February 2, 2020
Morning Service

Mat 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"  (14)  So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  (15)  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  (16)  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  (17)  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  (18)  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  (19)  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

        Jesus here is speaking of the New Testament church that began on that day and which each of us are a part of.  At the time of His departure Jesus handed the task off to 12 ordinary men to build the foundation of this church that has survived the test of time.  With the aid of the Holy Spirit to guide them they set out to fulfill their mission knowing that the road would not be easy.  It started with a bang as with a single sermon from Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), three thousand people were added to this infant church.  Luke describes what life for the church was like at that time in the Book of Acts:

             Act 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (43)  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  (44)  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (45) and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  (46)  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

            The church that Jesus had established and handed over to the apostles was suddenly flourishing and growing very quickly.  A healthy Christian church (family) will attract people to want to be part of it and will lead them to a personal relationship with Christ; which is the glue that holds us together.  Notice where the growth came from as “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”  With growth also comes some logistical issues that confronted the apostles very quickly and had to be dealt with.

Act 6:1-6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.  (2)  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.  (3)  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; (4) but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."  (5)  And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, (6) whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Deacon is defined as “one who serves.”  They are required to be men of “good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.”  It is their job to serve the congregation and enable the pastor to place his main focus upon the “ministry of the word.”  The church was evolving into what Jesus had designed with each of us playing a part in it and it was here that the office of deacon was created out of necessity.  Paul explained the role of deacon in more depth in his first letter to Timothy.

 

1Ti 3:8-13 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, (9) holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  (10)  But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.  (11)  Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.  (12)  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  (13)  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

            Those who would be considered to fill this office of church leadership by serving in the office of deacon must live a life that portrays these character attributes.  The NLT words in that they must be “people who are respected and have integrity” as well as being “committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith.”  Their wives also are included in the requirement that they too are faithful followers of Jesus.  There is a required time period in which they are found to be faithful before being asked to serve in this capacity. With the accepted call to fill this positon of leadership as well as servant, they obtain for themselves “good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  Jesus said, “to be great you shall be a servant” (Mark 10:43).

            Our Fellowship of the Lord’s church was established in 1978 and the first deacons were ordained about 10 years later.  As we grew and needed more room, God provided us this building to be our home in 2003.  At that time, we allowed the church family to choose from among them men of good reputation to serve them in the office of deacon just as they did in Acts 2.  Sam Pemberton, Steve Lee, and myself were what remained of the original deacons and the church elected 5 other men to join us in that office.  Of those 5, with the loss of David Russel last year, only Bill Luttrell remains.  Today the four of us will be joined by 3 men who have shown themselves to be able and willing to serve our Fellowship in the office of deacon.  Their lives line up with the requirements given and they make our church a better place to be part of.  I am extremely grateful that God has led their paths to cross with ours.  I have grown to love and respect each of these men and their wives as they truly do love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.  Andy Pemberton, Denny Kirk and Willie Russell all have been active in our church family for a time period long enough that they have been chosen by the church leadership to be ordained today into the office of deacon.  I foresee another day coming soon, as the Lord adds to our church, that we will again add to this office of leadership the good Lord willing.

            Jerry now will lead us in prayer and give the challenge to these men, their wives and to us to be unified in our resolve to follow Jesus and line up with His Word.  In so doing we are better together and bring glory and honor to our Savior.