Church Matters: Leaders that Serve, Part 2

Acts 6:1–7 ESV

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Christians are called to be "deacons," serving from a gospel-shaped heart which says, "My Life for Yours."

Deacon’s lead the church by serving the church. Deacons are Spirit-filled, shock absorbing, servants who unite the church through service.

The context here is extremely important.

Acts 6:1 (ESV)

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number...

In the days that the disciples were growing in numbers.

This means that they had more numbers but they also had more logistical issues.

Where there are more people there are always more problems.

Acts 6:1 ESV

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

There seems to be two discernable issues here.

(1) The issue of ethnicity dividing the community.

The Hellenists were Jewish Christians whose primary language was Greek.

The Hebrews were ethnic Jews who spoke Aramaic.

Hellenists were considered to be the half-breeds within the Jewish community.

Hellenists were hated within the Jewish community.

There was constant tension between the Hellenists and Hebrews before they came to faith.

These Hellenists and Hebrews were at odds with one another.

These Hellenists felt that their widows were being neglected more than the Hebrews.

(2) The issue was exaggerated because of the location of Jerusalem.

The issue may have been more exacerbated because people came to Jerusalem because they desired to be buried in their homeland.

This meant that if a husband died a widow would be unable to provide for herself.

Formed for Adversity

(Acts 6:1)

At this point in the church there could have been a huge split for the people of God.

They could have broken apart and called themselves the Hellenist Church of Jerusalem and the Hebrew Church of Jerusalem.

They could have started having their own conferences and had a church split.

But they didn’t.

The Apostles, elders, and ultimately the church brought forward men to fix this problem.

Examine our ministries...

Examining our ministries regularly to see if we are meeting the needs of those in our bodies.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: Stephen, the Man God Crowned (Acts 6–7)

Any ministry or organization that thinks its success will go on automatically is heading for failure. We must regularly examine our lives and our ministries lest we start taking things for granted.

The office of deacon was formed out of a conflict in the first century church.

A physical need arose for the care of widows in the church and conflict was brewing.

The number of disciples were growing in Jerusalem.

To the point that the needs in the church were neglected.

Apparently the twelve Apostles were in charge of the daily distribution of food for the needy believers and it seemed that the Hellenists, or Gentiles were being neglected by these former Jewish apostles.

Acts 6:1 (ESV)

a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

Shock absorbers for church unity.

A shock absorber is used on a vehicle to dampen a bump.

Every time you go over a bump, and your head doesn’t go through the ceiling, thank a shock absorber.

Christians have always been called “deacons” in the general sense of that term.

But the office of “deacon” has not always existed.

It’s important to note that it was actually a conflict and a situation that brought about the first official “deacons.”

All Christians are meant to be serve and be served, “deacon and be deaconed” but there is a special emphasis needed for the office of deacon.

There is a specific role needed for deacons.

A lack of deacons invites a lack in unity.

Acts 6:2 ESV

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Priority of the Word of God

(Acts 6:2,4)

Only when a crisis emerges do we see what is truly important.

It is WRONG for them to “leave (behind)”, “give up” preaching the Word.

These men were tempted to leave behind the Word of God to “serve tables” literally to “deacon tables.”

It doesn’t seem like it but in Acts 6 there is a deep spiritual warfare happening.

This spiritual warfare was the temptation of the Apostles to give up preaching the Word of God to serve people.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: Stephen, the Man God Crowned (Acts 6–7)

Even today, some pastors are so busy with secondary tasks that they fail to spend adequate time in study and in prayer. This creates a “spiritual deficiency” in the church that makes it easy for problems to develop.

Acts 6:2 (ESV)

“It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Now it needs to be noted here that the needs of the first century are not like the needs of our own day.

With institutions like “Welfare” and others the needs of our day look miniscule to their own day.

A widow in their day would literally go hungry.

When a person came to Christ they were often forsaking family relationships and thus forsaking others to care for them.

The pressure on the Apostles was “feed them the Word of God” or “feed them food”, they did not have the luxury of doing both.

Shepherding vs. Practical Doing

What do you think a deacon does?

Shepherding souls - Pastor/Elders

Practical Doing - Deacons

Pastor-in-Training Peter

“Heard they’re making you a deacon. How long, you think, before they make you an elder?”

Toolbox Terrance

“You’re good at fixing things. They should make you a deacon.”

Spreadsheet Sam

“Our church budget is a mess; we’re looking at another financial shortfall and don’t have any clear income projections for the next fiscal year. Why don’t we make Sam a deacon—doesn’t he fix peo- ple’s money problems for a living?”

Corporate Cliff

“Seminaries may teach ancient languages, bless their heart, but they can’t teach executive skills. What this church really needs are some decisive deacons with business sense.”

Veto Vinnie

“What’s the point of being deacons if we’re just ‘yes men’? Of course, I tell Pastor Dave how it is—who else will? Besides, I only want to keep him humble. Last thing we need is a puffed-up pastor.”

Pseudo-Elder Steve

“Welcome to First Baptist Church, where the pastors say things and the deacons run things. (Seriously, though, if you want to get something important done around here, you’ve got to convince those deacons.)”

This does not mean that a deacons role is menial.

It is a matter of priorities for the Apostle/Elders.

Acts 6:4 ESV

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Oversight vs. Service

Sees a problem

Feed the hungry.

