Untitled Sermon (14)

The situation in Acts.

—increasing in number.

-mo money mo problems

-This is a legit need. Not some demonic attack

-the needs of ministry were becoming greater than those initially appointed could handle.

---the church selects them

---the role of the elders

—preaching and prayer, dedicated to this

—7 men (nothing to that number just to meet the need)

---good repute (word martyr is in that…people can testify to your character.

—full of the Spirit and of wisdom (the Spirit is gifting and giving wisdom in order to untangle this situation and know how to minister effectively)

—full of the Spirit, character matters

They set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

---why do we lay on of hands. There is a type of imparting that is happening here. It is a commissioning…setting apart for a work of service.

The result..

God’s Word continues to increase

Number of disciples multiplied

And even a great many priests became obedient.

From Acts 6 we see the fundamental role of deacons:

Care for, and equip others to care for, the physical needs of those within the church

This is the waiting on tables. Deacons are set apart to provide benevolence and to meet the needs of people. Once needs arise the deacons are called to react and meet those needs.

Cultivate unity within the body

The church in Acts was experiencing disunity because of this administrative neglect. So these people were put in a position to cultivate unity within the body. Deacons should be actively pursuing unity within the body and also working to prevent disunity.

Champion the work of the ministry of the Word

In Acts we see that these brothers stepped up to allow these other men to focus on prayer and ministry of the Word. The elders are called to set the direction for the church and the deacons are called to come alongside that and champion its cause.

A deacon is a shock-absorbing servant.

And what we see in this story is that shortly thereafter Stephen would have to make a massive sacrifice…even his own life...

Be faithful even if its costly

Continue in that servant’s heart…be who you are. Use the wisdom that God has given you. Use that heart for serving.