Deaconhood: The Purpose, The Power, and the Price of Servanthood

Intro

“Deacons are like a congregation’s Special Ops force, carrying out unseen assignments with fortitude and joy.”

The Purpose

In verse 2, we see the word serve. If we look at the Greek here it is the word diakoneo

Lexham Theological Wordbook διακονέω

διακονέω (diakoneō). vb. to attend, serve. Refers to actions associated with providing care, often in the form of humble service.

This passage is the first place we start to see the framework for deacons laid out

In this passage what is the purpose of deacons:

To Serve

The body

This process started when some division arose, because one group felt neglected over the other

Hellenist Jews would have been your more contemporary crowd, and the Hebrews would have been your more traditional crowd

Division among cultural lines is nothing new, we have it today, contemporary vs traditional

The way we fix these cultural divides is not in preaching style, music style, but in service

Why does service fix cultural divides?

Because it is true love and concern on display

When people truly know we care, they can overlook the fact of 25 minutes of music is not exactly their style, they can overlook the pastor struggles to say some words correctly.

Because what promotes unity is not styles or programs, but a church led by men who embrace Matthew 22:37-39

To handle the word rightly

Serving opens doors or conversation

Often times you also have deeper roots in the community, meaning people may be quicker to come to you

This servant leadership led to growth in the church and growth does not come apart from handling the word rightly

Stephen is seen in handling the word effectively in verse 10

1 Timothy 3:9 ESV

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Deacons are not necessarily called to teach, but to have a clear grasp on the word

Most Importantly they are to walk in faith and in the Spirit

They do not serve by their own agendas, they do not serve by the path that makes the most sense

They serve by the way of the Spirit

By the guidelines set forth right here

The Power

We already established that part of the power of servanthood is it promotes unity

Servanthood though most importantly multiplies the impact of the church

It gives the words coming out of Hurricane credibility

As you read the Bible the religious leadership of Jesus time are some of the last ones you would expect to be saved, but right here “many of the priest” did get saved

Men your servant leadership increases the strength of the church and brings souls to Christ

Your witness takes power from the enemy

Acts 6:10 ESV

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

You will have the anointing of God to defend the disciples of this body

To this many of you may give the response Moses gave to his call in Exodus

Exodus 4:10–12 ESV

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

The Price

This call though is not one to be taken lightly, when you respond to this call the spiritual bounty on your head goes up making you a greater target of the enemy

Most of the time attacks will come before the decision even becomes official, and God will allow it to show you either one you are ready for the call, or two you are not ready for the call

1 Timothy 3:10 ESV

And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

This is not just a call you casually stroll into, it is not a call you casually elect people to

Anytime you step into spiritual leadership you are open to more spiritual attacks and honestly have a responsibility to step in front of attacks

Slander/verbal attacks will come

One reason it is so vital you rightly handle the word

It is why we must strive to walk in the spirit and staying above reproach

We do not want to give anyone any excuse to doubt our witness

Rather fair or not when you serve as a minister or deacon you really start to live in a glass house

What an honor though:

For people to think enough of you to constantly be looking your way for an example of godliness

For the critics to be exposed to constant teaching moments

For the lost to see a gospel saturated life

Also this is why the call is recognized by a council and the church as a whole, a witness established by multiple is harder to be discredited

When we pay the price of servanthood how do we respond

Acts 6:15 ESV

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Because he had been counted worthy of the call and was walking in the Spirit the anointing of his call did not dissipate with the disappearance of favorable circumstances to serve in

Outro

I know a big focus us put on men today, but church we are all called to serve. How are you serving? How are you walking in faith? What price are you willing to pay for simply serving?

We’ve seen in Acts 6 that the framework for deacons — and really, for all Christian servanthood — rests on three pillars:

The Purpose of serving: to love and unify the body, demonstrating the heart of Christ.

The Power of serving: multiplying the witness of the church, giving credibility to the gospel, and pushing back the enemy.

The Price of serving: opening yourself to spiritual attack, greater scrutiny, and the refining fire of testing — but also the honor of reflecting Christ’s glory in the midst of it.

Application Points

Examine your purpose – Are you serving to be seen, or serving because Christ first served you? (Mark 10:45)

Rely on God’s power – Don’t serve in your own strength. Like Moses, lean on the God who made your mouth and promised His Spirit.

Count the price – True service comes with sacrifice. Are you willing to pay the cost for the sake of the gospel, even when it puts you in the line of fire?

Serve beyond titles – While deacons are a formal office, every believer is called to humble service (Gal. 5:13). How are you serving today?

Live Spirit-filled – What gave Stephen a face like an angel was not his own charisma, but a Spirit-saturated life. Will you walk in the Spirit as you serve?