Scattering for God's Mission: Lessons from Acts
Summary
### Summary
In today's exploration of the Book of Acts, we delved into the theme of "Servant Scatter," reflecting on the early church's journey from a period of revival and growth to one of persecution and dispersion. We began by recounting Jesus' ascension and His command to the disciples to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This command set the stage for the church's mission, which was initially marked by miraculous growth and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. However, this period of prosperity was soon followed by challenges, opposition, and the scattering of believers.
We examined Acts 6, where the early church faced internal conflict due to the neglect of Greek-speaking widows in the daily distribution of food. The apostles responded by appointing seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee this task, ensuring that the church's unity and mission were maintained. This decision highlighted the importance of delegation and the prioritization of prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The narrative then shifted to Stephen, one of the seven, who performed great wonders and signs among the people. His ministry, however, attracted opposition from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, leading to his arrest and eventual martyrdom. Stephen's steadfast faith and his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, even as he faced death, served as a powerful testimony to the early church.
The scattering of the church following Stephen's martyrdom was not a setback but a fulfillment of Jesus' command to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. This dispersion led to the spread of Christianity to Judea, Samaria, and eventually to the ends of the earth. The early church's experience teaches us that periods of trial and persecution can serve to advance God's mission, even when it seems counterintuitive.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Delegation and Focus on Core Mission:
The apostles' decision to appoint seven men to handle the daily distribution of food allowed them to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. This act of delegation ensured that the church's mission remained on track and that the needs of the community were met without compromising the apostles' primary responsibilities. Effective delegation is crucial in maintaining focus on the core mission. [09:01]
2. Handling Internal Conflict with Wisdom and Grace:
The early church faced internal conflict when Greek-speaking widows were neglected. The apostles addressed this issue by giving a voice to the aggrieved and appointing leaders to ensure fair distribution. This approach prevented the conflict from becoming toxic and maintained the unity of the church. Addressing internal issues with transparency and wisdom is essential for church health. [13:54]
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Reversing Church Politics:
The appointment of the seven, all with Greek names, demonstrated the Holy Spirit's role in reversing church politics and prejudices. The church chose those who were marginalized to lead, showing that the Holy Spirit values humility and service over status. This teaches us that true leadership in the church is marked by humility and a heart for service. [19:01]
4. Facing Persecution with the Face of an Angel:
Stephen's response to persecution, with a face like an angel and a vision of Jesus, exemplifies how believers should face opposition. His calm and grace under pressure, even to the point of death, serve as a powerful witness to the faith. Believers are called to respond to hostility with grace and a steadfast focus on Jesus. [25:24]
5. Scattering as a Means to Fulfill God's Mission:
The persecution and subsequent scattering of the early church, while painful, were instrumental in spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. This dispersion fulfilled Jesus' command to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Trials and challenges can serve to advance God's mission, reminding us that God's purposes often unfold in unexpected ways. [37:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:57] - Jesus' Ascension and Command
[03:26] - The Early Church's Growth and Challenges
[05:03] - The Reality of Spiritual Battles
[06:59] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit's Guidance
[08:12] - Addressing Internal Conflict
[09:01] - Appointment of the Seven
[10:30] - Historical Context of the Scattered Jews
[12:07] - Handling Upset and Conflict
[13:54] - Importance of Transparency
[15:25] - Focus on the Word and Delegation
[16:50] - The Role of the Seven
[18:11] - The Seriousness of Service
[19:01] - Reversing Church Politics
[20:10] - The Impact of the Holy Spirit
[21:29] - Hostility Inside and Outside the Church
[22:32] - Stephen's Ministry and Opposition
[24:25] - The Politics of Persecution
[25:24] - Stephen's Angelic Response
[26:30] - Unity in Diversity of Opinions
[27:22] - Handling Bad Attitudes
[28:27] - Rewards for Secret Service
[29:09] - Reflecting Jesus in Adversity
[30:01] - The Power of a Radiant Witness
[31:41] - Dealing with Personal Biases
[32:17] - Stephen's Martyrdom
[33:17] - Satan's Tactics and God's Sovereignty
[34:37] - Stephen's Vision of Jesus
[35:57] - Stephen's Christ-like Forgiveness
[37:08] - The Scattering of the Church
[38:36] - Relating to Others Through Our Pain
[40:06] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[41:08] - Bringing Our Struggles to God
[42:06] - Deciding What to Do with Our Time
[43:08] - Final Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 6:1-7 - The appointment of the seven to address the neglect of Greek-speaking widows.
