Celebrating Deacon Ordination: A Call to Serve
Summary
In today's gathering at Lexington Park Baptist Church, we celebrated the ordination of two new deacons, Brian Bain and Randy Jackson, marking a significant moment in our church's journey. This occasion reminds us of the biblical foundation for deacons, as outlined in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3. Deacons are called to serve the church, ensuring that the needs of the congregation are met, allowing pastors to focus on preaching and spiritual leadership. This structure, established in the early church, is vital for maintaining a healthy and unified body of Christ.
The role of a deacon is not just a title but a calling to serve with integrity, wisdom, and a spirit-filled life. As we laid hands on Brian and Randy, we extended the authority and responsibility to them, trusting them to uphold the values and mission of our church. This ordination is a call to all of us to live lives worthy of respect, filled with the Spirit, and guided by godly wisdom. It is a reminder that every believer is called to a high standard of living, reflecting the character of Christ in all aspects of life.
Today's service also emphasized the importance of unity and service within the church. We are all accountable to one another, and our actions should lead to the spread of God's word and the growth of disciples. As we move forward, let us support our deacons and pastors, ensuring that our church remains a beacon of hope and truth in our community. Let us be committed to spreading the gospel, increasing the number of disciples, and bringing others to faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The ordination of deacons is a biblical practice that ensures the church functions effectively, allowing pastors to focus on preaching and spiritual leadership. Deacons are called to serve with integrity, wisdom, and a spirit-filled life, reflecting the character of Christ. [01:03:37]
- Every believer is called to live a life worthy of respect, filled with the Spirit, and guided by godly wisdom. This high standard is not just for deacons and pastors but for all Christians, as we are all accountable to one another in the body of Christ. [01:14:44]
- Unity and service within the church are essential for spreading God's word and growing disciples. By supporting our deacons and pastors, we ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and truth in our community. [01:26:43]
- The role of a deacon is not just a title but a calling to serve the church and meet the needs of the congregation. This service allows pastors to focus on their primary responsibilities, leading to a healthy and unified church body. [01:10:16]
- Our actions as a church should lead to the spread of God's word and the growth of disciples. By aligning with God's design for the church, we can impact our community and bring others to faith in Jesus Christ. [01:29:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[22:55] - Farewell to the Hollins Family
[25:59] - Caring Well Sunday
[46:15] - Hymn of Heaven
[47:13] - Offertory Prayer
[55:36] - Deacon Ordination Begins
[56:30] - Training and Preparation
[57:32] - The Role of Deacons
[01:03:37] - Living Up to the Standard
[01:05:41] - Acts 6: The Need for Deacons
[01:10:16] - Authority and Responsibility
[01:14:44] - Encouragement for New Deacons
[01:26:43] - Serving the Church Well
[01:29:26] - The Impact of a Healthy Church
[01:33:50] - Call to Action and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:1-7
- 1 Timothy 3:8-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the primary reason for appointing deacons in the early church according to Acts 6:1-7? How did this help the apostles? [01:05:41]
2. In 1 Timothy 3:8-13, what are some of the qualifications listed for someone to serve as a deacon?
3. During the sermon, what was emphasized as the main role of deacons in the church? [01:03:37]
4. How did the ordination of Brian Bain and Randy Jackson reflect the biblical standards for deacons mentioned in the sermon? [01:14:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the role of a deacon, as described in Acts 6, contribute to the overall health and unity of the church? [01:10:16]
2. What might be the significance of the requirement for deacons to be "full of the Spirit and wisdom" as mentioned in Acts 6:3?
3. How does the sermon suggest that the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 apply to all believers, not just those in leadership? [01:03:37]
4. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of unity and service within the church community? [01:26:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Which of these qualities do you feel you need to develop more in your own life, and what steps can you take to do so?
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of supporting church leaders. How can you actively support the deacons and pastors in your church community? [01:26:43]
3. Consider the role of unity in the church as discussed in the sermon. Are there any areas in your life where you might be contributing to disunity, and how can you address this? [01:29:26]
4. The sermon called all believers to live lives worthy of respect. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect the character of Christ in your daily interactions? [01:14:44]
5. How can you contribute to the spread of God's word and the growth of disciples in your community, as encouraged in the sermon? [01:29:26]
6. Think about a time when you were called to serve in a capacity that stretched you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of being filled with the Spirit. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are living a Spirit-filled life? [01:03:37]
Devotional
Day 1: The Role of Deacons in Church Health
The ordination of deacons is a biblical practice that ensures the church functions effectively, allowing pastors to focus on preaching and spiritual leadership. Deacons are called to serve with integrity, wisdom, and a spirit-filled life, reflecting the character of Christ. This structure, established in the early church, is vital for maintaining a healthy and unified body of Christ. Deacons are not merely titleholders but are entrusted with the responsibility to meet the needs of the congregation, ensuring that the church operates smoothly and efficiently. Their service allows pastors to dedicate themselves to their primary responsibilities, which include preaching and spiritual guidance. This balance is crucial for the church to thrive and fulfill its mission. [01:03:37]
Acts 6:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider the roles you play in your community or church. How can you serve with integrity and wisdom, reflecting the character of Christ in your actions today?
Day 2: A Call to Live Worthy Lives
Every believer is called to live a life worthy of respect, filled with the Spirit, and guided by godly wisdom. This high standard is not just for deacons and pastors but for all Christians, as we are all accountable to one another in the body of Christ. Living a life worthy of respect means embodying the values and teachings of Jesus in every aspect of life. It involves being filled with the Spirit, allowing His guidance to influence decisions and actions. This calling is a reminder that each believer has a responsibility to uphold the values of the faith, contributing to the unity and growth of the church community. [01:14:44]
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can better reflect the character of Christ. What practical steps can you take today to align more closely with His teachings?
