WEBVTT

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 Amen.

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 Today is a little bit different for us.

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 Ordinarily, we are walking through books of the Bible together.

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 We just finished a long series through the book of John.

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 As I mentioned earlier, Lord willing, next week we'll begin a new series in the book of Daniel.

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 But here in between, we have an opportunity this morning,

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 as we install two deacons in the life of this church,

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 to explain from the Bible what in the world that word even means, deacon.

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 Now I know when I even say that, many of us have different images that come to mind,

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 different experiences that come to mind, some good, some bad, some biblical, some unbiblical.

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 And so what I want to do this morning, with the help of God through His Word,

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 is to open up to Acts chapter 6 and explain biblically what we are getting ourselves into

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 with this gift of deacons this morning.

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 So open it up to Acts chapter 6.

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 And I want you to keep a finger there.

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 We're also going to go to 1 Timothy chapter 3.

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 If you're using the Pew Bibles there in front of you,

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 you can find Acts chapter 6 at page 859, I believe.

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 But when you found it,

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 let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word, Acts chapter 6.

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 I'll be reading this morning from verse 1 through verse 7.

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 Now in these days,

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 when the disciples were increasing in number,

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 a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews,

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 because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

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 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,

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 It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables.

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 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,

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 full of the Spirit and of wisdom,

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 whom we will appoint to this duty.

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 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.

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 And what they said pleased the whole gathering.

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 And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,

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 and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas,

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 a proselyte of Antioch.

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 These they set before the apostles,

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 and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

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 And the Word of God continued to increase.

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 And the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,

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 and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

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 And the grass withers and the flower fades,

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 but the Word of our Lord endures forever.

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 Would you pray with me?

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 Lord, we thank You for Your Word.

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 We thank You for Your wisdom and for Your design and plans for Your church.

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 And we thank You that in Your grace and Your kindness,

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 we are becoming obedient to what You've written.

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 And we pray that that would continue here,

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 and that You would work in us what You worked in the early church,

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 that disciples would multiply greatly from this place.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 And you may be seated.

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 Pastor Matt Smithhurst,

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 in his very short, very helpful book,

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 simply titled Deacons,

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 he says,

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 Show me a church with distracted leaders

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 or a derailed mission,

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 and I will show you a church without effective deacons.

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 It may be that you've been a part of a church like this,

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 and if you have,

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 whether you realize it or not,

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 if you've experienced a church with distracted leaders

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 or a derailed mission,

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 whether or not you realize it,

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 you have had a little taste

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 of what life was like in the early church

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 in this period in Acts chapter 6.

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 There's an issue here in the early days of the church.

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 Issues are not anything new in the church, by the way.

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 It's not a new phenomenon.

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 Good things are happening in the early church.

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 The Spirit has come.

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 The Word is spreading.

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 Men and women from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria

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 to the ends of the earth are beginning to believe.

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 The gospel churches are forming.

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 But verse 1 tells us that there's an issue.

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 Look there with me.

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 When the disciples were increasing in number,

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 that's a good thing,

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 a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews.

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 That's a bad thing.

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 Why were they complaining?

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 He says,

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 Because their widows were being neglected

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 in the daily distribution.

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 Here we go.

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 This is church war.

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 We've all maybe tasted a bit of this.

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 You have the Hellenists in one corner.

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 These Greek-speaking Jews.

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 They're hungry.

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 Literally hungry.

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 Their widows have been neglected.

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 There's an injustice being done.

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 And in the other corner over here are the Hebrews.

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 We don't know exactly why this neglect was happening.

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 It may be that there was some sort of underlying prejudice

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 behind this neglect.

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 Maybe this was intentional.

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 It may be just an innocent oversight.

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 We're not told exactly why this is happening.

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 But it's happening.

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 And everybody is looking to the apostles

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 to try and figure out,

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 well, what in the world are they going to do

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 to solve this problem?

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 If this were an American church,

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 they probably just would have planted

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 a Hellenist church over here.

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 And a Hebrew church right around the corner over here.

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 They would separate,

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 go their own separate ways.

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 Everybody would be happy.

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 But that's not what they did.

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 The solution here,

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 for the sake of unity of the church,

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 and for the sake of the mission of the church,

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 for the sake of the advance of the gospel,

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 was to establish a deacon-like ministry

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 that served the needs of these widows,

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 that advanced the mission of the gospel,

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 that preserved the ministry of the word and prayer.

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 There is a deacon-like ministry.

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 And I can't exactly say

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 that this is the establishment

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 of the deacon ministry.

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 Deacons have not yet formally been established

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 at this point in the life of the early church.

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 But I can say with certainty

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 that this, at the very least,

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 lays out the blueprint

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 for what the deacon ministry would become

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 in the church.

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 And so here's what I want you to understand

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 this morning.

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 That this type of deacon ministry,

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 what we see in Acts chapter 6,

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 is absolutely vital

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 for the health of the church.

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 Deacon ministry,

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 when it functions according to the word of God

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 for the good of his people,

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 is absolutely vital

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 for the health of the church.

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 The church needs deacons.

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 Sea Wee Bay needs deacons.

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 And so what I want to do this morning

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 is give you four reasons why this morning.

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 Four reasons why we need deacons.

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 And really, these are four descriptions

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 of a deacon.

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 So if you're following along,

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 if you're a note taker,

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 we try to make it easy

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 for you to take notes.

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 This will help you follow me this morning.

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 Four reasons why we need deacons.

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 Number one,

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 deacons are mature believers.

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 Deacons are mature believers.

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 Verse 2, if you look there with me,

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 verse 2 says that the 12 summoned

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 the full number of the disciples.

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 At this point,

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 that number was in the thousands.

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 According to Acts chapter 2,

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 some estimates are likely

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 over 20,000 members of this church.

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 This was the first mega church

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 here in Jerusalem.

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 Twelve apostles,

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 thousands of members.

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 And here's what they said.

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 They said it's not right

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 that we should give up

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 preaching of the word of God

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 in order to serve tables.

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 We'll get back to that comment

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 in a moment.

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 But here's the solution.

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 They said,

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 Therefore, brothers,

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 pick out from among you

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 seven men of good repute,

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 full of the spirit and of wisdom,

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 whom we will appoint to this duty.

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 The solution here to this issue

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 was seven men of good repute.

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 You hear that qualification?

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 They had a reputation

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 that preceded them.

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 Seven men who were full of the spirit.

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 They're not primarily

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 just good businessmen.

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 These are mature Christians.

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 That's the qualification.

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 These are individuals

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 who gave evidence of regeneration.

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 Seven men who are full of wisdom.

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 They knew their Bibles.

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 They can apply God's truth

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 to issues in their lives

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 as well as in the life of the church,

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 problems that the church would face.

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 They were mature believers.

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 Now, I want you to flip over

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 to 1 Timothy 3 for a moment.

