At Gateway Church in Austin, we continued a series looking at the early church in the book of Acts.
What if faith was never meant to be boring, but an adventure? The book of Acts is the story of ordinary people encountering an extraordinary God, and stepping into a life they never expected.
It started with an invitation. To wait. To be filled. To trust God in a new way. And that invitation became an adventure; full of courage, purpose, and impact.
And here’s the best part, that same invitation is still open to you. No matter where you’ve been
or where you’re starting, there’s a place for you in the story.
ACTS: The Invitation… and The Adventure.
Don’t just watch it…step into it.
Digging Deeper:
Video Message from Gateway South Austin:
Audio Message from Gateway South Austin:
Message Notes from Carlos Ortiz, Jr.:
Acts 6:1-7
In 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. 2 So 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. 3 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 them4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 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. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
There’s a moment in every growing community when the question shifts.
At first, it’s: “Will this work?” Then it becomes: “Will this last?”
Growth is exciting—but growth also exposes what’s underneath. It reveals whether what we’re building is merely energetic…or actually sustainable. Whether it’s superficial unity…or Spirit-formed unity.
And in Acts 6, we’re invited into one of those moments.
The early church is thriving—the gospel is being preached boldly (even in the face of early persecution), people are coming to faith, miracles are taking place, needs are being met, and there is a radical generosity that marks the community. But then something happens. A tension emerges. And what we see is this:
The Holy Spirit not only empowers the church, but also organizes and unifies the church.
And that matters deeply for us, especially today—on a day like Mother’s Day—when we celebrate sacrificial love, unseen service, and open-handed living.
Because at its core, this passage is about what it looks like to be a people who go all in—not just emotionally, but structurally, relationally, and sacrificially.
Acts 6:1 — Unity Under Pressure
In 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.
The church is growing. That’s the first thing we’re told.
“The disciples were increasing in number…”
This is what we want. It’s what we pray for. It’s what we celebrate. But then comes the tension: A complaint arises.
And it’s not just any complaint—it’s along cultural lines. The Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) feel that their widows are being overlooked compared to the Hebrews (Aramaic-speaking Jews).
Now, we have to slow down here. This is not just a logistical oversight—it’s a multicultural fault line. Different languages. Different cultural experiences. Possibly even different levels of influence within the community. Possibly even bias or prejudice against those who are different from themselves or for sure favoritism for those who are like them.
And the most vulnerable—widows—are the ones affected.
Here’s what this shows us:
Even Spirit-filled communities experience cultural tension.
The presence of diversity doesn’t automatically produce unity. In fact, diversity often reveals where unity is still shallow. But notice something else: the complaint is voiced. It’s not suppressed. It’s not ignored. It’s not spiritualized away.
Because Real unity is not the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of truth handled with humility.
In a world that often divides along cultural, ethnic, and social lines, the church is called to be different. Not by pretending differences don’t exist, but by addressing them with gospel-shaped love and understanding.
A few years ago I was in the lobby after a service and I spoke with a woman who is from Gaza and she was filled with sorrow and confusion about all that was happening in her home and among her people. We prayed together, and as soon as I was done I spoke to another woman who was from Israel. She was filled with sorrow and confused about all that was happening in Gaza. They each wanted me to condemn the other side, to pick them, to see the world through their lens. These were back to back conversations with people in our church community, both hurting, both struggling, both frustrated.
We cannot pretend these issues do not arise…they will and they do arise. So what do we do when these needs are spoken? Let’s keep going to verse 2.
Acts 6:2 — The Courage to Clarify Calling
So 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.
The apostles respond by gathering the entire community. That’s important!
They don’t handle this privately. They bring it into the light. Because unity requires transparency. And then they say something that can sound, at first, almost dismissive:
“It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.”
But we have to understand what they’re saying—and what they’re not saying.
They are not saying that serving widows is unimportant. The entire passage assumes the opposite. They are saying this:
Not every need is your assignment…even if it’s a real and urgent need.
If the apostles abandon their primary calling—the ministry of the gospel, the church will lose its foundation.
Tim Keller often pointed out that the greatest threat to ministry is not always sin—it’s distraction.
Doing good things can keep us from doing the right things, and Spirit-led communities require clarity of calling. Because when everyone tries to do everything, eventually nothing is done well.
Acts 6:3 — Spirit-Filled Organization
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
Now we see the solution and it is deeply instructive.
First, the apostles empower the community: “Pick out from among you…” This is not top-down control. This is shared ownership.
Then they give qualifications:
- Good reputation — their lives are trustworthy
- Full of the Spirit — their hearts are aligned with God
- Wisdom — they can navigate complexity
Now here’s what’s surprising:
The task is administrative (organizing food distribution), but the qualifications are spiritual.
Why? Because in the kingdom of God, there is no divide between “spiritual” and “practical” work. Serving tables is not less spiritual than preaching sermons.
In fact, one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity is how we handle practical responsibility, and this connects directly to our big idea:
Spirit-led people live open-handed with their time, their energy, their resources, and their lives.
You don’t need a platform to be powerful. You need the Spirit.
“If Christians around the world were to suddenly renounce their personal agendas, their life goals and their aspirations, and begin responding in radical obedience to everything God showed them. The world would be turned upside down. How do we know? Because that’s what first century Christians did, and the world is still talking about it.”
