The Impact of a Deacon’s Life & Work

9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”

12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.

14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Acts 8:4–8 (NLT)

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:35–40 (NLT)

35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

INTRODUCTION:

A- last week we looked at the importance of the life and ministry of a deacon.

B- This week we are going to consider the impact of the life and ministry of a godly deacon.

1- When a deacon serves well, living in total commitment to Christ, his life and work result impact at least four areas:

I- HIS OWN PERSONAL LIFE (1 Timothy 3:13)

1 Timothy 3:13 (NLT)

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

A- Growth in his personal testimony. (1 Timothy 3:13 a)

1 Timothy 3:13 (NLT)

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

13 οἱ γὰρ καλῶς διακονήσαντες βαθμὸν ἑαυτοῖς καλὸν περιποιοῦνται καὶ πολλὴν παρρησίαν ἐν πίστει τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

1- Those who do well as deacons (οἱ γὰρ καλῶς διακονήσαντες = those who serve well [in a praiseworthy fashion])will be rewarded with respect from others.

a- When a godly deacon faithfully walks with Christ and serves his people, his personal Christian testimony grows.

b- There is a difference in a “reputation” and a “testimony.”

Reputation - overall quality or character as perceived by people. (perceived, but not necessarily confirmed)

Testimony - the confirmed integrity of a person’s spiritual walk. Confirmed Christian character.

B- Growth in his personal spiritual growth. (1 Timothy 3:13 b)

1 Timothy 3:13b (NLT)

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

1- Deacons who serve well “will have increased confidence (πολλὴν παρρησίαν = greatly increased boldness ) in their faith in Christ Jesus.”

(2 Peter 3:18)

2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

II- HIS OWN FAMILY (Acts 21:8-9)

Acts 21:8–9 (NLT)

8 The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.

9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

A- His witness will influence his family members. (Acts 21:8)

Acts 21:8 (NLT)

8 The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.

1- God wants his men to teach their families about him.

(Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7)

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT)

9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 6:7 (NLT)

7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

B- His family members are more likely to be committed to Christ. (Acts 21:9)

Acts 21:9 (NLT)

9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

1- Philip’s family members were Christ-followers.

a- They shared the good news (Philip was an evangelist.)

b- They taught others about Jesus. (His daughters were prophetesses. )

III- HIS CHURCH FAMILY (Acts 6:7)

Acts 6:7 (NLT)

7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

A- The members of the church family will be cared for more adequately. (Acts 6:3)

Acts 6:3 (NLT)

3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

1- These seven men were assigned an important responsibility that would insure that the needy in the church family would be cared for.

B- The pastor will be freed to devote himself to prayer, study and preaching. (Acts 6:4)

Acts 6:4 (NLT)

4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

1- The job of the pastor is to pray, study, preach and teach.

(Ephesians 4:11-16)

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NLT)

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

C- The church will more readily experience growth numerically and spiritually. (Acts 6:7)

Acts 6:7 (NLT)

7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

1- When godly deacons live out their faith and serve faithfully, it promotes the growth of the church.

IV- THE LOST WORLD AROUND HIM.

A- He will impact the world through his spiritual wisdom. (Acts 6: 8-10)

Acts 6:8–10 (NLT)

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

1-The godly deacon’s impact is a direct result of his walk with God. (Acts 6:8 a)

Acts 6:8 (NLT)

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

2- The godly deacon will be given the wisdom and power of the Spirit in witnessing. (Acts 6:10)

Acts 6:10 (NLT)

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

(Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

B- He will impact the lost world, bringing people to Jesus. (Acts 8:4-8)

Acts 8:4–8 (NLT)

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

1-The godly deacon is to be a witness for the Lord wherever God places him.

C- The measure of his impact will only be shown in eternity. (Acts 8:35-40)

Acts 8:35–40 (NLT)

35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

1- Philip led the Ethiopian man to Christ. This was the beginning of the church in Ethiopia!

2- Philip shared the good news everywhere the Lord let him.

3- Only eternity will reveal the extent of that godly deacon’s work!

CONCLUSION:

When the godly deacon serves Jesus faithfully, what is impacted?

I- HIS OWN PERSONAL LIFE

II- HIS OWN FAMILY

III- HIS CHURCH FAMILY

IV- THE LOST WORLD AROUND HIM.

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