1. Welcome To The Services Of The We Are Thankful For Your Presence!
Dunlap church of Christ
We Are Thankful For Your Presence!

2. Welcome Questions? Just Let Us Know! To The Services Of The
Dunlap church of Christ
Questions? Just Let Us Know!

3. Acts 6:1-7
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”

4. (2) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

5. (3) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

6. (4) But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (5) And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,”

7. “and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (6) Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”

8. (7) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

9. A Great Church Is Built
“One Brick At A Time”

10. Brick #2 - DETERMINATION
Brick #1 - PURPOSE
Brick #2 - DETERMINATION
Brick #3 - UNITY
Brick #4 - PREACHERS
Brick #5 - ELDERS
Brick #6 – THE HOME
Brick #7 – WORSHIP
Brick #8 – BIBLE SCHOOL
Brick #9 – DEACONS

11. Balance

12. Balance

13. Balance?

14. Balance?

15. Balance

16. Philippians 1:1
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”
“deacon” – used 30 times in the N.T. but only 4 in an “official” appointed sense,
I Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13

17. “diákonos” Matthew 20:25-28 “minister, servant, assistant”
In a general sense, every Christian is a servant (minister).
Matthew 20:25-28
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.”

18. (26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”

19. (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“Service” being the golden path to greatness had never dawned on the world before!

20. Interestingly…
The deacons, who are a large part in many congregations, are often the forgotten men!
Deacons make a difference!
Since the bottom line of all work for Christ is service, no one better epitomizes that than the deacons!

21. Correcting Wrong Thinking
The work of deacons is menial, lowly and unskilled work.
Many of their responsibilities are matched to the skills of the deacon.
The fact is, until a person learns to serve, he cannot lead.
He who is too big to be a deacon is too little to be an elder!

22. Correcting Wrong Thinking
Qualifications are not simply suggestions.
V.10 “let these also first be proved”
The idea that you appoint men as deacons in hopes that they will become good workers is ridiculous.

23. Involvement The Key To Success
Whether it’s the work of the deacons, or any other scriptural purpose for that matter, the key to success is in involving every Christian in the use of his/her talents for Christ in addition to their faithful attendance.
Involvement

24. Ephesians 4:15-16
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

25. What About Acts 6?
Are These The First “Deacons”?
They are “servants” and even “special servants” but not deacons in the Philipp.1:1 & I Tim.3 sense.
Different qualifications, different work, different situation.

26. What About Acts 6?
These men were brought into this work to preserve the unity of the church, to stop the murmuring & complaints of neglect, whether the problem was real or not!

27. God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24)
REPENT (Luke 13:3)
CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10)
BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27)
ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

28. Are You Wayward?
“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” (Acts 8:22)
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)