Priesthood of All Believers (Acts 6:1-7)

 Sermon for Milledgeville and Centenary UMC...

[Slide] Priesthood of All Believers (Acts 6:1-7)

 

[Slide] A husband and his wife were always fighting each other. Neighbors could hear them yelling. The woman would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up, out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life!” The whole neighborhood was afraid of her. At only 58, she died of a heart attack. She was buried at the local cemetery. Afterward, the husband went straight to the local bar and began to party. His neighbors asked, “Aren't you afraid she’s gonna dig her way up out of the grave and haunt you?” The husband laughed, “Let her dig. I had her buried upside down!”

 

[Slide] Today we are looking at an early Church fight. Widows, in the first century, were often destitute without their husbands. Therefore, the Church had an important mission to care for widows from the common purse. The church adhered to the instruction from Moses.

 

[Slide] When you finish tithing… you must give it to the Levites, immigrants, orphans, and widows so that they may eat to their satisfaction in your villages. (Deuteronomy 26:12)

 

During the distribution of food, some in the Church noticed that Greek-speaking widows were left out. The apostles were responsible for this important ministry. It was up to them to address the problem. [Slide] They decided to prioritize, clarify, and diversify.

 

[Slide] “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:2)

 

That sounds kind of snobbish, don’t it? Do the apostles think such work to be beneath them? I wish they had put it differently, but they didn’t. [Slide What they did do was prioritize, clarify, and diversify.

 

They prioritized the word of God. They clarified who should handle the ministry to widows, and the church grew as more were served.

[Slide] The church had grown to 5000. So many were healed by the apostles that people began placing their sick out on the streets so that, as Peter walked by, his shadow might fall on them and heal them. (Acts 5:15) People came to Jerusalem from nearby villages to have their sick healed. Every day more and more joined the Church. There was a multitude of Jesus followers.  

 

[Slide] This ought to remind us of Moses. He was overwhelmed by the multitude of Israel. He sat morning to night, day after day, settling matters for the people. His father-in-law said to Moses, “What you are doing is ‘not good.’” The apostles told the church it is “not good” to neglect the word of God.

 

[Slide] Jethro advised Moses to prioritize his role as God’s representative and to delegate to others the task of settling issues among the people.

 

 “Choose… capable, God-fearing men, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people...” (Exodus 18: 21)

 

[Slide] The same thing is happening here in Acts 6. The apostles are overwhelmed. They neglected the Greek-speaking widows. It was time to prioritize, clarify roles, and diversify. The apostles decided their primary responsibility was to guide the Church by devoting themselves to the ministry of the word and to prayer. They had a representative role. They spoke on Jesus’ behalf to the Church. They knew Jesus personally. They knew His teachings. [Slide] Their priority was the scriptures and listening for the Spirit of Jesus to guide them in prayer.

 

They called upon the Church to select 7 men to take charge of the ministry to widows. [Slide] These men were to have a good reputation among the Church. They were to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

 

Everyone spoke well of the seven they chose. They were capable, God-fearing, and honest. They exhibited wisdom and were filled with the Spirit.

 

[Slide] How do you know if a person is Spirit-filled? First of all, they love Jesus and they love people!! God is love. Jesus is the embodiment of love. Spirit-filled people love others just as Jesus loved. [Slide] Love everyone! Humans tend to build walls. We segregate. Jesus built a Church that embraces all people.

 

[Slide] Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11) [Slide] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28). Spirit-filled people love all people.

 

[Slide] A person filled with the Spirit will bear the fruit of the Spirit. They will exhibit these qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a)

 

[Slide] A painter was hired to paint a house. He asked the client where do you want me to start? The client said, “Roof.” So, he painted all around the eves and soffits. When he was done, he said to the client, “OK, I’ve got the roof done, where would you like me to paint next?” The client answered, “Roof.” The painter said, “I just told you I finished the roof. Now what’s next?” Again, the client said, “Roof.” Growing impatient the painter muttered, “That’s the last time I’m going to paint a doghouse!”

 

[Slide] You want to know how to behave with patience? Let go of the demand that people and things be the way you want them to be. Jesus didn’t want to face the cross. He prayed, “Let this cup pass from me.” But for our sake and in full obedience to God, He yielded. “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Patience comes through surrender. “Let go and let God.”  Patience comes when you submit your will to God’s will.

 

[Slide] A Spirit-filled person is passionate about sharing Jesus. I don’t mean an annoying evangelist with a bullhorn. Share hope in Jesus with those who feel hopeless. Encourage your friends when they face tough challenges. Tell them how faith in Jesus has helped you. Help them to know that Jesus walks with them. Help those who feel unloved to know the love of Jesus!

 

[Slide] A Spirit-filled person is a person of prayer. Daily they spend time in prayer, connecting to Jesus. When Moses met with God in the tabernacle, his face radiated divine light. The faces of Spirit filled Christians shine because they spend time daily with Jesus in prayer.

 

[Slide] My cell phone drains the battery rapidly. If I don’t plug into the charger, my phone dies before the workday is done. If we don’t spend time with Jesus in prayer we will run out of divine energy. Then we’re running on our own limited resources. Instead of patient, we become edgy. Instead of joyful, we grumble. Instead of gentle, we might be short with people. Pray daily. Plug into Jesus and be full of the Spirit.

 

[Slide] A Spirit-filled person serves others humbly. That’s just what widows need, someone who will show them love, compassion, and respect. So many widows live in assisted living facilities. Who is looking after our widows with humility and compassion?

 

[Slide] A healthy Church empowers its members to be in ministry. They delegate responsibilities to capable, well-respected, Spirit-filled women and men to serve others in ministry. No one person can do everything in the Church. That is why God gives us spiritual gifts by which to serve and build up the body of Christ.

 

 

 

[Slide] Peter wrote,

 

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies. (1^st Peter 4:10-11)

 

[Slide] Paul wrote,

 

And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; [Slide] if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)

 

God has gifted each of you to serve. Not everyone can teach. Not everyone can lead. Not everyone can serve in an administrative role. But everyone has spiritual gifts. [Slide] Martin Luther called the Church the priesthood of all believers. God has gifted you for ministry in some way.

 

[Slide] I told you before about the kid’s clothing closet ministry at Zionsville UMC. That happened when one person matched their spiritual gifts and passion for children in need with a gap in county resources. Hundreds have been blessed by this ministry. She found her role, brought others along, and the ministry continues to this day. That’s what diversifying looks like. New ministries can be launched when your gifts and passions are matched with a clear need in our community.

 

[Slide] Google “UMC Spiritual Gifts.” Discover your spiritual gifts by taking the spiritual gifts inventory. Schedule a Tuesday evening visit with me. We’ll discuss your gifts and passions with a need you might fulfill.

 

Let’s dream, let’s pray, and let’s see where the Spirit leads.