Noise (Part 3)

Acts 6 tells us that the early church was experiencing phenomenal growth. Luke says in Verse 1, "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." The Hellenistic Jews complained that their widows were not being included in the daily distribution of food. Murmuring is a noise/distraction that most pastor have to deal with daily. In fact, most believers face it more than once in their Christian walk.

While murmuring is often unnecessary because it causes so much trouble, this need was real. However, these complaints had the potential to move the leadership from their primary tasks and thus hinder the momentum of the church. The leaders realized the danger of this noise/distraction and declared to the entire body in Verses 2-4:

"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Their solution was brilliant in its simplicity. They selected seven wise men of good reputation to handle this matter so that they might continue in prayer and the ministry of the Word. I would that every church member would read that verse and understand the priorities of a pastor or minister of the Word.

The loudest noise in the church is less often based on interpretation of scripture and more on human expectation. So many things that we do today in the church create human expectation rather than spiritual sacrifice.

Let's face it-we do some things because we enjoy them more than because they are expected in the Bible. Here are a few things I'm talking about:

(1) People make a lot of noise about money. Either the preacher expects too much of us or is pleading for finances all the time. 

So many say they can't afford to tithe, but will spend $20 on a cake or pie at a church bake sale that same precious saint who is a faithful tither has baked. Those same people will buy a hot dog or chicken dinner, but complain when it's too hot or cold and the a/c or furnace needs repair. No where in the Bible does it say, "Thou shalt have a bake sale" or "thou shalt buy a hot dog." Yet it does say to "Give and it shall be given." Usually the loudest noisemakers/detractors don't support with regular giving, but want to tell the church what to do with the Lord's money.

(2) People make a lot of noise about the music or the atmosphere of worship.

It either too loud or too quiet, too hot or too cold, too new or too old, etc. Most complaints about these two items have created places of contention rather than worship. The Lord told us to "praise Him with all kinds of instruments and with spiritual songs and hymns". He said to "Clap your hands" and to "Enter His gates with singing." He's not looking for some on to make just a bunch of noise unless it's joyful unto Him. He didn't create worship for a distraction, but to attract us to honor Him. Somehow we think that the "traditions of men" make us guardians of the past, but God said that in everything we do we should give Him praise. Fussing out loud about the music or worship atmosphere only causes a bunch of noise that hinders the Spirit more than helps. 

(3) People want what they want and not what God wants.

There was a real need in the early church for a group of leaders to take care of physical needs. In many churches today, we have committees or boards, but just a few end up doing the implementation of what is needed. Then those who have input in a decision make a bunch of noise after the final decision is made and put into action distrust and discord. The Psalmist said in Psalm one that those are the kind of people we need to stay clear of. The one who talk a good game (make a bunch of noise, but then  want to complain when their plan is implemented.

God is not searching for noisemakers, critics, or complainers, but for servants who are willing to do and be what He desires them to be.