Today we elect four men to serve our church in the office of deacon. Before we participate in this election, I want to lead you in examining the question, what is a deacon? That is an important question for a church to answer. However, it is difficult to get a comprehensive answer because the Bible does not offer extensive references to the ministry of the deacon. In the KJV the word deacon occurs five times. (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:8, 10, 12, 13) Each of these references is translated deacon in the KJV and some other translations. In these texts the word is a noun. It describes an office in the church. However, the verbal form of this word is translated servant in many other locations. One of those locations is our text for today. In Acts 6 we do not find the word deacon. However, we find the verbal form that is translated deacon in a number of other locations. We believe this event, in Acts 6, to be the beginning of the ministry of the deacon. “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 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. 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;” (Acts 6:1-2 NKJV) In verse 2 we find the word “serve” which is the verbal form of the word that is translated deacon in other locations. Therefore, if we want to define a deacon we should simply call him a servant. A true deacon wants to serve.
Joke: This week I read about a church that called a new pastor. The man was 60 years of age. His first sermon was 15 minutes long. It was kind of short but fine with the folks. The next week he preached for 20 minutes. That was ok, too. But the following week he preached for an hour and 45 minutes. The deacons pulled him off to the side and asked for an explanation. He said, "Well, you know that parsonage bathroom is so small. This morning my wife and I were running late and we got mixed up and I accidentally put her false teeth in by mistake. Once you get those things going’ you just can’t get ’em to stop." At the next deacon’s meeting it was recommended to get a bigger bathroom in the parsonage. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Mike Richardson)
Today I want to give careful consideration to what it means to be a servant. This will be our answer to the question, what is a deacon? I want to look at three aspects of being a servant.
1. Lets begin by discussing the Demands of being a Servant. Obviously, the role of serving is a demanding role. What are the demands?
A. One of the demands of being a servant is sacrifice. The servant sacrifices his time, his personal privileges and his comfort to fulfill his role. A person who becomes a servant of Jesus Christ sacrifices. When others are at ease he is serving. When others relax he is serving. Let me give you some examples.
• A number of our people teach Sunday school classes. Every week these people give up time they could using on other activities, in order to prepare a lesson.
• We have sixteen men who serve as deacons. These men give up time as they visit, attend meetings and serve our church.
Illustration: Jesus gave us a powerful illustration of the sacrificial nature of the servant. On one occasion, just before he went to the cross, he and his disciples shared a meal. Two important facts should be remembered. In those days people reclined when they ate a meal. Also, they wore sandals on their feet, which allowed their feet to become very dirty. At such meals it was the custom for one of the servants to wash the feet of the guests, as they reclined at the meal. On this occasion no one was present to wash feet. Everyone must have waited for someone to wash their feet. Jesus modeled the role of a servant when he took a towel, pan of water, removed his shirt and proceeded to wash the disciple’s feet. (John 13) Jesus laid aside concerns for his character, his reputation and his ego in order to wash the feet of the disciples that day. In that text he said “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
In the Christian life a servant is a person who knows Jesus Christ, desires to follow His example and is willing to sacrifice for Him. Thus, an important question must be examined. Do you know Jesus Christ? Have you made a faith commitment to Him? Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer “takes off the bib and puts on an apron.” Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons have learned the joy of serving others. (Illustration 534 in Something to Think About. Edited by Raymond McHenry
B. Another demand of being a servant is supporting other people. The servant looks after the interests of another person. A servant places himself under others and their needs.
Illustration: Ruth Graham (Billy’s wife) uses her father as an example of servant hood. When Ruth’s parents got older Dr. Bell, her father, had to take care of his wife (Ruth’s mother). One day Ruth Graham entered her parents’ home and found her father on his hands and knees putting on Mrs. Bell’s stockings. Dr. Bell looked up at his daughter and said, “You know, the greatest privilege of my life is taking care of your mother.” (Illustration 516 in Something to Think About. Edited by Raymond McHenry)
A servant supports other people. We have many servants in this church.
• Our deacons are servants.
• The people who work in our nursery are servants.
• The people who work in our youth ministry are servants.
• The people who work in our children’s ministry are servants.
• The people who minister to our sick, nursing home patients and shut-ins are servants.
• Our Sunday School teachers are servants.
• Our media people are servants.
• Our mission teachers are servants.
Does that mean everyone should be a deacon? No! It means a deacon should be the ultimate example of a servant.
When we accept the demands of being a servant we are accepting the demands of the Christian life. Jesus said “If any man will come after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23 NKJV) Jesus never promised that the Christian life would be easy. He said it has its demands.
