Monday, September 22, 2008

Acts 6:1-7

"1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."


(1) The Apostles were continuing to teach, and continuing to make even more disciples. We as leaders in the church should never stop on our calling to continue to make disciples, this should be a process that is ongoing and constant. While this is happening there are things going on in the church that the Apostles are not aware of. (2)This shows that the Apostles and leaders although they are doing what God has called them to do, can not be everywhere and there might be things going on that are not good and there might be people who are being hurt and neglected(3). The job of the Leader is to preach and teach and train people to be disciples (4). This is where the leaders need to step up and delegate responsibility to (5) Godly people who are full in their faith and mature in their relationship with Christ. This is going to be key for the ongoing growth of the Kingdom. The leaders need to be able to put people in charge of necessary responsibilities without having to constantly monitor them so that they can do the work they were intended on doing. This ability to delegate responsibilities to the Right Individuals will be beneficial to all involved. This will produce growth in the Kingdom of God. The lack of ability to recognize the right people, people who have been discipled and are full in their faith, who have been with the leader for a significant time and show that they are "full of faith and the Holy Spirit", fully committed to the cause of Christ at all cost and not just for personal gain, can cause a disorder and stint growth in the church. This is why leaders need to spend significant time with those they want to put into leadership, discipling them and making sure they are ready for the kind of responsibility they are going to in store for. Continue to pray for all of the leadership.

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