Prioritizing the Gospel: Transformation and Obedience in Faith
Summary
In the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we find a pivotal moment in the early church's history. The church was growing rapidly, and with this growth came challenges, particularly in the administration of resources for widows. The apostles faced a crucial decision: should they focus on serving tables or continue preaching the Word of God? They concluded that their primary task was to preach the gospel, as it is the only message that can truly save humanity. This decision underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual needs over physical ones, as the gospel addresses not just temporal concerns but eternal ones.
The chapter also highlights the transformative power of the gospel, as evidenced by a great number of priests becoming obedient to the faith. This transformation is not superficial; it is a profound change that affects the entire being. Becoming a Christian is described as a new creation, a rebirth, and a radical change that involves the mind, heart, and will. It is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response but a total obedience to the faith.
Obedience is central to the Christian faith because the essence of sin is disobedience to God. Sin is not just a personal failure or a source of misery; it is rebellion against God. Therefore, becoming a Christian involves a complete surrender to God's will, acknowledging one's sinfulness, and accepting the gospel message. This obedience is not passive; it requires active engagement of the mind, heart, and will, leading to a life that is aligned with God's purposes.
The gospel calls for repentance, which means rethinking one's life and being open to the possibility of being wrong. It involves a willingness to change one's mind and to confess one's sins, leading to a genuine transformation. This transformation is evidenced by a desire to be part of the church community, to learn and grow in faith, and to live a life that glorifies God.
Key Takeaways:
- The primary task of the church is to preach the gospel, as it is the only message that addresses both temporal and eternal needs. The apostles prioritized preaching over serving tables, emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment. [05:13]
- Becoming a Christian is a profound transformation that involves the mind, heart, and will. It is not a superficial change but a radical rebirth that affects one's entire being. [12:07]
- Obedience to the faith is central to the Christian life because sin is fundamentally disobedience to God. True obedience involves a total surrender to God's will and a commitment to live according to His purposes. [20:34]
- Repentance is a crucial step in becoming a Christian. It involves rethinking one's life, being open to change, and confessing one's sins. This leads to a genuine transformation and a desire to live a life that glorifies God. [38:36]
- A true Christian is characterized by a desire to be part of the church community, to learn and grow in faith, and to live a life that reflects the gospel's transformative power. This involves a total obedience to the faith and a commitment to live according to God's purposes. [52:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Acts 6:7
- [01:03] - The State of the World
- [02:20] - The Apostles' Experience
- [03:35] - The Church's Growth and Challenges
- [05:13] - The Primary Task of the Church
- [06:26] - The Nature of the Gospel Message
- [07:27] - The Power of Prayer
- [08:00] - What It Means to Be a Christian
- [11:18] - The Radical Change of Becoming a Christian
- [14:34] - The Essence of Sin
- [20:34] - Obedience to the Faith
- [38:36] - The Process of Repentance
- [52:48] - The Christian Community
- [54:40] - Final Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:7
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
- Romans 6:17
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Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 6:7, what significant change is noted among the priests, and what does this indicate about the spread of the gospel? [08:31]
2. How does the sermon describe the apostles' decision regarding their primary task, and what was the reason behind it? [05:13]
3. According to the sermon, what is the essence of sin, and how does it relate to the concept of obedience? [28:30]
4. What role does prayer play in the apostles' ministry, as discussed in the sermon? [06:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. How does this transformation manifest in a believer's life according to Acts 6:7? [08:31]
2. The apostles prioritized preaching over serving tables. How does this decision reflect the church's mission today, and what challenges might arise from this prioritization? [05:13]
3. The sermon describes becoming a Christian as a profound change involving the mind, heart, and will. How does this compare to other life changes people might experience? [11:36]
4. How does the concept of obedience to the faith challenge or affirm your understanding of what it means to be a Christian? [20:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized physical needs over spiritual ones. How can you ensure a better balance in the future, aligning with the apostles' decision to prioritize preaching? [05:13]
2. The sermon describes becoming a Christian as a radical rebirth. Can you identify areas in your life where you have experienced or need to experience this kind of transformation? [12:07]
3. Obedience is central to the Christian faith. What are some areas in your life where you struggle with obedience to God's will, and how can you work towards surrendering those areas? [20:34]
4. Repentance involves rethinking one's life and being open to change. Is there a belief or habit you need to rethink or change? What steps can you take towards genuine repentance? [38:36]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of being part of a church community. How can you actively engage with your church community to grow in faith and support others? [52:48]
6. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer to seek God's power and guidance in your daily activities? [06:58]
7. The sermon mentions the transformative power of the gospel. How can you share this transformative message with someone in your life who may not yet know Christ? [08:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Mission: Spiritual Nourishment Over Physical Needs
The early church faced a significant challenge as it grew rapidly: how to manage the distribution of resources, particularly to widows, without neglecting the primary mission of preaching the gospel. The apostles made a pivotal decision to prioritize the spiritual nourishment of the community over physical needs, recognizing that the gospel is the only message that addresses both temporal and eternal concerns. This decision highlights the importance of focusing on spiritual growth and the transformative power of the gospel, which can lead to profound changes in individuals and communities. The apostles' choice serves as a reminder that while physical needs are important, the church's primary mission is to share the life-changing message of Christ. [05:13]
Acts 6:2-4 (ESV): "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. 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: In what ways can you prioritize spiritual growth in your life this week, even amidst the demands of daily responsibilities?
Day 2: Transformation Through the Gospel: A Radical Rebirth
Becoming a Christian is described as a profound transformation that involves the mind, heart, and will. It is not a superficial change but a radical rebirth that affects one's entire being. This transformation is evidenced by a great number of priests becoming obedient to the faith, showcasing the gospel's power to bring about deep and lasting change. The gospel calls individuals to a new way of life, one that is marked by a complete surrender to God's will and a commitment to live according to His purposes. This radical change is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response but a total obedience to the faith. [12:07]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific area of your life where you have experienced transformation through the gospel. How can you continue to nurture this change?
