Atos 6

Atos 6

Morgan - Lif Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible) The Boat Read: Acts 6:1-7 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. —1 Peter 4:10 A group of teenagers on a ministry trip in Jamaica were enjoying some downtime with a game of Ultimate Frisbee. But when someone noticed that a boat had overturned off a nearby beach, the game ended and the teens eagerly rushed to the water to help. There they found a small group of professional boat operators struggling with their craft—trying to turn it upright. That’s where the teens could help. They waded in, put their young strength to work, and together they were able to right the boat. What happened that day in the Caribbean Sea reminds me of what can happen in the church. The “professionals,” the pastor and others who are trained to lead the church, face a task they can’t do alone. It’s often a struggle to get the work of the church done until laypeople join in and work alongside the leadership. This was the situation in Acts 6. Some people in the church were being neglected, and the “professionals,” the apostles who were leading the church, realized they couldn’t do everything by themselves. Only when seven laypeople pitched in to help the leaders could the church proceed. O Lord, help me in every way To have a faithful heart; Teach me to love and serve Your church, And always do my part. —Fitzhugh Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect. Acts 6:4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." KJV Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. But we will devote ourselves Acts 2:42; 20:19-31; Ro 12:6-8; 1 Cor 9:16; Col 4:17; 1 Ti 4:13-16; 2 Ti 4:2 to prayer and to the ministry of the word Acts 1:14; 13:2,3; Ro 1:9; Eph 1:15-17; 3:14-21; Php 1:4,9-11; Col 1:9-13; Col 2:1; 4:12 Acts 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE APOSTOLIC PRIORITIES: PRAYER AND PREACHING But - Term of contrast. In contrast to serving tables for widows, they will focus on serving the Word to the disciples! We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word - Note that these activities are done with a sense of devotion, not a sense of drudgery or a legalistic duty. This begs a question (of all saints) - Is prayer to the Throne of God for me (you) a daily delight or a "daily grind?" Will devote (4342)(proskartereo from prós = implies motion toward + karteréo = steadfast, endure, hold out) means to be earnest towards, to persevere. Here it describes the apostles' steadfast single-minded fidelity to praying and preaching the Word. A great pattern for everyone called to be a pastor-teacher. Also a good pattern for every disciple to emulate. They persisted obstinately with devotion and effort, attending assiduously to prayer and serving the Word. As an aside, while they clearly made the volitional choice (active voice) to pursue this course of action, such an action is not one's natural desire (even apostles), so implicit is that they devoted themselves cognizant of their continual dependence on the Spirit for His supernatural enablement. Since prayer precedes preaching in this passage, that suggests that one of their prayers was something like this "Lord, give us a hunger and thirst for righteousness and enable us by Thy Spirit to preach with power as good workmen who will need not be ashamed for we accurately handle the Word of truth." (cf 2 Ti 2:15+) The apostle Paul declared "my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." (1 Cor 2:4, cf 2 Cor 6:7, 1 Th 1:5+) Beloved, that is the genre of preaching that will shake the pews, convict hearts and bring down the revival fires of God upon slumbering saints! Yes Lord, do it now! " My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Thy Word." (Ps 119:25) Amen. Luke has already used proskartereo 3 times to describe the prayer and fellowship in the early church... Acts 1:14+ These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 2:42+ They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:46+ Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, The related noun (proskarteresis) is used in one NT passage that gives us a great parallel to Acts 6:4... With all prayer and petition pray (proseuchomai) at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance (proskarteresis) and petition for all the saints. (Eph 6:18+, cf Col 4:2+ which uses proskartereo) Comment: See discussion of what it means to Pray in the Spirit. Note repetition of "all" in this passage! Christian, seek not yet repose, Cast thy dreams of ease away; Thou art in the midst of foes; Watch and pray. Principalities and power, Mustering their unseen array, Wait for thy unguarded hours; Watch and pray. Watch as if on that alone Hung the issue of the day, Pray that help may be sent down; Watch and pray --Charlotte Elliot Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle A Mighty Fortress Is Our God D Edmond Hiebert comments on the importance of prayer to secure God's Hand to work in our human efforts - Prayer is the most powerful and effective means of service in the Kingdom of God . . . It is the most dynamic work which God has entrusted to His saints, but it is also the most neglected ministry open to the believer. The Bible clearly reveals that believing prayer is essential for the advancement of the cause of Christ. It is the essential element for Christian victory...We may marvel at the spiritual power and glorious victories of the early apostolic church, but we often forget that its constant prayer life was the secret of its strength...If the church today would regain the spiritual power of the early church it must recover the truth and practice of prayer as a vital working force.” How many churches have a weekly prayer meeting? Spurgeon once said "Oh! yes, (the prayer meeting) is the place to meet with the Holy Ghost, and this is the way to get His mighty power. If we would have Him, we must meet in greater numbers; we must pray with greater fervency, we must watch with greater earnestness, and believe with firmer steadfastness. The prayer meeting...is the appointed place for the reception of power." Kent