Chosen to Serve the Body

Derek Staples Jan 17, 2012

“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. 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. 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.” 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. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 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: 1-7, ESV)

On January 8, seven men were set aside by our church as men “of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3). These men were placed through the filter of “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). They were questioned at length by our deacon body as to their personal salvation in Jesus Christ alone, their understanding of the authority of Scripture and the Godhead as is revealed within, and their future role as a servant leader in our church.

These men will join a band of brothers whose calling is to wait tables, wash feet, serve others, care for widows, to consider the needs of others as more important as their own. Who is sufficient for such a task? Who feels worthy to take on this kind of role? Certainly the men ordained yesterday understand their own unworthiness in these things. This is why they were set aside. They understand that God is made strong in human weakness. God is glorified when men and women serve in the strength that God supplies. It is only in denial of the flesh and the absolute reliance upon the power of the Holy Spirit that anything right and good can be done.

The Book of Acts tells us the result of godly servant leaders is that “the word of God increases, the disciples multiply in number, and the rest of the Body is inspired to be obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). What an incredible vision for the local church. When godly men are set aside to serve so that the pastors can focus on prayer and the teaching ministry of the Word, the result is increase and inspiration.

Your role in this: look and listen; watch and pray. Look for others in the church possessed by the Holy Spirit. Listen to their heart when they speak. Watch what their lives say day in and day out. Pray earnestly for the Father to set aside more servant leaders to care for the flock, to wait tables, to wash feet, to humbly serve others on behalf of Jesus Christ. The future growth and health of the church is your motivation to be diligent in such things. Pray hard for these seven and for the rest of our deacon body. Pray for Greg Bonds as he serves as chairman of our deacons. Finally, pray that our local fellowship of believers will resemble the early church in Acts throughout 2012.

Derek

PRAYER:

January 23rd is the day that I will be donating a kidney to Jennifer Borders. It is mind blowing to think that God the Father would call me to Himself as a young man, place me in ministry in 1980, and then bring me to Jacksonville to serve the precious congregation called FBC, all the while knowing that January 23 would come. Julie and I are convinced that God alone has led this entire process. No man could orchestrate these things. Julie and I count it a privilege to minister to Jason and his family in this way.

Please begin praying now that the transplant will be a success for Jennifer. Pray that she will enjoy many more years with her family. Pray that both our recovery times would be swift. Pray that doors of opportunity will be opened for us to share Christ with the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff at UAB. Pray that the Father would watch over our families. Pray for our church staff as they lead in my absence. And ultimately, pray that our Heavenly Father would be glorified in all things.