2. Acts 7:54-60 - The martyrdom of Stephen and his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
### Observation Questions
1. What was the main issue that led to the appointment of the seven men in Acts 6? ([08:12])
2. How did Stephen respond to the accusations and hostility he faced from the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen? ([24:51])
3. What vision did Stephen have as he was being martyred, and how did it affect his final words? ([35:21])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it important for the apostles to delegate the task of food distribution to the seven men? How did this decision impact the early church's mission? ([09:01])
2. How does Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God provide comfort and encouragement to believers facing persecution? ([35:21])
3. What does the scattering of the early church following Stephen's martyrdom teach us about God's methods of advancing His mission? ([37:08])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to delegate a task to focus on a more critical mission. How did it impact the overall outcome? How can you apply this principle in your current responsibilities? ([09:01])
2. Have you ever faced internal conflict within a community or organization? How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to address it with wisdom and grace? ([13:54])
3. Stephen faced persecution with a face like an angel. How do you typically respond to opposition or hostility? What steps can you take to respond with grace and steadfast faith like Stephen? ([25:24])
4. The early church's scattering led to the spread of the gospel. Can you think of a challenging situation in your life that ultimately led to a positive outcome? How can you trust God in your current trials to bring about His purposes? ([37:08])
5. The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in reversing church politics and prejudices. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit, especially in situations involving conflict or bias? ([19:01])
6. Stephen's final words were of forgiveness and faith. Is there someone you need to forgive or a situation where you need to demonstrate faith? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([35:57])
7. How can you use your personal experiences of pain and struggle to relate to and support others in your community? What practical steps can you take to share your story in a way that points others to Jesus? ([38:36])
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of Delegation and Focus on Core Mission
The early church faced a significant challenge when Greek-speaking widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. To address this, the apostles appointed seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee this task. This decision allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word, ensuring that the church's mission remained on track. Effective delegation is crucial in maintaining focus on the core mission, as it allows leaders to prioritize their primary responsibilities while ensuring that the needs of the community are met. This act of delegation not only resolved the immediate issue but also strengthened the church's unity and effectiveness in its mission. [09:01]
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: Think about an area in your life where you are overwhelmed with responsibilities. How can you delegate some of these tasks to others so that you can focus on what truly matters?
Day 2: Handling Internal Conflict with Wisdom and Grace
The early church encountered internal conflict when Greek-speaking widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. The apostles addressed this issue by giving a voice to the aggrieved and appointing leaders to ensure fair distribution. This approach prevented the conflict from becoming toxic and maintained the unity of the church. Addressing internal issues with transparency and wisdom is essential for church health. By listening to those who felt neglected and taking decisive action, the apostles demonstrated how to handle conflict with grace and wisdom, ensuring that the church remained united and focused on its mission. [13:54]
James 3:17-18 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict you have experienced. How can you address it with wisdom and grace to promote unity and peace?
Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Reversing Church Politics
The appointment of the seven, all with Greek names, demonstrated the Holy Spirit's role in reversing church politics and prejudices. The church chose those who were marginalized to lead, showing that the Holy Spirit values humility and service over status. This teaches us that true leadership in the church is marked by humility and a heart for service. By choosing leaders from among the marginalized, the early church set an example of inclusivity and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in breaking down barriers and prejudices. [19:01]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Consider someone in your community who is often overlooked or marginalized. How can you support and uplift them, recognizing their value and potential for leadership?
