week 4 seven men chosen to serve · 2019-11-05 · ©2018 momentum a ministry of christ chapel...

©2018 Momentum A Ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church, Fort Worth, TX

WEEK 4 – A Costly Calling – Acts 6:8-8:1 • Seven Men Chosen to Serve

“But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.” – Acts 6:1 NLT o Here, we have an internal conflict beginning within the church between two different

groups of believers o Greek-speaking believers

§ Referred to as Hellenists § Hellenists were first proselyte Jews, before coming to believe in Jesus

o What is the internal conflict? § Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) v. Hebrew-speaking Jews § Hellenists are claiming neglect of their widows

o The conflict became a distraction for the apostles

2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” – Acts 6:2-4 NLT

o What is the apostles’ solution to the conflict? § Select seven men to serve the Hellenists § What are the apostles looking for in the men?

- Well-respected - Full of the Spirit & wisdom

o The seven men are chosen

5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

©2018 Momentum A Ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church, Fort Worth, TX

7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. – Acts 6:5-8 NLT

§ All Greek-speaking believers (Hellenists) – know this by their Greek names § Hellenists meeting the needs of Hellenists § In the text, Luke sets Stephen apart from the others (Acts 6:5) Why?

- It isn’t happenstance. He is chosen for a reason, just like the other six men - The fact he is a Hellenist is secondary

• Stephen

o He is a man full of faith, grace, and power o These are NOT self-manufactured qualities o These qualities are from the Holy Spirit, and result from a relationship with God o Stephen’s appointment was due to the Spirit, not himself (God’s sovereignty) o Are we any different?

§ No, the same is true in our lives § God chooses people to lead. You are set apart by God to lead § These qualities (gifts) come to you based upon your reliance on the Holy Spirit

o A Second Conflict

9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s. – Acts 6:9-15 NLT

o A debate arises between Stephen and other men. o Who are these other men?

§ Freed Slaves = former Roman slaves who have been set free. § They are all Jewish proselytes. They are foreigners.

o Stephen is the ideal person to debate with them o Stephen is arrested & brought before the Jewish High Council

§ What was Stephen found guilty of?

©2018 Momentum A Ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church, Fort Worth, TX

- Performing signs and wonders - Preaching the New Covenant / the Gospel

§ Wasn’t he appointed to take care of widows? Why was he preaching the Gospel? - Because Jesus commanded it

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 NLT For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 ESV

- The “us” is all inclusive - Calling of being a husband, being a father, doing your job, etc. is secondary - This is your primary call - Stephen understood this. It applied as much to him as it did to the apostles. - This applies to you. This applies to me. This applies to all of us in Christ.

o GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

§ Do you and I take this command seriously? § Or, do we see it as optional or non-applicable? § Stephen didn’t!

• Stephen Addresses the Council

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?” – Acts 7:1 NLT

o What again is he accused of? § Blaspheming Moses and God – 6:11 § Speaks against the Temple – 6:13 § Said Jesus would destroy the Temple – 6:14 § Threatened their way of life – 6:14

o Stephen replies to his accusers § Why is a Hellenistic Jew giving a history lesson to the religious leaders of Israel? § Stephen brings up…

- Abraham – their great patriarch Never got to live in the land – 7:5

- Joseph – the one who protected them in Egypt Sold into slavery by his own brothers – 7:9

- Moses – the one who delivered them from Egypt Rejected by his own people – 7:35

- David – their great king and ruler of Israel

©2018 Momentum A Ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church, Fort Worth, TX

Denied his wish to build a Temple for God – 7:46-47

o What is Stephen’s whole point? § The work of God § Israel’s history is not about the patriarchs, but about God fulfilling His promises § God’s relationship with Israel had been leading to something bigger and better

“Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’” – Acts 7:37 NLT “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses.” – Acts 7:39 NLT

- They rejected Moses - But they had really rejected God and, ultimately, the promises of God

• Stephen’s Conclusion

51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.” – Acts 7:51-53 NLT o Stephen is turning their accusations against them. o Stephen is telling them that they have a heart problem. They are just as stubborn and

disobedient as their ancestors o Stephen’s response infuriated the Jewish leaders, so they had him killed o Stephen was the first martyr o All Stephen was accused of was speaking the truth and it cost him

• What do we do with all this? What does it have to do with us?

