CALLED TO The Book of Acts

Overcoming Obstacles Pastor Jared Gustafson 11/1/2015

Conflict in the Church “Today many congregations experience conflict over a range of matters, some that appear major and others that seem minor or even trivial. There is conflict over ministers and leaders, over search processes, over the allocation of the congregation’s resources, and over the choice of hymnals or music. And there is conflic over what color the new carpet will be, the menu for the annual meeting dinner, or whether the rummage sale

Conflict in the Church Will be on the fourth Sunday of October, as is customary, or might be moved to the third Sunday because of a conflict with a regional women’s conference that younger women in the congregation wish to attend… Today a good many congregations... even appear to be disabled or paralyzed by conflict. In reality, what is disabling or paralyzing congregations... is not conflict per se but their inability to deal with conflict and to resolve it in just and faithful ways.” -Robinson

Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Acts 6:1-7 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-7 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:1-7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Overcoming Obstacles In those days when the number of disciples was increasing

Overcoming Obstacles In those days when the number of disciples was increasing  Living on mission for Jesus, boldly proclaiming the gospel and following the lead of the Holy Spirit typically produces growth

Overcoming Obstacles In those days when the number of disciples was increasing  Living on mission for Jesus, boldly proclaiming the gospel and following the lead of the Holy Spirit typically produces growth  Growth necessitates change

Overcoming Obstacles In those days when the number of disciples was increasing  Living on mission for Jesus, boldly proclaiming the gospel and following the lead of the Holy Spirit typically produces growth  Growth necessitates change  Change presents obstacles and is fertile ground for conflict

Overcoming Obstacles …the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  Hellenistic Jews – Greek speaking Jews from regions outside of Israel  Hebraic Jews – Jews from Israel who spoke Aramaic  Different languages, cultures, customs, etc.

Overcoming Obstacles …the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  This conflict struck at one of the core identities of the early church – the needs of all people being met

Overcoming Obstacles So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  This was not a case of the apostles believing that ‘waiting on tables’ was a less important job

Overcoming Obstacles So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  This was not a case of the apostles believing that ‘waiting on tables’ was a less important job  The apostles recognized that they needed to stay true to the calling that God had given them

Overcoming Obstacles “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

Overcoming Obstacles Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Good reputations

Overcoming Obstacles Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Good reputations  Full of the Spirit

Overcoming Obstacles Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Good reputations  Full of the Spirit  Full of Wisdom

Overcoming Obstacles Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Good reputations  Full of the Spirit  Full of Wisdom  These criteria require God’s wisdom in deciding

Overcoming Obstacles We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.  The apostles lead through this conflict

Overcoming Obstacles We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.  The apostles lead through this conflict  But they do not try to control all the power or the entire process

Overcoming Obstacles We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.  The apostles lead through this conflict  But they do not try to control all the power or the entire process  God raises a new group of leaders to meet this need

Overcoming Obstacles This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc.

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc. 2.Frame the problem or challenge

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc. 2.Frame the problem or challenge 3.Seek the Lord for guiding principles

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc. 2.Frame the problem or challenge 3.Seek the Lord for guiding principles 4.Draw those with the concern into the work

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc. 2.Frame the problem or challenge 3.Seek the Lord for guiding principles 4.Draw those with the concern into the work 5.SEEK GOD TOGETHER in order to discern HIS will!

Overcoming Obstacles How we will seek to apply this as a congregation: 1.Listen well to the issues, concerns, questions, etc. 2.Frame the problem or challenge 3.Seek the Lord for guiding principles 4.Draw those with the concern into the work 5.SEEK GOD TOGETHER in order to discern HIS will! 6.Celebrate what God has done