Sunday Recap - Anointed: Acts Chapter 6:1-7, Sunday April 26th 2026

April 26th, 2026
by Ps Jonny Kettle

Anointed: Acts Chapter 6:1-7

Message Overview:

The early church was in revival, new believers are coming to faith in Christ and the disciples are rapidly multiplying. These are the days we pray for! The rapid growth in believers begins to create pastoral challenges, in particular the care of the widows. The Apostle’s meet to make a plan. The had a responsibility to care for the people under their leadership, but also to not neglect prayer and the teaching of the Word to continue reaching and discipling people for The Kingdom of God. They came to the conclusion that they needed to equip and release other believers to oversee the food program for the widows in the community. Acts 6:7 tells us the outcome of this was the church continuing to to grow and expand!

Jonny encouraged us that God has an expansive vision and mission for The Church. That all would hear The Gospel, all would respond and all would find a Church home. At Grace we should be expecting and anticipating this to happen and we would be ready together to welcome, care and disciple those who connect with our Church family.

Jonny encouraged us that just like in Acts Chapter 6, it is a team effort to see The Kingdom of God advance - everyone has a role to play. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul described this as being part of a body. Every part of our human body has a function and plays a role, which is also true for the body of Christ. God has given us gifts to serve one another with and contribute to His Church.

Jonny challenged us that their are barriers which can get in the way of us fulfilling our role within the body:

- Busyness - we can lead full lives, resulting in being overwhelmed and overcommitted. At times, our serving or leading in The Church is what is sacrificed.
- Consumerism - the world around us has a consumeristic mindset which can lead us to come to church thinking about what we can receive rather than give.
- Clarity - we can be unsure where to start. The encouragement is just to start somewhere.

We need to reflect and consider if any of these are a reality in our life and take steps being part of the body and contribute to what God wants to do in and through you for The Kingdom of God.

Take some time to discuss this topic with your group, what has encouraged you and what challenges you.

Key Scriptures:

Acts 6:1-7
But as the believers 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.” 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. 7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

Acts 6:1
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.

Ephesians 4:11-12
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Acts 6:3
And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

1 Corinthians 12:27
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

YouTube Link for Service:

Sunday Service

Group Reflection Questions:

What do you feel God saying to you?
What can you do about it?
What is an actionable plan you can put in place to help yourself respond to God?
Who can keep you accountable?