Deacons and the Joy and Salvation of Our King

Acts 2:42-47; 6:1-7
October 10, 2021
Abraham Hong

Sermon Script

Last Sunday, we considered how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of the Father - and how an important part of his session and his ministry comes to us through his deacons.

There was a lack of manpower in the church in Acts. Certain widows were being neglected in the distribution of food. And so Jesus created the office of the deacon.

The existence of deacons would allow the elders of the church to devote themselves fully to prayer and to the ministry of God’s word. And the existence of deacons would allow certain men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, who would be appointed to the duty of fully devoting themselves to the practical love and care of God’s people. Praise the Lord for his session ministry to his church.

Lord willing, in a few weeks, we will have deacons. New English-speaking deacons for our church. This is exciting. This is historic.

And this is so very encouraging. There will be more cheer and greater morale at our church. There will be more encouragement and comfort here at Highland. And the reason why is this: because deacons are in the business of salvation joy.

This is the big picture for deacons. Deacons exist to make sure that all church members enjoy the salvation joy that comes with Christ our King. Deacons make sure that no one is neglected and left out from experiencing the joy of salvation as we wait for the return of Jesus.

In today’s passage in Acts 2:42-47, we see a beautiful portrait of a church that is full of salvation joy. The church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship. Why? Because they were so joyful about the salvation of Jesus. The church broke bread together in their homes they and worshipped and prayed together. Why? Because they were joyfully celebrating the salvation of Jesus. The church were distributing resources to any who were in need. Why? Because in light of the salvation of Jesus, they were joyfully treasuring one another and they were joyfully laying up true treasures in heaven. The church received food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. Why? Because they were all recipients of the salvation joy of Christ Jesus.

This is a portrait that is so beautiful and warm and cozy and welcoming and tender. It’s like the feeling you get when it’s Sunday night and you’re at a G5 gathering at the home of a church member. Remember those gatherings? Remember the food and games? Remember the stories and the conversations and the laugther? Remember the hospitality? Remember the times of prayer and thanksgiving? A beautiful portrait of a church that is full of salvation joy.

And the ultimate job of the deacon is to protect and promote this. This salvation joy. Through the practical love and care of all church members. Deacons are in the business of the glorious salvation joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And there is no business like salvation joy business. There is no greater joy than knowing that your sins are forgiven. There is no greater joy than the joy of victory over death. There is no greater joy than being adopted as true sons and true daughters into the royal family of God. There is no greater joy than the joy of being a friend of the King.

Deacons are like hosts of parties. Deacons are therefore entrusted to host the most warm and the most welcoming experience of all. Why? Because the most warm and the most welcoming one of all is Jesus himself. And Jesus ministers his warmth and his welcome through his deacons.

Protecting and promoting the salvation joy of Christ through practical love and care of all church members is no small thing. In fact, at times, it can be quite heart-breaking. In Acts 6, when we are told that certain widows were being neglected in the daily distribution, that ought to break our hearts. These widows were being neglected - neglected in the church’s celebration of the joy and salvation of jesus. One of the worst feelings in the world is when you show up to a party but you are left alone. How would you feel when you don’t feel like you belong? And one of the worst feelings in the world is when you host a party but you run out of food. How would you feel when a guest has no food to put on his or her plate?

Jesus knows how all of this feels like. And as the king and head of his church, Jesus does not want anyone to be neglected from the joy of his salvation.

And so Jesus gives his church deacons. Deacons who will protect the joy and salvation of Christ. Deacons who will protect against neglect. Jesus gives his church deacons who will promote kindness and friendliness and benevolence and charity. Jesus gives his church deacons who will have a heart for all church members and love and care for them. Jesus gives his church deacons who will take seriously the joy of his salvation - the joy and the salvation of our king. Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dear Highland, let us look forward to all of this. Lord willing, in a few weeks, we will have deacons. New English-speaking deacons for our church. This is exciting. This is historic. And there is so much to look forward to. I look forward to seeing greater cheer and morale and encouragement and comfort here at Highland. I look forward to seeing a community of saints who grow in assurance that they truly belong here at Highland. These are exciting and historic times. Let us give thanks and praise as our King brings forth for us new deacons.

May the grace of the Lord be with you all. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria