Introduction:
1. Churches prosper when they are both led and served by godly men!
2. Churches prosper when they are served by godly women (who usually do most of the serving) in Churches!
3. Take careful note here that this is a “biblical answer” to a common issue in Churches!
4. While it is very controversial in our culture today, it is still true that the Office of Deacon is limited to godly Christian men who meet the qualifications given in Acts 6 and 1st Timothy 3.
Cf. 6:3 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
Cf. 1st Timothy 3:8-13
(8) “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
Theological Note: The word translated “men” in Acts 6:3 and “husband” in 1st Timothy 3:12 is the same word – “aner” which is the specific word for “a male person” and not the word “anthropoi” which means, “mankind in general.”
Again, I know that this is controversial, but Christians are bound to the Word of GOD, and “aner” is the word GOD chose.
Exposition:
6:1 – 7 Here is why Christians Love Deacons!
(6:1) Sometimes Churches can get into real trouble without even trying!
(1) “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”
Growth is a good thing, but it does bring problems into the life of the Church!
Many problems are simply caused by having different kinds of people in the Church!
This was no small problem!
(6:2-3) I am not right about everything, but I am right about this: the gift of “Delegation” is one of the most important gifts a Pastor can have!
(2) “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (3) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
Others ought to do those things that others can do!
Pastors ought to do those things that only they can do!
Cf. v.4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
(6:4) Even in difficult circumstances, Pastors must keep their priorities right!
(4) “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Cf. 1st Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”
Prayer must be a priority to the Pastor! “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you…”
Bible study and sermon preparation must be a priority to the Pastor! “and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”
(6:5-6) It is always important to get the right people into the right place!
(5) “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (6) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”
These were good men! Cf. v.3 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.”
These were Greek men! Cf. 5 “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.”
(6:7) When the Pastor delegates what needs to be delegated and does what he needs to do; and when he delegates the right job to the right people, the Church will prosper!
(7) “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
6:8 – 15 Here is why Lost People Hate Deacons!
(8) Lost people hate people who have the power of GOD on their life!
(8) “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.”
(9-10) Lost people hate people whom they cannot either control or silence!
(9) “Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. (10) But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”
(11-14) Lost people hate godly people so much that when they cannot find anything by which to condemn them, they simply make up lies!
(11) “Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” (12) And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, (13) and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, (14) for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
(15) Lost people hate godly people because they hate GOD and they sense the presence and glory of GOD upon godly people!
(15) “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
Amen.
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