Deacon: Modeling the Call of Duty

The Deacon Ministry

I find a list from a pastor friend about how you know you are a small rural church pastor.

“I got 7 deacons on my mind, 4 that want to own me, 2 that want to stone me, 1 that says he’s a friend of mine.”

You have more deacons than you do widows

Gladly and thankfully that is not the case here at PRBC.

You have more deacons than you do windows

As you can tell, the topic for this morning is the Deacon Ministry.

The NT gives 2 Primary classes of leadership for the church:

That of Overseer (Bishop)/ Elder (Presbyter)/ Pastor - these words are all synonymous in the NT

That of Deacon

The NT clearly reveals that the authority for the selection of both of those is vested in/ bestowed upon the entire congregation and to a large extent, the congregation determines the direction and focus of one of them - the deacon ministry. That can be seen beginning with the book of Acts.

The text for today comes from the 6th Chapter of this create history of the 1st Century church.

The text for today comes from the 6th Chapter of this create history of the 1st Century church.

You, as members of this church, will soon have the responsibility of selecting, I believe 4 men, for the duty of serving as a deacon, and you have the responsibility of giving direction to how the deacons can serve our church going forward to help us Rejoice in Jesus, get Rooted in His Word, and Reach the Nations for Him.

Next Sunday the sermon is about the man - titled - Deacon: Worthy of the Call to Serve.

Next Sunday the sermon is about the man - titled - Deacon: Worthy of the Call to Serve.

Today is about the ministry - titled - Deacon: Modeling the Call of Duty.

The concept of duty in the New Testament emphasizes service and holiness. Today’s sermon focuses on the service, and next Sunday focuses on the holiness.

Jesus says that when a servant has done his best, serving his master, he is only performing his duty ().

The seven men we will read about in as chosen by the early church were given the duty of distributing the daily food to the widows (sort of like Meals on Mission), thus meeting a current need but with much deeper implications (). [1]

Luke 17:10 CSB

In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are worthless servants; we’ve only done our duty.’ ”

[1] Goldberg, L. (1996). Duty. In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., p. 188). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

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PLEASE STAND WITH ME IF YOU CAN AS WE HONOR GOD AND HIS WORD

Acts 6:1–7 CSB

1 In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

PRAYER

Understand this text is only considered to be the foundation for the ministry of the deacon - these seven men were not called or considered deacons, just servants of the lord called to the duty given them.

From this text, I see actually 4 duties that the men you will soon select should already be modeling before you, enabling you to make your choices easy ones.

It is

From this text, I see 4 of them that the men you will soon select should already be modeling before you, enabling you to make your choices easy ones.

A Deacon Should Be A:

Promoter of the Purpose

Peacemaker among the People

Partner alongside your Pastor

Proclaimer in the Public

Let’s look at the first one which comes from the term deacon itself.

Promoter of the Purpose

The apostles - overseers/pastors of the church at this time - told the congregation in v.3 - that the men they would soon choose would be given charge over this business, and v.1 presents us with what that business was - the distribution - which is translated from the Greek word diakonia - which is also the word translated as ministry in v.4 - when speaking of the God given duty of the apostles - overseers/ pastors of the church.

The word deacon is actually not a word familiar to Paul or anyone else in the NT church. In places like it is a transliteration, meaning the translators made up a new English word, from the Greek word diakonos - meaning servant or minister.

diakonia - service or ministry - 33x in NT; diakoneō - to serve or support - 36x in NT; and diakonos - meaning server, servant, or deacon - 29x in NT

[1] Akin, D. L. (1996). Deacon, Deaconess. In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., pp. 149–150). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Ministry is ministry. A servant is a servant.

This passage of Scripture tells about men not only willing, but ready to serve when a ministry need surfaced.

The church is a group of people, all ministers, who serve God together, not a group of people who pay others to do so.

A deacon is just a ministry role model who sets the example for others as they serve to accomplish the purpose and mission of the church.

