Some people are pessimistic about all the problems they face. We all have problems in life. It really has more to do with how we deal with the problems that we experience. The Church is the body of Jesus Christ and will experience growing pains. The Church needs to apply principles to turn problems into possibilities.

1 – The progress of the Church (vs. 1)

The progress report is good. The church was multiplying. The gospel was being preached and miracles were being done. A church must evangelise or it will fossilise. The unsaved should be getting saved. God wants to multiply and the Devil wants to divide. It takes work to see the church multiply. God is interested in numbers. Those who are not interested in numbers are often too lazy to work.

2 – The problems in this church (vs. 1)

Satan had failed in his persecution and corruption of the church. Now Satan is trying to distract the Apostles from preaching the Gospel. There were social problems that need to be sorted out. Some people were getting fed and some were being forgotten about. There was a “murmuring”. It was a legitimate problem but it was dealt with in an illegitimate way. It is always wrong to murmur. A murmur is a half-revealed and half-concealed complaint. A complaint needs to go to the person who can fix it, not to anyone else. Murmuring will lead to disputing. The church is often split by functional problems rather than doctrinal problems. It is better to be part of a growing church with problems than a stagnant church with no problems.

3 – The possibilities in this church (vs. 2-3)

The Apostles see the possibilities in this problem. They do not address the murmuring, they just fix the problem. They need better organisation. They pick seven men who are full of the Holy Spirit. This is where the office of Deacon begins. The Deacons are to look after the organisation of practical matters. The Apostles can then concentrate on preaching and teaching the Word of God. If something is not organised then it is likely to be a mess. The church should be the most organised organisation in the community.

• A scriptural ministry. (vs. 2) The priority of a leader is prayer and the preaching of God’s Word. Other people can do the practical work. A preacher needs to spend time with God and studying God’s Word. The minister does not need to available 24 hours a day to members of the church. There is a higher priority to spend time with God and study God’s Word.
• A practical ministry. (vs. 3) They find out seven men to do practical work. It is not the friend of the minister, a rich giver in the church or important person in the community. They needed to be filled with the Spirit and live a godly life. They were to serve the church. If you have a man who can serve the church you have a man who can serve his wife. These seven men were mighty, godly men.

The disciples took their problem and turned it into a possibility. Here are some steps to help you see the possibilities in your problems.

1. Picture your dream.
2. Open yourself to success.
3. Set some clear goals.
4. Be prepared to sacrifice.
5. You will have to work harder.
6. Ignore negative thinking.
7. Believe in miracles.
8. Learn from your past mistakes.
9. Enjoy the journey.

4 – The power in the Church (vs. 7)

The church is now multiplying greatly. Problems do not mean that God is not in the Church. You need to turn your problems into possibilities. Take your weaknesses and turn them into possibilities. See Psalm 4:1. God will take your distress and enlarge you. The power in the church is increased because they did not become distressed by their problems.

Categories: Acts