My last post in this two-part series addressed the stewardship of innovation. I noted if Jesus is building His Church (Matt 16:18) and His Church is filled with a dynamic Spirit (Acts 1:8), then the Church should expect change. The need to be wise Kingdom stewards and make adjustments accordingly is the proper response to change.
Today, I wan
t to direct your attention to a few first century examples that brought change and how the Church responded. This list is far from exhaustive.
Change should be expected when:
A need arises (Acts 6:1-7).
The food distribution need became a challenge. Note the response:
- The Church responded with discernment: “Is this a significant need?” Answer: Yes.
- The Church responded with assessment: “Are we (i.e., the Apostles) neglecting something?” Answer: Yes.
- The Church responded with something new: “Let’s get some men in place to serve.”
The Church saw the challenge and built on what had been established to venture into something new for Kingdom expansion (Acts 6:7). Prayer and preaching were not discarded. Food distribution was not discarded.
Change should be expected when:
Unreached peoples remain unreached (Acts 8; 10; 11; 13-14; 16).
The Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles needed the gospel. Such need brought numerous challenges. Note some of these and the responses:
- The Church responded with preaching in light of persecution (Acts 8:4-5; 11:19-21): “We are uncomfortable. Our stability has been removed, but we refuse to turn inward, hunker down, and fail to make disciples.”
- The Church responded with sensitivity and obedience to the Spirit (Acts 8:26-27; 10:9-48; 13:1-3): “We’ve never done it that way before, but Lord, if you are leading, then we are following.”
- The Church responded with strategy and flexibility (16:6-15): “It is in the planning and intentional forward movement that the Spirit will lead us to where we need to go (even if it was not in our original strategy).”
They saw the challenge and moved forward in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Change should be expected when:
The church reaches people who are different from themselves (Acts 15:1-35).
It is one thing for the half-blooded Samaritans to receive the same Holy Spirit as the Jews, but wait-a-minute…the Gentiles too?! Note the response of the first Council:
- The Church responded to concerns by hearing from Church leadership (Acts 15:6, 13): “If the Spirit has appointed such leaders, then let’s hear from them.”
- The Church responded by hearing what the Spirit had accomplished (Acts 15:8-9, 12): “Is what we hear about the work of the Spirit contrary to what we know about the Spirit and His work?”
- The Church responded by looking to the Word (Acts 15:15-18): “What does the Word say about this challenging situation in which we find ourselves?”
Again, they saw the challenge and built on top of what had been established to venture into something new for Kingdom expansion.
Take some time to re-read Acts and note where change occurred. How did the Church respond? How should you and your church think about change? How should your church respond to Jesus building His Church and the leadership of the Spirit?
(image credit: Microsoft Office)