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Go To Acts: The Church
Handbook Series
A
Church Full of Deacons
Acts 6:1-6
It's a shame that if I were
to ask what are the two offices in the church, somebody would say, "I know,
Jerry's and the Assistant pastor's." The real
answer is Pastor and Deacon.
Very few doctrines are as
misunderstood in Baptist churches as the doctrine of the deacon…even when
you hear the word deacon it conjures up all kinds of images in your mind
depending upon your past experience and what churches you’ve been raised in.
If I were to ask you, what
is a deacon?/what are they supposed to do?...I would get dozens of answers.
Some places like here, they
fit the Biblical model. But in
some places they are money hungry or power crazed, some places they are the
brute squad, some places they are ladies, and in Wake Forest
they are “Demons”!
Some would say that deacons form the ruling body of the church--“they run
the church”—in many churches=true!
Other churches would say
the deacons are the pastor police…he answers to them in
all matters…they keep their thumb on him in all areas—in some churches=true!
I know of churches where
the deacons represent authority and discipline…if you get
out of line—watch out! Here come
the
deacons! —in a few churches=true!
Some hear the word deacon and picture such a dry, stuffy, crusty old
guy we might as well call him “Deacon Gestant”
[decongestant!]
Well, what does the Bible
say about the office of deacon, and the role of
deacons?
The term deacon is a
marvelous term…in general, it means servants.
(“aren’t we all supposed to be servants?”)
Yes, this message is for the whole church, and I want to show you
3 levels of servants
in the church.
The Greek word for servant
is diakonos (diakonos)—where
we get the word deacon. The word
did not originally signify an office, it was simply a word for servant.
·
General
Servants
And the 1st
servant in the Bible we’ll call a general servant—we’re
all called to this.
Hundreds of Bible verses
use the word diakonos, and translate it as servant, or in the context of a
servant…not as a deacon. (ie: waiter—Acts 6)
The following verses all
contain the word diakonos:
John 2:5
His mother saith
unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 12:2
There they made him
a supper; and Martha served…
Luke 4:39
And he stood over
her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and
ministered unto them.
You can see, these verses
are about general servants, in the sense of cooks, butlers, and waiters.
But then, the word was
broadened to include all kinds of service…for example:
Romans 13:4
For he is the
minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God…
This is about law
enforcement officers, and others in authority serving the public.
Let me show you what Jesus
then did w/ the word diakonos:
John 12:26
If any man serve
me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if
any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
He’s talking about general
servants…and we all are deacons in that sense of the word, if we’ve been
saved. We’re all
deacons
w/ a small “d”. We’re a church
full of deacons!
(bring up example to stand as example of a
general servant)
None of us have been saved to sit…but saved to serve!
So, we’re all deacons, not in the official sense, but in a general
sense.
I wouldn’t want to convey
the idea that the deacons serve while everyone else watches! (serving
the Lord is not a spectator sport!)
We’re all to be
“general servants”!
Then there’s another
category:
·
Gifted
Servants:
(bring up another example...female)
Romans 12:5-8
So we, being many,
are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having
then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or
ministry, let us wait on
our ministering: or he
that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he
that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;
he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
It’s their spiritual gift. Many here have the gift of
ministry, I Cor. calls it the gift of helps, our Spiritual Gifts survey
calls it “servant”. These are
not just general servants, they are gifted servants.
They don’t have to be
leader, they love to serve, behind the scenes, no recognition required.
Here are some
characteristics of a
gifted servant:
1.
An alertness to and awareness of practical needs
They see what needs to be done, usually w/out even being told.
They see those dishes and just wash them.
(others would have walked by 10 times)
They see the trash in the parking lot and pick it up (pull that weed)
rather than complain about it.
2.
Motivated to meet needs quickly…they can’t
stand delays
They don’t like to formulate and talk about it, just get it done!
3.
Work to meet needs with disregard for personal weariness
4.
Great desire to complete a job once it is started
When others want to leave on the work day, these say, ah, where are you
going? Only a few hours and
we’ll have it all done!
So, there’s general
servants = all of us
Then, there’s gifted
servants = it’s their spiritual gift
Still the word diakonos,
they are gifted deacons, w/ a small “d”.
But, then there’s a 3rd
group, represented by… (bring up
example). There are some deacons w/ a capital “D”!
They actually hold the office of Deacon.
Now deacon group 1 is
called to be servants
Deacon group 2 is called to
be servants at another level
Group 3…tell me, has the
meaning changed?…are they suddenly the ruling body?/has the meaning
changed?/do they run the church?
No, they’re still servants,
but at the 3rd and highest level.
Why do we need a 3rd
group when we’ve got these other 2?
Because this 3rd
group is called to be the example to the other 2 groups!
These are to be the…
·
Model
Servants
[call one up]
Our
God is really big on
the concept of being
an example:
Parents teach children by
example / older women teach younger by example / Paul told Timothy to be an
example to the flock / we can win the lost by being an example of a changed
life!
More things are caught than taught!
The capital “D” Deacons are
the examples, the model servants to these other 2 groups!
