The Lord gave this trial in the midst of his church in order to unite the whole church as one. The Grecians were shown how quickly they would murmur, to teach the whole church, and us, that we need the visitation of our Lord every hour. Likewise, the Hebrew's were shown how quickly they would respect persons based on outward appearance to remind the whole church, us included, that our God saves by grace and is no respecter of persons. The apostles were not allowed by God to let anything interfere with the preaching of his word and prayer for his saints, showing the whole church, and us, that the Lord's word is the most necessary of all things if we would truly provide for the needy in the church. By using the church to provide the temporal need of the Grecian widows, they, their brethren, and we today are taught never to doubt the sufficiency of our Lord's grace--both in spiritual and temporal matters--all things are yours. And the whole multitude learned that God has a way of uniting the hearts of his people that would never enter our minds. The Lord turns Satan's darts of discord into a spirit of unity. The Lord works a spirit of forgiveness in us, whereby we overlook the shortcomings of our brethren, and he does it by showing us that there is not a bit of difference between any of us, save for his grace. Therefore, they showed they trusted the Lord, their pastors, and their brethren by thanking God, by asking his blessing upon these men, and by sending these seven men to the task at hand.
The purpose of this trial was to cause an increase of God's word (v7). Through trials the first increase God gives of his word is in the heart of believers through the Spirit. The increase of God's word has to do with seeing that all God's word receives its glory from Christ Jesus the Lord and is given to glorify the person and work of Christ Jesus the Lord. Only when Christ is preeminent in the heart will a simple instruction such as that of the care of a widow become full of meaning, revealing in us the mercy and grace by which we are saved by God. From the increase of his glory in his word in the heart comes an increase of delight and obedience from the heart.
Only when through trials when God gives the increase of his word in our heart will he use us to give an increase of his word in the hearts of those around us--with both the uninterruptible preaching of his word and the sure temporal provision of needy brethren within his church, and men without. Wasn't that the result? Acts 6: 7:...and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. It isonly when God makes us to understand that "doing good" has its glory from Christ and is to the glory of Christ that God is pleased to use us to do good. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal 6: 10).
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCHOf Princeton, New Jersey
LOCATION & TELEPHONE Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor 150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553 Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday 10 AM Bible Class 11 AM Morning Worship Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service (The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)
NOTE: For those who might like to visit us without missing their regular services, our mid-week service is on Thursday night and it is a worship service. We welcome you to join us in worship of the Lord our Righteousness.
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