[Acts 6, Proverbs 11]

H – Acts 6:7, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

E – Missional Maturity!

The desire of His church should be for the Word to increase (not just in the 4 walls) in which others are lead to Jesus, believers are trained and discipled, and disciples sent out to impact the world. However, there is a clear reality in Acts 6 that continues today. It’s called “growing pains.” I have never not known a church that grows numerically not have some type of issues. The most common still today is that people feel left out, or someone was not getting ministered to the way they thought they should be. The majority of the time it’s because they were not plugged in, unified in direction, and simply the right persons didn’t know. Regardless, there is a feeling of neglect. 

That’s what was happening in Acts 6; neglect. I can tell you how most of neglect has been handled over the years. It usually begins with, “Preacher, you need to ……” or “Preacher, you haven’t ……” I believe the church would have been a lot better off if Preachers/Pastors/Priest would have had a backbone and responded, “Sir/Ma’am, you need to grow up in missional maturity and take on responsibility of being part of His church.”

The first thing that needed to be address was the main thing – THE WORD. The apostles knew that it was not right for them to neglect time in prayer, study of the Word, and preaching of the Word to minister to daily neglects (6:2). Now hear me, that does not mean that Preachers/Pastors/Priest/Elders/Bishops never minster to those neglected. It means that it’s not common practice to those inside the church. 

Here is why! Because it was never meant to be their responsibility. It was meant to be the responsibility of the church. Notice in 6:2 that the 12 called and summoned “THE FULL NUMBER OF DISCIPLES.” They were all in this thing together and it was everyones responsibility. (Read 1 Corinthians 12)

The second thing that needed to be address was – WHO. It was specifically in Acts 6 – MEN. (However, we also see in the NT where women are called to serve the needs of others). They were to be respected, full of The Spirit, full of wisdom, and ready to serve (6:3). Well, shouldn’t that be everyone who has been part of His church for a substantial time? One would hope! But, that’s not the case when we see that statistically 10% or less do 90% or more.

What would happen if “THE CHURCH” grew up in Missional Maturity?

Acts 6 gives us a little insight – The Word would continue to increase, the church would grow (more people would be saved), and The Church Body would obey (from the Priest – down). 

If the church wants to be obedient to the faith, Acts 6 is a great model. May it be the heart of each of us to grow in Missional Maturity – respectful, full of His Spirit and wisdom, ready to serve, meeting the needs of all people. 

A – Grow in the Word. Teach The Word. Lead From The Word. Lead Others In The Word. Look For Others to Share The Word. Raise Up Leaders To Administer The Word. Meet Needs By The Word. 

R – Lord God, thank you for a clear picture of your church. Lord, I pray your church would become obedient to the faith. Lord, I pray that we would hunger and thirst for your Word and for your Word to lead us in Spirit and Truth. Father, I pray you would raise up MEN in biblical maturity to biblical manhood. I pray MEN would set the precedent for Biblical priority. God would you continue to teach us what your church should look like? Help and Lead us to surrender to your desires above our own. God, Grow your people. Raise up leaders. Grow your church. 

In Jesus Name!