[1] Akin, D. L. (1996). Deacon, Deaconess. In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., pp. 149–150). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

This passage of Scripture tells about men not only willing, but ready to serve when a ministry need surfaced. The church is a group of people who serve God together, not a group of people who pay others to do so, praise them when they succeed, and fire them when they don’t.

The NT in much of Paul’s writing, reveals that God calls every Christian to the purpose of ministry; different tasks for different believers. The deacon is no different than every other Christ follower in the local church. A deacon is just the model who sets the example for others as they serve to accomplish the purpose and mission of the church.

Once a person is elected deacon he has no choice whether or not he will set an example. The only choice is what kind of example will he set? - Howard Foshee - Now that You Are a Deacon

Church - The men who are already setting that example of selfless service among us - those are the men you must look to as we seek new deacons for their ministry.

Men - If you aspire to be a deacon - the only way to do so humbly is to be this kind of example out of love for your savior.

A duty that is vital to the spiritual health and the disciple making growth of a church is that of

Peacemaker Among the People

Several times throughout Acts, you will read Luke stating how the Word of God grew or spread and the number of disciples multiplied; explanations of how the church grew spiritually and numerically.

This text is sandwiched between 2 of those statements - and

Chapter 6 begins the telling of the missionary work of the church as it moves beyond its own community into the world Reaching the Nations. Luke narrates what can happen when a church seeks to do so - disunity, but also what can happen when these type of men, willing to serve wherever and whenever, do so - unity, resulting in the spread of the gospel through the world and souls being saved.

Chapter 6:1-7 - There is an implication most scholars believe to be true here - that this particular complaint was but a symptom of a larger problem - factions in the church. Satan takes different approach - seeking to dismantle the church from the inside by division.

This section begins the telling of the missionary work of the church as it moves beyond its own community into the world Reaching the Nations. Luke thus narrates what can happen when a church seeks to do so - disunity, but also what can happen when these type of men willing to serve wherever do so - unity resulting in the spread of the gospel through the world.

“The One who is rowing in the boat seldom has time to rock the boat.” - unknown

Is these 7 the church recognized men who were not boat rockers but rather unifiers around the purpose of the church. Division had arose so they worked to address the cause of the division.

Deacons who model the call of duty take care of the matters that arise as a direct obstacle to and potential diversions from the primary purpose of the church - disciple making.

Churches in America are not yet being attack by satan through persecution. Most of the almost 7,000 churches that close their doors each year do so because of division, and far too often deacons had as much a hand in them closing as any other member.

The unity of the church must be protected at all times - and the deacons are the 1st line of defense.

Church - the men who are peacemakers among us already are the ones you need to choose because we need them more than we need the man standing in the back protecting us from persecution- we are much more likely to be attacked from the inside by division. Why? Because God is calling us to move beyond our own community to Reach the nations.

Men - do you aspire to be a deacon. Is your first notion, to point out problems or to make peace?

A pastor is only as good as the people who partner with him to accomplish the purpose.

I am grateful for the great group of men whom I consider my partners in ministry.

Partners Alongside Your Pastor

In we can assume the 12 had been the ones to handle the daily distribution.

Acts 4:35 CSB

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need.

Acts 4:35 CSB

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need.

Acts 4:34–35 CSB

34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need.

But as we read, the church began to reach more people and make more disciples, thus in the 12 seem to indicate that God would take exception if they continued to do so as it would increasingly take away time from their prayer and preaching/teaching the word - the tasks God had called them to and the essentials in equipping each church member to make disciples.

The apostles were busy with ministry just too much of the wrong kind of ministry for their calling and gifting.

