As we’ll see in Acts this week, it didn’t take long for “there was not a needy person among them” to be tested. As “multitudes of people” were being added to the Lord,
loving one another in this way became more challenging. Though it doesn’t seem to have been intentional or motivated by prejudice, some needy Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked and a complaint arose to the apostles. And challenges inside the church threatened to derail the advance of the gospel outside the church

The picture Luke paints of the early church is an honest one. He doesn’t airbrush out the blemishes. But as we’ll see, as the church abides in Christ in reliance upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance, God leads them to a solution that keeps gospel ministry from being hindered.

We can learn from this. The many, many inward needs that we will always have among us can hinder outward facing gospel engagement and advancement. But, when we are “joined and held together by every joint with which [we are] equipped, when each part is working properly… the body [will] grow [and] build itself up in love (Ephesians 4:16).”

Eric Twisselmann will be preaching Acts 6:1-7 this Sunday and Cole Jones will be leading our sung worship. Would you take some time this week to read the passage and pray for each as they prepare? And let’s turn Ephesians 4:16 into a prayer for our Grace body.

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

 

SONG OF THE WEEK

Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? recorded live by The Worship Circle

And we can see that God You’re moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord!