Changed Lives

  There was a problem among believers and how did the apostles solve it?

Problem:|(NASB) Acts 6:1 “NOW AT this time while the disciples were increasing in number; a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.”

Problem solved:
(NASB) Acts 6:2-6 “So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
³ ‘Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
⁴ ‘But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’
⁵ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
⁶ And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”

  The apostles could not do everything.  They wisely gave some responsibilities to others in order to meet the physical needs of the congregation.  What do we expect of our pastors, ministers and priests?  Do we expect them to “do it all”?  Not even the apostles, those who had walked with Jesus and talked with Jesus were able to do everything that was needed. 

Wise leadership will divide responsibilities among believers
who are full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.

  The twelve apostles asked seven men to focus on the physical needs of serving the people.

  Serving the spiritual and the physical needs had the same requirements: to have a good reputation and to be full of the Holy Spirit of God.

  No matter to what or where you are called to serve the Lord – your good reputation, your being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential in doing God’s work, God’s way.

  Your changed life will result because you have turned to Jesus (as your Savior) and then you are filled with the Holy Spirit by God Himself.  Work done in the name of Jesus should always be led by the Holy Spirit.

~ Take it to heart ~

Your changed life will lead to a good reputation.
Your changed life will prove the Holy Spirit lives within.