There was gossip...

(Audio: Spanish)

SUMMARY: The text from Acts 6 talks about the growing pains of the early church, where as the church grew, there were administrative and organizational issues that arose. These issues, like neglecting widows, were not intentional, but they happened due to lack of coordination. The speaker emphasizes the importance of organization in a growing church, and how it is necessary to ensure that the natural and organic processes of growth can take place. The text also reminds the speaker of the early days of León de Judá, where there was minimal infrastructure and organization, and how crises often lead to the realization of the need for organization. The speaker acknowledges that growth comes with its own set of challenges and pains, but it is important to recognize them and work towards solutions.

The story of the widows in the early church is a reminder that growth brings challenges and conflicts. The problem of neglecting the Greek widows was likely an oversight due to the large number of people from different backgrounds in the church. The Apostles took action to solve the problem by delegating responsibility to others and not neglecting their own duties of prayer and preaching. The story teaches us to recognize and repent of our prejudices, approach conflicts without seeing the other person as an enemy, and find win-win solutions.

The early church faced growing pains and had to delegate responsibilities to handle them. The Apostles gave people the opportunity to choose their leaders, provided they were filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. The anointing flowed over them and they became powerful ministers. As part of an apostolic church, we must adjust our expectations and recognize the authority of our leaders. This allows the anointing to flow through all levels of the ministry. We must also grow in maturity and fulfill the call that God has for us as a church. We should say yes to our calling and respect the apostolic anointing that God has delegated to those who supervise our ministry. We should also forgive any neglect or blame and work together to grow as a community.

Acts, Chapter 6, begins by saying: “…In those days, when the number of the disciples grew, there was murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then, the 12 summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, it is not fair that we leave the word of God to serve tables. Seek then, brothers, among you 7 men of good testimony filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom whom we entrust to this work, and we will persist in prayer in the ministry of the word. The proposal pleased the whole crowd and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procurus, Nicanor, Timon, Pámernas, Nicholas, Procertus of Antioch, whom they presented before the Apostles. , who praying, laid their hands on them and the word of the Lord increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem also many of the priests obeyed the faith..."

Father, in the name of Jesus I ask that it be your word and your spirit speaking to us, Lord, thank you that your power is perfected in our weakness and I ask you, Lord, that you be only the diamond of your word that remains with us on the day from today. We, as the León de Judá Congregation, stand before you as Samuelito in the Bible, saying, speak, Lord, your servant listens to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.