The church helps with practical needs.

Deacons lead the way in caring for others.

<Acts 6:1-7>

A. Widows weren’t receiving food. (v.1)

Background: Acts gives the history of the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church.

Within chapter 6 we see a summary of the story of the early church.

We see satan trying to cause division within the church. (6:1)

We see people persecuting the early church. (6:8-15)

But more importantly, we see the Holy Spirit at work in the church as He blesses it. (6:2-7)

Conflict between the “native Hebrews” and the “Hellenistic Jews.”

a) Hellenistic Jews had, to some degree, adopted Greek language and culture.

There was a tension between them and the Jews who held firmly to Jewish culture.

2. The church had a food ministry to care for the widows.

a) Given that the Hellenistic Jews likely weren’t from Jerusalem they wouldn’t have had the support to help with their needs.

b) The church has a responsibility to care for the widows who are members of the church.

James 1:27 NASB95

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

B. The deacon ministry is formed. (v.2-6)

It’s not God’s will for the pastor to neglect his duty of prayer and the ministry of the Word. (cf. v.4)

2. It’s not God’s will to neglect those who are in the church that have needs.

This was already the regular practice of the church.

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

God cares about your spiritual needs and your physical needs.

3. Caring for others is so important that the Deacon Ministry was formed. (3)

a) In this passage, Luke doesn't directly call these seven men deacons diakonos.

However, it's important to note that he uses The noun diakonia “distribution” in v.1

And the verb diakoneo in v.2 to indicate what these men were to do.

Yet the ministry that these seven men were assigned to is the same task that deacons are to do (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

b) Notice that the primary qualification is integrity.

<1 Timothy 3:8-13>

The church in the book of Acts took seriously their responsibility to care for both spiritual and material needs as part of the ministry. (4)

4. The 7 are chosen and ordained. (5-6)

They were formally appointed to the ministerial office of deacon.

C. The church is strengthened spiritually and physically. (v.7)

This is the result of the church functioning as God designed.

And God added to their numbers and their maturity as He saw fit.

a) One of the ways that they grew spiritually was that Christians cared for others in practical ways.

A commitment to God means a commitment to other Christians.

1 John 3:16–18 NASB95

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

The Bible uses the picture of the “body” to describe the interdependence of believers in the church.

2. Caring for the practical needs of other Christians expresses and demonstrates the love of Jesus.

a) Jesus is our example of compassion and caring for the practical needs of others.

2 Corinthians 1:3 NASB95

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

This is the character of who He is.

Matthew 14:14 NASB95

When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

Jesus healed and cared for the sick.

Matthew 15:32 NASB95

And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”

Jesus fed the hungry.

b) Christians are to be the conduit through which Jesus loves people.

John 13:34–35 NASB95

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The direct application of this passage we’re studying in Acts is for the deacons; however, caring for the practical needs of others is the normal Christian life.

1 Peter 1:22 NASB95

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

3. Caring for the practical needs of other Christians is commanded in Scripture.

Galatians 6:2 NASB95

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Peter 3:8 NASB95

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

4. The practical application of caring for others.

a) Get to know the people in the church to be able to care for them.

BFG’s are a great way to get to know others.

b) Regularly pray for others in the church.

We send out a weekly prayer list. Pray for those needs and reach out to the people on the list and offer a meal or do they need help with something. (yard and housework are often needed)

Ask people how you can pray for them.

c) From the regular tithes and offerings that come into the church, we routinely help others.

Therefore, your sacrificial giving allows you to participate in that.

Deacons lead the way in caring for others.