How the Mighty Move | Dan Deeble | A2 Revolution
Going Deeper
Have you ever felt “overlooked” in a way that you didn’t feel seen by someone else?
What impresses you most about the leadership of the Early Church in Acts 6:1-7?
If they did not respond to this complaint it would’ve crippled the church’s ability to grow—agree or disagree?
Where do you have power and for whom will you leverage it?
Teaching Notes
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. (Acts 6:1)
Hebraic Jews - they were the ones who lived in Jerusalem, their heritage was from there, and they looked down on Jews were from other places
Hellensitic Jews - which means, Greek Jews who were, now Jewish converts to Jesus but those deep-seeded rivalries were still in play.
INTERNAL THREAT will take you down. Every time.
The 5 Stages of How The Mighty Fall by Jim Collins
Stage #1: Hubris
Stage #2: More
Stage #3: Denial
Stage #4: Grasping
Stage #5: Capitulation
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. 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.” 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.
Acts 6:2-7
Big Idea:
Nothing is more powerful
Than when those with power
Leverage that power
For the powerless.
Q: So where do you have power?
The 5 Stages of How The Mighty _______
#1 They Listened.
In these moments, we listen for a person’s pain.
Ruby Sales, civil rights leader: “Where does it hurt?”
# 2 They Saw.
...because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 6:1
“Overlook”
Greek: paratheōreō
theōreō - to see
para - through
This is the question everyone is asking: ‘“Do you see me?”
# 3 They Did Something About It
Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom…
Acts 6:3
They re-structured
They set clear guidelines
They communicated
Established a feedback loop
#4 They Empowered.
We will turn this responsibility over to them…
Acts 6:3
This proposal pleased the whole group. (Acts 6:5)
Who did they choose?
Hebraic Jews?
Hellenistic Jews?
#5 They Celebrated
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6)
Challenge: Where do you have power and how will you leverage it?
Sunday Set List
Who You Say I Am- Hillsong Worship
It Is So- Elevation Worship
This I Believe- Hillsong Worship
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)- Casting Crowns
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