Unhindered: Unhindered Through Church Struggles (Acts 6:1-7)

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered Through Church Struggles

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Date: March 24, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Give that biggest fear to God and take an action step toward being unhindered by it.

Now 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.  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.  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; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."  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, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.  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.  (Acts 6:1-7)

How God can use church challenges to unhinder us:

1. Growth includes struggles
   • "I'd rather be a part of a growing church with problems than a dead church that has none."  -Adrian Rogers
   • The devil has tried to destroy the infant church by persecution from without, then by deception within, and now by sowing seeds of dissension from within.
   • God does not play favorites.
   • "Murmuring is a half-uttered, half-concealed complaint - not that a person comes out and says to the right person, at the right time, in the right spirit, for the right reason, that something needs to be done."  -Adrian Rogers
2. Guidance necessitates the Spirit
   • How does God want us to handle the challenges?
     • Purpose (Acts 6:2, 4)
     • People (Acts 6:3)
       • Good reputation
       • Full of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
   • Are you going to be a help or a hindrance?
3. Growth occurs in struggles