Deacons

My father was a deacon in the Church. He was a blue collar hard working man and he was very strong, a family man and I suppose he would be called a redneck from Arkansas who came to California with his family during the depression looking for work, leaving behind a farm. On Sunday he was transformed, wearing a fine suit he was as a fine a man as there was. He would serve communion every Sunday at the church and he would visit people who were unable to attend church.

 

Act 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Act 6:2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

The ministry of the Deacons was brought about to fulfill a need. Someone griped or murmured about not getting their share of the handouts? and a new ministry is created to fulfill the need.

 

1Ti 5:9  Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
1Ti 5:10  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1Ti 5:11  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

1Ti 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15  For some are already turned aside after Satan.
1Ti 5:16  If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Do you want a ministry? Do you want to serve? Well then look for a need, you just might be the one to fulfill it. There are always more needs to be met than there are servants. Some of those needs are from posers, complainers, and people just looking for a hand out. Still others are dependant on the mercy and grace of the church. A Pastor-teacher needs to spend time in prayer and studying. The Deacons can help with the many service needs of the church. Perhaps you could find a need to fulfill too?

 

James 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

Luk 22:26  ... but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Luk 22:27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

To be chosen as a Deacon you must be honest, of a good reputation and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom from God, we do not have to have a title to serve. We are commanded by Christ to serve him.