The Pastorate =\= “The Ministry”

The deacon is set a part to serve; he is committed to serve God and his fellowman…a new deacon must understand he has not been elected to an official board to exercise authority in the life of the church. The office of deacon is not an office of authority but one of service. - Howard Foshee

The term Deacon Board is an unbiblical term and the group should never carry any sense of authority over the pastor, rather a shared ministerial responsibility, in which the Deacon is neither above the pastor supervising him nor under the pastor being supervised by him. They are leading the people together by example. The NT confers the spiritual authority and doctrinally responsibility of the congregation in the pastor, and a pastor needs partners in ministry to enable him to fulfill his call.

As partners in caring for the flock:

Deacons enable a pastor to devote the right amount of time to the right kind of tasks, those of prayerful study to promote and protect the sound doctrine of the church so that you can grow spiritually in your walk with Christ.

Pastor and deacons both prayerfully promote the vision of the church.

The work of the deacons enables the pastor to work to prepare you so when you volunteer to serve in the ministries of the church you will be placed in the right ones and equipped to do it.

Church - I know the men, besides the current deacons that I can count on to help me in accomplishing the mission here, but it is not up to me to decide. You have to recognize them and choose them to serve.

Men - There is always plenty of room at the table to serve because servant is not a popular message nor comfortable ministry to many.

The last duty is not one only for those who would be called to be a deacon. It is a duty of every believer, thus you shouldn’t have to wonder who is a good model of this…I say shouldn’t but…look for a man who is a

Proclaimer in the Public

The apostles instructed the congregation in v.3 to select men of a good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit.

To have a good reputation is to live well so that nothing negative can be said unless it is a lie.

A survey of the book of Acts reveals that to have a fullness of the Spirit almost always entails being a bold witness of the gospel of Christ.

Stephen and Philip were both powerful examples of contagious Christians.

If the pastor, staff and deacons are not evangelistic then the church certainly will not be.

A deacon is one who models our Christian duty and privilege of telling others about Jesus, teaching them to obey His teachings - making disciples who make disciples.

Stephen and Philip were both powerful examples of contagious Christians.

“Christianity must be as contagious as the measles.”

What is celebrated is often emulated.

If the pastor, staff and deacons are not evangelistic then the church certainly will not be.

A deacon is one who models our Christian duty and privilege of telling others about Jesus, teaching them to obey His teachings - making disciples who make disciples.

Church - which men do you see right now that you would call contagious?

Men - if Christianity were contagious, would you be quarantined by the CDC or would you be able to walk around freely?

Deacon:

Conclusion: Deacon: A Model Christian - notice it says model not perfect.

Deacons should model the call of duty in all areas of the church - stewardship, missions, evangelism, disciple-making, benevolence, fellowship, spiritual growth, and so on.

If Jesus is the head of the church and the pastor is the neck, then the deacons and the staff are the arms, the teachers and other leaders are the legs, and everyone is the body - all important parts working together to accomplish the mission.

There once was this deacon and this preacher, and they had been really good friends for a long time. Well, one day the deacon got sick and was taken to hospital, so the preacher decided to go and see his old friend. When he walked into the hospital room, the preacher noticed all the hoses and stuff they had going into the deacon. The preacher walked over and kneeled by the bed and asked, "How ya doing?" The deacon motioned at a pad and pen on the nightstand. "You want that?" the preacher asked him, and the deacon nodded his head yes. So the preacher handed his friend the pad and pen and the deacon began to write. All of a sudden the deacon died. At his funeral, the preacher was asked to deliver the service. "He was a good man and I'll never forget him," the preacher said, "I was with him when he died and as a matter of fact I have his last thought in my coat pocket here." The preacher reaches into his pocket and pulls out the paper. "Please, get up! You're kneeling on my oxygen hose!"

Deacons I am grateful for you as we work together to move PRBC into the future God has for us as we Rejoice in Jesus, get Rooted in His Word and Reach the nations together. I look forward to getting to know you more and more over the years ahead and being your friend, but I promise I won’t step on your oxygen hose.

Church - you have a great responsibility coming before you soon, but I hope this helps as you prayerfully choose the men to serve you.

Invitation to Respond