― Henry T. Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda
Acts 6:4 — The Priority of Prayer and the Word
and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The apostles reaffirm their calling. “We will devote ourselves…”, and this is not casual. This is intentional. Persistent. Focused. And notice the order again:
Prayer…then the Word. For clarity’s sake, If you’ve been around Gateway for any length of time, you might hear us say The bible or Scripture, and that’s because The Word can be insider type language, and we believe that the word or the bible or scripture (all describing the same thing) is accessible to everyone within our faith community.
So let’s re-emphasize this…the disciples were focused on prayer AND a devotion to the words of God given to people.
Why?
Because without prayer, ministry becomes self-powered instead of Spirit-empowered.
CP Note – share a story of a situation where someone might be heavily leaning on Prayer or the reading of scripture, but not growing the muscle of the other.
There have been multiple times in 30 years of pastoring where I have spoken with a well intended person of prayer who was sharing something with me that did not line up with scripture, and situations where someone really knew the bible well but did not have a life of prayer. In both situations, we lovingly remind people of what is modeled for us in scripture. A life of prayer AND the word.
Without prayer, even good structure becomes lifeless. The Spirit brings both organization and powerful prayer. Because of this we are unified and empowered.
Acts 6:5 — A Multicultural Solution
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.
The response is remarkable: “It pleased the whole gathering.” That kind of unity doesn’t happen accidentally…it’s the work of the Spirit.
Then we notice something significant: All seven names are Greek.
The group that raised the concern is now leading the solution. That is not coincidence—that is wisdom shaped by the gospel. Because the gospel doesn’t just reconcile us to God, it reconciles us to one another. And in a world of division, the church becomes a living picture of unity.
The disciples didn’t show favoritism. They invited those being overlooked to have a seat at the table – not at the expense of those already in charge but with them.
This is deeply counter-cultural. Our human world often handles division by:
- Avoiding differences
- Silencing voices
- Or separating into like-minded groups
But the church is called to something radically different: A unity that embraces diversity and moves toward one another in love.
How can we participate in this right here in our community and church?
- We can ask questions to people who aren’t like us and listen to their responses
- We can lean in when conflict or misunderstandings happen ( because it will happen) and have a heart of humility to seek the other person’s perspective.
- We can intentionally choose to spend time with people who aren’t like us
- If you are married, when is the last time you invited a single person over?
- Do you have any friends of different ethnicities?
- Do you live in a political echo chamber or do you seek to know and do life with people who disagree with you politically?
Acts 6:6 — Affirmation and Commissioning
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Again, prayer is central. Before anything is done, they pray. Because they recognize that leadership is not merely functional…it is spiritual. And then they lay hands on them.
This is affirmation. Commissioning. Sending.
It’s the community saying:
“We see God’s work in you, and we entrust you with this responsibility.”
You may not know this, but tomorrow night here at our North Austin campus, we will be doing something very similar. Elaina Harrell will be prayed over and we as a leadership team will lay hands on her as she joins our governing body of spiritual overseers. They are my “bosses”…they represent our community…they serve people, lead groups, teach scripture, pray for people, sacrificially give.
We are saying exactly what we read here in Acts 6…”we see the work you have done to lead yourself well, to serve others…so we are charging you and entrusting you with this great responsibility.
And here’s what’s beautiful: This moment dignifies service.
It says that organizing meals for widows is not secondary work..it is kingdom work. And on a day like Mother’s Day, this resonates deeply. Because so much of what mothers do is unseen, uncelebrated, and yet absolutely essential.
The kingdom of God has always advanced through quiet, faithful, open-handed service.
Acts 6:7 — The Fruit of Healthy Structure
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Here’s the result:
- The Word increases
- Disciples multiply
- Even priests come to faith
Now don’t miss this:
Addressing internal issues didn’t hinder the mission…it accelerated it.
When the church is rightly ordered, and when people are serving in their calling, when needs are met, when unity is protected, the gospel moves forward with greater clarity and power.
And notice the language shift. Earlier, the disciples were adding. Now they are multiplying. This is exponential growth.
Why?
Because a Spirit-led community is not just attractive, it is transformative.
So what does this mean for us?
If the big idea is true—that Spirit-led people live open-handed—then the question is not simply what we believe. The question is:
Where are we still holding back?
- Are we open-handed with our time?
- Are we open-handed with our resources?
- Are we open-handed with our relationships, especially across lines of difference?
Because to “cross the line and go all in” means that we move from:
- Convenience → Commitment
- Comfort → Sacrifice
- Isolation → Unity
In a world that clings to wealth, comfort, and control, the Spirit forms a people:
Who release. Who give. Who serve. Who love across boundaries.
A Final Gospel Reflection
At the center of our faith is Jesus. The ultimate example of open-handed living.
He did not cling to His status. He did not hold back His life. He gave Himself fully for us.
And because of that, we are invited into a new kind of life:
A life marked by generosity. A life marked by unity. A life marked by Spirit-led surrender.
So here’s the invitation:
Cross the line. Go all in.
Not halfway. Not selectively. But fully.
Because when the church lives this way:
- The overlooked are seen
- The divided are united
- The gospel is magnified
And like in Acts 6:
The Word of God increases.
The people of God multiply.
And the power of God is revealed.