Clothe the naked.

Teach those without education.

Care for the building.

Wants to safeguard unity.

Knows that if this is unresolved that it will create a problem.

Thinks creatively to solve the problem.

You will often see the fruits of this.

Solves the problem.

The new porch.

The clean church building

Acts 6:2–3 ESV

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Service is no less "spiritual" than shepherding.

Order within the House of God

(Acts 6:3, 5-6)

Do you think Jesus cares how the church is structured?

Do you think He cares how our church operates?

Then isn’t it sad that so many do not consider how the church should operate.

Notice the role of the church...

Acts 6:3 (ESV)

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,

The Church Carefully Selects Godly Men

(Acts 6:3a)

Here’s what they should be looking for in the men.

We will look more extensively at this next week.

Acts 6:3 (ESV)

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,

Good reputation (“Good Martyrs”)

This word that we get for martyrs actually comes from a word which means “testimony.”

This first qualification here is that they would have a good testimony about them.

2. Full of the Spirit - they should be full of the Spirit of God.

Acts 6:8 ESV

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Notice what a man full of the Spirit does when he is persecuted...

Acts 7:55–60 ESV

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Just like Jesus they follow their Lord in being filled with the Spirit of God.

3. Full of Wisdom - they should not be fools.

They are required to be wise according to salvation. James 3:17-18

James 3:17–18 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Notice what the elders role is...

Acts 6:3 (ESV)

whom we will appoint to this duty.

The Elders Appoint

(Acts 6:3b)

This one verse says that the people “selected them from among them” whereas the Apostles “appointed” or “point in charge of” these men.

This is so important for us here because deacon’s serve a truly harmonious role.

A Spirit filled deacon board will unite a church.

Carnal men on a deacon board will destroy a church.

When there is disunity in the church there is a lack of health amongst the deacons.

Example of Jethro’s Advice to Moses

Moses would govern all of the people by deciding the people of Israel’s disputes.

One day his father-in-law, Jethro came to visit.

Exodus 18:14 ESV

When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”

Exodus 18:15–16 ESV

And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.”

Exodus 18:17–18 ESV

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.

When you see a warn-out pastor...

You can guarantee there will be a man carrying too much.

You can make a good guess that the deacons are not caring for the people like they should.

Notice what else the church does...

Acts 6:5 (ESV)

And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen....

The Church Commissions

(Acts 6:5-6)

Acts 6:5 ESV

And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

We can learn something from the names of the ones who are picked.

They are all Greek names.

That means that the church chose men who would care well for the needs of the Hellenists.

Hebrews who used to despise Hellenists choose these men to care for their needs.

Acts 6:6 ESV

These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

The church commissions through the laying on of hands.

They lay hands on them as a sign to everyone.

When they lay hands, it says to everyone.

“These are our guys.”

“We have commissioned them to serve us here!”

Acts 6:7 ESV

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

The Result of Deacons

(Acts 6:7)

Acts 6:7 (ESV)

And the word of God continued to increase,

The Word of God Increased

(Acts 6:7a)

Keep something in mind from the book of Acts...

Acts 2:47 (ESV)

And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The Lord is the One who adds to their number.

But He does it through means, and the means we see Him using here is when the deacons are commissioned to free up the Apostles and Elders to preach and teach and shepherd, the church grows.

Acts 6:7 ESV

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

The Lord Added to their Numbers

(Acts 6:7b)

Not only does the church grow, “the priests” are mentioned by name as those who are being converted.

Now there were thousands of lower ranking priests.

There were an estimated “8,000 Jewish priests attached to the temple ministry in Jerusalem”

They were typically poor.

They were not well off.

They served under leaders who would have been wealthy upon their backs.

They were likely the first ones to notice the kind of care and compassion associated with the community.

By why mention that?

Why would the priests especially be converted?

Could it be that the priests especially were converted because what Jesus said came to pass..

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I would argue that these priests especially who are so used to the “old way” of doing things.

The “old things” being “slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)

When these priests saw a community that loved one another.

Especially those who were typically hating each other, it was strange.

It was so strange that they began asking, “What is it with you people?”

An increase of the Word of God increases the obedience of faith.

The Nazis, it turns out, did not like deacons.

After the Netherlands fell to Germany in 1940, deacons in the Dutch Reformed Church rose up to care for the politically oppressed, supplying food and providing secret refuge.

Realizing what was happening, the Germans decreed that the office of deacon should be eliminated.

Responding in a General Synod on July 17, 1941, the Dutch believers resolved,

“‘Whoever touches the diaconate interferes with what Christ has ordained as the task of the church.’ . . . Whoever lays hands on diakonia lays hands on worship!”

These are the kind of men we need to be deacons in our body.

Servant Seth.

He isn’t gunning for an office, a title, or a spotlight.

He isn’t perfect, but he is prayerful and growing in humility.

He’s not the smartest guy in the room, but he is teachable.

He’s not the most experienced guy in the room, but he is respected because of the way he treats people.

Seth is not a “yes man,” but he’s also not a self-appointed pastoral critic.

He doesn’t think it’s his job—or any Christian’s, for that matter—to gaze suspiciously at godly leaders.

Seth loves to fade into the background, not because he’s falsely modest but because he cares about what’s foregrounded in the church: the glory of Jesus Christ.