Acts 6

In chapter 6 we find the first dispute in the church. While some would say that Ananias and Sapphira offered the first dispute, they simply offered the first corruption/deception. Here there appears to be a racial bias between the Greeks and the Jews. The Grecians felt as though their widows were not receiving the same attention as the Jewish widows. As in any church disagreement this could have worked into a matter of significance causing the disciples to lose their focus of priority which was prayer and preaching the Word. This is not any different than what happens in every church around the world. Satan will take matters which may or may not be significant or even worthwhile and create an issue within the church. His hope is to divert the church and her leaders from the main mission, prayer and preaching the Word for the purpose of evangelism and edification. As I mentioned in Wednesday night's message, Stan Makita, a former professional hockey player postulated a question his then 8 year old daughter asked regarding his reputation of a frequent fighter in games. His daughter asked, "How can you score goals if your always in the penalty box?" As commissioned evangelist and missionaries how can we effectively share Christ if our attention is allowed to be distracted from our primary objective. In the early church the disciples decided wisely to set up the first deacons in order to meet the needs of the widows along with the dispersement of the distraction from the priority.

One of the most well-known of these early deacons was Stephen. As the chapter closes we see where this new deacon, being filled with grace and power performed miraculous deeds. Because of these great feats God was doing through Stephen, the religious leaders were irate and secured men to lie about the actions and messages of Stephen. Yet as the chapter closes, the Sanhedrin, which were trying Stephen for blasphemy looked at him and we read of the great testimony given of Stephen. "And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." Oh that we all could walk so holy and powerfully that we face the anger of Satan and display the glory of God.

Lessons we can learn from Acts 6

We must be cautious to meet the needs of all groups equitably in the church.
We must not allow distractions to divert us from our primary mission of evangelism and missions
We must display the glory of God when falsely accused and before our enemies.