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 And keep your fingers there

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 in Acts 6,

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 because we will come back.

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 But in 1 Timothy 3,

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 all of 1 Timothy,

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 Paul is writing to a young pastor

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 who's trying to figure things out

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 in the church.

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 And he's giving godly wisdom,

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 God-directed insight

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 into how the church ought to function.

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 So by the time he gets to chapter 3,

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 the Apostle Paul,

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 he's listing out qualifications

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 for the two offices

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 of the local church,

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 elder and deacon.

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 Pastor,

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 overseer,

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 elder,

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 elder,

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 and deacon.

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 So we have the qualifications

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 for the office of pastor

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 in verses 1 through 7,

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 and then the office of deacon

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 in verses 8 through 13.

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 And what I want you to notice

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 is that in this description of deacons,

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 this is simply describing

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 Christian maturity.

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 Look there with me to verse 8.

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 It says,

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 Deacons likewise,

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 in the same manner as the pastors,

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 deacons likewise must be dignified.

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 This is the banner qualification

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 that hangs over the rest

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 of these character qualifications here

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 in the rest of the passage.

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 They must be dignified.

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 And then it tells us

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 what they must not be.

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 Verse 8,

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 they must not be double-tongued.

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 Deacons might be placed

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 in vulnerable situations

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 where they might know

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 sensitive information

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 about church members.

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 They're caring for the needy

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 and the weak

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 and the vulnerable.

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 Deacons don't say one thing

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 and do another.

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 They don't say one thing

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 behind your back

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 that they wouldn't say

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 to your face.

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 They are not double-tongued.

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 They can be trusted

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 with the words

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 that come out of their mouth.

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 They're not addicted

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 to much wine.

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 Deacons in this context,

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 again,

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 they probably,

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 possibly,

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 would have been

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 bringing wine to the sick,

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 administering wine

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 to those who are needy

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 and sick.

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 And they should not be

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 given over to addiction

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 to much wine.

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 They're not drunkards.

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 You don't want

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 an alcoholic deacon, right?

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 And in the same way,

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 likely,

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 they would have had access

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 to distribute

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 some of the church's funds

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 for these tangible,

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 immediate,

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 practical needs.

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 They would be money holders

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 for issues of benevolence

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 and member care.

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 And so,

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 he says,

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 they must not be greedy

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 for dishonest gain.

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 You don't want

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 a greedy deacon

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 having his hand

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 in the finances

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 of the church.

00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:21.799
 All of these

00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:23.080
 are issues of self-control,

00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:23.720
 aren't they?

00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.279
 All of these

00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:25.820
 are issues

00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:28.120
 of Christian maturity.

00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:29.620
 But it's not only

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.240
 what they must not be

00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:31.779
 and do.

00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:32.779
 Verse 9 says,

00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.100
 what they must do,

00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.799
 they must hold

00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.039
 the mystery of the faith

00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.700
 with a clear conscience.

00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.220
 Don't you love

00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:39.700
 that description?

00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.440
 Don't you wish

00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.200
 that would be said of you?

00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.940
 They must hold

00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:45.140
 the mystery of the faith

00:11:45.140 --> 00:11:47.080
 with a clear conscience.

00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:49.180
 They're not primarily teachers.

00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.340
 That's not their role.

00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:52.080
 But they're mature believers.

00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:54.020
 They know their Bible.

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.040
 They're not in conflict

00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:56.740
 with the church's

00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.620
 statement of faith.

00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.440
 These are men and women,

00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.740
 as we'll see in just a moment,

00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.620
 who believe the word of God.

00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.340
 Verse 10 says,

00:12:05.420 --> 00:12:06.720
 they must be tested first.

00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.100
 This isn't a quick appointment.

00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.480
 It's too important for that.

00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.659
 They're proven over time

00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.519
 to be competent

00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.779
 and faithful.

00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.500
 You see the standard here.

00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.259
 This is a standard

00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:19.899
 of Christian maturity

00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.960
 that's observed

00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.360
 and affirmed

00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.240
 by the church

00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.759
 over time.

00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:25.680
 Now, verse 11.

00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.420
 Here's where we get

00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.320
 into some controversy.

00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:31.060
 Although I don't want

00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.019
 to get all the way

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.620
 into the weeds

00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.659
 this morning in it,

00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.820
 I do just want

00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:35.680
 to point out

00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:37.659
 that there in the ESV,

00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:38.840
 the translation

00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.580
 that we use,

00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.840
 where it says,

00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.500
 their wives likewise

00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.000
 must be dignified,

00:12:45.280 --> 00:12:47.100
 that can just as easily

00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.060
 be translated,

00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.860
 women likewise

00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:51.480
 must be dignified,

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.360
 which would change things

00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.200
 a little bit,

00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:54.600
 wouldn't it?

00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.240
 Rather than Paul

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.180
 giving an additional

00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:57.820
 qualification

00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.300
 for deacons' wives,

00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.980
 which the elders

00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.180
 have no such qualification

00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:02.080
 for their wives,

00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:02.940
 instead,

00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:03.660
 Paul,

00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.060
 if this is what he's doing,

00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.340
 would be speaking

00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.440
 to females,

00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.139
 women,

00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.540
 who would serve

00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:10.340
 in the office

00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.259
 of deacon.

00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:12.360
 And so,

00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.540
 if that's what he's doing,

00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:15.320
 then the structure

00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.160
 of this passage

00:13:16.160 --> 00:13:17.120
 would look like this.

00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:18.120
 Verses 8 through 10

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.360
 address all deacons

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.240
 as sort of a header

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.000
 for the list.

00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:22.460
 Verse 11

00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.620
 speaks to women deacons.

00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:25.379
 Verse 12

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.720
 speaks to male deacons.

00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:27.700
 And then verse 13

00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.399
 concludes,

00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.160
 again,

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.040
 by speaking to

00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:31.700
 all deacons.

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.560
 Women likewise

00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:34.519
 must be dignified.

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.659
 They likewise

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:37.039
 must not be slanderers,

00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.579
 must be sober-minded,

00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:39.899
 must be faithful

00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.980
 in all things.

00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:41.519
 Verse 12,

00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.460
 back to male deacons.

00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:42.980
 They must be

00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:44.139
 the husband of one wife,

00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.899
 a one-woman man,

00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.439
 managing their children

00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.939
 and their own households well.

00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.500
 And then finally,

00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.279
 in verse 13,

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:52.220
 all who serve well

00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.799
 as deacons

00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:53.819
 gain a good standing

00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.740
 for themselves

00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.480
 and also great confidence

00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:57.240
 in the faith

00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:59.299
 that is in Christ Jesus.

00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.639
 I guess we did

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.500
 sort of get into the weeds,

00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.079
 didn't we?

00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.179
 Not too deep.

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.500
 Here's the point.

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.579
 Whoever serves

00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:06.419
 as a deacon

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:09.079
 must be dignified.

00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.139
 That's the banner

00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.299
 qualification here.

