Those Who Serve: ''The Ministry of the Deacon''
Richard A. Bradley
I Thessalonians 5:12-13
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
There are two types of callings related to the work of the church. There is a calling that comes from God and we describe that as a ministerial calling. There is also a calling that comes from the church itself and that is a call to the deacon ministry. A deacon, by definition, is a lay minister who has been called by the church to minister to its spiritual and material needs.
This calling stems from the first appearance of deacons in the book of Acts in the New Testament:
Acts 6:1-4: 1 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;
The responsibility of the church is to know its men well enough to be able to recognize in them the qualities and spiritual gifts that are necessary for someone to serve as a deacon. Being a deacon is neither a political nor a popularity contest. It is a calling from the church to minister and it can be a tough job. Look at how Paul described the church's relationship with those who serve.
1. THE CHURCH MUST KNOW THOSE WHO SERVE AS DEACONS
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, This doesn't mean to know someone on sight. Paul's admonition has to do ...
Richard A. Bradley
I Thessalonians 5:12-13
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
There are two types of callings related to the work of the church. There is a calling that comes from God and we describe that as a ministerial calling. There is also a calling that comes from the church itself and that is a call to the deacon ministry. A deacon, by definition, is a lay minister who has been called by the church to minister to its spiritual and material needs.
This calling stems from the first appearance of deacons in the book of Acts in the New Testament:
Acts 6:1-4: 1 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;
The responsibility of the church is to know its men well enough to be able to recognize in them the qualities and spiritual gifts that are necessary for someone to serve as a deacon. Being a deacon is neither a political nor a popularity contest. It is a calling from the church to minister and it can be a tough job. Look at how Paul described the church's relationship with those who serve.
1. THE CHURCH MUST KNOW THOSE WHO SERVE AS DEACONS
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, This doesn't mean to know someone on sight. Paul's admonition has to do ...
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