Sermon Recap: Acts 6:1-7

Shepherding and Serving

Acts 6:1-7

This week in our study through Acts, we explored how God grows His church through Word-centered shepherding and Spirit-filled service. In Acts 6:1–7, the early church faced a crisis of unity as some widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Rather than allowing division to take root, the apostles sought God’s wisdom to preserve both the message and mercy of the church. The result was not division but multiplication—the Word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly.

Throughout the message, we saw three key movements of a healthy, growing church:

1. God Upholds His Church’s Priorities through Word-Centered Shepherding (vv. 2–4)
   The apostles refused to abandon preaching and prayer to manage daily logistics. They understood that the ministry of the Word and prayer was central to the spiritual health and mission of the church. Pastors today are called to the same devotion—to feed God’s people with His Word and equip the saints for the work of ministry.

2. God Preserves His Church’s Unity through Spirit-Filled Service (vv. 3, 5–6)
   The church appointed godly, Spirit-filled servants to meet practical needs and protect its unity. True service is not volunteering for a cause—it’s caring for the family of God. Every member is called to this posture of Spirit-led service, helping the church display Christ’s reconciling love to the world.

3. God Advances His Church’s Mission through His Word and Spirit (v. 7)
   When the church’s priorities and unity are rightly ordered, the gospel advances. Even priests—once resistant to the message—became obedient to the faith. The Spirit empowers believers to proclaim the Word boldly, and through that Word, God saves.

The gospel thread through this passage reminds us that Jesus is both the Shepherd and the Servant of His people. He leads us by His Word, serves us through His Spirit, and calls us to join Him in building up His church in love.

Listen to the Sermon:

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Reflection Questions:

1. Why is it important for the ministry of the Word and prayer to remain central in the life of the church?

2. How does Spirit-filled service protect and strengthen the unity of the church?

3. What practical ways can you serve the body of Christ this week to build up the family of faith?

4. Acts 6:7 shows that the gospel continued to spread. How can you personally participate in advancing that mission where you live and work?

Resources:

• Article: “Why Every Church Needs Biblical Shepherds” by Kevin Hay

• Article: “What Did Deacons Do?” by John Piper

• Article: “Want Connection? Try Commitment” by Casey McCall

• Book: The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer

Songs from Sunday:

• Thanks and Praise

• Turn Your Eyes

• Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me

• Hear the Hallelujahs Roar