00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:13.059
 It's Christian maturity.

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.319
 And why do we need

00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.120
 deacons that would

00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.100
 serve like this?

00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.379
 Well,

00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.939
 because I pray

00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:19.840
 that this list

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.480
 would describe

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.399
 every member

00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:22.220
 of our church.

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.319
 What's exceptional

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:26.460
 about this list

00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.519
 is that these qualifications

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.860
 are so ordinary,

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.699
 isn't it?

00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.360
 This is what

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.340
 all Christians

00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.460
 must aspire

00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.440
 to be and do.

00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.120
 It's what deacons

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.019
 must be

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.820
 if we're going

00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.820
 to recognize them

00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.920
 and install them

00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:40.100
 to serve in our church

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.759
 as deacons.

00:14:41.160 --> 00:14:42.160
 But this is what

00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:43.100
 all Christians

00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.259
 ought to aspire

00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.080
 to be

00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.379
 by the grace of God.

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.419
 God.

00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.840
 So when we

00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.620
 install qualified,

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.759
 mature deacons

00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.120
 to serve in this church,

00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:52.899
 what we're doing

00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.840
 is we're

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.340
 providing

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.399
 servants

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.439
 who you can look to

00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:57.799
 and say,

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.320
 go look like this.

00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.580
 Go live like this.

00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:02.779
 You want to know

00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.200
 what it means

00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:03.759
 to serve

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.899
 in a God-honoring way?

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.279
 Go spend some time

00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:06.720
 with Bill.

00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.279
 Go spend some time

00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:08.799
 with Randy.

00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:10.360
 Serve with them.

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.360
 Serve like them.

00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.320
 Pursue Christ

00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.360
 like them.

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.180
 They're examples

00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:16.279
 of Christian maturity.

00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:16.800
 Second,

00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:18.980
 second,

00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.899
 deacons are

00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.320
 pastor supporters.

00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.039
 Let's look back

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.100
 to Acts chapter 6.

00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.100
 Deacons are

00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.940
 pastor supporters.

00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.379
 Look there again

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.080
 to verse 2.

00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.680
 And notice again

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.340
 how the apostles

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.120
 responded

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.360
 to this issue.

00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:34.700
 They said,

00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.240
 the twelve

00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.840
 summoned the full number

00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.539
 of the disciples

00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.480
 and said,

00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.279
 it's not right

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.300
 that we should give up

00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:41.600
 preaching the word of God

00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.840
 to serve tables.

00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:43.980
 Therefore,

00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.480
 brothers,

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.820
 pick out from among you

00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.300
 seven men of good repute,

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.879
 full of the spirit

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.779
 and of wisdom,

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.320
 whom we will appoint

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.080
 to this duty.

00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.840
 But we will devote

00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.159
 ourselves to prayer

00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.220
 and to the ministry

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.240
 of the word.

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.840
 Do you notice

00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.040
 the division of labor

00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.860
 here?

00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.440
 Developing in the early church.

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.500
 The apostles here,

00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:06.120
 they are to devote themselves

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.879
 to the ministry

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.620
 of prayer

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.320
 and the word.

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.279
 And then these seven men

00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.379
 are appointed

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:13.240
 to this need meeting,

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.419
 ministry,

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.299
 practical,

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.000
 tangible,

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.539
 need meeting task.

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.860
 And again,

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:20.259
 this lays out

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.120
 the blueprint,

00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.279
 the pattern

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:24.279
 for how these two offices

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.579
 of the local church

00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:27.139
 ought to operate.

00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:27.860
 Elders,

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.179
 pastors,

00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.100
 our shepherds,

00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.879
 their spiritual overseers,

00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:33.939
 their leaders,

00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:36.720
 their primary task

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.500
 of elders and pastors

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.980
 is to be about

00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.539
 the ministry

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:42.139
 of word and prayer.

00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.179
 And the primary task

00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:45.320
 of deacons,

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.320
 like these seven men here,

00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.100
 is to be about

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.620
 this practical,

00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.460
 tangible,

00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.779
 need meeting

00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.539
 ministry of the body,

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.460
 but not as an end

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.279
 in itself.

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.700
 In essence,

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.500
 they look to the many

00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.480
 practical needs

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.139
 of the body

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:03.139
 so as to guard

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.820
 and protect

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.839
 the ministry

00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.339
 of the word.

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.939
 They're like

00:17:07.939 --> 00:17:09.139
 offensive linemen.

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.039
 As the elders

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.119
 run the play,

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.559
 drive the ball

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.419
 down the field,

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.699
 the linemen block

00:17:15.699 --> 00:17:16.759
 and keep them

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.599
 from getting hit

00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.539
 with every possible

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.659
 need or complaint

00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.980
 along the way.

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.959
 That's the general

00:17:21.959 --> 00:17:23.299
 division of labor

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.859
 here.

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.159
 Now,

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.939
 notice what the apostles

00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:28.220
 did not say.

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.839
 They did not say

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.639
 this need

00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.819
 isn't important.

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:37.220
 It could be easy

00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.559
 to misunderstand

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.259
 the apostles'

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:39.939
 words here,

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.700
 to take it almost

00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:42.919
 as being dismissive

00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.139
 of the significance

00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:44.939
 of this need.

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.179
 Like,

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.399
 I'm not waiting tables

00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.139
 so somebody else

00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.659
 can do it.

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.980
 We're doing the

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.700
 important stuff

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.279
 over here

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.019
 so get somebody

00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.659
 else to do it.

00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:51.759
 Well,

00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.159
 that's not what

00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.500
 they said,

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.799
 is it?

00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:54.319
 Quite the opposite,

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:54.960
 in fact.

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.740
 They saw that

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.559
 this need

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.039
 is so important

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.319
 that they gathered

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.559
 the whole church,

00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.679
 appointed seven individuals

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.539
 to the task,

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.380
 set them about the work

00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.279
 to make certain

00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.039
 that this need

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.539
 was met

00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.860
 so that they

00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.620
 could continue

00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.700
 to devote themselves

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.539
 to the word

00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.019
 and prayer.

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.400
 It's interesting

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.980
 that the root word

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.920
 for deacon

00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:18.299
 there in Acts 6,

00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.180
 diakonos,

00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:21.080
 it appears twice.

00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:22.299
 Once,

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.240
 in verse 2,

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.720
 it's not right

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.740
 that we should give up

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.740
 preaching the word

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.220
 of God

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.799
 to deacon tables.

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.160
 And again,

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.000
 in verse 4,

00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.019
 but we will devote

00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.119
 ourselves to prayer

00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:34.079
 in the deaconing

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.500
 of the word.

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.240
 They recognized

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.880
 this division of labor

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.839
 with a common goal

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:42.000
 that was needed

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.759
 for the health

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.799
 of the church.

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.740
 What they also

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.500
 didn't say

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.299
 was this need

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.240
 is important

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.619
 so we will do

00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.519
 it all ourselves.