Day 4: Facing Persecution with the Face of an Angel
Stephen's response to persecution, with a face like an angel and a vision of Jesus, exemplifies how believers should face opposition. His calm and grace under pressure, even to the point of death, serve as a powerful witness to the faith. Believers are called to respond to hostility with grace and a steadfast focus on Jesus. Stephen's unwavering faith and his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, even as he faced death, serve as a powerful testimony to the early church and to us today. [25:24]
1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV): "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are facing opposition or hostility. How can you respond with grace and a steadfast focus on Jesus?
Day 5: Scattering as a Means to Fulfill God's Mission
The persecution and subsequent scattering of the early church, while painful, were instrumental in spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. This dispersion fulfilled Jesus' command to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Trials and challenges can serve to advance God's mission, reminding us that God's purposes often unfold in unexpected ways. The early church's experience teaches us that periods of trial and persecution can serve to advance God's mission, even when it seems counterintuitive. [37:08]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you have faced. How might God be using this experience to advance His mission and purpose in your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You are going to be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And then he popped off. He popped off in style. A cloud took him from their sight. He just ascended. And some angels came along and said, in exactly the same way as you've seen him go, into the clouds is the way he's going to come back." [01:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If ever you want to leave this church to join a better one, don't because you'll ruin it. Stay here. We'll be a bit rubbish but you'll fit in fine. If you aren't too good, then stay here because we need all the blinking help we can get. I'm joking. I am joking. I am joking." [05:03] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't let fear silence you. Be bold. But I will say this, we don't want to be openly hostile because we're bad. We don't want to attract hostility because we're nasty. Because we're so stuck in our ways that anybody who doesn't agree with us, we're going to be a bad mouth." [25:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you don't know Jesus, do tell him to come. Ask Dan later, or ask Andy, if you want to know Jesus. Or Helen, put your hand up. If you're a lady, go and ask Helen. If you don't know Jesus, go and ask them." [40:06] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "One day Jesus is going to say to you, welcome home, good and faithful servant. Welcome home. And it ends in an ooh, provided you know who. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, I'll tell you, don't let it go." [43:08] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The road steepens and there's loss, death, opposition, difficulty. Hang on a minute, one minute we've got mega church can we just leave off with this other news can't we just have the good stuff god i ain't like that the road steepens this this this sudden warm oh that's the way that we all seem to be going with ten thousand getting saved here and thousands here and the apostles getting a bit of a clubbing but coming out singing jails bursting open guards getting told off because nobody knows where the where the disciples have gone everything's groovy then all of a sudden here so the stuff seems to start getting a bit more difficult and belief becomes a bit of a battle zone." [03:26] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you've got people who are unhappy in a church, I tell you what, even if they're not quarrelling with other people, they'll be quarrelling with God. So instead of talking to God and praying to God, they're complaining to Him and moaning. Instead of worshipping, they go, oh, they're seething. You can't worship and seethe at the same time. Or it gets a bit difficult, believe me. It's very difficult." [13:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The one thing about the Holy Spirit is, I want to mention this, the Holy Spirit reverses politics. I'm sorry to say, but you do get politics in church. You'll get a little bit of backstabbing from now on. Right? Of course, I've never done any. Hang on. Just checking the note. It is lightning shield, isn't it, Ruth? Dad, we had the lightning shield put up? Seriously, we do play politics, even when we don't mean to, we play politics. Some people mean to play politics, and they're climbing the church ladder." [19:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Stephen has been saying it, spending that much time with Jesus. He sounds like Jesus, hello? Do you sound like Jesus when you're under pressure? Or do you sound like Jesus when you're under pressure? Or do you sound like the losing baggy fans in the Smedic End? Or the England fans who were crying out for the manager to be hung? How are you?" [35:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you've got obnoxious stuff inside you, hide it from others. Bring it to Father. He understands. And he will give you the face of an angel. Once you've spoken to Father, you'll be like Moses when he built up the mountain, Jesus when he built up the transfiguration. You'll be like Stephen. Even being stoned, you'll have the face of an angel." [43:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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