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TITLE: A Deacon's Job
TEXT:
Acts 6:1-4
PROPOSITION:
Deacons have a special work in the church.
QUESTION:
What?
KEY WORD:
Examples

Introduction:

  1. A DEACON IS TO BE THE EYES, HANDS AND FEET OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION.

  2. THEY ARE TO WATCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPRESS THE LOVE, MERCY AND KINDNESS OF GOD AND TO BE WILLING TO SERVE IN ANY CAPACITY TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHIST.

  3. Matthew 20:28 – Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

  4. We have often failed to understand the work of a deacon.

Heart of a Deacon

  1. Exodus 22:22-23 – care for widows, poor, orphans

  2. Deacons must become the eyes, hands, feet and heart of the church in seeing doors where there are needs the church needs to give attention to.

  3. Luke 10:25-37 – Good Samaritan = deacon = saw a need and met it

NT Example

  1. Acts 6 -

  2. The men did not just "serve tables" (Acts 6:2), but exhibited ACTION THAT EXPRESSED CARE AND CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WERE IN NEED.

  3. The result of the deacons doing this work was (1) IT PRODUCED UNITY (2) THE CHURCH GREW (3) DIVISION WAS AVERTED.

STEPHEN

  1. Stephen understood that it was not the land – but God's presence that made the difference for Israel.

  2. Abraham never owned any of this promised land.

  3. Joseph died in Egypt.

  4. Moses never occupied any of the promised land.

  5. But at Sinai – God said – This is holy ground.

  6. What made it holy? GOD’S PRESENCE! Who understood this? A DEACON!

  7. Who was the first one following Christ death burial and resurrection to throw light upon death and to help rob it of its fear? A DEACON!

  8. Who taught the lesson that Christ is standing at the right hand of God waiting for his own to come home? A DEACON!

  9. The church needs more deacons like Stephen.

PHILIP

  1. Who was the first man to catch the outlook of Christ, that He came to save all even the despised Samaritans? A DEACON!

  2. Who was the first "personal worker" on record? Peter? James? John? NO PHILIP! A DEACON!

  3. Who taught the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch? A DEACON.

  4. Both Stephen and Philip understood the universal nature of God’s love, concern and mercy. They first experienced it themselves and it changed their lives. Others could see that change and it would influence them also.

  5. As deacons their lives were one of service and leadership as they watched for opportunities to express that love, concern and mercy.


 


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