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.700
 That's not what

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.279
 they said.

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.980
 The apostles

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.960
 were not meeting

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.160
 every need

00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.799
 that they saw

00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.640
 in the early church.

00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.460
 And wisely so.

00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.740
 They weren't doing

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.300
 everything

00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:05.980
 that could be done.

00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:06.800
 They were focused

00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:07.759
 explicitly

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.880
 on what must

00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.500
 be done.

00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:09.940
 Namely,

00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.520
 the ministry

00:19:10.520 --> 00:19:11.220
 of the word

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.360
 and prayer.

00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:13.460
 Some churches

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:15.160
 have a

00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.580
 messed up vision

00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:18.100
 of what a pastor

00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.259
 is supposed to do.

00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:20.960
 That if there's

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.920
 needs in the church,

00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.880
 well then the pastor

00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.540
 is the one

00:19:23.540 --> 00:19:24.240
 who must

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.160
 be the one

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.820
 to have to meet

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.320
 the needs

00:19:26.320 --> 00:19:27.000
 in the church.

00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.759
 That's wrong.

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.359
 But at the same

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.839
 time,

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.000
 some pastors

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.700
 wrongly take

00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.299
 that upon

00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.879
 themselves.

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.559
 They try to

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.480
 do too much.

00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.619
 And instead

00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.039
 of actually

00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.140
 helping the church

00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.859
 and ministering

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.539
 to the church,

00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.279
 the church winds

00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.759
 up with

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.819
 distracted leaders

00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.839
 and a derailed

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.779
 mission.

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.180
 The Associated

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.920
 Press published

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.359
 an article

00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.099
 on January

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.240
 11th

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.759
 titled,

00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.339
 U.S.

00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.079
 Pastors

00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:55.179
 Struggle

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:56.579
 with Post-Pandemic

00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.199
 Burnout.

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.439
 Survey shows

00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.740
 half considered

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.460
 quitting since

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.099
 2020.

00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:03.759
 It said that

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.059
 more than

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.000
 four in ten

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.659
 of clergy

00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:06.399
 surveyed in

00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.220
 fall 2023

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.759
 had seriously

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.659
 considered leaving

00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.539
 their congregations

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.480
 at least once

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.539
 since 2020.

00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.019
 And more than

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.899
 half had thought

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.799
 seriously of

00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.740
 leaving the ministry

00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.659
 according to

00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.099
 the survey

00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.899
 released by

00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.819
 the Hartford

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.519
 Institute for

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.599
 Religion Research

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.199
 on Thursday.

00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.799
 And it went

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.220
 on to say

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.920
 those thinking

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.380
 of quitting

00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.940
 the ministry

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.200
 entirely were

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.779
 more likely

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.400
 to be pastors

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.160
 of smaller

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.759
 churches and

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.440
 those who work

00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.900
 solo compared

00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.720
 with those on

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.720
 larger staffs

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.420
 and at larger

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.940
 churches.

00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.660
 Now why do you

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.200
 think that is?

00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.759
 It is not

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.360
 because large

00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:42.140
 church ministry

00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.360
 is easier than

00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:43.900
 small church

00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:44.299
 ministry.

00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.840
 I can guarantee

00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.319
 you that.

00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.140
 But it is

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.200
 because small

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.920
 churches are

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.680
 often understaffed

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.900
 and under

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.840
 resourced

00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.980
 which leaves

00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.620
 the pastor

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.580
 overwhelmed

00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.820
 and overextended

00:20:56.820 --> 00:20:58.160
 as they seek

00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.680
 to meet the

00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.299
 needs of the

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.700
 body.

00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.279
 Unless

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.259
 unless

00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.500
 he is able

00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.220
 to delegate

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.080
 the needs

00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:06.820
 of the ministry

00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:07.900
 to qualified

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.060
 individuals who

00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:09.640
 can help

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.620
 carry the

00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.120
 load.

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.860
 Church do

00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.240
 you see the

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.080
 wisdom here?

00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.240
 In God's

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.880
 gift of

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.140
 a plurality

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.740
 of elders

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.740
 and a plurality

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.519
 of godly

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.079
 deacons to

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.599
 help carry

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.059
 the load?

00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.559
 I am

00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.500
 thankful for

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.660
 Treg

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:27.980
 Hallman

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.779
 who serves

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.660
 alongside me

00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.259
 as an elder

00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.779
 here.

00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.500
 I am thankful

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.160
 that God has

00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.620
 brought these

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.200
 two men

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.720
 Bill and

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.900
 Randy to

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.660
 serve alongside

00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.259
 us as

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.640
 deacons.

00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.240
 We need

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.960
 deacons

00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.740
 church.

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.279
 The church

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.880
 needs

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.859
 deacons.

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.140
 There is

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.120
 wisdom here

00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.799
 for us to

00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.120
 follow.

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.299
 But it is

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.619
 not just

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.059
 for my

00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.379
 good.

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:49.859
 Third,

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.000
 deacons are

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.899
 unity

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.639
 defenders.

00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.099
 They are

00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.419
 mature

00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:55.899
 believers.

00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.459
 They are

00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:56.839
 pastor

00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.500
 supporters.

00:21:57.719 --> 00:21:57.919
 Third,

00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.479
 they are

00:21:58.479 --> 00:21:59.439
 unity

00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.559
 defenders.

00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.039
 Ask

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.359
 yourself,

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.079
 why was

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.619
 this need

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.239
 so important?

00:22:05.239 --> 00:22:05.799
 Important

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.299
 enough to

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.859
 gather the

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.599
 whole church

00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:09.039
 and important

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.599
 enough to

00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.579
 address it

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:10.799
 here.

00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.139
 Important

00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:11.639
 enough for

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.559
 Luke as

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.959
 he is writing

00:22:12.959 --> 00:22:13.359
 the book of

00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:13.759
 Acts to

00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.439
 say we need

00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:14.939
 to record

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.539
 this and

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.559
 have us

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.079
 think about

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.420
 this.

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.899
 I think

00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.099
 there are

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.960
 three layers

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.440
 to this

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.379
 issue here.

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.619
 On the

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.200
 one hand,

00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.299
 the issue

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:22.819
 is important

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.639
 simply because

00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.279
 there is a

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.279
 need in the

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.579
 body.

00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.220
 These widows

00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.799
 are being

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.599
 neglected.

00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.420
 That is an

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:29.859
 issue.

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.339
 We are called

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.019
 to care for

00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.399
 those who

00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.299
 are weak

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.960
 and vulnerable.

00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.339
 We are called

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.859
 to care for

00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.259
 the orphan

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.579
 and the

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:34.779
 widow.

00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:35.700
 That is

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.379
 layer number

00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:36.799
 one.

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.420
 There is a

00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.559
 real need

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.200
 here in the

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.599
 body that

00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.180
 needs to be

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.619
 addressed.

