How to defend your success
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Acts 6:1–7 (NIV)
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The composition of the Church. After enduring the intimidation of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4) and the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), the Church of Jerusalem is facing new challenges as a result of the growth and success that the gospel was producing in Jerusalem: In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1 - NIV).
This growth gave birth to a dual composition in the Church: there were Jews and Hellenists.
The Hellenists were: The Jews living in Jerusalem who spoke Greek as their primary language.
However, this exponential growth has also brought with it a problem regarding the widows of these 2 groups. The point was that the widows of the Hellenists were neglected.
How should we address these challenges? We want to maintain the growth and success we are achieving through the example of the newborn Church in Jerusalem:
Whithout Excuses
Whithout Neglecting
Whithout Distractions
N.1 - Without Excuses
N.1 - Without Excuses
Without excuses. Let's see how the apostles did not try to justify themselves, but admitted through their decisive and immediate action that there was a problem!
Unfortunately we are used to justifying ourselves rather than working to solve problems.
In the face of problems we may be accustomed to blaming others: And Saul said to Samuel: “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash (1 Samuel 13:11 - NIV).
The invitation this evening is to look at the reality of the facts: the clay has gone bad: But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him (Isaiah 18:4 - NIV), something is not right, it is not working and it is something that must be considered without excuses.
In your personal or married life you need an objective look, we ask God for the strength to face problems without justification.
Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.
George Washington
N.2 - Without Neglecting
N.2 - Without Neglecting
Without neglecting. Widows represented the lowest rung of Jewish society.
Suffice it to recall that at that time there was no social assistance and women depended economically on men.
But there is more to the word widow. The Greek term "Chera", or widows, encompasses the idea of what is forgotten, neglected and ignored.
These women already came from an experience of loneliness and poverty, but the church of Jesus has not forgotten them!
If we are to continue to preserve the success God is giving us we want to remember who has been forgotten.
We want to fill the role that Boaz played with the widows Naomi and Ruth. Boaz did not rest: Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” (Ruth 3:18 NIV).
Perhaps there is something to remember in your marriage, something that has been lost and that you, as a believer, need to heal and revive.
Or those precious, good habits have been lost in your home: remember them, take care of them, bring them back to health for the maintenance of the success God has granted you.
9674 Take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.
Anonymous
N.3 - Without Distractions
N.3 - Without Distractions
Frustrated because distracted. The apostles here show great humility, love and organization.
Widows had to be cared for, but this service could be delegated, given to someone else.
In fact, they had been called by the Lord to preach the gospel.
While that was a noble and necessary action, it was not what God had called them to do.
Do you know why so many people are sad, angry and frustrated? Because they are distracted.
My hands are busy doing something else. The story of Martha and Mary reminds us how distractions can make us irritable with everyone: But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 - NIV).
If we are to remain successful and enjoy the fruits of God-given growth, we must choose not to be distracted.
Traffic accidents (illustration). Unfortunately, in 2014, 26% of road accidents involved distracted drivers due to the use of mobile phones.
Answering the phone is important, but when we drive our eyes have to look at the road.
The distractions in the Christian life may come from harmless or useful things, but this causes us to deviate from our goal.
We therefore wholeheartedly proclaim what Paul reminds the Church in Philippi: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 - NIV).
Distractions must be conquered or they will conquer us.
A. W. Tozer
Conclusion
Conclusion
Stand up for success. The Church in Jerusalem will continue to grow and succeed beyond the borders of the city itself because she had the humility to acknowledge her shortcomings, she had the sensitivity to remember who needed to be cared for and protected, but she did not allow anyone or anything to distract her from reach the goal.
May the Lord help us to implement the same attitude in our lives and in our community.
