Acts 6:1-7
Introduction
I chose this passage because after I preach we are going to do something very similar to what happened in the early church. We will ordain deacons to serve Redeemer. The noun and the verb for servant come from the Greek deaconos.
1. The Biblical basis for servant ministry
Plato asked, “How can a man be happy when he has to serve someone?”
Jesus Christ challenged that way of thinking. When Jesus Christ came to earth to establish his kingdom, he turned the world’s way of thinking upside down. He came as no king ever did or ever has since: King Jesus came as a servant. Matthew 20:28, The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Whoever wished to become great among you shall be your servant. The greatest in the kingdom of God shall be least among you. The first shall be last. (Matt. 20:26-27)
Paul: He humbled himself, taking the form of a bond servant. (Phil.2:6)
Consider the context of Acts 6 for the early church.
How is Jesus’ kingdom manifested? word ministry and deed ministry.
the message of the kingdom, and the corresponding acts of the kingdom, extending the visible ministry of Jesus on earth, as described in Matt 4:23:
And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. (Luke 24:19)
Acts 4:34, for there was not a needy person among them…
This is the church in its pristine state? Look again at Acts 6. People are grumbling.
So the panic turned to a complaint which came to the apostles, the guys Jesus left in charge.
The world is needy: everyone is spiritually needy, while some are physically.
2. The Biblical pattern of servant ministry V.2-4
Notice a few things about this.
a. V.4 The disciples aren’t above this task
b. V.3 They told them to select from among themselves.
c. V.3 These will be in charge of mercy ministry. They don’t do it, they make sure you do it.
d. V.5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation.
e. V.7 lists two results of the plan.
First, because the apostles or elders are freed up to fulfill their ministry, the word kept on spreading, and the word converted people so the number of the disciples continued to increase.
Second, a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
f. V.6 These new leaders, we call them deacons (Phil.1;1, 1 Tim.3 gives qualifications) were set apart for their service by a special act of the apostles, they prayed and laid hands on.
There is no conflict between what we preach and how we care for others. Word ministry and deed ministry go together. The gospel is living water, good news for a thirsty soul AND concrete help, cold water, for a thirsty body. The Gospel is holistic, both answering the fall and anticipating the future.
Jesus has ordained that in His church two types of leaders or officers are responsible for these spheres of redemption.
The elders are primarily responsible for word ministry,
while the deacons supervise all of us in deed ministry.
3. The Biblical qualifications for deacons
V. 3 Choose seven men (no magic number) of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom. Why these three things?
Good reputation
Full of the Spirit and wisdom.
Wisdom informs the task. The Holy Spirit shapes our character.
Unless the Spirit creates the DNA of Jesus in us, servanthood won’t happen.
How do you get that DNA? Not by mere imitation. It flows out of a heart broken by Jesus’ great act of servanthood on the cross. He served you in a way that is unfathomable taking up your sins onto his body, so they would never be held against you.
How do you recognize that DNA in action?