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.519
 There is

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.740
 another issue

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.119
 here,

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.559
 isn't there?

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.359
 We have

00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.899
 already covered

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.060
 it.

00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:46.060
 The ministry

00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:46.380
 of the

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:46.900
 word was

00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.060
 going to

00:22:47.060 --> 00:22:47.600
 be hampered

00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:47.920
 if the

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.580
 apostles were

00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.440
 to be

00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.019
 distracted

00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.420
 from the

00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.900
 ministry of

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.240
 the word

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.720
 and prayer

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.120
 to go

00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.480
 serve

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.960
 tables.

00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.340
 Guess

00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.660
 what?

00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:54.519
 The ministry

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:54.840
 of the

00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:55.240
 word and

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.840
 prayer would

00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:57.000
 be hampered.

00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.000
 The apostles

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.660
 can only divide

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.280
 their time and

00:22:59.280 --> 00:22:59.980
 attention in so

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.860
 many ways.

00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:02.440
 There is

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.180
 another issue

00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.840
 here,

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:05.019
 another reason

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.500
 why this

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:06.360
 ministry was

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.420
 so necessary.

00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.220
 It is a

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.740
 reason that

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.759
 underlies the

00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.740
 work of a

00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.060
 deacon.

00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.480
 It is one of

00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.800
 the main

00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:13.460
 reasons why

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.319
 we and

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:14.920
 every other

00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.799
 church needs

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:17.240
 qualified deacons.

00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:17.880
 That reason

00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.519
 is that the

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.539
 unity of the

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:22.100
 church is

00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.660
 being threatened.

00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.240
 Do you see

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.480
 that?

00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.340
 The unity of

00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:26.940
 the church.

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.620
 Think about

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:27.799
 it.

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.960
 The problem

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.920
 here is much

00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.360
 bigger than

00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:30.740
 just the

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.220
 immediate

00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.299
 practical need

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.579
 on the

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:32.920
 table.

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.140
 No pun

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.480
 intended.

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.480
 The problem,

00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.200
 this unmet

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.559
 need,

00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:38.500
 was resulting

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.460
 in a bigger

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.259
 issue,

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.099
 the brewing

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.839
 threat of

00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:43.319
 disunity in

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.859
 the early

00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:44.379
 church.

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.619
 Now,

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.140
 we have

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.480
 talked about

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.700
 this so

00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.220
 much.

00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.000
 You probably

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.539
 are wondering

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.279
 when in the

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.700
 world am I

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.200
 going to stop

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.039
 talking about

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.180
 unity so much?

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.400
 Well,

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:55.980
 don't hold

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.400
 your breath.

00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.339
 Church,

00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:58.839
 this is so

00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.900
 important for

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.319
 us.

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.619
 We must

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.720
 guard the

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.640
 unity that's

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.680
 given to us

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.700
 by God in

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.460
 the gospel of

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:06.900
 Christ.

00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:06.980
 Christ.

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.880
 It's a

00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.220
 defining feature

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.019
 of the local

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.800
 church is that

00:24:10.800 --> 00:24:11.759
 Christ has

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.780
 united us

00:24:12.780 --> 00:24:13.620
 individually,

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.680
 vertically to

00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.740
 God by faith

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.280
 in Him,

00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:17.480
 and He has

00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.160
 united us

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.440
 horizontally to

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.259
 one another

00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.920
 in a body.

00:24:22.780 --> 00:24:23.380
 If we're not

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.620
 united together,

00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.759
 we have no

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.660
 mission worth

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.440
 sharing about.

00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.980
 Unity was

00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.500
 important to

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:30.900
 Jesus,

00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:31.680
 John 17.

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.519
 He prayed,

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.300
 I do not ask

00:24:34.300 --> 00:24:35.120
 for these only,

00:24:35.280 --> 00:24:35.900
 but also for

00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.519
 those who will

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.220
 believe in me

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.720
 through their

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.039
 word,

00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.660
 that's us,

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.139
 that they may

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.400
 all be one

00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.480
 just as you,

00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:42.819
 Father,

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.599
 are in me

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.879
 and I in you,

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.839
 that they also

00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.980
 may be in us

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.240
 so that the

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.279
 world may believe

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.119
 that you have

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:50.940
 sent me.

00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:54.539
 Our unity,

00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.680
 again,

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.819
 individually to

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.160
 God and

00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.200
 corporately to

00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.859
 one another,

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.879
 is an

00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:02.319
 apologetic to

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.139
 the outside

00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.900
 unbelieving

00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.500
 world.

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:05.879
 He said,

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.180
 Father,

00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:06.780
 I pray that

00:25:06.780 --> 00:25:07.100
 they may

00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:07.580
 be one

00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:08.320
 so that

00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:09.080
 the world

00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:09.960
 may believe

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.760
 that you

00:25:10.760 --> 00:25:11.920
 sent me.

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.480
 Lack of

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.340
 oneness

00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:17.080
 breeds lack

00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:17.960
 of witness.

00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.300
 This is a

00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:20.720
 need that

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.380
 must be

00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:21.780
 addressed.

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.200
 How could

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.720
 they continue

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.180
 to go out

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.460
 and tell

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:23.960
 people of

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.600
 the unifying

00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.080
 work of

00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:26.220
 Jesus if

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.020
 they themselves

00:25:27.020 --> 00:25:27.800
 are divided

00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.480
 with one

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.860
 another?

00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:29.620
 Unity was

00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.300
 important to

00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:30.620
 Jesus.

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.560
 Unity was

00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.100
 important to

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.459
 Paul.

00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.119
 Ephesians

00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.819
 chapter 4.

00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:35.939
 He says,

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.459
 I therefore,

00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.279
 a prisoner of

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.719
 the Lord,

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.819
 urge you to

00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.419
 walk in a

00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:40.039
 manner worthy

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.740
 of the calling

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.319
 to which you

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.619
 have been

00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.000
 called,

00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.099
 with all

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.839
 humility and

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.419
 gentleness,

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.980
 with patience,

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.399
 bearing with one

00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.279
 another in love,

00:25:48.439 --> 00:25:49.119
 eager to

00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.980
 maintain the

00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.980
 unity of the

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.339
 spirit in the

00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.179
 bond of

00:25:53.179 --> 00:25:53.759
 peace.

00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.139
 Does that

00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.659
 sound familiar

00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:55.079
 to you?

00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.759
 To our

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.119
 members,

00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.599
 that ought to

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.079
 sound very

00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.480
 familiar.

00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.240
 That's a part

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.799
 of our church

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.240
 covenant.

00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.660
 It's the

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.819
 first line

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.359
 of commitment

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:02.720
 that we

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.279
 make as we

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.120
 join together

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.720
 in this church

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.180
 family,

00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.200
 that we

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.400
 will pursue

00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.680
 unity,

00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.099
 being eager

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.799
 to maintain

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.120
 it,

00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.960
 what God

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.279
 has given

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.799
 to us.

