Deacons Save The Church

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”
— Acts 6:1

1. The church is experiencing growing pains.

Growth brings a perceived lack of care.
Complaints are the gateway to division.
Growth leads to unrealistic expectations of leadership.

2. The church is experiencing a cultural conflict.

“And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.’”
— Acts 6:2

New challenges/problems call for new leadership.

“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
— Acts 6:3-4

“And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.”
— Acts 6:5

“These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”
— Acts 6:6

“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
— Acts 6:7

The appointment of deacons has missional impact.

DEACON
A servant of Christ who demonstrates the character of Christ, follows the wisdom of Christ, and serves the needs of the Body of Christ.
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 3:8-13

We need to support and appoint church leaders (deacons).
We must do whatever it takes to reach the lost.

Small Things Lead to Big Things.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8