2. The second aspect of serving, I want to examine, are the Objections to being a Servant.
Illustration: I read about a man who was walking in front of his pastor as they were leaving church one day. The preacher grabbed the man by the sleeve, pulled him aside and said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The man replied, "I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." The Pastor questioned, "How come I don’t see you except at Christmas and Easter?" He whispered back, "I’m in the secret service. " (Contributed to Sermon Central by Abraham Shanklin, Jr.)
Many people allow their objections to rule their lives. What are the objections?
A. One objection to being a servant is the word itself. The first definition in Webster’s Dictionary states that a servant is “a person employed to perform services, especially household duties, for another.” The word servant tends to carry negative connotations. We might think of people like Alice from The Brady Bunch, Jeffrey from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hopsing from Bonanza or Lurch from the Addams Family. The mere word servant carries a negative connotation for many people.
B. Another objection is the demand of being a servant. Serving other people takes time. It is often frustrating. It is often demanding. Could I make a calculated guess concerning some of you men? Some of you men do not want to be considered as a deacon because you do not want to be bothered by the demands. The same is true about teaching Sunday school. The same is true about working in the nursery. The same is true about singing in the praise team or choir. The same is true about working in the youth or children’s ministry.
Illustration: An ad appeared in a London newspaper that could well represent the demand of being a servant. “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, and bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” The ad was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antartctic explorer. Thousands responded instantly to the call. They were ready to sacrifice all for the elation of adventure and uncertain honor. Should God’s children do less? (P. 1273. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations. Edited by Paul Lee Tan)
3. The last aspect of serving,I want to examine, is the Privilege of being a Servant
“At the close of life, the question will not be, how much have you got, but how much have you given, not how much have you won, but how much have you done, not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed. The real question will be how much have you loved and served, not how much were you honored?” (Nathan C. Schaeffer. Quotable Quotations. P. 350. Compiled by Lloyd Cory) I want you to leave this room with the understanding that serving other people is a great privilege. The first two parts of this sermon have focused on the negative aspects of servant hood, the demands and the objections. Service has its demands. Service has its trials. It has its frustrations. However, if you serve other people you need to walk with your head held high because there is no greater privilege. Also, if you are not serving in some ministry capacity I encourage you to take the leap. There is no greater privilege!
Why is it such a privilege to be a servant?
A. A servant has the privilege of seeing others blessed through their ministry.
Illustration: While serving a church in Florida I experienced such a blessing. We had a senior adult man in that church that had a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, his was the worst case I have ever seen. His knuckles were swollen twice their normal size. He hurt constantly. This man accepted Christ as an older person. After accepting Christ he wanted to be baptized. I did not see any way that this man could get into the baptistry. However, he persisted in his desire. One of our deacons came up with an idea of carrying him into the baptistry on a stretcher. The volunteer fire department had a device that could serve as a wheel chair or as a stretcher. We strapped the man to this stretcher device and two of the deacons and I carried him into the baptistry and baptized him. I will never forget that event. It made that man so happy! We were a part of serving that man’s need.
What a great privilege!
Those of you who teach Sunday School, serve in VBS, lead a mission organization, work in AWANAS and such ministries know the joy of seeing a child or student make a commitment to Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy. It is a joy to realize that you had a small part in that taking place.
B. Serving others is a privilege because you see others blessed through you. Also, serving others is a privilege because there is no higher calling.
Elizabeth Dole, former Secretary of Transportation & Presidential candidate said: “Life is not just a few years to spend on self-indulgence and career advancement. It is a privilege, a responsibility and a stewardship to be lived according to a much higher calling.” (Contributed to Sermon Central by Roy Fowler) Our higher calling is to be used of God to bless other people.
- Jesus defined greatness with the word servant. He said "he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Mt. 23:11 NKJV)
- The apostle Paul proudly called himself a servant of Jesus Christ. Listen to Paul’s definition of himself in Romans, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 1:1 NKJV) Does that sound like a man who was ashamed of his role? He wore the servant title as a badge of honor.
Illustration: A man by the name of Robert Greenleaf, who was once the director of management research for American Telephone and Telegraph, wrote a book entitled Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Greenleaf maintains that true greatness is found in serving. (Referenced in Bringing Out the Best in People, How to Enjoy Helping Others Excel. P. 177. Alan Loy McGinnin)
Where are you today? Do you need to be reminded of the privilege of serving others? Have you lost the joy of service? Maybe some of you have never experienced the true joy of service. God wants you to take a step of obedience and offer yourself for service in the Lord’s work.
