WORKING TOGETHER THROUGH GROWING PAINS
Acts 6:1-7
Growing pains are something the
church will continue to feel as we wait for Christ
to return.
"Growing pains" typically refer to the predictable friction and challenges a congregation faces when expanding. These usually include overburdened leaders, changes to decision-making structures, and a shift from a close-knit "family" dynamic to a larger, more structured organization that requires intentional assimilation.
People were becoming distracted and this caused grumblings to fester the body of believers. We find this more so in the church today, as some try to remember the good ole days when the church was full. But H B Charles wrote, “A disgruntled reader wrote the editor of his local newspaper, arguing that the paper was not what it used to be. The editor replied, “It never was.” The same can be said about the church. In a real sense, the church at its birth was the church at its best. But we should not look back wistfully for some non-existent “golden age” of the church. The church has never been perfect. It will not be perfect until the Lord presents it to himself without spot or blemish. Until then, the church is in the process of becoming. We are reformed and being reformed. The Lord is building his church. But we must work together through our growing pains.
There are no perfect churches, not this one, not the church across town, not that church you watch online. Every church has its problems. Acts 6 begins with its first big problem that the believers and the apostles had to face. There was a good problem……. Multitude of men and women, were being genuinely converted as we read in the previous chapters. The gospel is saving. There was a bad problem…. A complaint is made and now the church has to respond correctly and biblically. The first complaint is issued and it won’t be the last in the church, and the apostles needed to address this serious issue among the believers. See, there were no government agencies, welfare systems, or insurance policies to help “widows.”
The church was their only hope.
Through their generosity, the church distributed food to the widows daily, but the Hellenists complained they were neglected in favor of the Hebrews. Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora. Hebrews were Aramaic-speaking Jews from Palestine. The Hellenists felt neglected in comparison to the Hebrews, this oversight may have been real or imagined. But it split the church along ethnic and cultural lines. It was not the neglect that divided the church. It was the resulting whisper campaign that was going on among them. Paul warned about this as it was happening to the church. “Do all things without grumbling and disputing.” Phil 2:14. Nothing divides the church more quickly or severely than complaining, grumbling, and murmuring.
Growth is exciting, but it also brings challenges.
The early church experienced rapid multiplication, internal complaints, cultural tension, and increasing ministry demands. Instead of allowing division to destroy the church, God revealed a timeless blueprint for healthy leadership, servant ministry, and continued growth. It’s important for leaders in the church, and the body, to work through the problems and find a way to make it work or to get better. Ways to do that is to be teachable and think through the problem, find helpful ways to relieve the pain, or issue, so that the church doesn’t fall into more grievous sin. Having a teachable spirit means being open to learning, correction, and wisdom. “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” Prov 1:5.
How does a church go about doing that when complaints are running around in the church? First, teach the congregation/individual how to properly address issues. One of the things receiving complaints allows for you to do is teach how Christians should address issues in a godly way. Unfortunately, in churches, we are not known for being great with conflict resolution. People often get hurt, upset, and offended by the attempts. We need to explain to people that if you do not agree with a decision or direction the leaders have established or chosen, this does not mean you gossip to your friend or small group. Issues should be taken through the proper channels. Secondly, guard your heart from bitterness and resentment. This is the tough one. Often in leadership you take complaints and critique personal. This is because of the investment you are making into the decisions. You are working hard to think through what will be best for the church, then people tear it apart. It is hard not to take it personal.
Example: Samuel said this despite the criticism he was enduring after Israel had asked for a king like other nations, and he rebuked them for such choices, telling them this was displeasing to the Lord “And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” 1 Sam 12:20-25
As one theologian said, “We must develop thick skin and a soft heart, and never the opposite. The grumbling here, was that some were feeling left out, unnoticed by others in the church, click groups were forming and others didn’t feel welcomed as some other were. The church always needs help in this department, because the pastor is not the only one person in the church. The church needs to step up and do the work inside the church as well. So, they found a way to address it so that those who are called to preach the word of God, could do just that and oversee without all the heavy burdens of the day-to-day stuff. A shepherd, is to shepherd God’s people; but if the shepherd does not have time to be in the Word, their shepherding will not last or be effective. Todays’ modern churches, pastors are like CEOs of a company, doctors, lawyers, construction works, your therapist, everything else except ministers of the Word.
(v1-v3) the growing early church experienced growing pains when Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews complained that their widows were being neglected in the daily food distribution. Widows were being neglected where the see in the word of God, that we are to care for the widows; if she/him has no family to provide for her. That’s why James wrote, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Jame 1:27. Its showing compassion and actively moving toward and caring for those who are most vulnerable or in hard circumstances. To resolve this, the apostles delegated the task, asking the congregation to select seven respected, Spirit-filled men to manage these practical needs. This is where deacons, were born from, certain individuals, who were to serve the church body for the glory of God. The word “deacon” means “servant” the deacons are to minister to the needs of the flock under the direction of the elders of the church.
The qualifications for an deacon are found in the letter that Paul; wrote to Timothy. “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim 3:8-13
Deacons are to relieve the pressures off of the shepherd so that that they can also prepare well to teach the church. It’s not that the shepherd isn’t concerned about the practical needs of the church, but they are mainly to be studying the Word of God to enrich the body to grow in His grace. Why? My number one concern for you is that you to grow spiritually in His word daily, because your soul is more important to me than anything else. Again, it’s not that I don’t care about your physical sickness, pains and sufferings; I do, but I am more concerned about if you are resting in Him for all things first.
whether you see it or not.
