Chosen To Serve

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE, 14 December 2025
Sermon Series: “The Acts of the Apostles” (#10)
Sermon Text: Acts 6:1-7
Main Points:
Introduction
I. Challenges in church life
II. Dealing the source of the trouble
III. Chosen to serve
Conclusion

The early church began in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. That church holds two important lessons for us today. First, it shows us the true picture of the church – the church we’re called, by God’s grace, to recover. Second, it reveals both the causes of the problems that every church since has faced, and the way those problems are to be addressed.

In Acts chs. 1-5, we see how powerfully the Jerusalem church grew. That growth was fuelled by the faithful preaching of the Word, by prayer, by deep fellowship marked by love and by generous sharing. The presence of the Holy Spirit among the believers was confirmed through signs and wonders, and day by day more people were added to their number. This is what we, as the church in the 21st century, are called to long for and to seek again, by God’s grace.

At the same time, the church faced various challenges. On more than one occasion, it’s very existence was threatened. In a remarkably short period, strong opposition arose against the life and witness of the church. There was persecution from outside, as the apostles were arrested and opposed. There was also corruption from within. As we remember, Ananias and Sapphira disrupted the fellowship of the church and threatened its integrity.

Opposition from without and corruption from within – these two pressures surged through the early church, and they remain the same two pressures facing the church today.

Yet, the book of Acts shows us the solution. First, the church remained steadfast in its obedience to God and to Christ alone. Second, there was a deep and holy fear of God in the hearts of the believers. These two realities remain just as vital and effective for churches today as they were then.

Today, we’re given another essential aspect of church life – one that is crucial for the growth and health of the church. That is, we’re called, and indeed chosen, to serve one another in Christ’s church. Today’s text shows how neglecting this calling caused a problem, while faithful obedience brought fruitfulness. This message is especially relevant for us here at St Columba’s.

I. Challenges In Church Life

Now, let’s consider the situation the Jerusalem church faces at the beginning of Acts 6. First, the church is growing rapidly. They meet daily – a regular practice since Acts 2 – probably at the Solomon’s Portico in the temple, and also in various house churches, as their numbers may have already reached 10,000 or more.

One of their key daily practices was caring for the needy, especially widows. Early believers brought the proceeds from the sale of their property to the apostles, who then distributed it to those in need. It was a remarkable aspect of the early church – a practice we admire and long to see reflected in our own church. The apostles faithfully carried out this noble work, ensuring that everyone was cared for.

Yet, in the very first verse of ch. 6, a complaint arises. Some members were dissatisfied with the distribution of resources. While Bible commentators often focus on the two groups mentioned, the more important point is not the people, but the root of the issue – that is, perceived unfairness. Someone felt they were not receiving their fair share.

Consider how such a complaint might’ve been communicated. Perhaps a member spoke directly to an apostle. Perhaps someone observed the reactions of others and reported back. Or maybe the apostles themselves noticed the unrest. The truth is, complaints are part of church life – then and now.

Here at St Columba’s, we experience similar realities, though in different forms. Someone might think the church is too warm on a summer day like today, or that certain facilities are outdated. Another might feel morning tea is dull, or that there aren’t enough opportunities to learn God’s Word during the week. These are ordinary, everyday tensions in any congregation. The complaint in Acts 6:1 is simply one example of the inevitable challenges that arise when a church is alive and growing. Even without a daily distribution ministry, dissatisfaction and differing opinions are part of the life of the church. That’s the nature of the complaint the Jerusalem church faces in today’s text.

II. Dealing The Source Of The Trouble

Having said that, don’t you find the apostles’ response a little unexpected? If you were in their position, how would you have responded to the complaint?

Most of us would probably begin by investigating whether the distribution was indeed fair, and then try to correct whatever seemed unjust. We might introduce clearer guidelines or put a few rules in place to prevent the same issue from arising again. That would seem like the sensible approach.

But the apostles’ solution takes a different direction. Rather than adjusting the system themselves, they propose appointing others to take responsibility for the daily distribution. At first glance, it almost feels like an odd response. We might even be tempted to ask – ‘Is this a form of shirking responsibility?’

But that would miss the point entirely. In fact, the apostles’ proposal shows remarkable spiritual insight. They quickly identified the real source of the problem. That is, not unfair intentions, but the misuse of gifts within the church. They recognised that they themselves were not being deployed according to their primary calling.