00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.759
 The unity

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.460
 of the church

00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.039
 was important

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.680
 to Paul,

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.579
 not only this,

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.940
 but the church's

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.779
 unity is important

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.339
 to Satan.

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.900
 Do you realize

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.200
 that?

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.539
 The church's

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.920
 unity is

00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:27.160
 important to

00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.519
 Satan,

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.940
 which is why

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.400
 he does

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.280
 whatever he

00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:30.920
 can to

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.640
 disrupt it.

00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.320
 Our enemy

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.280
 does not

00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:33.920
 want a

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.860
 united church.

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.460
 He hates

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.900
 a united

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.400
 church.

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.740
 I'm afraid

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.000
 that he

00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.620
 works much

00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.320
 harder to

00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:42.200
 disrupt our

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.800
 unity than

00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.360
 we tend to

00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.660
 do to

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.320
 protect it.

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.540
 Church,

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.259
 we share a

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.900
 sweet fellowship

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:49.140
 here in this

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.500
 family.

00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.060
 I know we

00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:50.560
 do, but

00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.620
 hear me out.

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.080
 Our enemy

00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:53.880
 would love to

00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.380
 use something

00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.560
 as small as

00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.759
 setting tables

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:58.759
 to unravel the

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.359
 fellowship that

00:26:59.359 --> 00:26:59.779
 we share

00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.599
 at Seawee Bay.

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.619
 Deacons,

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.119
 I'm speaking

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:05.140
 to you and

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.700
 church members

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.279
 to you as

00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.539
 well.

00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.099
 Don't let it

00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.740
 happen here.

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.259
 Be on guard

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.220
 against it.

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.240
 Be eager to

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.980
 maintain the

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.720
 unity that we've

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.099
 been given.

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.980
 Don't let the

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.819
 enemy get one

00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.700
 step into this

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.200
 church to

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.980
 disrupt the

00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.980
 unity that we

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.400
 have.

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.279
 Our mission

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.779
 hinges on our

00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.339
 unity as we

00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.220
 work together to

00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.619
 spread the

00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.000
 gospel.

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.900
 be watchful

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.740
 deacons.

00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.579
 Be vigilant.

00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.839
 Serve like

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.839
 watchmen in a

00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.180
 tower.

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:36.700
 Serve like

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.839
 snipers in a

00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.460
 tower who

00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.460
 seek to put

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.200
 out any threat

00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.640
 before they

00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.460
 even come near

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.039
 the walls of

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.619
 this church.

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.900
 You are unity

00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.980
 defenders.

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.880
 One final

00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.559
 description.

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.079
 Fourth,

00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.200
 finally,

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.099
 deacons are

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.339
 servant leaders.

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:58.779
 servant leaders.

00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.000
 At the very

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.839
 heart of the

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.659
 deacon ministry

00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:04.959
 is service.

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.699
 Serving tables

00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.519
 is not glamorous

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.299
 work, is it?

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.659
 I worked at a

00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.939
 coffee shop while

00:28:12.939 --> 00:28:13.279
 I was in

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.759
 seminary.

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.319
 Let me tell you

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.519
 something.

00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:14.980
 There is no

00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.039
 worse job than

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.799
 serving coffee

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.579
 to coffee

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.480
 addicted people

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.539
 before they have

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.259
 had their coffee.

00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:23.220
 Everybody else

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.859
 gets them after

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:26.219
 they have

00:28:26.219 --> 00:28:27.259
 been getting

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.779
 their fix of

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.379
 the caffeine.

00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.099
 It is tough.

00:28:29.979 --> 00:28:30.859
 It is messy

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.259
 work.

00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.959
 You get fussed

00:28:32.959 --> 00:28:33.199
 at.

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.659
 People fuss at

00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:34.759
 you.

00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.240
 They don't like

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.679
 the way you

00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.099
 serve them.

00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:36.559
 You have to

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.199
 clean up other

00:28:37.199 --> 00:28:38.099
 people's messes.

00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.299
 It is hard

00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.159
 work in the

00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.079
 service industry.

00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.299
 To be a

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:45.439
 deacon at its

00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:47.639
 very core is

00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.199
 to be about

00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:48.819
 service.

00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:50.619
 The word

00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.179
 deacon, you

00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:51.679
 know this.

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.000
 The word

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.600
 deacon, it

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.160
 literally

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.200
 translates to

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.120
 mean servant.

00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.000
 It is a

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.960
 dignified title

00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.440
 for dirty

00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.820
 work.

00:28:59.320 --> 00:28:59.799
 You want to

00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.380
 be a deacon?

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:01.920
 That does not

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.259
 mean you are

00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.299
 climbing up the

00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.100
 ladder of a

00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.700
 church to a

00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.320
 position of

00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.840
 authority.

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.519
 What it means

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.259
 is that you

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.680
 are committing

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.820
 to stoop down

00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:10.080
 low to be in

00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:11.200
 the position of

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.200
 a servant.

00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:14.600
 But lest you

00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.160
 think that makes

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.880
 them insignificant,

00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:18.759
 let me remind

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.420
 you how things

00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:19.920
 work in the

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.680
 kingdom of God.

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.799
 Mark chapter

00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.539
 10, James

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.120
 and John

00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.620
 wanted to

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.039
 climb the

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.480
 ladder of

00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.900
 authority.

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.440
 And they

00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.160
 made a request

00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.299
 of the Lord

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.039
 Jesus, Lord

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.720
 let us sit at

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.320
 your right hand

00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:32.840
 in glory.

00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:33.420
 They wanted

00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.080
 this position

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.320
 of authority

00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.100
 and recognition.

00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:36.660
 They wanted

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.380
 power and

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.759
 greatness.

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.200
 And Jesus

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.019
 responds to

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.660
 them and says

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.080
 really you

00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:41.519
 don't know

00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:41.860
 what you are

00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.519
 asking for.

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.180
 Listen to

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.640
 what he says

00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.039
 in Mark

00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.039
 chapter 10

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.700
 verse 42.

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.160
 It says

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.920
 Jesus called

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.900
 them to him

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.440
 and said to

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.440
 them, you

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:50.980
 know that

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.599
 those who

00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.079
 are considered

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.720
 rulers of

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.539
 the Gentiles

00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.460
 lord it over

00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:54.799
 them.

00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:55.980
 And their

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.759
 great ones

00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.960
 exercise authority

00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.480
 over them.

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:58.960
 That's how it

00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.500
 works out there

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.079
 in the world.

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.860
 But it shall

00:30:01.860 --> 00:30:02.460
 not be so

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.039
 among you.

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.620
 But whoever

00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.360
 would be great

00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.059
 among you

00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:07.259
 must be

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.160
 your servant.

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.779
 And whoever

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.480
 would be first

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.059
 among you

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.680
 must be

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:13.339
 slave of

00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.900
 all.

