Deacons Appreciation Sunday
A Service in Honor of Those Who Have Served
Calvary Baptist Church
March 13, 2005
NOTE TO SERMON CENTRAL READERS:
As several of our deacons were rotating off after years of service, we wanted to have a special service to honor them. Perhaps some of my pastor friends could use this material in their own ministry. I use the acronym F-A-I-T-H-F-U-L. This could be used for other church roles and offices. I have left it in the form used in our pulpit. Adapt it to your needs as necessary.
OPEN:
Remarks about each deacon indiviually.
WHAT ARE NOT MY REASONS FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY
1. That I felt from of these men any necessity to honor them.
Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
2. That I felt any political pressure to honor these men.
• With a church in the transition of growth, and a rotation is deacons, some might feel that this is a calculated move to keep peace.
• I don’t need that with these men.
• These men are friends.
• If they have my back, then I’m covered.
3. That this is some custom at Calvary. No! It is unknown to me as to whether this has ever been done.
MY REASONS FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY
1. Because the Bible tells me to honor good men.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
2. Because these are loyal servants of Calvary Baptist Church.
3. Because these men have been friends to this pastor.
4. Because these men have been found faithful.
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
F-A-I-T-H-F-U-L
F First Place to God
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
A Available
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
• “Deacon” means “servant.”
I Integrity
• Integrity is being what we say we are.
• If ever we needed two powerful forces to preserve us along life's way, we need integrity and honesty.
• Honesty makes us learn God's requirements and strive to fulfill them.
• Integrity—being what we say we are—keeps us from claiming to be honest while living as if we do not know God.
Luke 16:10-12 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
T Time
At this point, recognize the wives for their work and their waiting.
Bobbie, Frances, Janice, Linda, Diana
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
H Humility
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
F Fun
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalms 126:2 Then [upon their return from captivity in Egypt] was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
• Mr. David’s shoulders moving when something “tickled his funny bone.”
• Mr. Gaillard’s smile - a mile wide.
• Kinard’s quiet little grin.
• Jim deep laugh.
• Robert’s smile and dropping and shaking his head when something was funny.
• Mr. David’s jokes out of the blue.
When another driver ran into his car one day, the other driver ran to Mr. David's window and yelled, “I’m a Mason, I’m a Mason.” Mr. David stuck his hand out the window and said, “I’m a Langston.”
U Understanding
Exodus 36:1 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
Deuteronomy 1:13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
Psalms 119:10 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
L Love
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, anl thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
• Jesus tells one asking how he may obtain eternal life.
CONCLUSION:
• We have been able to work together, lean on one another’s skills, and accomplish God’s work.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
• Today we have honored those who have stayed by the stuff.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
• The truth of this personal prophecy is coming true before your eyes today.
• But one day, these men will have a greater honor than that which we give today.
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