That’s why the
qualifications are so high (almost the same as for Pastor!)
Joke:
3 deacons confided in each other.
1st-- Guys, I
have a problem w/ gambling, and I need your prayers!
2nd-- I’ve been
drinking some to forget my troubles, help me!
3rd--Confession
is good for the soul. I must
confess I have a serious problem w/ gossip, and I can’t wait to get out of
here!
No, they are to be the
examples...the models, and any church member should be able to look at one
of our deacons and say, oh,
that’s how it’s supposed to be!
(dismiss helpers to seats)
For example, if the deacon
is a s.s. teacher, he is obligated to be the “model” s.s. teacher!
Not necessarily in terms of talent, but character, and faithfulness,
preparedness, attitude, spirit, enthusiasm, etc.!
Model choir member—other
choir members should look at them and say, so that’s how to be a good choir
member!
Family life (there are
stringent qualifications for a deacon’s family…pastor’s too!
We'll look at those tonite)
Deacons, there’s a charge
for you in this message today…you are being called upon, not to be perfect,
but to strive to be the models:
model servants, models in every area of personal and practical life!
And v. 7 shows what can happen, look!...
Acts 6:7
And the word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly…
-----
PM
Read 1 Tim. 3:8-13
[contrast Acts 6]
We have fine examples in
the persons of our current and retiring deacons [give examples of service]
This is a challenge to new
and younger deacons being developed in the church...
Our young couples ought to
look at the Deals and be able to say, oh, so
that’s how you have a marriage, so that’s how a man should treat his
wife, that’s what it means to love your wife as Christ loved the church!
Our young ladies should be
able to look at Mrs. Sheree and say, so, that’s what it means to submit to
the authority of your husband/follow his spiritual leadership!
Deacon wives: your
husbands are deacons
because you let them be…and any time you decide to, you can disqualify him
from being one! The Bible says
your husband isn’t qualified he cannot run his own household (those under
the roof)
So, the wives are to be
examples to all the other ladies in the church.
An example of service…of submission…of faithfulness.
I mean, why should any of
the ladies help in children’s ministries if a deacon’s wife won’t?
Why should any of the
ladies serve in the nursery if a deacon’s wife won’t?
Why should any of the
ladies attend the ladies’ meetings if the deacon’s wives don’t?
Our young men can look to
Bro. Jim or Bro. Don and see an example of being a deacon servant.
I'm glad that our teens and
children around here can not only look to the Smiths as a model example, but
at Bro. Bryan. They can relate
to him as just a 'big kid', and yet God can pour good things into their
hearts as they are challenged to grow and mature likewise.
Those raising kids should
be able to look at the Hendersons
and say, so, that’s the way to raise good kids to love the Lord!
So, that’s how to have family altar / discipline / teach how to act
in church!
Every church member should
be able to look at a couple like the Joneses or Dunns and say, so, that’s
how to be faithful, that’s how to have a good spirit, that’s how to maintain
a good testimony! [honor both
retiring]
What an awesome
responsibility is that of the office of deacon, and so, the Bible calls upon
us to lay hands upon you, and pray for you.
This is not simply for
show. It’s a Biblical practice
going back to the very beginning.
(past and present Deacons come to altar)
We’re asking God to do 3 things:
Fill you w/ wisdom. Deut. 34:9… “Joshua was
full of the spirit and wisdom (Acts 6); for Moses had laid his hands upon
him…”
Fill you w/ Holy Spirit as never before.
Acts 19:6… “when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came
upon them.”
Bestow upon you spiritual gifts for the
ministry.
I Tim. 4:14… “neglect not the gift that is in thee…laying on of
hands.”
Deacons kneel.
Ordained ministers/deacons
not currently serving invited to partake.
Most of these men are
already ordained deacons, but for
Bro. Bryan, this is his official ordination…but all 4 are being officially
confirmed for the next year of service, and dedicated to that task.
The church is witness to
this, so you need not bow your heads, but are free to watch and pray in your
hearts.
Pray: They have wisdom…need more
(Godly wisdom, not just man’s) / have the Spirit…need more / have
spiritual gifts…give them more.
Invitation:
have wives join them / “come lay a hand on one of these men”
-Assimilation
Survey to recruit new servants
-Spiritual Gifts analysis
-Assimilation
Survey to recruit new servants
-Spiritual Gifts analysis
A Church Full of
Deacons
Acts 6:1-6
3 levels of servants in the church
·
G____________
Servants
We’re a____ called to this
Acts 6, John 2:5, John 12:2, Luke 4:39, Romans 13:4, John 12:26
None of us have been s_______
to s____…but s_______ to s_______
Serving the Lord is not a
s________________ s________!
·
G__________
Servants Romans 12:5-8
It’s their s________________
g______ I Cor. 12
Characteristics of a gifted servant:
1.
An alertness to and
awareness of practical n________
2.
Motivated to meet
needs q____________
3.
Work to meet needs
with disregard for personal w_______________
4.
Great desire to
c______________ a j____
·
M________
Servants
God is really big on being an
e____________
More things are c__________
than t__________
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