Day 3: Unity and Service in the Church
Unity and service within the church are essential for spreading God's word and growing disciples. By supporting our deacons and pastors, we ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and truth in our community. The church is called to be a unified body, working together to fulfill its mission. This involves serving one another and supporting church leaders in their roles. When the church operates in unity, it becomes a powerful force for spreading the gospel and making disciples. Each member has a role to play in maintaining this unity, contributing to the church's effectiveness in its mission. [01:26:43]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: Think of a way you can support your church leaders or fellow members this week. How can your actions contribute to the unity and mission of your church?
Day 4: The Calling of a Deacon
The role of a deacon is not just a title but a calling to serve the church and meet the needs of the congregation. This service allows pastors to focus on their primary responsibilities, leading to a healthy and unified church body. Deacons are entrusted with significant responsibilities, requiring them to serve with integrity and dedication. Their role is crucial in ensuring that the church functions effectively, meeting the needs of its members and supporting the pastors in their spiritual leadership. This calling is a reminder of the importance of service and dedication in the life of a believer. [01:10:16]
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Reflect on your own calling to serve within your community or church. What steps can you take to fulfill this calling with integrity and dedication?
Day 5: Impacting the Community Through the Church
Our actions as a church should lead to the spread of God's word and the growth of disciples. By aligning with God's design for the church, we can impact our community and bring others to faith in Jesus Christ. The church is called to be a light in the community, spreading the message of hope and truth. This involves not only preaching the gospel but also living it out in daily actions. When the church aligns with God's design, it becomes a powerful force for change, impacting the community and drawing others to faith. Each member has a role to play in this mission, contributing to the church's effectiveness in spreading the gospel. [01:29:26]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community today? What specific actions can you take to share the hope and truth of the gospel with those around you?
Quotes
"Serving as a deacon is serving. That's what it's supposed to be. They serve you. So, I want to thank you all for seeing confidence in these guys. I want to quote now in Acts chapter six, you have found them to be men of good reputation. You have found them to be men that are spiritually mature, and you have found them to be men of good reputation. So, I want to thank you that are of godly wisdom. With those three things, it is my privilege in the deacon body now to pray over these two men and ordain them as deacons in the ministry of Lexington Park Baptist Church, and all of God's people say, amen." [00:57:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because every single one of us, men and women in this room, should live up to the standard that's required of the pastor and the deacons. Just, you have the same requirements. You should want to be filled. with the same wisdom and the spirit and the good reputation that would require someone or allow someone to become a deacon or a pastor. So I want to encourage you to listen to these things. You apply it to your life. Even though I'll be saying some things to Brian and Randy specifically, I want you to hear that it also applies to you." [01:03:25] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's design is God's design and it's best. Amen? So he's given us the body of Christ. That's all of us. We're here to serve together. We're here to be the hands and feet of Jesus. And then God has created deacons to serve. Within that body and God has given pastor or the office of pastor to lead the flock of God's people underneath him as the great shepherd. In 1 Peter 5, 1 through 4, he tells me that as an under shepherd, my job and I'm accountable someday to the chief shepherd." [01:04:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Are you accountable to me? Everybody say yes. Right? Guess what? We're accountable to each other. I'm still part of this body of Christ. I just fulfill the role of pastor, which comes with some sense of authority, but the authority comes from who? Jesus. Right? Think about this. You have authority too, so don't get afraid of that word. When Jesus left, he says, all authority I give to you, in Matthew 28, before he gives the Great Commission. He's extending us the authority of the gospel to take it to the ends of the earth. That's a huge responsibility." [01:10:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"From the earliest days in the church, deacons were also to be men of good reputation. From among you, to be filled spiritually with the Holy Spirit, you have the evidence of a life that's been changed and they have godly wisdom. That is what we look for. I want to stop right there. We don't even need Timothy. We will look at Timothy in a minute. That is what they look for in a man." [01:11:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Every single one of us in this room, the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the power to save. Paul tells us we're to be unashamed of it. These two men must be unashamed of the gospel. These two men must uphold the gospel. These two men must with clear conscience say that I believe there is no waving in me. Jesus is the only way. Guess what? Every Christian should say that. Amen." [01:20:00] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"To every believer in this room, you should have the same standards. You should have these same standards of yourself. Hold yourself to these same standards. In Acts 6 .6, it says that they prayed and laid hands over them. For this purpose today, we have done that, extending that authority and responsibility to serve the body of Christ. Making sure the distinction is pastors preach and lead, deacons serve. Deacons deke. All right? So let's make sure we understand that distinction." [01:25:34] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"May you be found with great boldness in your faith for Jesus Christ. That's the ending right there of that text in verse 13. May all those things be said of you, not just in heaven. Listen, if a deacon does a good job, don't wait till they die to say it at their funeral. If a preacher does a good job, don't wait till I die to say it at my funeral. Tell them now. Tell them now. Tell them I appreciate you. Thank you for serving me. Thank you for what you do. Come alongside them. Guess what? As much as they serve you, you should serve them." [01:27:02] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"May your actions today lead to this result. In the first century church, because they established the pastorate and the deacons. Listen to what happened. The word of God spread. Does our community and our nation need this word? I mean, that's right, right? The White House just follows every line and script in this, right? Right? Yes? There'll be no politics. There'll be no politicians that does that. The word needs to spread." [01:29:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Do you know Jesus and are you walking in obedience to him? Do you have the same faith in the gospel that these deacons are supposed to have? Is that applied to your life? If not, I ask you to submit to that and fall in line with that. Are you concerned about increasing the number of people that are coming to Jesus Christ? Are you concerned about increasing in disciples and making other people come to know Jesus Christ? And are you passionate about that? And then lastly, are you doing your part to make sure the word of God spreads?" [01:33:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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