The Unstoppable Church

"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." - Acts 6:7

At every significant moment of growth in the early church, we find a sold-out commitment to prayer. When Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples turned to prayer. When the Holy Spirit descended and the church was born, they devoted themselves to prayer. When opposition dialed up, they gathered to pray. Now, as the church multiplied and complaints grew loud, the apostles turned right back to prayer.

Multiplication happens when churches prioritize what is essential. When church leaders faithfully shepherd a growing body of believers by prioritizing prayer, the ministry of the Word, and the equipping of leaders, it profoundly impacts the church. The apostles knew they had to remain plugged into the true power source. Nothing of any eternal consequence happens apart from the Lord.

Working Hard to Maintain Unity
As the disciples increased in number, new challenges arose. Rapid growth often brings growing pains. Hurt feelings happen. Needs unintentionally get missed. In this text, a major dispute boiled over between the Hellenist and Hebrew believers because the Hellenist widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

The enemy loves to use these exact moments to deceive and destroy. He will stop at nothing to crush our unity in Jesus and get our minds off His love. Therefore, a multiplying church must work hard to maintain unity. We must assess difficult situations, hear the complaints of others, and find a clear way forward together.

Staying Committed to the Right Things
The apostles immediately called a full church meeting. They did two important things. They established the priority of preaching, and they gave credibility to the need. They did not minimize the real struggles of the widows, but they also knew they could not neglect the teaching of the Word.

Our own commitments get tested constantly. What is most important usually becomes evident in times of crisis and busyness. When your life gets hard or busy, what is the first thing to fall off your plate? We must ask ourselves if we are committed to the right things. We must keep loving God, serving His church, and living on mission at the very center of our lives.

Raising Up New Leaders
To facilitate this crucial ministry, the church raised up seven new leaders. The apostles asked the church to find men of good repute who were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. The church affirmed them, and the apostles appointed them.

These men were prototype deacons. They understood the fundamental difference between those who serve by leading and those who lead by serving. Two of these men, Stephen and Philip, would soon help carry the Gospel out to Judea and Samaria. As any church continues to grow, it desperately needs new, Spirit-filled leaders to step up and facilitate real ministry.

Celebrating Gospel Fruit
When a church raises up healthy leaders and keeps its priorities straight, you will be amazed at what God does. A multiplying church gets to celebrate incredible Gospel fruit. In verse seven, we see three amazing outcomes. The Word of God increased and filled the city. The disciples multiplied rapidly. Finally, an unlikely group experienced conversion. A great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

The early church did not rely on marketing schemes to draw crowds. When Jesus is the main attraction, amazing things happen. When we commit to prayer, the Word, and equipping one another, spiritual fruit grows naturally. Let us prioritize the essentials and celebrate the Gospel fruit God brings.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the beautiful blueprint of the early church. Help us to prioritize prayer and Your Word in our daily lives. Give us the wisdom to fight for unity and the courage to step up as leaders who serve others. Please multiply our efforts and let us see undeniable Gospel fruit in our community. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.