§ Stephen had been saved by God …called by God …and used by God § He spoke truth on behalf of God and died a martyr for God § God met him in the midst of his trial (7:55-56) § Trust in the sovereignty of God by doing your part and letting God do His part § Is this what God has in store for you?

1. Calling

We share the same calling as that of Stephen 2. Cost

We face many of the same risks 3. Control

We have the same sovereign God orchestrating the events of our lives

We need to do what we have been called to do and leave the outcome up to Him.

©2018MomentumAMinistryofChristChapelBibleChurch,FortWorth,Texas

HOMEWORK WEEK5:AMANOBSESSED–Acts8-9ReadthroughActs8-9sometimethisweek,jottingdownallthekeywordsandphrasesyoucanfind.Whateventsorcircumstancesstandouttoyouinthesechapters?Usethespacebelowtorecordthem:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________GobackandlookatActs7:58.HowarewefirstintroducedtoSaul(Paul)?Whatwashedoing? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Whatdoverses1-3ofchapter8tellusaboutSaul?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Andwhatweretheimmediateresultsofhisefforts?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

©2018MomentumAMinistryofChristChapelBibleChurch,FortWorth,Texas

SkipforwardandreadActs22:3-5.HowdoesPauldescribehismissionandwhodidhesayheworkedfor?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Therealheroofchapters8-9ofActsisPhilip.Readthefollowingdescriptionofhim:

ThisPhilipisfirstmentionedintheaccountofthedisputebetweentheHebrewandHellenisticdisciplesinActs6.Heisoneofthedeaconsappointedtosuperintendthedailydistributionoffoodandalms,andsotoremoveallsuspicionofpartiality.ThepersecutionofwhichSaulwastheleadermusthavestoppedthe"dailyministrations"oftheChurch.Theteacherswhohadbeenmostprominentwerecompelledtotakeflight,andPhilipwasamongthem.ItisnoticeablethatthecityofSamaria,isthefirstsceneofhisactivity.HeistheprecursorofSt.Paulinhiswork,asStephenhadbeeninhisteaching.ThescenewhichbringsPhilipandSimonthesorcererintocontactwitheachother(Acts8:9-13),whichthemagicianhastoacknowledgeapowerovernaturegreaterthanhisown,isinteresting.Thisstepisfollowedbyanother.OntheroadfromJerusalemtoGazahemeetstheEthiopianeunuch.AbriefsentencetellsusthatPhilipcontinuedhisworkasapreacheratAzotes(Ashdod)andamongtheothercitiesthathadformerlybelongedtothePhilistines,and,followingthecoast-line,cametoCaesarea.Thenforalongperiod-notlessthaneighteenornineteenyears-welosesightofhim.ThelastglimpseofhimintheNewTestamentisintheaccountofSt.Paul'sjourneytoJerusalem.Itistohishouseastoonewellknowntothem,thatSt.Paulandhiscompanionsturnforshelter.

Takealookatchapter8,andwritedownbelowallthethingsyouseePhilipdoinginthispassage: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________HowwouldcomparetheministryofPhilipwiththe“mission”ofSaul?Howwerethesetwomendiametricaloppositesofoneanother? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ToenhanceyourknowledgeofPhilip,readtheattachedarticle,“Philip:theEvangelist”byRev.GeorgeMilligan.

Philip,theEvangelistByRev.GeorgeMilligan,M.A.,D.D.

PhiliptheEvangelistmustbecarefullydistinguishedfromPhiliptheApostle.AndthoughitislittlethatwearetoldregardinghiminScripture,thatlittleisverysignificant.HefirstcomesbeforeusasoneofthesevenchosenbytheearlyChurchatJerusalemtotakechargeofthedailyministrationofcharitytothepoorwidows(Actsvi.Iff.).AndwhenthisworkishinderedbytheoutbreakofpersecutionfollowingonthedeathofStephen,wefindhimatoncedepartingtoenteronactivemissionaryworkelsewhere(Actsviii.4ff.).ThefactthatheshouldhaveselectedSamariaasthesceneofthesenewlabours,isinitselfaproofthathewasabletoriseabovetheordinaryJewishprejudicesofhistime.Andthissameliberalspiritisfurtherexemplifiedbytheincidentinconnectionwithwhichhewillalwaysbeprincipallyremembered.

