The Church’s First Problem

Sunday Service: November 9, 2025 • Pastor Q Kim at HOPE Church in Clarksville, MD --- Pastor Q’s sermon on Acts 6:1–7 focused on how the early church—though filled with the Holy Spirit and rapidly growing—still faced internal problems, specifically conflict and feelings of unfairness among believers. The Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews complained that their widows were being overlooked in daily food distribution, revealing both administrative challenges and potential cultural tension within the church. Instead of ignoring the issue, the apostles acknowledged the problem and wisely delegated responsibility by appointing seven spiritually mature, wise, and reputable men—among them Stephen and Philip—to oversee this ministry, while the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and preaching. PQ emphasized that healthy churches, like healthy marriages, are not those without problems, but those that handle conflict with humility, respect, and dependence on God. The early church’s solution reflected grace, inclusivity, and the Spirit’s guidance—choosing even Greek-named and non-Jewish believers as leaders—which led to greater unity, growth, and a continued spread of the gospel. PQ reminded the congregation that every problem can be an opportunity for God’s love, wisdom, and power to be revealed in the body of Christ.