Sermon Tone Analysis

Call to Worship - James Groff Psalms 113

2 Songs - Wendell Nisly

Prayer - Jerry Bentz

Scripture Reading - Jason Beachy

Sermon - James Groff

Vows of Ordination - Elvin Ressler

Issuing of Charge - Elvin Ressler (Invite other deacons and wives to lay hands on them prior to issuing the charge)

Prayer of Consecration - Steve Byler - James to invite members of their families to join the deacons in laying on of hands

Congregational response - James

Dismissal - James

Acts 6:1=

The deacons task:

“serve tables”

a deacon is “one who serves”

In this serving they follow Jesus’ example

In serving, they are to do so in the power of God “whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies”

In serving, they receive the commendation of God:

JOhn 12:

God has special regard for those who serve, it is very near to the heart of the Gospel

Is there a specific way in which deacons Serve?

“tables” - generally understood to mean the management of funds, and specifically the funds used for charitable distribution

The tables here are similar to the tables referred to by the gospel writers when Jesus overturned the money changer tables

We surmise that the tables referred to the work of receiving the gifts of God’s people - Ananias and Sapphira - and apportioning it to the needs that existed in the congregation.

The call for deacons came when this work overwhelmed the apostles due to discontent from some in the congregation, and it overwhelmed them enough that the felt they were not adequately fulfilling their duty to prayer, and the study and preaching of God’s word.

So, they gathered together and sought the Spirit of God as to the direction they should take.

And so, in our congregation, we task the deacons with two specific missions:

c.

They shall be sensitive to personal and material needs in the congregation and shall provide assistance as needed.

c.

They shall be sensitive to personal and material needs in the congregation and shall provide assistance as needed.

Any major needs should be ministered to in consultation with the Church Council.

d.

They shall develop a vision for the local and world-wide benevolence (alms) ministry of the congregation and guide the brotherhood in implementing the same.

We see the Deacon work to have two specific focus,

d.

They shall develop a vision for the local and world-wide benevolence (alms) ministry of the congregation and guide the brotherhood in implementing the same.

Among us

To the community

The deacons qualities:

A man of good reputation

someone whom people speak favorable about

someone we can give witness to their honesty, and skill in managing the “tables”

A man full of the Spirit

A man inhabited by the Spirit of God

A man displaying the presence of God in his life by a changed life

A man given to wisdom

Not rash

The

The calling of all Christians to the deacon’s work

James 2:15-16

Gal

Bearing the burdens of each other is one of the first evidences of Christ being in us, in fact as we will see in , do deny helping the poor is to deny Christ

Bearing the burdens is not merely being a shoulder to cry on, it includes time, and dollars - real burdens are not solved with virtual help

God places a priority on helping those here in our church

Gal.

6:10

Caring for the poor is a declaration of Jesus as our ultimate treasure

Caring for the poor is a reason to work hard and be fruitful in our labors

Caring for the poor is a fruit bearing with repentance.

John the Baptist instructs the crowds to bear fruit in keeping with repentance, and one of the fruits of repentance he speaks to is the caring for those in need.

The eternal nature of a deacons work

The truth of the gospel is not merely a spiritual reality, it changes the way we live, it changes our values.

Jesus places caring for the needy as one of the primary displays of the presence of a changed heart.

So, here this evening as we call Brian and Melissa to serve among us, we call them to lead us in accurately displaying the presence of God in our hearts as we care for each other, and as we care for the less fortunate around us.

Prayer