InobediencetoaDivinesummons,PhiliphadbetakenhimselftothewaythatgoethdownfromJerusalemtoGaza.And,ifatfirst,hemayhavewonderedwhyheshouldhavebeencalledupontoleavehisrapidlyprogressingworkinSamariaforadesertroad,hewasnotforlongleftindoubtastowhatwasrequiredofhim.ForashewalkedalonghewasovertakenbyanEthiopianstrangerreturninginhischariotfromJerusalem.Thisman,whowasthechamberlainortreasurerofCandace,QueenoftheEthiopians,hadheardsomehowinhisdistanthome,oftheJewishreligion,andhadundertakenthislongjourneytomakefurtherinquiriesregardingit.Wearenottoldhowhehadbeenimpressed;verypossiblytheactualfruitsthathewitnessedwereverydifferentfromwhathehadexpected.Butonetreasureatleasthehadfound,aGreekcopyofthepropheciesofIsaiah,andthishewaseagerlysearchingonhisreturnjourney,toseeifhecouldfindfurtherlightthere.Onepassagespeciallyarrestedhisattention,thetouchingpassageinwhichtheprophetdrawsouthisgreatportraitureoftheManofSorrows.But,then,howreconcilethethoughtofthisMessiah,suffering,wounded,dying,withthegreatKingandConquerorwhomtheJewsatJerusalemhadbeenexpecting!CoulditbethathehadanythingtodowithourJesusofNazareth,ofwhomhehadalsoheard,andwhom,becauseoftheMessianicclaimsHehadputforward,theJewishleadershadcrucifiedonacross?Oh,forsomeonetohelphim!Helpwasnearerthanhethought.PromptedbytheSpirit,Philipranforwardtothechariot;andnosoonerhadhelearnedtheroyalchamberlain'sdifficultiesthanhe"openedhismouth,andbeginningfromthisscripture,preacheduntohimJesus"(Actsviii.35).

WearenottoldonwhatparticularsPhilipdwelt;but,doubtless,startingfromthepropheticdescriptionoftheManofSorrows,"despisedandrejectedofmen,"hewouldshowhowthatdescriptionheldtrueoftheearthlylifeofJesus.Andthenhewouldgoontoshowthemeaningandbearingofthesesufferings.TheyarosefromnofaultonthepartofJesus;but,"Hewaswoundedforourtransgressions,Hewasbruisedforouriniquities."Andyetthatwasnottheend.Thelifewhichhadthusendedinshamehadbegunagaininglory:thecrosshadledontothecrown.AndasthusheunfoldedthefirstgreatprinciplesoftheChristianfaith,Philipwouldpresshomeontheeunuch'sawakenedconsciencethattheyhadavitalmeaningforhim."Repent,"canwenotimaginehimpleadingasPeterhadpleadedbefore,"andbebaptised...

inthenameofJesusChristuntotheremissionofyoursins;andyeshallreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost"(Actsii.38).Theeunuch'sheartwastouched,andheaskedthathemightbebaptized.Satisfiedthathewasinearnest,Philipagreedtohisrequest.Andwhentheycametoacertainwater,"theybothwentdownintothewater,bothPhilipandtheeunuch;andhebaptizedhim."Thus"theEthiopianchangedhisskin,"and"wentonhiswayrejoicing"tohisdistanthome,todeclareinhisturntohiscountrymenthetidingsofgreatjoy.

Therearemanypointsofviewfromwhichwemightregardthisbeautifulincident,butitiswithitinitsbearingonthepersonandcharacterofPhilipthatwearealoneatpresentconcerned.Andinconsideringitfurtherinthislight,itmaybewelltoconfineourselvestonoticinginwhatwayitgainedforPhiliphisdistinctivetitleof"theEvangelist,"andconsequentlywhatithastoteachusstillregardingallevangelisticandmissionarywork.

