When The Church Is Healthy – Acts: Stephen Part 1 – June 2, 2024

Pastor Billy Nettles

Personal and corporate growth comes when we, the church serves others and prioritize the ministry of the gospel.

Acts 6 1-8 NIV

1.In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2 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.

3 Brothers and sisters, 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

4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5 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.

6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 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.

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

The church leader’s response to the concern of those who felt that they were not being treated fairly shows us the two things needed in the church for us to remain unified:

Ephesians 4:3 NIV

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

1. We must stay focused.
2. We must stay flexible.

1. The gospel went out.
2. The church grew.
3. Lukewarm church goers got real with God.
4. Leaders were raised up.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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