1 May 2016 - ENCS

Joy Talavera today spoke on “Getting Involved Is An Opportunity”

On the screen, verses one to seven of Acts chapter six we did see

The Hellenists complained that their widows were not getting fed

The Twelve rightly wanted to keep spreading the word, Luke said

So to serve the group, they selected a wise and Spirit-filled seven

Philip, Procurus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmaeus, Nicolas, and Stephen

First, getting involved is an opportunity to be part of a community

Language differences even led the Hellenists to worship separately

But the Bible says that Christianity is for every tongue and race

So in the church, for everyone there is more than enough space

If we speak our native tongue in a mixed group, we tend to isolate

And thus lose the opportunity to from others knowledge inculcate

In terms of ENCS, that means speaking English when we mix

That is consistent with the core message from Acts chapter six

The Hellenists took their complaint to the leaders, Joy also did note

This is more effective and productive than looking for a scapegoat

Second, getting involved is an opportunity to be part of a solution

Four Hellenists were among the seven chosen for food distribution

Implying that they did more than just note an issue and complain

Joy said that perhaps our complaints indicate our service domain

Getting involved is an opportunity to be part of something bigger

The Hellenists did not allow the Twelve's reaction to be a trigger

For the Twelve were focused on the core activity of the group

They did not want to be distracted by serving bread and soup

But they recognised that the issue raised needed to be solved

And it gave others with different gifts the chance to be involved

Each of us has unique gifts and talents enabling us to serve well

And together as a body of Christ, we are even stronger, Joy did tell

Nonetheless, we should always remember the Great Commission

Because all of our actions should help bring God’s plans to fruition

In summary, Joy basically said that we should be involved with rigour

So we can be part of a community, a solution, and something bigger