church who might feel neglected? What steps can you take to ensure they feel cared for and included? [09:06]
6. How can you personally contribute to a sense of community and shared responsibility within your church, similar to the early church's response to their crisis? [16:27]
7. Reflect on the pastor's story about losing his voice at the Shepherd's Conference. How can you rely on God's strength in your own moments of weakness, and what practical steps can you take to trust Him more? [05:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Balancing Spiritual and Practical Needs
The early church faced a significant challenge when a division arose between Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking Jewish Christians over the care of widows. This crisis highlighted the need to balance spiritual responsibilities with practical needs. The apostles, understanding their primary calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word, appointed seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the daily distribution to the widows. This decision not only resolved the immediate issue but also established a model for shared responsibility within the church. It serves as a reminder that while spiritual duties are paramount, addressing practical needs is essential for a healthy church community. [13:00]

Acts 6:3-4 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Reflection: Consider a practical need within your church or community that is currently unmet. How can you contribute to addressing this need while maintaining your spiritual commitments?


Day 2: Strength in Weakness
In moments of personal weakness, God's strength is often most evident. This truth was exemplified when a speaker, despite losing his voice, was able to deliver a powerful message to thousands of pastors. This experience underscores the biblical principle that our strength is perfected in weakness. When we rely on God, even in our most challenging moments, His power is magnified through our limitations. This reliance on divine strength is a reminder that God can accomplish what seems impossible when we trust in Him. [05:38]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Identify a current weakness or limitation in your life. How can you invite God to demonstrate His strength through this area today?


Day 3: The Famine of the Word
In today's world, many pastors are burdened with roles that detract from their primary calling to preach and teach the Word of God. This has led to a famine of the Word, where the spiritual nourishment of congregations is at risk. The early church's example in Acts serves as a reminder that the ministry of the Word must be prioritized. Churches must ensure that pastors are equipped and encouraged to focus on preaching and teaching effectively, allowing the Word to flourish and nourish the community. [07:01]

Amos 8:11 (ESV): "'Behold, the days are coming,' declares the Lord God, 'when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your personal engagement with the Word of God. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and application of Scripture in your daily life?


Day 4: The Role of Deacons
The appointment of deacons in the early church highlights the importance of service and care within the community. Deacons play a crucial role in meeting the practical needs of the congregation, allowing pastors to focus on their spiritual responsibilities. This model of shared responsibility ensures that both spiritual and practical needs are addressed, fostering a healthy and balanced church environment. The dedication of deacons exemplifies the true spirit of service, enabling the church to function as a body united in purpose and mission. [17:09]

1 Timothy 3:8-10 (ESV): "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless."

Reflection: Consider the role of service in your life. How can you embody the spirit of a deacon by serving others in your church or community this week?


Day 5: Community and Shared Responsibility
The early church's response to the crisis of neglected widows teaches us the importance of community and shared responsibility. By working together, the church can effectively meet both spiritual and practical needs, fulfilling its mission and purpose. This model of collaboration and mutual support is essential for a thriving church community. At St. Andrews, expanding the diaconate and session to better serve the growing congregation exemplifies this commitment to shared responsibility and unity in purpose. [16:27]

Ephesians 4:16 (ESV): "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Reflect on your role within your church community. How can you contribute to fostering a spirit of unity and shared responsibility in your congregation?

Quotes


In our study of Acts 6:1-7, we see the early church facing its first internal crisis—a division between the Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking Jewish Christians over the care of widows. This passage highlights the importance of addressing practical needs within the church while maintaining a focus on spiritual responsibilities. [00:00:10]

The apostles, recognizing their primary calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word, appointed seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the daily distribution to the widows. This decision not only resolved the immediate issue but also set a precedent for the establishment of the diaconate. [00:00:48]

We traveled to California to Los Angeles to Grace Community Church where the pastor is John MacArthur and the occasion was the annual Shepherd's conference, a Conference held for pastors and to the best of my knowledge, this is the largest Pastors conference that is held in America. [00:03:00]

I started feeling sick on Wednesday and I said to Vesta now those people back there at St Andrew's promise that pray for me when I go on these things and I'm just not feeling very well and in the middle of the night that night 1:00 I woke up my throat was on fire. [00:03:50]

John said to me afterwards he said RC that's the best message I've ever heard you give in my life and I don't know whether he was just blowing smoke and trying to encourage me through all of this thing but I'm telling you this because it really does indicate that our strength is made perfect in weakness. [00:05:18]

We live in a Time in America where there is a famine of the word of God in the land and one of the most difficult things is to find pastors and preachers who will preach expository sermons who will break forth the text of scripture to their people and not just simply give psychological advice. [00:06:47]

The first internal dispute had to do with some of the folks feeling neglected because their widows were not being ministered to. You remember the teaching of James in the Book of James when he says the essence of True Religion is this the care of the widows of the orphans. [00:09:00]

The apostles who were given a particular mandate by Christ they could not be involved in the daily care of the lives of the people they could not take care of business as it were because for them to be effective in the job to which they were called they had to devote themselves to prayer and to the preaching of the word. [00:12:24]

Every year 17,000 ministers in America leave the ministry and one of the main reasons for that is that ministers are neither encouraged nor equipped nor able nor allowed in the modern Church to devote themselves to the preaching and teaching of the word of God. [00:13:59]

The Apostle said oh no when I'm not saying don't worry about the orphans don't worry about the widows no no no no no they said we have to worry about the orphans and we have to worry about the widows and we have to worry about the administration of this church and yet we have to fulfill our Mandate. [00:16:27]

We need to choose seven men from among ourselves who are obviously men of great faith men of great ability men of great commitment that they may be set aside and consecrated by the laying on of hands to give themselves to diania service to Ministry to the needs of the people in the church. [00:16:47]

As we've grown there are more and more tables to be served there are more and more widows to be visited more and more orphans to be taken care of that's why we're about to double the size of the diaconate here at St Andrews and why we've just added new members to the session. [00:19:18]

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Transcript
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