HELP

April 9, 2017 Speaker: Tara Detiveaux Series: Growing Up

Topic: Helping Scripture: Acts 6:1– :7, Acts 2:42– :47

H-E-L-P!!

Acts 6:1-7

Pre-History – These were the disciples. These were not just people who were gathering to do something good for the community, though there is goodness is that, but these were believers. The ones that were gathering, reading, obeying, willing to pray, thankful…check out this verse.

Acts 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

These were the people who were meeting in the book of Acts. These were the people who were growing and being used by the Lord. They were practicing the disciplines.

Acts 6:1-7

6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, (over 200 at Hope Community) a complaint by the Hellenists1 arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (The believing Jews are here divided into two groups. The first were those who had remained in Judea, near Jerusalem, who used the Hebrew language, and who were appropriately called “Hebrews.” The second group consisted of those who were scattered among the Gentiles, who spoke the Greek language, and who used the Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint. These were called “Hellenists,” from a word meaning “Greek” or “Greek-speaking.” To “Hellenize” is to adopt Greek culture and ideas.) 2 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. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 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, ta proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 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 to the faith.

And that is why we H-E-L-P. Because one person can’t do it alone. A group of people can’t do it alone. Not if the word of God is to continue to increase and the number of disciples is to multiply greatly. Do you know how many disciples met in the upper room? Approximately 120. Do you know how many people on any given Sunday meet at Hope Community? Approximately 120. Do you know the number that churches mostly stay stuck at and discontinue growth? Approximately 120. And here is why. Everything changes after 120 from

pastor/leadership dependent to enabling others to H-E-L-P. We can’t do everything. (Ted comes up and says of Yes I can) And the small group can’t do everything. Something must give. And it can’t be the preaching or the Word of God, so people must step up.

And here at Hope Community we offer two ways:

Here in Community

Ushers. Greeters. Flag taker outers and putter inners. Sound. Tech. Kids nursery. Kids pre-K. Kids church. Teens. Ladies night out. VBS. Easter Egg Hunts. El Salvador. Van drivers. Hope Café. Cleaning. And that is just what we have right now with 120.

Are you serving here in community?

Church isn’t a spectator sport. Church is a community. But most people treat it like a Sunday meal with the extended family. Show up a little bit late. Eat the meal and leave as soon as you are finished.

But not the church in Acts.

Because they wanted the word of God to increase and the disciples to multiply.

All right you need me to feed the widows?

I don’t know if I will be good at it, or qualified, or even like it but…

Sign me up. I’m in.

I might speak Hebrew and they speak Greek, but I’m in.

And I’m a man. And I’m still in.

Reaching out to the Community (and I think balance comes from this)

That is our Hope Serves projects.

Visiting widows. Hanging out with orphans. Working. Telling others. Handing out free water. Making teacher appreciation gifts. The list could go on and on but the question is are you serving in this way. As an outreach?

Because when we serve we look most like Jesus.

These people don’t want to know how much you know they want to know how much you care. Jesus exemplified this in His life. It’s why the crowds loved him. He was clothed in compassion always helping people. Always serving. Tired. Serving. Overwhelmed Serving. Frustrated because the disciples weren’t getting it, Serving.

10 Excuses we give for not Helping…

I’m too busy with Work

I’m too busy with Family Commitments

I’m too busy with Family Problems

I’m too busy with Other Things

I am underqualified

I am overqualified

I am concentrating on other things right now

I am generous in other ways

That is your job

I just don’t want to!!

But today the excuses can stop.

Join us this Saturday from 10 until 2. Serve the community.

But then also serve this Community. Hope Community. As you walk out these doors today there will be tables, helping tables (and a bake sale table too for those going to El Salvador

More in Growing Up

April 2, 2017

Complaints Stank instead give thanks

March 27, 2017

Are You Willing To Pray?

March 19, 2017

Simply Obey