The Early Church (8)

Mobilised for MinistryActs 6

The Early Church…about 3000 added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

...and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47

...and the number of men grew to about five thousand Acts 4:4

...more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. Acts 5:14

Then the church... grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. Acts 9:31

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. Acts 13:49

So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16:5

In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. Acts 19:20

Keys to Church GrowthCommissioned to Make Disciples

Acts 1:1-8, Matt 28:18-20

Empowered by the Holy SpiritActs 2:1-41

A Transforming CommunityActs 2:42-47

Accompanied by Healing & MiraclesActs 3, Acts 5:12-16

Full of Boldness and CourageActs 4:1-22

Understood the Power of PrayerActs 4:23-31

Marked by GenerosityActs 4:32-5:11

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.

Acts 6

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)— Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6

The Problem

A practical problemActs 6:1

A potential distractionActs 6:2, James 1:27

Doing what God asks of us, above what man is asking of us.

“Hope Church is a lighthouse on a hill, spreading its light widely, impacting across a wide area, shining a broad light.”

The Solution

Variety in MinistryActs 6:3-6, Eph 4:11-12, 1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:28-30,

Rom 12:7, 1 Pet 4

Everyone Involved1 Cor 12:7, 15-27

“The present high level of unemployment in the nation pales into insignificance in comparison with that which prevails in the church.”

Eddie Gibbs

“Teamwork makes dreams work!”

The Outcome

Church GrowthActs 6:7

OppositionActs 6:9

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master's happiness!” Matt 25:23

Personal GrowthActs 6:8, Acts 8:5-8, Matt

25:14-30, Heb 13:17