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.680
 Do you hear

00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.220
 the path of

00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.860
 greatness in the

00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.460
 kingdom of God?

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:19.079
 Unlike the

00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:19.559
 way things

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.180
 work out

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.740
 there in

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.279
 the world

00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.620
 where the

00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.039
 path of

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.620
 greatness is

00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.340
 climbing the

00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:23.840
 ladder no

00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.259
 matter who

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.720
 you got to

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.340
 trample on

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.079
 the way up

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.279
 the path to

00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.860
 greatness in

00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.259
 the kingdom

00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.100
 of God and

00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:29.799
 in the church

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.620
 is not up

00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.519
 but down.

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:31.900
 You're not

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.539
 climbing your

00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.079
 way up the

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.360
 ladder.

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.340
 You're stooping

00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:35.360
 low to become

00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:36.640
 a servant.

00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.900
 Whoever would

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.680
 be great among

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.819
 you must be

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.680
 your deacon.

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.180
 And whoever

00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:43.880
 would be first

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.539
 among you must

00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.480
 be slave of

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.860
 all.

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.160
 Is that your

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.599
 vision of

00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:47.880
 greatness?

00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.500
 Is that your

00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.319
 vision of what

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.539
 true greatness

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.559
 looks like?

00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.599
 Deaconing is

00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.700
 messy work.

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.400
 It's often

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.920
 thankless work.

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.039
 Oftentimes people

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.220
 who you serve

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.940
 are mean to

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.180
 you.

00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:03.880
 Sometimes they

00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:04.519
 won't be happy

00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:04.920
 with your

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.299
 service.

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:05.819
 If you serve

00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.160
 for their

00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:07.400
 approval you'll

00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.140
 probably be

00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.920
 discouraged in

00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.420
 your work at

00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.059
 some point along

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.420
 the way.

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.079
 But if you

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.120
 want to be

00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.440
 a deacon

00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:16.120
 your call

00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:17.420
 is to step

00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.200
 into the

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.000
 messiness of

00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.500
 the church

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.039
 for their

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.660
 good and

00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.340
 for God's

00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:21.900
 glory.

00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.400
 You are

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.120
 called to

00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.220
 be a

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.759
 servant.

00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.100
 Again,

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.820
 Matt Smethurst

00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.340
 quoting his

00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:29.779
 book, he

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.080
 says,

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.240
 deacons are

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.640
 not the

00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.120
 church's

00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:32.620
 spiritual

00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.320
 council of

00:31:33.320 --> 00:31:33.900
 directors,

00:31:34.580 --> 00:31:35.600
 nor the

00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:36.580
 executive board

00:31:36.580 --> 00:31:37.120
 to whom the

00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.900
 pastor CEO

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.480
 answers.

00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.279
 They are the

00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:41.039
 calvary of

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.660
 servants,

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:43.519
 deputized to

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.180
 execute the

00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.460
 elders'

00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.759
 vision by

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.320
 coordinating

00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:47.060
 various

00:31:47.060 --> 00:31:47.759
 ministries.

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.259
 I love that

00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.680
 description.

00:31:50.040 --> 00:31:50.500
 And here at

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.000
 Seaweed Bay,

00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.360
 what that's

00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:51.720
 going to look

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.100
 like, what

00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:52.480
 this means

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:52.920
 for us

00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:53.860
 practically as

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.440
 we install

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.000
 these men

00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.640
 today as

00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.779
 deacons,

00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.680
 is that

00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.240
 these men

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.080
 will serve

00:31:59.080 --> 00:32:00.140
 by leading

00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.480
 and facilitating

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.400
 some key

00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.700
 ministry areas

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.540
 for our

00:32:04.540 --> 00:32:05.180
 church, the

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:05.980
 ministries of

00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.240
 facilities and

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.820
 the ministry

00:32:07.820 --> 00:32:09.420
 of stewardship.

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.019
 And church,

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.599
 they will

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.500
 need your

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.059
 help.

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.740
 They will

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.379
 need your

00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:15.039
 support.

00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.819
 They will

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.740
 need your

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.240
 prayers.

00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:18.700
 We don't

00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.319
 raise up

00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.839
 deacons to

00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.799
 do all the

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.139
 ministry

00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:21.819
 themselves.

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.279
 They lead

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.940
 and facilitate

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.599
 and organize,

00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.660
 but the church

00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.519
 is to be about

00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.099
 this work of

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.480
 service.

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.720
 All of us

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.559
 are in a very

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.400
 general sense

00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.440
 lowercase d

00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.139
 deacons.

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.519
 If you want

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:33.980
 to support

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.599
 them, then

00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.500
 join them.

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:35.980
 Don't just

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.740
 observe their

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.819
 efforts, multiply

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.779
 their efforts.

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:40.240
 And it's

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.839
 my prayer

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.160
 and my

00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.819
 expectation

00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.899
 that as

00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.500
 these men

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.339
 serve, the

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:44.680
 Lord will

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.599
 do in us

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.099
 and through

00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:46.539
 us what

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.599
 he did for

00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.079
 the church

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.799
 here in

00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.359
 Acts chapter

00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.819
 6.

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.379
 Look there

00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:51.660
 again to

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.200
 verse 5.

00:32:56.399 --> 00:32:57.279
 Verse 5

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.740
 says that

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.279
 what they

00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:59.000
 said pleased

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.399
 the whole

00:32:59.399 --> 00:32:59.899
 gathering,

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.180
 and so they

00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.940
 chose Stephen,

00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.539
 a man full

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.480
 of faith and

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:03.879
 of the Holy

00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.399
 Spirit, and

00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:06.619
 Philip, and

00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.859
 Prochorus, and

00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:09.000
 Nicanor, and

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:10.240
 Taman, and

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.039
 Parmenas, and

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.719
 Nicholas, a

00:33:11.719 --> 00:33:12.339
 proselyte of

00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.979
 Antioch.

00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:13.979
 These they

00:33:13.979 --> 00:33:14.799
 set before the

00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.459
 apostles and

00:33:15.459 --> 00:33:16.399
 they prayed and

00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:17.579
 laid hands on

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:17.899
 them.

00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:18.839
 Listen to this.

00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.699
 And the word

00:33:20.699 --> 00:33:21.179
 of God

00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:22.059
 continued to

00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.699
 increase.

00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.219
 And the

00:33:24.219 --> 00:33:24.799
 number of the

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.139
 disciples multiplied

00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:27.579
 greatly in

00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.079
 Jerusalem.

00:33:28.959 --> 00:33:29.379
 And a great

00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:29.919
 many of the

00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:30.779
 priests became

00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:32.379
 obedient to

00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:32.959
 the faith.

00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:33.500
 Don't you

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:33.740
 want to see

00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.179
 that happen

00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:34.399
 here?

00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:37.160
 don't you

00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.480
 want to see

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.960
 the word of

00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:39.060
 God increase

00:33:39.060 --> 00:33:39.480
 here?

