Deacons and the Gift of Helps

# 99 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 3:8 “Likewise deacons...” We're continuing our look at the office of deacon in the church. What started out as an important step in the advancement of God's church has grown to remain an important part of the local congregation to this day. Leave us never forget that the pastor's primary responsibilities include prayer and ministering the Word of God to the flock. Deacons free him up to fulfill his calling. Many of the qualifications for deacons will be the same as those for bishops or pastors, but one of the qualifications that is missing for the deacon is the ability to teach. It is not necessary to be able to pontificate on the treasures of the Word of God, rather, the deacon must be willing to roll up their shirtsleeves and help wherever that help is needed. 1Co 12:28 mentions this gift of “helps” along with others as gifts given to the church by our Lord Himself! “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Deacons generally take care of the outward needs of the church, and in general serve by watching over the day to day operations. This office is given special mention by Paul in his letter to the Phillipians: Php 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” This tells us that the appointment of deacons was a regular procedure in the planting of churches. And in Ro 16:1, we read of a woman named Phoebe who served in this capacity. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, This office is open to men and women. Healthy congregations need deacons, (servants) of this sort, or their pastors will either burn out or pay too much attention to things other than the Word of God! This office has not only been invaluable to the church through the years, but to the world as well. Just think about it. How many hospitals carry the name of “deaconess.” and how many orphanages have been established through the church and people who serve in this capacity! Holy Spirit people, filled with wisdom and able to meet the criteria which we will cover in the next couple of days are a vital part of the church of God, and whether elected by the congregation or hired by the board, they ought to be prayed over and have hands laid on them by the elders of the congregation, as they embark on their good work.