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A Dedicated
Partner in the Work
Text: Acts 6:1-7
I. A LEADER IS A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN
1) A Changed Mind: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38).
2) A Clean Heart “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” Baptism is the
outward expression of an inward cleansing. That cleansing only comes
through faith in the Savior who shed His blood for the remission of
sins.
3) A Controlled Will: “…ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
This receiving of the Spirit is more than just a quickening to life:
it means handing over the reins of one’s life to the indwelling of the
Spirit. All this had happened to Philip. That is why he was a
committed Christian and a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Illustration: There is no such thing as partial commitment. When the
pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway there is a
certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he
crosses that line, he is committed to the air, or the plane crashes
disastrously to the ground. That pilot cannot change his mind when the
plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway. Unfortunately, our
churches are filled with members who “have never left the ground.”
They have been sitting there for years and years gunning their
engines. They are always “prepping,” getting ready. They are going to
get busy. They have been planning on it, meaning to, wanting to,
trying to, going to, aiming to, hoping to. But they have never left
the ground!
II. A LEADER IS A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN
He was a man “of honest report” (Acts 6:3) “look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” The
root of the word report is the same as that from which we derive the
term “witness”. This is a rare characteristic in these days, but it is
a New Testament standard for those who hold leadership
responsibilities in the life of the church. So many people call
themselves witnesses, but are not honest. Deep down in their hearts
they know they are not. Philip was a godly, consistent Christian. Can
that be said of you? The sin of hypocrisy and inconsistency, on the
part of Christians, has been a stumbling block to the lost world.
1. People Want Consistent Leaders, not wishy-washy, hot and cold.
2. Someone that always takes a stand.
3. Consistent means reliable, steady, dependant, unfailing.
III. A LEADER IS A CONSECRATED CHRISTIAN
He was “…full of the Holy Ghost…” (Acts 6:3). In Old Testament times,
the word consecration was used on the occasion of the installation of
a priest to holy service. In New Testament teaching, consecration
implies the filling of the life by the Holy Spirit. So we read that
Philip was a man “…full of the Holy Ghost…” (Acts 6:3). Writing to
pastors, members, husbands, wives, parents, children, servants and
masters, the apostle Paul exhorted: “…be filled with the Spirit” (Eph.
5:18). To be a consecrated Christian begins with the filling with the
Holy Spirit and this demands three actions of the believer.
1. Pray for forgiveness and cleansing of sin.
2. Pray for a God to fill you with His Spirit.
3. Be Sincere.
IV. A LEADER IS A COMMON-SENSE CHRISTIAN.
He was “…full of wisdom…” (Acts 6:3).
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
WE ONLY
TEACH AND PREACH FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE
"For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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