00:33:41.320 --> 00:33:41.720
 Don't you

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.060
 want to see

00:33:42.060 --> 00:33:43.620
 disciples multiplied

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.460
 here?

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.759
 I believe that

00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:49.759
 deacons and

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.340
 their humble

00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.860
 need, meeting,

00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:53.200
 pastor, supporting,

00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:54.800
 unity, defending

00:33:54.800 --> 00:33:57.300
 ministry are a

00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:58.280
 crucial part of

00:33:58.280 --> 00:33:58.720
 that game.

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.019
 The church

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.980
 needs great

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.780
 deacons.

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.920
 why?

00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.339
 Ultimately

00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.000
 because when

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.119
 they serve in

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.179
 this way as

00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:10.279
 God has designed

00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:10.980
 for the good of

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.759
 the church, they

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.739
 show the church

00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.420
 and the world

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:16.199
 what Jesus is

00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.559
 like.

00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.019
 Mark chapter

00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.659
 10, one more

00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.019
 time.

00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.699
 Verse 45.

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.699
 Jesus gives

00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.920
 them the ultimate

00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.519
 reason to serve

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.619
 like this.

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.980
 For even the

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.679
 Son of Man

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:31.139
 came not to be

00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:32.619
 served, but to

00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:34.279
 serve and to

00:34:34.279 --> 00:34:35.199
 give his life as

00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:36.099
 a ransom for

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.380
 many.

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.679
 Even the Son of

00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.739
 Man, Jesus Christ

00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:41.099
 himself, came not

00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:42.559
 to be deaconed, but

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:44.019
 to deacon.

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.900
 The Lord Jesus

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:49.960
 himself, for the

00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.079
 sake of others

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.179
 centered, church

00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:53.299
 building, need,

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.980
 meeting, service,

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.659
 humbled himself to

00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:58.039
 become a

00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.339
 servant.

00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.539
 covenant.

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:01.019
 How great is the

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.000
 Lord Jesus who

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.100
 stooped down to

00:35:03.100 --> 00:35:04.000
 wash his disciples

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.400
 feet?

00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:07.120
 How great is the

00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:07.900
 Son of God who

00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.500
 took on flesh to

00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.400
 come and to ransom

00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.380
 what's been lost?

00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:14.079
 How great is the

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:15.340
 King who laid down

00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.240
 his life to bring

00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:17.460
 sinners like us into

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.079
 his kingdom?

00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.039
 Do you see Jesus'

00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:19.660
 greatness?

00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:24.519
 Jesus served us.

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:29.079
 I know that this

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:29.980
 is primarily a

00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:31.139
 message for the

00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.960
 church about

00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.840
 deacons, and if

00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:33.420
 you're not a

00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.139
 believer and you're

00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.699
 here, you're hearing

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.739
 this message, you

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.619
 probably don't care a

00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:38.559
 thing about deacons and

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.679
 why our church needs

00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.519
 deacons and what does

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.259
 this have to do with

00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:41.480
 you.

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.340
 Listen to this.

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.579
 You may not care a

00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:48.960
 thing about that, but

00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:51.199
 you should care that the

00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:52.579
 Son of God himself has

00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.759
 stooped down to serve

00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.039
 you.

00:35:55.799 --> 00:35:56.819
 That even the Son of

00:35:56.819 --> 00:35:57.940
 Man came not to be

00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.319
 served, but to serve

00:35:59.319 --> 00:36:00.940
 and to give his life as

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.699
 a ransom for many.

00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:03.880
 You know, we often

00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.480
 think the way to get

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:07.539
 right with God and to

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.860
 maintain a good standing

00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.319
 with God is to serve

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:11.239
 him, right?

00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:13.159
 If I can just serve him

00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:14.340
 in the correct ways, he'll

00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:14.779
 love me.

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.039
 If I can serve him

00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.199
 better, maybe things will

00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.099
 be right with me and

00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.299
 him.

00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:20.259
 Let me be as clear as I

00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:21.159
 possibly can with you

00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.579
 this morning.

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:24.159
 You cannot begin to

00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:26.199
 serve him unless you

00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:27.239
 have first allowed

00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:28.659
 Christ Jesus to serve

00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:28.980
 you.

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:36.319
 Have you received the

00:36:36.319 --> 00:36:38.239
 service of Jesus by

00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:38.639
 faith?

00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:42.380
 And church, for us, I

00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.719
 hope you see we need

00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:44.900
 deacons like this.

00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.239
 We need deacons like

00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:48.900
 this who will show us

00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:50.039
 the servant heart of

00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:51.340
 Christ that we might

00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.980
 see and experience

00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:54.320
 from one another what

00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:55.739
 it means to be served

00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:57.559
 and loved and cared for

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.800
 by God himself.

00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:01.279
 Now, we might have an

00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:02.639
 example to follow as we

00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.539
 follow Christ.

00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:05.400
 And that this church

00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:07.179
 might grow in health and

00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.619
 unity and that the word

00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:10.739
 of God might go forth in

00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.039
 power.

00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.139
 Amen?

00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.139
 Let's pray.

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:18.799
 Lord, we thank you for

00:37:18.799 --> 00:37:20.159
 your wisdom and your good

00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:21.219
 design for your church.

00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:22.279
 It's not our church.

00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:25.239
 It's not our plans for

00:37:25.239 --> 00:37:26.440
 our church and what we

00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:27.579
 want to do and what we

00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.500
 want to see happen.

00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.639
 It's not our design.

00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:32.420
 God, we want to submit to

00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.319
 your word.

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:35.379
 What you have planned for

00:37:35.379 --> 00:37:36.000
 your church.

00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:38.099
 So we praise you and we

00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.079
 thank you for these two

00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:40.440
 men, Bill and Randy, as

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.860
 you've raised them up,

00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.539
 as this church has

00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.920
 affirmed their

00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:45.659
 qualifications as deacons.

00:37:45.740 --> 00:37:46.840
 And we pray, God, that

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.679
 they would be a blessing

00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:49.240
 to us as we look to

00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:49.639
 Christ.

00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:51.800
 We love you, Lord, and we

00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:52.740
 pray this in Jesus' name.

00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:54.139
 Amen.

00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.260
 Amen.

00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.300
 Amen.

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:54.340
 Amen.

00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.360
 Amen.

00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:54.380
 Amen.

00:37:54.380 --> 00:37:54.400
 Amen.

00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:54.420
 Amen.

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:54.440
 Amen.

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:54.460
 Amen.

00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:56.380
 Amen.

00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:56.440
 Amen.

00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:58.440
 Amen.

00:37:58.440 --> 00:37:58.460
 Amen.

00:37:58.460 --> 00:38:00.440
 Amen.

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:02.440
 Amen.

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:04.440
 Amen.

00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:06.440
 Amen.

00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:08.440
 Amen.

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:10.420
 Amen.