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.

Age of responsability

Num 26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
Num 26:2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.

The constitution of the United States placed the voting age as twenty one. During the Vietnam war, student activists opposed to the Vietnam war protested that if they were drafted and were placed in war at the age of eighteen, then they should be allowed the adult privileges to drink alcohol and to be able to vote. In 1971, the twenty-sixth amendment to the Constitution lowered the voting age to eighteen. In modern Israel both males and females are of military age at 18.

Looking back at the history of the Jews coming out of Egypt we see that God cursed the rebels of the people who had no faith in him. All adults, 20 or older were not allowed to come into the promise land.

Num 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Num 14:28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
Num 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Num 14:30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 14:31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

There is another age of accountability in regards to being able to receive Jesus as savior from our sins. My daughter believed in Jesus as her Lord and Savior at four years of age. In a time of rebellion as our time now is, children are learning to do evil at early ages. Should they not be taught early the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ? Some adults never learn to accept responsibility for their actions. God holds them accountable, they cannot escape his judgement. All need the help of God through believing in Him and His Son who died to deliver us from sin into a more responsible life as sons of God. Our responsibility is to reach young and old for Christ Jesus and a new life in him. All ages are required to serve our God.

The Gift of Helps

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Let us look at the gift of helps. Helps, the Greek word: antilēmpsis, to aid, to help.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: ...

I believe that all Christians can help others through service. We are commanded to be servants of God by serving one another.

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Just what is this gift of helps? A wife should be a help meet.

A help meet is to complement the husband, serving him in any way that she can. The husband is to be the head of the wife, so the wife should not compete with him. In a spiritual sense the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our help meet, the Greek word paraklētos: means called to ones side, called to one's aid.

Our Pastor often shares this verse written by Solomon:

Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;...

He is a minister, a servant of others, helping wherever there is a need to be met. A helper often is not noticed, but in the morning the coffee is made. In the church things are kept in order, the bathrooms are clean, there is a glass of water for the Preacher.

Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Too often I hear someone complain about some lack in the church. A helper will take care of the need without complaining. They are a great blessing, not looking for praise or rewards, but serving as unto the Lord. A helper loves to help others. You will not hear them say, "oh that's not my calling" when asked to do something. A helper may teach a children's Sunday School class, drive a bus, or play an instrument in worship. They will wash dishes, serve tables, and be ready to help in any way they can.

The Deacons were helpers, serving tables.

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.

Do not overlook the gift of helps, for we will be judged by our service to others. We are to be rewarded for our service.