God's Power in Our Imperfections and Service

Glory hallelujah! All my life, God has been faithful, and His goodness is not just something I sing about—it's something I have lived and witnessed. His grace, mercy, love, and faithfulness are always running after us, even when we least expect it. As we look at the early church in Acts, we see that even in the midst of powerful moves of God, there were real problems and growing pains. The church was not perfect—far from it. There were conflicts, cultural tensions, and even discrimination among believers. Yet, in every problem, God’s power and presence were at work.

Acts 6 shows us a church facing a very human issue: some widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, and it was causing division. The apostles, understanding their calling, knew they couldn’t do everything themselves. Instead of ignoring the problem or letting it fester, they called the church together and, with wisdom, delegated responsibility to men full of the Spirit and wisdom. This was not just about solving a logistical issue; it was about protecting unity, empowering servant leadership, and ensuring the vulnerable were cared for.

What stands out is how God uses ordinary people—like Stephen, who started by serving tables—to do extraordinary things. Stephen was not one of the original twelve apostles, but he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. God’s presence in him was so powerful that even when opposition arose, those who argued with him could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke. Even in the face of lies and persecution, Stephen’s face shone like an angel, a testimony to God’s glory working through a humble servant.

This is a reminder that God does not require us to be perfect or to have prestigious positions. He asks us to be available, obedient, and full of His Spirit. Whether we are serving behind the scenes or standing in front of crowds, God can use us to advance His kingdom. The challenge is to pray for wisdom, look for opportunities to serve, and be ready to share the gospel wherever we are—even when we feel out of our element. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and His presence goes with us, equipping us for every good work.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Goodness Pursues Us Relentlessly No matter our circumstances or shortcomings, God’s goodness, mercy, and faithfulness are always pursuing us. Even when we feel unworthy or overwhelmed by life’s challenges, His love is not passive—it actively seeks us out, reminding us that we are never alone or forgotten. This relentless pursuit is the foundation for our hope and the reason we can sing of His goodness all our days. [00:47]
• 2. Every Church Faces Imperfection, But God’s Power Works Through Our Problems There is no perfect church, and the early church in Acts faced real issues—cultural tensions, discrimination, and conflict. The presence of problems is not a sign of God’s absence; rather, it is an opportunity for His power to be displayed as we seek His wisdom and walk in the Spirit. When we respond to challenges with humility and unity, God brings growth, preserves His word, and multiplies ministry through us. [10:08]
• 3. Servant Leadership and Delegation Are Essential for Kingdom Growth The apostles recognized their limitations and the need to delegate responsibilities to others who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. True leadership is not about doing everything ourselves but about empowering others to use their God-given gifts for the good of the body. When we serve together, each person’s unique gifts are honored, and the church becomes a powerful witness to the world. [15:52]
• 4. God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways Stephen began his ministry by serving tables, a humble and often overlooked task. Yet, because he was faithful in small things, God entrusted him with greater influence and power. No act of service is insignificant in God’s eyes; when we are filled with His Spirit, even the most ordinary roles become platforms for His glory and miracles. [31:12]
• 5. Opposition and Injustice Cannot Overcome the Wisdom and Spirit of God When Stephen faced opposition, false accusations, and persecution, those against him could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. God’s presence in us equips us to stand firm, speak truth, and reflect His glory even in the face of adversity. Walking in the Spirit means that no scheme or lie can ultimately prevail against God’s purpose in our lives. [33:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:47] - Singing of God’s Goodness
• [02:04] - Opening Prayer and Blessing for Children
• [03:12] - Journey Through the Book of Acts
• [05:06] - God’s Power and Presence in Problems
• [06:23] - Growing Pains in the Church
• [08:15] - Cultural Conflict and Discrimination
• [10:08] - No Perfect Church, Only a Perfect God
• [13:17] - The Apostles’ Call to Servant Leadership
• [15:52] - Qualifications for Service and Delegation
• [18:20] - Using Your Gifts for God’s Glory
• [20:16] - Wisdom in Choosing Leaders
• [22:14] - Mission Trip Testimony: God Moves in Weakness
• [25:58] - God’s Power in Unexpected Places
• [31:12] - Stephen: Faithful in Small Things
• [33:16] - Opposition and the Spirit’s Wisdom
• [35:17] - God’s Glory Shines Through Servants
• [37:54] - Challenge: Pray, Serve, and Share the Gospel
• [39:09] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Acts 6:1-15 (ESV) —
> 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
> 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
> 3 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.
> 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
> 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
> 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
> 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
> 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
> 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.
> 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
> 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
> 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,
> 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,
> 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
> 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Observation Questions

1. What specific problem did the early church face in Acts 6, and who was affected by it? ([08:15])
2. How did the apostles respond to the complaint about the widows being overlooked? What steps did they take to address the issue? ([13:17])
3. What qualifications did the apostles look for in the men chosen to help with the food distribution? ([15:52])
4. What was Stephen’s role before he began performing signs and wonders, and how is he described in the passage? ([31:12])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon points out that even the early church had real problems, including cultural tensions and discrimination. What does this suggest about the expectation of finding a “perfect” church today? ([10:08])
2. Why do you think the apostles insisted on choosing men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” for what might seem like a practical, behind-the-scenes task? What does this say about how God values different kinds of service? ([15:52])
3. Stephen started by serving tables but was later used by God in powerful ways. What does his story teach about faithfulness in small things and God’s ability to use ordinary people? ([31:12])
4. When Stephen faced opposition and false accusations, the people “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” What does this reveal about the source of true strength and effectiveness in ministry? ([33:16])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “God’s goodness is running after me.” Can you think of a time when you felt God’s goodness or mercy pursuing you, even when you didn’t expect it? How did you respond? ([00:47])
2. The early church faced division and discrimination, but they addressed it with wisdom and unity. Are there areas in your life, family, or church where you see division or neglect? What practical steps could you take to bring unity or care for someone overlooked? ([10:08])
3. The apostles delegated responsibility instead of trying to do everything themselves. Is there an area in your life where you need to ask for help or empower others to serve? What’s holding you back from doing that? ([15:52])
4. Stephen was faithful in a small, humble task before God used him in greater ways. Is there a “small” or unseen way you could serve right now, either in church or outside, that you’ve been overlooking? ([31:12])
5. The sermon challenges us to pray for wisdom, look for opportunities to serve, and be ready to share the gospel. Which of these three is hardest for you, and why? What is one step you can take this week to grow in that area? ([37:54])
6. When Stephen faced lies and opposition, he relied on the Spirit’s wisdom and didn’t give in to fear or anger. How do you usually respond when you feel misunderstood or attacked? What would it look like to respond with the Spirit’s wisdom instead? ([33:16])
7. The pastor shared a story about being out of his element on a mission trip but still being used by God. Have you ever felt unqualified or out of place in a situation where you were called to serve? How did God show up, or how might you trust Him to use you next time? ([25:58])