Good morning people who together share Jesus to others
Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian 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, 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.
What a powerful passage!
When the different parts of the body do what they are designed to do, the body functions in a healthy way. You are a vital part of the Body of Christ! You have a part to play!
But we must discover our part and value our part. I want to briefly speak to pastors and then the rest of the Body today. Please read both parts.
Pastors, don’t neglect your primary purpose – to preach the good news. This can only happen as you give yourself to prayer and the Word. This means there will be many good and necessary needs that you do not personally do. It is not your job to meet every need. I encourage you to set maximum time for prayer and the Word into your schedule as your first and greatest priority. This is what you are called to do.
Does this mean people’s needs are neglected? No. This means you need to appoint and release others to meet these needs. And notice the level of spirituality required for these people who meet practical needs – full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
Leaders should not elevate themselves or diminish those who meet practical needs. But to those who are not pastors, I urge you to release your pastors to pray and study God’s Word more so they can equip you to do the work of the ministry. And notice the spiritual requirement on you too. You need to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
Let’s function in our gifting and fulfil that which God has asked each of us to do. This is how the Body is meant to function and this is how the world will be changed with the good news of Jesus Christ.