Worship 10 am & 6 pm
Belgrade United Reformed Church
17333 Frontage Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
Gospel Submission (Acts 6:1-7)
In Acts 6, the early church encounters a critical challenge when a complaint arises that Hellenistic Jewish widows are being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Rather than dismiss the concern, the apostles recognize the need, and they act. They do not set aside their priority to preach and pray, but they appoint seven men—deacons/servants—whose qualifications are not based merely on availability but on their character: they are to be Spirit-filled, wise, and well-regarded within the community. This passage quietly affirms the value of church membership and being deeply known by the body because these men are well-known.
This moment in Acts reveals a holistic vision for church life and mission. The apostles emulate Christ’s ministry, which is holistic. Christ is concerned about our spiritual health and our physical health. Preaching and prayer are not abandoned, but complemented by ordained men showing acts of mercy that reflect God's heart for the vulnerable. Acts 6 reminds us that Christian life is not isolated or passive—it is lived out within a community, shaped by grace, and expressed in ongoing service, care, and witness.
Can Faith Both Unite and Divide? (Luke 12:49-59)
Jesus’ mission is paradoxical because He unifies His people in faith and brings division at the same time. Christ is celebrated because he brings heavenly peace, but Christ declares, “I have not come to bring peace, but division,” because true peace is not the absence of conflict but submission to Christ as King. Families may be divided over their allegiance to Him, but His baptism of suffering and judgment secures His disciples who hear his word. Just as the Spirit’s fire empowered the disciples rather than consuming them in Luke’s second volume, Christ’s sacrifice enables us to stand in the final judgment as we already taste its cleansing power. He warns that while people can discern the weather, many fail to recognize the urgency of the gospel. Real faith is not about religious rituals or cultural Christianity but about embracing Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and King. By faith, we are transformed, aligning our hearts and lives with Him, not as perfect people but as redeemed ones who live for God’s glory. Let us judge for ourselves what is right as we discern the true words of our savior.

