The God Who SeesActs 6:1-8

“When we see people as God sees,

we’ll love people as God loves”

Two ways of seeingOne result of seeing well

First way of seeingIn those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1

First way of seeing

We don’t see their humanityTheir lives didn’t matter

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of

their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and

robbing the fatherless. Isaiah 10:1-2

Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword, your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.

Exodus 22:22-24

Second way of seeingSo the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables…

Second wayBrothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4

Second wayThey saw them as necessary

to their existence“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together…”

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. 1 Corinthians 12:21-23

Second way (continued)

Second way (continued)

They affirmed their value“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them…”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Acts 6:5-6

ResultSo the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7

Exponential growth of the church

We see, love and serve the people God sees, loves and serves