Acts 6:1-4
6 But as the believers[a] rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Acts chapter 6, the Church is in full-on-revival, people are getting healed, delivered and born again. This is the stuff we love to read and experience as spirit-filled believers.
We love to talk about revivals of the past. We love to pray, God do it again! We love when we are neck deep in revival like this last weekend at Fire School. There is nothing I know of that is as euphoric and exciting as being part of a genuine move of God. Revival experiences can change the spiritual atmosphere and leave a faith-filled legacy in a body of believers for generations to come. For instance, we still talk about the revival at Azusa 100 years after its last service. We still say, “God do it again”, like at Cane Ridge after 200+ years have passed. Revival is like a Kiss from Jesus that reminds us and recalibrates us to remember that when Jesus moves in power, heaven is tangible and available on earth. It’s for this reason that believers in revival should give extra attention to guard their hearts from the spirit of offense, and should work diligently to not get “taken out” by small distractions that can easily be perceived as major inconveniences.
When revival is happening the Glory of God is evident and easy to behold. The devil knows this and realizes that his ability to keep people stuck in bondages such as depression, sickness and fear is not such an easy task in an atmosphere thick with the presence of Jesus. So he has to adjust his strategy. The enemy begins to find small and otherwise unnoticeable ways to shift our focus. The attack has to turn towards getting people fixated on details in order for us to become offended at one another. The scheme has to be one that will shift people's focus from God’s presence, to smaller, unforeseen details and inconveniences much like quantities of food being distributed in Acts chapter 6.
Remember, it never says that anyone starves or doesn't get to eat. It simply says that one group of believers feels like the other group of believers is discriminating against them. A subjective accusation that I am sure could be levied in either direction. As far as we know, there may have been no real discrimination actually taking place. Regardless, this disruption was serious enough to cause the twelve disciples to call a corporate meeting for all the believers so they could delegate a new structure for the distribution of food that would allow them to return to the business of administering the Word of God and stewarding the revival that was taking place. Thank God for the wisdom and assertiveness of the Apostles in this moment. Just more proof that strong Church leadership makes room and space for the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Because of their quick decisive action the devil was quickly vanquished from the details of the distribution of food to widows.
So, what does this mean for us as a Church body? Well, at the very least it should show us that even in the midst of revival the enemy is scheming to destroy the works of God. But also, it is a reminder that during times of refreshing, as important as it is for us to step into what God is doing in those moments, it’s also almost as important to guard our hearts from offense. Especially offense over the uncontrollable inconveniences within the details of activities that are happening around the main point of what we are gathering for.
There is nothing important enough to argue about that we would lose sight of engaging with God’s presence. Each of us has to make a decision now, that we will not allow minor offenses to take us out of what God is doing in our gatherings. This is an individual decision that makes a corporate difference as we move forward into more of what God is doing in our Church family. We are fighting for the Greater things of God to be available here in our Church but also in the Church in Overton County as a whole. That fight starts with taking inventory of our own hearts, dealing with any hidden motives that could cause offense to take root.
Love,
Pastor John
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