I.TheEvangelist.

Withregardtotheevangelisthimself,onetruthstandsoutclearlyfromthewholenarrative,hisworkisgiventohimtodo.Heisfirstandforemostamissionary,onesent.

Itisapity,perhaps,thatinourordinaryspeech,wehavecometolimitthename"missionary"somuchtothemanwhocarriesthegospelabroad.Nodoubtheisamissionaryinthehighestsenseoftheword;butstillthefundamentalideaineveryministerorevangelist'spositionistheideaofonesent--sentforaparticularpurpose,withaparticularmessagetoproclaimwhereverGodmayplacehim.Hehasnopower,noauthorityofhisown.AllthathehascomesfromHimwhoseservantheis,andwhosetruthhehastoannounce.

Youremember--toappealatoncetothehighestexample--however-presentthisthoughtofHismissionwastothemindofourLordandMaster.Hismeat,soHetoldHisdisciples,wastodothewillofHimthatsentHim(Johniv.34).ThewordwhichHespakewasnotHisown,buttheFather'swhosentHim(Johnxiv.24).AndsowhenthetimecameforHissendingforthHisdisciplestocarryonHiswork,itwasas"Apostles,"thosesent,thattheworkwasentrustedtothem;andinthesamespiritHeprayedfortheminHisgreatintercessoryprayer:"AsThoudidstsendMeintotheworld,evensosentIthemintotheworld"(Johnxvii.18).

Ifwekeepthisviewoftheevangelistasthemissionary,everbeforeus,thereisonefactregardinghispositionwecanneverlosesightof.Hehasnonewtruthofhisowntodeclare,nonewtheoriesofhisowntoframe.Themessagewhichhehastodeliverisnothisown,butGod's;anditmustbehisconstantendeavourtolearnthatmessageforhimself,andthen,asGod'sservant,toannounceittoothers.Menmayreceivehismessage.Iftheydonot,hedarenotsubstituteanyother.

II.HisMessage.

Inwhatdoestheevangelist'smessageconsist?"Philip,"wearetold,"preacheduntohimJESUS."Andwhatthatincludedwehavealreadyseen.Itwasthestoryofthelife,andthe

death,andtheresurrectionofJesusofNazareth,anewstorythen,anoldstorynow,butstill"theold,oldstory"forus.

ThedutyoftheChristianteachermustbefirstofalltoproclaimChristandHissalvation,toannouncethegladtidingsofmercyandoflovetosinfulmen.

Thisisnot,ofcourse,tosaythateveryaddressorsermonistobeoccupiedwiththeobjectivefactsofChrist'slifeanddeath.Suchteachingwouldsoonbecomemonotonousandwearisome,andfailintheverypurposeitsetbeforeit.Norhavemenonlytobeawakenedtothetruth,theymustbebuiltupinit.Andthepracticalquestionforusallistolearnhowtoapplyandcarryoutinourdailylives,thetruthswehavereceived,howtomakeourconductcorrespondtoourcreed.Thatopensupanendlessfieldfortheevangelist'swork:thatintroducesustolecturesonHomeMissionsandForeignMissions,tothestoryofnoblelives;toall,infact,thatislikelytodeepenandtoquickenourmoralnature.Butstillthisremainsasthefundamentalobjectofthewholeevangel,topreachJesus,tobringthosetoHimwhoknowHimnot,tostrengthenandtocomfortthosewhodo.

When,then,mencallupontheChristianteachertoleavetheobjectivefactsofthegospelalone,andtooccupyhimselfwiththephilosophicandsocialquestionsoftheday,theyarecallinguponhimtosurrenderhisspecialfunctionandduty.Hemustindeedendeavoursotopresentthetruthsoastomeetthepeculiarwantsofhisowntime.Theforminwhichthegospelwaspresentedinoneagemaynotbethebestformofpresentingitinanother.Atonetimeitmaybenecessarytoemphasizeoneaspectofthetruth,atanother,another.Butunderneathallitschangingformsandaspects,thetruthremainsunchanged;anditisthatwhichmustbetaught.

