Why Do We Have Deacons?

What Deacons Do

Acts 6:1 (ESV)

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

The office of deacon was created to bring a solution to a crisis.

As the church grew in the First Century, more and more needs were arising. One of the main ministries of the church during this time period was taking care of widows. Why? Because widows were the lowest on the society totem pole. Women didnt work, couldnt read, couldnt write, couldnt vote, couldnt own land or a business—that was the husbands job in this culture. And so when the husband died, women were often left uncared for. They would starve or they would sell their bodies to survive.

The church therefore saw a need, and met a need. And just as an aside…can we agree together that this is who we ought to aim to be as a church? Let’s be about the business of seeing and meeting needs in our community and around the world!

During the first few years of the church, their numbers and needs were small. Therefore, the Apostles were able to do all of the work. They were able to teach and preach, and give proper care for people in the church. However, as the church grew, the needs grew.

There was simply too many needs and not enough people to meet them…in fact there were so many needs that the Apostles were having to take time away from their main task, teaching and preaching God’s word.

Look at verse 2:

Acts 6:2 (ESV)

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

It was the role of the pastors of the church Jerusalem to devote the bulk of their time to preaching and teaching God’s Word. But preaching and teaching didn't resolve the practical issues that existed in the church.

Therefore, the Apostle’s developed a solution...

What was that solution?

Deacons...

Therefore, Deacons above all, are men who meet needs of the church through serving. Just as the original deacons in the first century, served the needs of their church family,

Tim, Cody, Troy, Robbie, and Allen…I charge you in the presence of God and your church family…Do what Deacon’s are supposed to do…Serve this church family well.

We find in this passage that Deacon’s serve…but not only that, we see how they are appointed...

How Deacons are Appointed

The Disciples tell us that Deacons were the solution to a crisis. But they also model for us who selected the deacons.

Acts 6:2 (ESV)

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among yourselves...

Notice who selected the deacons.

It wasnt the ministry professionals.

It wasnt the Apostles. (In fact, the Apostle’s actually delegated the task…)

It wasnt some denominational office.

And I know we are Baptist and we love our committees…but it wasnt even a committee that selected and appointed the deacons...

So who was it?

Luke writes in verse 2: “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples...”

So who selects the deacons that serve the church? The Congregation....the church

And for us, this means that it is the role of every person who is a church member.

This is why we have a deacon nomination process. In this process, the church nominates and then we appoint men who will serve in the office of Deacon...

And so men…Let this remind you, the reason you are here today sitting where you are sitting, is because the church has seen God working in your life. They have affirmed your character. They have affirmed your calling.

So be encouraged…and dont let them down. Serve well.

Who Deacons Should Be

Acts 6:3 (ESV)

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

According to Acts 6, deacons are to be men of “good repute”

μαρτυρουμένους- comes from the word “witness”

Deacons then, are to be men who have a “good witness”.

That is, they arent just known to be good men…they are known as godly men.

What does a godly man look like?

Verse 3:

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

2 Qualities of Godly Deacons:

Full of the Spirit—This is the same for how Paul uses this phrase in Ephesians 4:18—And do not get drunk with wine, for this is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

Driven by the spirit…commanded by the spirit.

Simply put: Spirit filled men are sensitive to God’s voice, submitted to God’s will, and supplied with God’s power

Full of Wisdom

Men who are full of wisdom are competent to do the tasks that their church asks for them to do and that God calls them to do.

Paul gives us further instruction in 1 Timothy 3:8-13

1 Timothy 3:8–13 (ESV)

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Notice…there is only one word of competency…Ability to serve is not what qualifies you…it’s character…Your character men…it counts…in fact it’s almost the only thing that counts when it comes to deacon-hood.

Why? Because who you are men, is more important than what you do. And what you do is virtually always determined by who you are…so live a life that is worthy of the office.

Only Jesus can make you perfect men…but you are called to make progress in godliness. Pursue it…and if you do that…I promise, you will serve this church well...

Why Deacons Matter

Acts 6:7 (ESV)

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Deacons matter because without them, the reach of the church is limited.

Look at what Luke writes in verse 7:

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Because of the ministry of the Deacon…the word of God increased…the number of the disciples multiplied, and many priests became obedient to the faith.

In other words…the church grew spiritually and numerically.

This is why Deacons matter.

Without Deacons, who love God, love people, and serve both…the church cant grow...

And this is why we dont just want good deacons…we need good deacons.

We need godly deacons because we got on average about 78 and a half years to live…that’s 78 years to make Jesus known.

So brothers…serve well.

Serve well. Nothing less than the name and fame or our Lord and Savior, Jesus is at stake.

I want to say one last word to you, men.

If you turn around and you look at all the people in this room. All of them are standing on the foundation of men who at one time were sitting right where you are sitting. Just like you, they felt that mixture of emotions that you are feeling in this moment excited, humbled, and nervous cause they didnt want to mess it up. Many of them were your fathers, your friends, and your family. They were men who humbled themselves and took up the mantle of service. Men who werent interested in steppin up…but were interested in stepping down. Not men who stood on a pedestal, but knelt low in humble service. They were men who were like Jesus…who washed feet, feed the hungry, who loved and served his neighbor.

Who said it is better to serve than to be served.

Who took up the towel and the basin…and washed feet.

Jesus who didnt take a step up…but took a step down…out of heaven, coming to earth in order to serve the least of these…of whom we are the foremost.

So men, together...let’s serve this church well…knowing that in Christ Jesus…God has already served us by saving us.

I love you...

Allen...