Jan
30 |
“Let’s Start With Seven”
Cindie Jenkins |
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Listen |
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Acts 6:2-4—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.” |
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Inquire |
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The Twelve were overwhelmed. The Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews were complaining because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The church had a responsibility to take care of widows, but its first responsibility was to share the good news of Jesus and to spread the word that the true Messiah had come. The Church was just getting started. News spread more slowly than it does today, as the Information Highway and CNN were not yet available. The Twelve had the primary task of spreading the news of Christ’s amazing love. The widows and others needed to know that they were being fed out of the love of Christ, not just because there were “some nice folks down at that new church.” |
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Faith |
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The same is true today. The leaders, or pastors, of our church have the primary task of sharing and teaching the Word of God. I must admit that Luke’s passage in Acts brought an image to mind of Pastor Robin in a white apron with a black leather order pad waiting tables that did make me grin. However, if Robin is preoccupied with waiting tables, or charged with heading every ministry at ClearBranch, it will negatively affect his sermons, small group lessons, and individual ministering sessions. A like premise holds true for every minister at our church. The Twelve found this to be true for them and in their wisdom said something like, “Hey, we gotta get some help here” (loosely translated from Aramaic.) They wanted people who were filled with the Spirit and wisdom. That “wisdom” doesn’t mean smart people, or this page would be blank; it means people who have been saved by Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are a Christian, that means you. Congratulations! It means me. Do I check the church bulletin to see areas of need where I can minister? Do I stop by the kiosks or ministry displays to see what areas could involve me? Do I ask how I can help? Do I pray regularly about how God wants me to put the love Jesus commanded into action? The church needs our gift$, but it also needs our gifts. |
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Experience |
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Heavenly Father, please guide me in serving your church, your people, through the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. Amen |
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