These notes are for the 9:00am service. The 10:45am message notes can be found here.

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For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NLT

• Every member of Emmanuel is a

.
• Am I a

Reveal Answer

?
• Am I a

Reveal Answer

?

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NLT

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Acts 6:1–7 NLT

• The role of a deacon was initiated through a

of labor in the church.

• Growth breeds

and change breeds

Reveal Answer

.

“Deacons are the model servants who excel in being attentive and responsive to tangible needs in the life of the church. When deacons flourish, the whole congregation wins.” Matthew Smethurst

How Deacons Serve the Church
1) Deacons identify

in the church family

But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” Matthew 14:16 NLT

• A gifted deacon will

needs and not just respond.

2) Deacons promote

I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

• A gifted deacon stands on conviction without being

.

3) Deacons support and strengthen the work of the

We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word. Acts 6:3-4 NLT

• A gifted deacon understands it’s more about

than stage work.

4) Deacons

Christlikeness for the church family

And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Acts 6:3 NLT

• A gifted deacon serves like

.

Next Steps

I will serve the Lord as gifted and where needed.

My Notes