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OverloadActs 6:1-7

“Overload”

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we …’”

Acts 6:1-3

“Overload”

“‘we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the …”

Acts 6:3-7

“Overload”

“number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (ESV)

Acts 6:7

The Catalyst“A complaint by the Hellenists arose against the

Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (6:1)

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• “A complaint expressed in murmuring, grumbling, or whisper.”

Complaint (gongysmos)

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The Apostle’s Duty“We will devote ourselves to [the] prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4, ESV)

The Solution“Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (6:3)

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• To minister to, to wait on, to serve, to take care of

• Used to describe the activity of both the “Apostles”(ministry of the word) and the “Seven” (ministry of distribution & ministry of tables)

Ministry (diakonia)

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Acts 6:3“Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom …” (ESV)

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Job Description•Good Repute (martyreō)

• Witness, bear witness, testify favorably

•Competent Leaders who are both spiritual(pneumatos) and wise (sophias)

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Acts 6:5“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.” (ESV)

The Principle“Whom we will appoint to this duty …” (6:3)

The Result“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied

greatly in Jerusalem” (6:7)

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“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multipliedgreatly …” (Acts 6:7, ESV)

• Increase (auxanō)—to augment, grow (auxiliary)

• Number (arithmos)—count, total (arithmetic)

• Multiplied (plēthynō)—multiply, increase greatly (plethora)

“Math” Words

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• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & the ministry of

meeting the needs of people.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

• Putting people in the “right” ministry.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

• Putting people in the “right” ministry.

• Not being involved in every ministry.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

• Putting people in the “right” ministry.

• Not being involved in every ministry.

• When possible, placing the people that feel the burden in charge of the ministry.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

• Putting people in the “right” ministry.

• Not being involved in every ministry.

• When possible, placing the people that feel the burden in charge of the ministry.

• Making sure people are good witnesses—being both wise and spiritual.

Application

“Overload”

• This passage underlines the importance of …• Both the ministry of the word & meeting the needs of people.

• Not assigning blame or ranking ministry in terms of importance.

• Working together on solutions.

• Putting people in the “right” ministry.

• Not being involved in every ministry.

• When possible, placing the people that feel the burden in charge of the ministry.

• Making sure people are good witnesses—both wise and spiritual.

• Service being done, not by one, but many.

Application

Overload“And the word of God continued to increase,

and the number of disciples multiplied greatly”