7 May 2025
The early church faced a critical moment when practical needs threatened to overwhelm spiritual priorities. As Mark Penrith explained in his sermon, “The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, ‘It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.'” The apostles recognized their primary calling—to preach and pray—but they didn’t ignore the needs of the community. Instead, they empowered others to serve.
Mark highlighted the wisdom of this approach: “The apostles and the seven weren’t competing for importance, they were collaborating for impact. The apostles preached, the seven served.” This division of labor wasn’t about hierarchy but about effectiveness. “Some of God’s people are set aside for spiritual acts of service… Some of God’s people are set aside for practical acts of service. Put those two together, and churches flourish and grow.”
The seven men chosen weren’t just volunteers. They were “men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” As Mark noted, “These 7 men bear the characteristics of deacons… their walk, their witness and their wisdom.” Their service flowed from spiritual maturity, not mere competence.
Application: You don’t have to do everything. This week, delegate one task—at home or work—to free up time for prayer or serving others. As Mark said, “Service starts where you are, with what you have.” Whether it’s asking a coworker to handle a project or teaching your children to help with chores, empowerment leads to growth.
Family Twist: Assign each family member a “service role” this week. Younger children can set the table. Teens can write an encouragement note to a friend or neighbor. Model how small acts of service reflect Christ’s love.
Question for Discussion: What’s one area of service you feel called to but haven’t stepped into? Why?
Prayer: Lord, show us where to serve and where to empower others. Make us a church that reflects Your wisdom and love. Amen.
This week’s series of blog posts have been created from Mark’s notes. Read them for additional insight into the passage.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.