1. Deacons—Greatest in the Church
Acts 6:1-4

2. 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;
4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Acts 6:1-4

3. God’s Eternal Plan

4. God’s Eternal Plan
Known before sin entered the world

5. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it

6. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it

7. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it
Jesus revealed it

8. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it
Jesus revealed it
It was a plan of service (diakanos)

9. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it
Jesus revealed it
It was a plan of service (diakanos)
He showed it

10. 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served (diakonos), but to serve (diakonos), and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. 20:28

11. 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served (diakonos), but to serve (diakonos), and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. 20:28
27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves (diakonos)? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves (diakonos) Luke 22:27

12. God’s Eternal Plan Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it
Jesus revealed it
It was a plan of service (diakanos)
He showed it
He glorified it—greatest on earth

13. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant (diakonos) Matt. 20:26

14. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant (diakonos) Matt. 20:26
Mat 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant (diakonos) Matt. 23:11

15. A Study of Service—diakonos--deacons
God’s Eternal Plan
Known before sin entered the world
No man could imagine it
No man comprehended it
Jesus revealed it
It was a plan of service
He showed it
He glorified it—greatest on earth
Today’s lesson:
A Study of Service—diakonos--deacons

16. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6

17. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem

18. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs

19. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows

20. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?

21. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?
Church to find men qualified to serve

22. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?
Church to find men qualified to serve
These men too see work was done

23. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?
Church to find men qualified to serve
These men too see work was done
Freed apostles for greater service

24. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6 Every Christian serves!
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?
Church to find men qualified to serve
These men too see work was done
Freed apostles for greater service
Every Christian serves!

25. His Serving Plan Revealed Acts 6
Rapid growth of church created problem
Widows and their daily needs
Apostles work not to attend to widows
Solution?
Church to find men qualified to serve
These men too see work was done
Freed apostles for greater service
Every Christian serves!
Some are special servants--diakanos

26. What Does a Deacon Look Like?

27. What Does a Deacon Look Like?
Spiritually minded man

28. Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men

29. Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word

30. Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Gentle

31. Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Gentle

32. Spiritual Body & Spiritual Men
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

33. What Does a Deacon Look Like?
Spiritually minded man
One who is proven (tested)

34. What Does a Deacon Look Like?
Spiritually minded man
One who is proven (tested)
You can trust the work to him

35. What Does a Deacon Look Like?
Spiritually minded man
One who is proven (tested)
You can trust the work to him
Has special qualities

36. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

37. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

38. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

39. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

40. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

41. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

42. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Husband of
one wife
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

43. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Rules his house well
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Husband of
one wife
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

44. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Rules his house well
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Leads children well
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Husband of
one wife
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober

45. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons Wife: reverent & not a slanderer
Rules his house well
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Leads children well
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Husband of
one wife
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober
Wife: reverent & not a slanderer

46. Spiritual Body & Its Deacons
Rules his house well
Not self-
willed
Hospitable
Blameless
Not double-
tongued
Self
Controlled
Good
Behavior
Of Good
Report
Not
Covetous
Violent
Not Quick-
Tempered
Fast to
The Word
Leads children well
Gentle
Holy
Just
Lover of
Good
Reverent
Husband of
one wife
Not Given
To Much Wine
Able to
Teach
Temperate
Not
Quarrelsome
Greedy
Sober
Wife: temperate & faithful in all things
Wife: reverent & not a slanderer

47. Important Matters to Remember

48. Important Matters to Remember
Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special

49. Important Matters to Remember
Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special
Seriousness of selection today

50. Important Matters to Remember
Must possess all qualities—positive, negative and special
Seriousness of selection today
Not a popularity selection

51. Entering His Spiritual Body

52. Entering His Spiritual Body
Believe John 8:24

53. Entering His Spiritual Body
Believe John 8:24
Repent Acts 17:31

54. Entering His Spiritual Body
Believe John 8:24
Repent Acts 17:31
Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

55. Entering His Spiritual Body
Believe John 8:24
Repent Acts 17:31
Confess Faith Matt. 10:32
Be Baptized Acts 22:16

56. Entering His Spiritual Body Added to His church, His body, His kingdom
Believe John 8:24
Repent Acts 17:31
Confess Faith Matt. 10:32
Be Baptized Acts 22:16
Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

57. Entering His Spiritual Body Added to His church, His body, His kingdom
Believe John 8:24
Repent Acts 17:31
Confess Faith Matt. 10:32
Be Baptized Acts 22:16
Added to His church, His body, His kingdom
Be Faithful Rev. 2:10