1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 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, a 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 faith.  Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)

1. Biblical leaders approach challenges with wise solutions (6:2-4). 

2. The church must be made up of "layers of leaders" (6:5-6). 

3. God often blesses healthy leadership with gospel growth (6:7). 

Applications

-Don’t just be a spectator (or arm chair quarterback). 

-Be open to your next step.

-Ask yourself, "How might the gospel be multiplied through my role at PGBC?" 

She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins

Matthew 1:21 (ESV)

Christmas declares the origin of the gospel—the good news. 

Christmas declares the boundaries of the gospel. 

Christmas declares the purpose and power of the gospel. 

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.  - Acts 13:1-3 (ESV) 

3 Key Questions – Acts 13:1-3 

1. Will we be a developing church? 

2. Will we be a sending church?

3. Will we be a praying church? 

Prayer Points 

Pray for a place. 

Pray for the people. 

Pray for passion.

Pray for God's power.

Gather, Grow, Give, Go

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:4-8

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6  So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:41-47

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awecame upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Testimony of the Church in its infancy – Acts 2:41-47

Devoted

Willingness to learn

Word Centered

Community of Oriented Fellowship

Others Focused

Unity of Heart

Singled Mindedness

Prayer Dependent

Mission of the Church

Gather – Hebrews 10:22-25

22 Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 And let us consider how to simulate one another to love and good deeds. 25 Not forsaking our own assembly together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Gather for:

Worship

Instruction – Study

Equipping

Fellowship

Edification – Building Up

Grow – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Give – Romans 12

Sacrificial Surrender

Selfless Service through God’s gifts in Your life

Genuine love in putting others before self

Devotion to prayer

Forgiveness in blessing those who hurt you

Stewardship

Go – God is a sending God

He sends for His Presence

He sent forth His Son

He has sent forth His holy Spirit

He sends us – Go

2 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 2:1-12 (ESV) 

Because Jesus is God and has to power to change anyone; God’s people must bring people to him so that they can be healed. 

Why is it important for God’s people to look to Christ for healing? 

Never Give Up

1. Determined faith as a result of Christ (vs. 1-5) 

2. Dead faith void of Christ (vs. 6-10) 

3. Deliberate faith as a result of Christ (vs. 10-12) 

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”  - Luke 10:25-37