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.

Eat no fat or blood

Lev 3:17 It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.

The pagans ate fat and drank blood in worship of their false gods.

Deu 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
Deu 32:38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
Deu 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

The disobedient leaders ate the fat in rebellion and did not feed their flock.

Eze 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Eze 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

There was quite a stir when Jesus said that we must drink his blood. The communion wine was symbolic of oneness with Jesus, his life in us.

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 

The fat of a sacrifice was burned as an offering. It made a sweet smell. When we barbecue meat, the fat burns off and the smoke of it gives flavor to the meat. In one sense the sweet smell is our sweet smelling offering, as incense is an offering of prayer. There is a modern slang "chew the fat", an English expression for gossiping or making friendly small talk. When we come together it is better to partake of the fellowship of Christ in sharing and prayer. The blood of a sacrifice is to be poured out, because the life is in the blood. Many would not eat meat of an animal sacrificed to an idol. Jesus is the living presence of God given as a sacrifice for us. We are to eat the bread of life and drink the symbolic blood in communion, for he is our life through his death and resurrection for us.

1Co 11:24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 
1Co 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 
1Co 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 

 We may eat the symbolic bread (meat) of the body of Christ and drink of His blood, the communion grape juice, because he is life to us and we come together being part of the body of Christ. Taste and see that the Lord is good. (psalm 34:8)