Day 3: Obedience: The Heart of the Christian Life
Obedience to the faith is central to the Christian life because sin is fundamentally disobedience to God. True obedience involves a total surrender to God's will and a commitment to live according to His purposes. This obedience is not passive; it requires active engagement of the mind, heart, and will, leading to a life that is aligned with God's purposes. Becoming a Christian involves acknowledging one's sinfulness, accepting the gospel message, and committing to a life of obedience. This commitment is a daily choice to follow Christ and live in accordance with His teachings. [20:34]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience to God. What steps can you take today to align this area with His will?
Day 4: Repentance: A Path to Genuine Transformation
Repentance is a crucial step in becoming a Christian. It involves rethinking one's life, being open to change, and confessing one's sins. This leads to a genuine transformation and a desire to live a life that glorifies God. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for one's sins but involves a willingness to change one's mind and actions. It is a process that requires humility and a recognition of one's need for God's grace. Through repentance, individuals experience the transformative power of the gospel and are drawn into a deeper relationship with God. [38:36]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt convicted of sin. How can you practice genuine repentance and seek God's forgiveness and transformation?
Day 5: Community: Living Out the Gospel Together
A true Christian is characterized by a desire to be part of the church community, to learn and grow in faith, and to live a life that reflects the gospel's transformative power. This involves a total obedience to the faith and a commitment to live according to God's purposes. Being part of a community of believers provides support, encouragement, and accountability as individuals seek to live out their faith. The church is a place where believers can grow together, learn from one another, and serve the world in love. This communal aspect of the Christian life is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [52:48]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively engage with your church community this week to encourage and support others in their faith journey?
Quotes
The primary task of the church is to preach the gospel even before philanthropic and work and work of relief even before looking after widows the task of the church is to preach this message why well it's the only message that can save men it's a good thing to attend to people's physical needs medicine's all right charitable work is excellent social work is fine we can't praise these things too much but after all you see they're all working on a very limited program with your most perfect National Health Service and all the best drugs in the world you can't cure death. [00:05:22]
The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]
The essence of sin is Disobedience of God so many people seem to think that sin is that which makes me miserable sin is that which gets me down sin is that which makes me unhappy sin is that which gives me the feeling of the morning after the night before them that is that thing that makes me kick myself metaphorically for being such a fool sin is a headache sin is that which makes me ill at ease well I grant you sin has all those consequences but you know that's not the essence of sin the essence of sin is that it is rebellion against God. [00:28:25]
The essence of becoming a Christian is that we render obedience God is our maker God is our lawgiver God is our judge Eternal and God is a right over us this is not some arbitrary action on the part of God God is just and right and holy and he made men the same and he gave men the great Dignity of putting something in his own image upon him and God is it where he's trying to hold up the Dignity of men a human being meant for communion with God and man rebelling against God not only disobeys but drags himself down. [00:31:16]
The gospel is not just something to be listened to it isn't enough just to listen to The Gospel there are people who spend a lifetime in listening to the gospel Sunday by Sunday that doesn't make a man a Christian of course a Christian will listen to The Gospel all I'm saying is that merely to listen to it doesn't put one right it doesn't save one there are people who have done this out of tradition and out of habit and custom exactly as these priests have been doing that doesn't make you Christian. [00:38:17]
Repentance the very word describes itself repent think again it's the Latin word from which our word repentance has come and you know this is a very simple but it's a very profound thing this message calls upon you to think again you've got your scheme of things you've got your philosophy of life you say you've worked it out you're an intelligent person you've read you're up to date in your reading and you're well aware of all these theories and you know all about Hinduism and confusion ISM and other religions and you know all the arguments that can be brought against Christianity. [00:38:36]
The first step in obedience is that you stop resisting I don't want to keep you my dear friends but we all know what it is to do this don't we I've known people you know coming under the power of this gospel and seeing something of the immediate consequences they deliberately pick up a him book and start turning the leaves or they look at somebody else and wink and smile and laugh or they'll do anything Shake themselves anything to stop it that's resisting the spirit you know about that don't you the first step in obedience is that you stop resisting. [00:37:57]
The Christian faith always produces emotion it is the word of God it is the truth of God it is the action of God recreating us and he involves the whole man the mind is engaged the heart is engaged and the will is engaged it is an obedience and it is an obedience on the part of the whole of the personality and unless your entire personality has been captivated captured and is involved I say you're not a Christian you have obeyed from the heart the form of sound doctrine that was delivered to you. [00:27:16]
The gospel is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God made known to All Nations for The Obedience of Faith that's why it has been made known it is called in know it is preached in order that we might be called to obedience unless somebody might think that this is just the special teaching of the Apostle Paul listen to Peter saying the same thing he's writing to Christians elect according to the for knowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. [00:22:08]
The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]
The gospel calls upon you to think again you've got your scheme of things you've got your philosophy of life you say you've worked it out you're an intelligent person you've read you're up to date in your reading and you're well aware of all these theories and you know all about Hinduism and confusion ISM and other religions and you know all the arguments that can be brought against Christianity and you've decided there is no God there is no salvation none of these things and there it is you've got your scheme and you've been going on like that. [00:38:36]
The Christian is a man who has made a total response to the message the Christian I say is not a man who responds only with the Mind neither is he a man who responds only with a heart there are many who've done that there are many people who think they're Christian they're not they're just sentimentalists perhaps a direct attack has been made upon their feelings they've been affected by some very moving story that an evangelist has told or by some hymn or chorus singing and they've been moved emotionally and because they weep they think they've under on a profound change. [00:26:22]
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