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[John 13-16]; John 16:33; Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60; Acts 8:1-5

We thank God for His many provisions. Those who are spirit-filled believers, put the Word in their hearts and walk with God, are the vessels unto honor the Lord can use to move things in the church. History tells us that it is not always those voted "most likely to succeed" who do the awesome things for God. God looks on the heart.

John 13-16 is a teaching that sets as a package. Jesus Christ was preparing his disciples to receive holy spirit. He teaches them the importance of love as a motivation, as well as walking by the spirit of God. The two go together hand-in-hand. Peter and John were unlearned men but they were perceived to have been with Jesus. There is no finer education than to abide in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

At the end of John 16, Jesus tells his disciples they will have tribulation. Prior to this he told them some would think they were doing the true God service by killing them. He wanted them to remember is, however, that he has overcome the world.

In the book of Acts, we see the growing pains of the church. People needed help, guidance, to be healed and loved. God looked for people who were maturing, meek to learn the Word of God and walk by the spirit and who received wisdom from Him to lead others to Him.

Acts 6 speaks of a problem the church had and how it was resolved. Acts 7 speaks of Stephen and his wonderful presentation of truth in the midst of accusation by false witnesses. Reading God’s Word in its context helps us to see how it interprets itself.

The church was growing. The twelve apostles needed others to rise up and help them care for the church. They appointed seven who were of (1) honest report (had integrity and were trustworthy), (2) full of holy spirit and (3) full of wisdom. The apostles could then give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.

One of the seven was Stephen who is described as being "full of faith and power." When he spoke God’s Word, "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Those who rose up against Stephen hired false witnesses to lie and stir up the people. Stephen’s apologia in Acts 7 is a wonderful presentation of scripture from the Old Testament to Christ. No one could refute the truths he was saying. Yet, their response was to stone him to death.

There was great lamentation in the church over the death of Stephen. At the same time, there was great persecution. The church then "scattered abroad," except the apostles. This was a systematic dispersing of the believers to move into other communities to minister and teach about Jesus Christ. We can learn from these growing pains of the church. The true believers who were filled with holy spirit and wisdom went everywhere preaching the Word.


#277 Growing Pains In The Church -- July 7, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 52:07 minutes
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"Growing Pains In The Church" - Rev. Steven A. Michels [John 13-16]; John 16:33; Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60; Acts 8:1-5 We thank God for His many provisions. Those who are spirit-filled believers, put the Word in their hearts and walk with God, are the vessels unto honor the Lord can use to move things in the church. History tells us that it is not always those voted "most likely to succeed" who do the awesome things for God. God looks on the heart. John 13-16 is a teaching that sets as a package. Jesus Christ was preparing his disciples to receive holy spirit. He teaches them the importance of love as a motivation, as well as walking by the spirit of God. The two go together hand-in-hand. Peter and John were unlearned men but they were perceived to have been with Jesus. There is no finer education than to abide in Jesus Christ, our Lord. At the end of John 16, Jesus tells his disciples they will have tribulation. Prior to this he told them some would think they were doing the true God service by killing them. He wanted them to remember is, however, that he has overcome the world. In the book of Acts, we see the growing pains of the church. People needed help, guidance, to be healed and loved. God looked for people who were maturing, meek to learn the Word of God and walk by the spirit and who received wisdom from Him to lead others to Him. Acts 6 speaks of a problem the church had and how it was resolved. Acts 7 speaks of Stephen and his wonderful presentation of truth in the midst of accusation by false witnesses. Reading God’s Word in its context helps us to see how it interprets itself. The church was growing. The twelve apostles needed others to rise up and help them care for the church. They appointed seven who were of (1) honest report (had integrity and were trustworthy), (2) full of holy spirit and (3) full of wisdom. The apostles could then give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. One of the seven was Stephen who is described as being "full of faith and power." When he spoke God’s Word, "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Those who rose up against Stephen hired false witnesses to lie and stir up the people. Stephen’s apologia in Acts 7 is a wonderful presentation of scripture from the Old Testament to Christ. No one could refute the truths he was saying. Yet, their response was to stone him to death. There was great lamentation in the church over the death of Stephen. At the same time, there was great persecution. The church then "scattered abroad," except the apostles. This was a systematic dispersing of the believers to move into other communities to minister and teach about Jesus Christ. We can learn from these growing pains of the church. The true believers who were filled with holy spirit and wisdom went everywhere preaching the Word.