Sermon Notes-"Pick Me" based on Acts 6:1-15

Introduction: Today’s message is titled, “Pick Me”.  There are several examples of how we have experienced being picked in life.  My first memory of this would be on the playground picking teams for kickball.  A later example of this is when you applied for your first job.  You presented your qualifications and you hoped they would pick you over the other candidates.  A more recent phenomenon is in the area of reality shows or music competitions like American Idol or The Voice.  Contestants compete for the one spot and again are chosen based on abilities.  Our Scripture today looks at a different type of being picked today.

Picked from Complaint-vs. 1-6

·         The Problem-Vs. 1-As more and more people became disciples (followers of Jesus), it created a problem.  It was a great problem to have but it still needed to be addressed.  The Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) complained that their “widows were being neglected in daily distribution” (of food-caring for widows)

o   These Greek Speaking Jews probably lived outside of Jerusalem, worshiped in different synagogues and feel like they are being left out either because of language (not speaking Hebrew or Aramaic) or not living in Jerusalem.

§  Christians in every age and social context need to be aware of the threat that cultural and racial differences can pose to their unity in Christ.^[1]

o   Notice what these leaders did.  They did not blame anyone or minimize the issue but came up with a plan.

·         The Solution-Vs. 2-4-The twelve (apostles) gathered together and came up with a plan with the disciples

o   Vs. 2 can sound like they are minimizing the need of caring for widows.  Don’t look at that way.  They are not saying preaching is better than serving tables.  Instead look at it from a gift perspective.  They are gifted to preach more than serve.  Both are needed.

o   Vs. 3-Pick 7 to carry out this duty

§  Notice the job description-good repute, full of the Spirit, wisdom

§  Do not believe the lie that your gifts are not important.  All gifts are important and needed for the church to function as God intended. The gift of service or mercy or compassion or helps is not a lesser gift.

o   Vs. 4-The 12 did not lose sight of their vision (prayer and the Word)

·         Vs. 5-The solution “pleased the gathering” so they picked the 7- Nicolaus (not born a Jew-converted)

·         Vs. 6-They set the seven and they prayed and laid hands on them commissioning or setting them apart for their important work.

·         Behind the scenes-As things grow numerically, the Enemy (Satan) tries to cause distractions to move the church away from its vision

Picked from Conflict-vs. 8-15 (most likely some time has passed)

·         Vs. 8-Stephen was full of grace and power and was doing great signs and wonders

·         The Problem-Vs. 9-The synagogue of Freedmen disputed with Stephen

o   This was a group of Greek-speaking Jews… were slaves who had gained their freedom, or children of such. Their fellow Hellenist, Stephen,^[2]

o   a blasphemous assault on the central tenets of their religion ^[3]

·         The Solution-Vs. 10-14-They gathered together and came up with a plan.

o   Vs. 10-They could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit

o   Vs. 11-So, they instigated men to lie about Stephen

§  He has spoken blasphemous words against Moses (law/customs) and God (temple).

·         Stephen appeared to have violated the majesty of God by casting doubt on the sacredness and eternal significance of the law and the temple for his people.^[4]

o   Vs. 12-13-They stirred up people, elders, scribes and seized Stephen & set up false witnesses (words against this holy place and law)

o   Vs. 14-Jesus will destroy this place and change customs of Moses

§  Jesus himself was accused of this while on the cross in Mark 15:29

·         Vs. 15-Looking at Stephen-his face like the face of an angel. (Moses in Exodus 34)

·        Behind the scenes-As things grow spiritually, the Enemy (Satan) tries to cause division to move the church away from its vision

Results-vs. 7

·         Word of God increased

o   The word of God ‘grew’ in the sense that its influence extended and the number who believed it grew.^[5]

·         Number of disciples multiplied

·         Priests became obedient to the faith

o   Most likely Sadducees who had opposed the apostles were now following Jesus in relationship rather than religion

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^[1] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 231). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[2] Baker, W. H. (1995). Acts. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 893). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

^[3] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 239). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[4] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 241). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[5] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (pp. 235–236). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.