Andafterall,hasnotthesimplegospelmessageeverproveditselftheonemessagethatcantouchtheheartsandmeetthewantsofmen?Whatwasit,forexample,inthepreachingofSavonarolathatsomightilymovedFlorence,theelegant,refined,wicked,paganFlorenceofthefifteenthcentury?HehimselftellsusthatitwasthepreachingofScripturetruth.Whenhediscoursedinaphilosophicalmanner,theignorantandthelearnedwerealikeinattentive:but"theword"mightilydelightedthemindsofmen,andshoweditsdivinepowerinthereformationoftheirlives.Or,totakeanotherinstancefromnearerhome.ArchdeaconWilsondescribessomewheretheexperienceofthepromotersofacertainevening-class,whichtheyhadinstitutedforthebenefitofsomeofthemoreignorantanddegradedinhabitantsofBristol.Allthattheycouldthinkoftheydidforthebenefitofthemenwhogatheredtoit.Theyreadtothem;theysangtothem:theytaughtthemtoreadandwrite.Yet,incourseoftime,interestflagged.Everyexpedientfailed,andtheywereonthepointofabandoningtheworkindespair,whenitoccurredtothemtoapplytothementhemselves."Whatwouldyoulikeustotellyouaboutnext?"theyasked."CouldyoutellussomethingaboutJesusChrist?"answeredoneofthemen.Thatwastheonethingneedful,theoneabidingsatisfactionfortheirdeepestneeds.

Andsoever.Itmaybestrange,butitistrue,thatitis"theManofSorrows"whohaswontheloveofmen;itistheSaviourwhohasbeenlifteduponhighoutoftheearth,whohasdrawnall

mentoHimself.Christ:Christcrucified:Christrisen:thatisthemessagewhicheveryChristianevangelisthastodeclare.

III.HisMessageofGladTidings.

Andisnotthatgoodnews?"Beginningfromthatsamescripture,PhilippreachedtheGLADTIDINGSofJesus."

Philipmadetheeunuch'spreviousknowledgethestarting-pointofallthathehadtosay,and,ashewenton,showedhowtherewasinhismessagetheanswertoallhisdoubtsandthesolutionofallhisdifficulties.

Andthegospelhasstillthesamemeaningforus.Ithasamessageforthemanstrugglingwiththebattleoflife,intheexampleofOnewhohasfoughtthatfightbefore,whoknowsitseverytrialandsorrow,andwhohascomegloriouslythroughthemall.Ithasamessageforthesinner,broodinganxiouslyoverhisguiltypast,consciousonlyofhisowndefilementandunworthinessinthesightofanall-holyGod,asitassureshimofmercyandfreeforgiveness,ofsinblottedoutinthebloodofChrist.Ithasamessageforthetremblingbeliever,compassedaboutwithtemptationsanddoubts,asittellsofOnewhocanstillbe"touchedwiththefeelingofourinfirmities,"andwho,because"HeHimselfhathsufferedbeingtempted,"is"abletosuccourthemthataretempted."Andithasamessageforthemournersorrowingoverthelossofnearanddearones,foritpointstoHimwhois"theResurrectionandtheLife"ofHispeople,andgivespromiseofthe"Father'shouse"withitsmanymansions,whereHeispreparingaplaceforHischildren.

Andyetgreatandgloriousthoughthatmessageis,wheretherearenotahearingear,anunderstandingheart,andawillingmind,evenaStPhiliporaStPaulmaypreachinvain.Butwhere,ontheotherhand,thesearepresent,thenGodmayuseeventhehumblestandfeeblestofHisservantstospeaksomeword,touttersomewarning,whichmaybeworthtousmorethanallwehaveintheworldbesides.Godgrantthatitmaybesowithus,andthatbythepoweroftheHolyGhostthewordpreachedmaybewelcomed,"notasthewordofmen,but,asitisintruth,thewordofGod,whichalsoworkethinyouthatbelieve"(1Thess.ii.13).

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