Deacon Means Servant - Deacon Ordination Service 05/01/2011

Click Here to Listen to the Sermon for Sunday, May 01, 2011 by Pastor Chip Moody

Click Here to Listen to the Deacon Ordination Service for Sunday, May 01, 2011

Scripture References:  Acts 6:1-8 and 1Timothy 3:8-13

“Deacon” equals “Servant”

There are two offices in the church that have the distinction of a job description. One is that of Pastor/Elder and the other is the office of Deacon. Sunday we ordained, or “set aside” for God’s service, two of our number as biblical Deacons.

What are deacons? For background lets look at Acts 6. It records a problem in the fledgling church of Jerusalem:

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  ³ Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them  ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."  ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.  ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them”[NIV]

These men, chosen to solve the sin of discrimination in the church, were specially chosen for their spiritual integrity and servant hearts. The duties of the biblical Deacon have not changed over these 2,000 years. There is still a need for godly men and women who will look after the day-to-day service of the flock so that the pastors might give themselves fully to prayer and to the study of the Word of God.

And then there is that job description I told you about:

“Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 3:8-13 [NASB]

So what does the biblical deacon look like?

A deacon has a right relationship with the Savior - The church was commanded to choose from among the members of Christ’s body. Make sure they are part of the flock of God, one submitted to God in faith in Jesus Christ. Many churches have paid a terrible price for elevating unsaved men and women to positions of leadership in the church.

A deacon has a right relationship with the flock - Notice that the saints were to "choose from among yourselves." They were to recognize from among their own fellowship persons they had observed. Men and women they trusted. This corresponds to a portion of the requirements of a Deacon listed in 1 Tim. 3:10: “They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”

A deacon should have the recommendation of the Spirit of God.  They were to be "filled with the Holy Spirit.” This term carries the idea of having behavior under the control of the Holy Spirit.

A biblical Deacon must be a servant.  The very word “deacon” in your NT, in the Greek of the New Testament, can be translated as “servant.” In the early church, Deacons were chosen as servants overseeing the fair and equitable distribution of food to the needy.

Similar to an elder, deacons are to live an uncommon life.  When we look at the list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3, it’s easy to see that Deacons are expected to live godly, separated lives.

• Deacons are to be worthy of respect. They live lives worth imitating.
• Not double-tongued.  They say what they mean; they mean what they say.
• Not greedy for money. They have a spiritual attitude toward money and who will not use their office to gain something from others.
• Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. They do not confess adherence to doctrine that they do not wholeheartedly believe. Plus, deacons are more concerned with what the Bible says than they are with what the church constitution and by-laws say.
• Let them be proved. Examined to see if they live a consistent life of faith. 
• In control of their home.  They have earned the love and respect of the family. They are family people. They are dedicated to a spiritually healthy home.

But most important of all is a Deacon’s function: Deacons are to serve the church--the family of God

Deacons don’t cut grass or paint the Sunday school classroom. They don’t constitute a board that competes with elders in overseeing the church. Deacons don’t count offerings or teach classes. A deacon serves people.

They visit the sick, care for the grieving; oversee benevolence gifts, food for the poor and other resources. They counsel the lonely and the worried. They encourage the hurting. They give godly wisdom to those they serve. And they help mobilize you to accomplish all these tasks with them.

SO WHAT SHOULD WE ALL DO WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE?

Support these Deacons that you have set apart to serve you.

Pray for them as you do your pastor and the other biblical elders of the congregation.

Recognize their wisdom and respect their dedication

What we have done in setting apart deacons for His service brings even more glory to God.

And that is what our lives, our obedience, our church is about.

Bringing all glory to God.