Ordination of Deacon Troy Berry and Jr. Deacon Upoleon Williams Jr.

The office of deacon was first instituted by the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ in Acts 6th chapter.

The early church was growing tremendously and with the growth of the church we see that many needs were arising amongst its members.

It is commanded of Israelites to care for the fatherless and widows and we see that in the early church that this was no exception.

It was the church’s responsibility to take care of the widows and the fatherless. Now please understand that they did not have it like we have it today.

We have government programs, we have jobs available to us in which many widows are able to go into the workforce and work. Back then, the women of the time were not able to go out and work publically. The men were the breadwinners and often time if the husband passed away or if he divorced his wife, she was left to fend for herself and she couldn’t just go out and easily find a job. I had to put that in context because if you don’t you’ll always have someone try to challenge what we hold to today.

But back to the text, we see here that because the church is growing so rapidly, that many of its members are being overlooked not purposefully but accidentally.

Our text this afternoon tells us that Greek-speaking believers complained that their widows were being neglected in regards to the distribution of food in comparison to the Hebrew speaking widows.

Seeing that this could cause division in the church, the 12 Apostles call a meeting with all of the believers in which they inform the church that their priority was to teach the word of God, not to serve tables or run a food program.

The same can be said today, a Pastor at times can wear many hats, but the main responsibility of the Pastor is to feed the flock of Christ, to care for, to nurture, but most of all, to fulfill the great commission of preaching the gospel.

So to solve this problem, the Apostle told the church to pick out seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over “this” business. Then we can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.

So the pick out seven men, of good reputation, who were full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom (know how). Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas who were presented to the Apostles and the Apostles laid their hands on the seven and prayed for them.

But notice here that two of the deacons didn’t stop at just serving tables. We find here that according to scripture that Stephen and Philip are found evangelizing and witnessing the things of God. Not only that, but the Bible makes it clear, that Stephen the Deacon, was a man full of God’s grace and power, performing miracles and signs amongst the people.

Philip goes down to Samaria and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ resulting in the Samaritans hearing and believing the gospel, yet, none of them had received the Holy Ghost so he sends for Peter and John who when they came, laid hands on all of those who believed and had been baptized and they received the Holy Ghost.

They weren’t anointed as Bishops, they weren’t anointed as Apostles, they weren’t anointed as Elders, they were anointed as deacons.

Deacons you need to understand that you aren’t anointed to just count money, you’re not anointed to just put locks on a door. You’re not just anointed to clean the church. You are anointed to take care of God’s house, but most importantly you are anointed to share your faith with others, you are anointed to evangelize others as well.

And this is why when we finish, we are going to anoint you and lay hands on you and pray that God will use you to undertake the task of the diakonos.

So what is the responsibility of the deacons in the church?

We see that not only were the deacons in the early church responsible for the distribution of food, but they were responsible for the business of the church. They were responsible for taken up offerings, the intake of money, the distribution of goods to the saints in need, acquisition of land and other commodities.

We see that according to the book of Acts, they were responsible for taking care of the widows and the orphans, they took care and visited the sick and those who were in need.

They baptized (Philip)......they baptized and assisted in baptism. They made preparation for the LORD’s supper, and much like those priest who served in the temple, they made sure that the church was taken care of and that everything was operational.

On this day, as we prepare to ordain two new deacons, let this this day be a reminder not only to the deacons, but for us that have been licsenced or ordain, that you are more than just a title holder. You have a JOB to do!!!

The Lord Jesus said “Occupy till I come!” Let us renew ourselves, let us work the work while it is day, for night cometh where no man can work.

1 Timothy 3:8 begins with “likewise” or in like manner, which indicates that what goes for the Bishop/Overseer/Elder goes for the deacon as well. Contrary to popular belief, the requirements of a deacon are the same as a Bishop/Overseer/or Elder.

1 Timothy 3:1 KJV

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Not only a bishop, but an elder or a deacon, if a person aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.

I know that I am appointing them, but when I asked them to become a deacon they willingly accepted and they aspire to become deacons.

Verse 2 says:

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

A church leader must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.

Without outward sins that would bring reproach upon the church and the name of God.

Husband of one wife, it is not saying that you have to be married, but if you are married, you cannot be running around with multiple wives, you can’t be on your second, third, fourth, and fifth marriage and think you are going to lead a church or be a church leader in the church.

You must be vigilant a clear thinker in accordance with the word of God, sober means to exercise self-control, you must live wisely, and have a good reputation. You can’t live a double life, but a holy life, you can’t profess one thing but then live something opposite of what you profess.

A church leader must enjoy having guests in his home, HE MUST BE ABLE TO TEACH, he must not be a heavy drinker or be violent, He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. If you love money, it will cause you to sin, it will cause you to be tempted to steal from God’s house.

If you have a family, you must manage your family well and have children who respect and obey you.

Look at verse 6:

A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. People outside the church must speak well of him, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

Verse 8 in addition to these things, deacons, must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money, they must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.

In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything that they do.

1 Timothy 3:12–13 NLT

A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

These are the qualifications of a deacon. Bro. Troy at some point was married, his wife had been married before, but now Bro. Troy is no longer with his wife. According to the scriptures, marriage is not a requirement to become a deacon. However, the scripture strictly states that church leaders must be the husband of one wife.

Bro. Troy knows and is very aware of his situation and has expressed to me on several occasions that he has no desire to marry again. Therefore he is qualified according to the scriptures.

Now Bro. Troy, if that changes and I pray that it does not, you will have to surrender your deacons license.

Upoleon Jr. is a young man who is single. When you begin dating, you need to make sure that you date someone that is in the LORD. This is just the beginning of your journey into ministry. As you grow, as you are allowed to teach from time to time or even preach, we will reevaluate you and you will proceed to the ranks of minister. Right now, you’re going to learn how to serve and learn how the church operates.

I want it to be well known, that under this administration that this will be standard procedure. On the rare occasion, someone will be licensed a minister, but not without getting at least a year of deacon training prior to being licensed a minister.