Their solution, then, was not withdrawal from responsibility, but faithfulness to it. They ensured that those who were rightly gifted were entrusted with the ministry of daily distribution, while the apostles devoted themselves to what God had specifically called them to do – namely, preaching and teaching of the Word and prayer. So, their response was both simple and wise – appoint the right people to the right work in the church.

This teaches us a profoundly important lesson. Many of the difficulties and tensions churches face arise when those who are called and gifted are not serving in the roles God has prepared for them. The apostles were not primarily called to oversee daily distribution. Of course, that doesn’t mean they could never assist in such work – but it was not their central task. Their calling lay elsewhere.

Let me illustrate this with our own Sunday School ministry. At present, we have six teachers, including the Superintendent, with four active teachers – three serving younger children and one serving youth. Over the past three years, this team has grown into a harmonious and effective ministry. When people who are rightly gifted are placed in right roles, the outcome is fruitfulness.

The same is true of the diaconate in our congregation. Our deacons have faithfully carried out their responsibilities over the years. The elders of this congregation continue to pray for God to raise up more servants for this vital ministry, confident that the Lord, in His mercy, will provide those He has called.

The principle extends far beyond church offices. It applies to every part of congregational life. Some serve by preparing morning tea. Others arrive early to welcome people. Some read Scripture during worship. Others quietly care for the church grounds. There’s no need to mention those who serve on the Board of Finance & Property. Still others – often unseen – encourage, comfort, and pray for one another throughout the week. Only God knows the full extent of this faithful service taking place in His church. Each person is called and gifted by the gracious Lord for their part in the life of His church.

What I’m saying is this: the church often faces difficulties – including complaints like the one we see in Acts 6:1 – when people are not serving in the roles to which God has gifted and called them. The apostles recognised this immediately when the complaint reached them. A lack of workers, and the misplacement of workers, are the most common causes of trouble in the church.

III. Chosen To Serve

The solution for the Jerusalem church was clear. The apostles instructed the congregation to choose “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” to be appointed to the ministry of daily distribution. So, the believers selected men of such character, and the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them and entrusted them with this work.

From this passage, we rightly derive our understanding of the office of deacon – its qualifications and its role in the life of the church. But I want you to focus on something even more fundamental – that is, the Lord’s way of appointing the right people to the roles to which they are called and gifted. He does this to strengthen His church, not only in faith, but also in service.

The Lord had a perfect plan for His church. Those seven men named in v. 5 would’ve had little idea of what this calling would involve, and the congregation itself had never done anything like this before. Yet, the Lord was at work, ordering His church wisely and purposefully.

The truth is this: every Christian is called to serve in Christ’s church. When we’re chosen to belong to the Lord’s church, we’re also chosen to serve. This calling is not limited to ministers, elders or deacons. Every member of Christ’s body is chosen to serve.

At this point, you might wonder whether that is really true. Many of us have a narrow understanding of what serving means. We often think of ‘service’ only in terms of ‘doing’ – performing certain tasks for others. So, if someone provide spiritual oversight as an elder, we say that person is serving. If another serves on a board or committee, we recognise that as ‘service.’

But that is only half the truth. The fuller truth is that, in the Lord’s church, both giving and receiving are forms of service. Receiving is also serving. Why? Because when we receive the service of others, we give them the opportunity to exercise the work God has entrusted to them.

This principle is captured in Gal. 5:13, in these words, “Through love serve one another.” That command assumes both sides of the relationship – one serves in love, and another receives that service in love. In a broader sense, this reflects Paul’s teaching in 1 Cor. 12, where the church is described as the body of Christ. Each part depends on the others, and – as v. 25 tells us – “that the members may have the same care for one another.”

In this way, every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is called to serve – or, to put it another way, chosen to serve. We serve one another in the Lord Jesus Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit!

Conclusion

Isn’t this a remarkable truth? This is not something the world naturally understands or practices. In a fallen and unbelieving world, we do not hear of this kind of life – where giving and receiving are both honoured as service. It is only in Christ Jesus, and only through our union with Him, that we come to see the beauty of being chosen to serve.

So, let us serve one another – not only by giving our time, our gifts, and our strength, but also by humbly receiving the service of others. In both giving and receiving, our eyes are lifted away from ourselves and fixed on the Lord. And as we do, we altogether are led to praise and thank God for His marvellous grace in Christ!

The result is the gospel blessing multiplied among many in Christ’s church. ***