17. The Deacons

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Random Question

Would you rather laugh when others cry, or cry when others laugh?

vs. 41

Read vs. 41-42

What’s the apostle’s reaction to their punishment in vs. 41? (Rejoicing)

Why in the world would they rejoice after this? “YEAH!!! I’ve been waiting for this moment to come. I always wanted to have a proper Jewish whoopin’!” Why did they rejoice? (Suffered for Jesus’ sake)

In our natural eyes, suffering is a pretty low place to be.

Why would suffering shame for Jesus be worth it?

You followed His example

His promises are true (John 15:18-25)

Jesus says you are blessed (Matthew 5:11-12)

People say it’s an honour to serve their country, you hear soldiers say they find it an honour to even suffer for their country, why is that the case? (Because what you REPRESENT)

Suffering is useless and pitiful if it’s pointless. But when you suffer for someone, then the honour comes. These apostles had the greatest honour in the universe, they suffered for the Creator of all, the Savior Jesus Christ.

God empowers us to serve Him with Joy even through suffering.

vs. 42

How good are the apostles at obeying the Sanhedrin’s commands? Look at vs. 42

The Sanhedrin told them not to speak in Jesus’ name, but the apostles go speaking AND teaching in Jesus’ name. They never stopped.

Chapter 6

vs. 1

We’re given the detail “Now in those days”, what does that tell us about our timeline in the book of Acts? (Considerable time may have elapsed since this and ch. 5)

“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a” What? (Complaint)

Complaint = murmuring. Murmur is the perfect word, it means what it sounds like “murmurmurmurmurmur”

What tends to happen when we add more and more sinners together? (More problems)

Rising agression during covid:

Why is that the case?

You put two lions in a cage together, you can expect a fight. We are sinful people, when we interact with other sinners, you can count on more sin happening!

Some say at this time there may have been up to 20 000 Christians a part of the church, that’s a whole lot of sinners together!

Who were the ones complaining in vs. 1? (Hebrews & Hellenists)

Hebrews = Jewish by nationality, spoke Aramaic and would’ve grown up following the Law.

Hellenists/Grecians = Jewish by nationality, Greek by culture, would not have grown up like a conservative Jew. They weren’t exactly best friends...

Do you see where there might be some issues here? What potential for evil do you see here?

So… What’s the problem going on in the church? (Greek widows are neglected in the daily distribution)

Who here enjoys being neglected?

Server takes everyone’s order except yours, refuses to serve you food...

Societal pressures against women

Now, how do you feel about being neglected by the church?

This is your LIFE!! You’ve got every reason to be concerned about the way the church is doing things if you’re a widow.

Draw on iPad: Problem = Grecian Widows are neglected

vs. 2

Have someone read vs. 2

Who are the twelve? (The apostles)

And who do they summon? (The multitude of the disciples)

They summon all the believers, this would’ve included the Grecian Christians and the Hebrew Christians...

What issue comes up in vs. 2? (Apostles can’t meet this need)

“It is not desirable” = Pleasing, worthy of acceptance; it’s not at all ideal!

Why would it not be ideal for the apostles to spend their time serving tables and meeting the needs of the widows? (Ministry of the Word and prayer is neglected)

God has a special calling for pastoral leaders to preach God’s Word and to pray for God’s people. The priority is God’s Word.

Let’s take pastor Boss for example. On average, he preaches three times (Plus study time). Each one of those messages needs time for study and writing.

You tell me, how do you think it would go if all the social commitees quit on us, Pastor Boss does all the special events?

That would be totally awful, his sermons would get wishy washy pretty quick, and the poor man would never sleep!

Draw on iPad: Problem = Apostles need help!

vs. 3

Have someone read vs. 3

Even though I said God’s Word is the priority, does that mean that these widows needs don’t matter to the church? (no)

Why is that the case based on vs. 3? (They delegated the responsibility)

Even though preaching the Word and prayer were the priorities, serving people in a physical sense was hugely important. Maybe God is calling some of you guys in this room to be a pastor, I’d love to see that! But God may not have gifted you to be upfront; preaching and teaching.

Does that mean you are useless? (absolutely not!)

God has given you spiritual giftings, so He intends you to use it in the church and make a big impact on the body.

This verse, we’re given the requirements needed for someone to be chosen as a deacon. Can you spot them for me?

Men: Position of leadership

Good reputation:

Why might it be important to pick someone with a good reputation? (These deacons dealt with people’s food and money, they had to be trustworty)

Looks up job resume… “So, you want to handle the money in our church, right?” “Yes, that’s right.” “Okay, let me take a look at your resume… Served 15 years in Jewish mafia… Stole Grandma’s purse… spent 5 years in prison. Uhh, might I ask why you were in prison?” “Sure! I robbed a bank.”

You want THAT guy to handle the money for church members??

Full of the Holy Spirit

Why is this one important? (Walking in step with the Spirit, Dealing with conflict, problem solving)

Wisdom

How about this one?

Elizabeth works(ed) at a pharmacy, would it be a good idea to hire a 6 year old to do her job?

Why not?

- Insufficient life experience

- Lacks the wisdom to make the right judgment calls

Such a position needs a person who can make the right judgment calls and serve effectively.

vs. 4

Vs. 4 says the apostles want to give themselves to prayer and to the Word, how often do they want this? (Continually)

What does that tell us about their work? (Important, priority)

Draw on iPad: Priority = Preaching (Church), Proclaiming (lost)

What may have kept them from pursuing this calling? (Widows needs)

So, what does that tell us? (They need help!)

Uncle Sam, “I Need You!”

Ministry balance is needed

Can we have balanced ministry in the church without deacons and godly servants?

Hope that God will call some of you guys to be deacons, some pastors, all godly servants…

vs. 5

What detail in vs. 5 are we given right away? (The saying pleased the whole multitude)

Is this the way things usually go in the church?

How do they usually go?

Division: One group loves the idea, the other group hates it…

(Read vs. 5)

This one isn’t quite as obvious, but can anyone spot something interesting about these names listed in vs. 5? (All Greek names)

Why might that be a smidge important? (Greek deacons chosen to serve Greek Widows)

We chose the most qualified people for the task, personalized to the needs at hand.

vs. 6

Describe to me what’s going on in vs. 6

Why do the apostles lay their hands on the deacons? (Confirming their role, giving the responsibility)

Dubbing ceremony: King taps sword on soldier’s shoulders. “I dub thee, knight of the Town Wilmington”

vs. 7

What do we see happening in vs. 7? (God’s Word spread, many get saved)

Imagine what would’ve happened without the deacons stepping up.

Apostles hands are full, less Gospel ministry, less people getting saved.

“And the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the” Who?

Ah! So the priests get saved too…

Why might that be a big deal? (Not only common folk are saved, the religious are too, the Gospel works!)

For the most of us, I think we could say we’d rather not be up front serving. Who here would say they enjoy the behind the scenes, physical side of church work?

A lot of you are!

Does that make you useless? (NO!)

God will use your ministry in a very powerful way.

Look at the deacons in Acts 6, the multitudes of people that are getting saved are a direct result of the ministry of the deacons.

Guys, consider one day becoming a deacon, talk to our deacons, ask them what its like…

Not all of you will be deacons (Girls), but all of you can be used in awesome ways if you give your spiritual giftings to the Lord and serve.