This is my qualifications that God has called me to be your shepherd. “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
1 Tim 3:1-3
And if I am not faithful in my responsibilities to studying, and preaching, then I have failed you and I am at higher judgement... You are not. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James 3:1
The heavy responsibility of spiritual leadership significantly influences the faith and actions of others, they are held to a higher standard of accountability and judgment. The shepherd strives to minister with a clear conscience and clean hands. The apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian elders, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house.” Acts 20:20. He goes on to say, “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:26–27. Why could Paul say this? Paul is innocent because he taught the whole counsel of God. He didn’t hold back or hide any aspect of God’s word. He taught them everything he knew. He did not intentionally avoid or distort anything that was profitable for the Ephesians’ faith. John Piper wrote, “Pastor-elders, strive to never mislead your people, making every effort to not distort, undermine, or contradict God’s word. If a pastor flies the rainbow flag of the sexual revolution over his church in the name of so-called love, he condemns himself and his parishioners. Faithful pastors submit to God’s word and herald it boldly. And they don’t pit the Jesus-breathed red letters against the God-breathed whole (2 Timothy 3:16). They don’t pervert biblical justice or condone immorality. Brothers, labor to teach God’s word to God’s people for the good of God’s church.
See, by God instituting, putting in qualified men, to seek the needs of the church this was to stop the bleeding of those who felt left out; and also gave some relief so the apostles, so that they could be men of the word, to study and preach well. This is how the church is to be governed as God put people into positions for the purpose to help move the church forward into the future. The church wasn’t left to themselves to figure this out, God placed a governing body to be instituted so that the church could spiritually grow. Unqualified men are one of the many reasons the church is pragmatic or progressive today, or the falling away from biblical teachings. Just because they have people to put into leadership, doesn’t mean they are qualified. Just because you fill the holes for a position doesn’t mean it’s the right decision, or the hole should be filled. God has structure and qualifications for a reason, so that we can build our churches on the regulative principles that God has put over the church.
(v3) We need to understand when these seven men were chosen by the church.
They did not choose the highly
gifted
They did not choose strong
personalities
They did not choose longtime
members
They did not choose the biggest
givers
They did not choose successful businessmen
They were to select men of “good reputation” their godly character was to be respected throughout the assembly of people. If your reputation was not generally accepted by the body of Christ; you would be over-looked for the position. (v4) This administrative solution allowed the apostles to dedicate, devote, themselves to prayer and preaching.
Spiritual leaders should always be men of prayer, as Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, “What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more.” Warren Weirsbe said, “Like two wings carrying a bird in flight or two oars propelling a boat through the water the word of God and prayer keep us balanced and moving ahead.” Pastors, should be devoted to prayer and His word as Paul commissioned Timothy. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15. See, the Devil loves nothing more than for pastors to be doing good things if he could stop them from praying, and that includes proper bible study time. You will quickly know how much time is spent in study and prayer, by what you hear from the pulpit every Sunday and throughout the week. I do not claim to be perfect in my studies, and I have so much more growing to do; but if I am not ready and unprepared… you will know it and that is my shame not yours.
So, what was the result of this
wise solution
to the churches first big problem?
The men were accepted by the recommendation of the apostles. (v5) The congregation selected seven men, including Stephen, Philip, and the others whom the apostles commissioned through prayer and the laying on of hands. (v7) As a result, the church thrived and God’s word spread, the number of disciples multiplied, and even a large group of priests embraced the faith. The spread of the gospel continued to increase the number of disciples greatly in Jerusalem.
See how things work when God
institutes the
right people for the right job.
The church had now become stronger through growing pains; by having not only the apostles, but now the church has qualified servants to serve. The early church managed growing pains by balancing ministry, resolving cultural disputes, and empowering lay leaders. Handling Growing Pains and Conflict…. As the early church grew, logistical challenges led to a cultural divide between the different of believers in the church. Its here we see the leaders emphasized how church is to address the murmuring and at the same time protecting the unity instead of ignoring the marginalized. Prioritizing Apostolic Ministry…. The apostles recognized that they could not neglect "the ministry of the word" to "serve tables". Sermons often highlight this need for leaders to focus on their primary spiritual calling while delegating practical needs. The Fruit of Orderly Ministry….. (v7) notes that once the organization of the church was settled, "the word of God continued to increase" and even "a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith"
To serve here locally, is for the greater good of the church, and the church family, and it removes the strain from spiritual leaders to properly oversee the church. Serving helps greatly in the everyday problem solving, and making sure others don’t fall through the seams.
Think about!
We are less than 24 hours away to serve our community with the precious gospel truth that saved your wretched soul for all eternity. We are less than 24 hours away to help serve one another, as we go about our programs, and responsibilities, for our week here at VBS. We are less than 24 hours away to do what God has called you to do, before the foundations of the world existed. We are less than 24 hours away to act upon the regulative principle that God has blueprinted the church from the very beginning. The honor of serving our Lord with even the smallest of ability, to shine for the glory of Christ to our community with the gospel. Proclaiming biblical truth into the hearts of sinners so that they see that Christ is precious and worthy of all out praise, despite their ages. The gospel is a command to obey, not an invitation to receive. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Rom 10:16-17. Unbelief is rejection of the truth and rebellion against God; these are the growing pains we face each day with this fallen world and inside the church. But we get to go into this world, into our churches and proclaim the only solution to man’s sin problem. That Christ entered this world as a man, sinless, fully God and fully man; died on a cross to please the Father, so that we could made alive in Him through His perfect death and resurrection. Yes, the church will always have growing pains, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying one another, serving one another, praying for one another, as we wait heaven with our growing pains here in the church.
Which
heaven outweighs them all
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