Thank you, Deacons
Acts 6:7 (TPT) God’s word reigned supreme and kept spreading. The number of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem quickly grew and increased by the day. Even a great number of Jewish priests became believers and were obedient to the faith!
The Apostles were going to have to get involved in taking care of the widows as some of the Grecian widows were being neglected. I don’t think they were opposed to helping serve but then, if they did serve them, it would cause them to neglect the Word of God. So, this is where the first seven deacons were appointed. These first seven were all men who had to pass some very strict standards. Their job as a deacon was not to form a committee or be on a Board of Deacons, it was to serve the people of God. They represented the Apostles to the people, not the people to the Apostles. They found seven, laid hands on them and set them in front of the people and everyone, the whole multitude, was pleased. What I want you to see is the results of the deacons’ ministry when done properly.
Our verse says that first the Word of God increased. When deacons are in their place doing the work the Lord has assigned them to do, it should give the ministers more time to play golf, right? Oh no; that’s not it. It was for the ministers to be able to give themselves to prayer and the Word of God. Therefore, the revelation of the Word of God increased among these people because the Apostles and ministers were spending their time praying and getting in the Word of God. The next thing that happened is the church quickly grew; the KJV says the number of the disciples multiplied. A multitude times two is really good. This all came about because the deacons got in their place. The last result is awesome; a great number of the religious priests were converted, got born again, and became obedient to the faith. How did that happen? The deacons being in place caused the Apostles to stay in their place. It allowed a revelation of the Word of God to be ministered, and I assure you that signs followed the Word of God; and when the religious priests saw what God was doing, they converted.
I thank God for all our deacons. They are the leaders of our church, and leaders in the body of Christ are of utmost importance to the plan of God at any church. What does a deacon do? They lead the parking lot team, the greeters, the CATCH team, the Ushers, the Worship team, and on and on. Any church that is going to do something for God must have true deacons. We have some of the best; thank them for what they do. Well, what if I think I am supposed to be a deacon or a leader? Then, my suggestion is to find somewhere and serve. The Lord said to appoint faithful people to these positions. So, He first has to find you faithful. Serve someone!