Choose men full of the Spirit

Territorial Envoy Roger

ACTS 6:1–7

ARE you a glass half-full or glass half-empty person? Or perhaps I should ask: are you like a glass full to overflowing?

In Acts, Luke outlines the success of the early Church, starting with the 12 apostles and then joined by women and Jesus’ mother and brothers. Before Pentecost, the group numbers about 120 (see Acts 1:14 and 15). At Pentecost, 3,000 believers are added and then ‘the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved’ (Acts 2:47). What a great start! The disciples had clearly taken on board Jesus’ commission to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19). However, there were challenges with this rapid growth. It meant some choices needed to be made in order that the number of followers of Jesus continued to grow.

Pause And Reflect

Consider the choices you have made to connect with God’s mission.

How are you growing the Kingdom of God?

I wonder how you make decisions. If you’re making a significant purchase, are you someone who spends considerable time researching everything, looking at reviews, comparing similar products before coming to a conclusion and, only then, making an informed decision? Or are you an impulsive person who goes with the first thing they see?

The early Church needed to not only remember Jesus’ teaching but also organise if it was to grow outside

Jerusalem as the Great Commission commanded.

Luke gives us insight into a specific challenge. The widows of Hellenistic Jews who had become disciples were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, so they complained against the Hebraic Jews. With the Church just getting off the ground, the focus was still in Jerusalem with Jews. If the early Church couldn’t include different kinds of Jews, namely Greek-speaking, how was it ever going to live out the Great Commission?

If the Church was not together while still in Jerusalem, how was it ever going to cross over ethnic and cultural borders and reach entirely different people groups?

The apostles looked for an internal solution to their problem. They seemed very clear on their role, and it wasn’t to be dealing with the distribution of the daily requirements. They were called to focus on preaching and prayer. However, they needed godly people to look after and care for the Church as it grew.

Pause And Reflect

Take a moment to think about a successful team in the world of sport, business or the Church.

Who would you choose to join it?

What is it that makes that team successful?

Jesus started with a team of 12 disciples. In Acts 6, we read that it became clear that they needed more people to help them, particularly with the immediate problem of daily distribution to those in need.

They resolved to select seven men. It wasn’t enough to choose any seven men; they needed to have captured the vision and mission of the Church and be filled with the Spirit. This was about teamwork, about sharing the load and maintaining the momentum of the growing Church.

The seven men chosen were identified as ‘full of the Spirit and wisdom’ (v3). These should be men who demonstrate servant leadership among other gifts. What a responsibility to choose the right people and a responsibility for those chosen – the future of the Church was at stake!

Pause And Reflect

We sometimes sing: ‘Spirit of the living God,/ Fall afresh on me./ Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me’ (SASB 312). What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

What did it mean for these men of the early Church?

What does ‘being filled with Spirit and wisdom’ mean for us?

How might the Holy Spirit’s infilling impact our daily lives?

For the chosen seven men, being filled with the Spirit involved practically caring for members of the Church, using their gifts and passions and, in doing so, bringing glory to God in the Church and in the world. This happens because they first give themselves totally to God for him to use.

The same can be said for us today: on our own we can achieve little, yet, with

God, our willingness to be useful can achieve much in building his Kingdom.

The solution to the problem allowed the apostles to concentrate on prayer and preaching. The appointed seven embraced their role – ‘to wait on tables’ (v2) – and ensured fair treatment for all those needing food. The outcome? ‘The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith’ (v7).

Love God, Love Others is our Salvation Army strapline. It comes straight from the teaching we find here in Luke. It can be a big ask! We need to be in step with God – not wanting things for ourselves but wanting God’s heart for the world in which we live today. How does being empty of self and full of the Holy Spirit impact how we live?

So, back to the question we started with. Is your glass half-full or half-empty? Or, is your glass full to overflowing, so much so that it spills out the love of God and the power of his transforming grace, splashing over the lives of those you meet?

Pause And Reflect

What is God calling us to be in the Church today?

How can we live out our discipleship full of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer Matters contains daily devotions covering specific areas in the territory, current worldwide situations and personal reflection and relationship with God. A PDF of the unedited booklet is available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources

Environmental Focus

by Major Heather Poxon (Territorial Environmental Officer)

SATURDAY 3 JUNE – ISAIAH 58:6

Father, I pray for courage to raise my voice in the courts of political, economic and social powers which are bringing about climate change and keeping people in poverty. Amen.

SUNDAY 4 JUNE – 1 TIMOTHY 6:6–8

Lord, this Environment Sunday, give ‘rest for the ravaged Earth, oceans and streams/ Plundered and poisoned – our future, our dreams./ Lord, end our madness, carelessness, greed;/ Make us content with the things that we need’ (SASB 998).

WOMEN’S FOCUS

by Family Ministries Department

MONDAY 5 JUNE

Think about the women whom you influence and those who influence you, women you have a relationship with, women you are related to, women you serve, women who serve you, women you look up to and women you might feel threatened by. If you identify as a woman, think about yourself. Ask God to direct your thoughts and pray in response to his direction.

TUESDAY 6 JUNE

In your prayers today, ask God to expand your understanding of what women bring to leadership roles. Thank him for good female role models in your life and ask him to keep guiding and protecting them.

WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE

What is your attitude towards gender justice? Do you diminish your own feelings of disempowerment or fear because ‘others’ are worse off? Are you aware of women who are not being treated fairly or kindly? Pray for courage to ask for help, or strength to stand up for a woman who is struggling just now.

THURSDAY 8 JUNE

Every three days a woman in the UK is killed by a man, who in most cases is a current or ex-partner. At least one in four women will experience domestic abuse. Jesus came to our world to bring hope, commanding us to love one another in the way he loves us. Pray that God will use us to show his love to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

FRIDAY 9 JUNE

‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 The Message). Today marks the start of this year’s Riverbank Conference, with the theme Enough is Enough. How does that phrase resonate with you? Are you responding with a feeling of gratitude? A sense of injustice? Pray that God’s grace will be all that we need as we focus on his provision and our response.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for? Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line and the Territorial Prayer Network will uphold them in prayer.