An Illustration Of New Testament Deacon-Ministry From The Old Testament

Exodus 17:8-13 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

Introduction:

There are two places we look to in the New Testament when studying the subject of deacons: Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:7-13. A deacon's most fundamental function is to "serve". Deacons serve the spiritual leadership and the people of God. Though the office of Deacon is a New Testament office in the church, the principle of certain persons serving God's people and spiritual leadership are found in the Old Testament. One example of this is found in Exodus 17:8-13. 

The battle between Joshua and the Amalekites would be any other battle except for one detail: two men holding up Moses' arms atop the mountain overlooking the scene. Joshua was charged to lead the ancient Israelite army against the Amalekite forces. Military prowess would not win this battle. Prayer would see this victory. The battle on the ground would follow the course of the battle atop the mountain.

Whenever I see Aaron and Hur propping-up Moses' arms, there is a picture of the place of Deacons in conjunction with the pastor. Just as Moses was a servant of God, leading the people of God and preaching His word (see the three main sermons of Deuteronomy 4-27 and Hebrews 3:4), so to is the pastor a servant leader that is called to feed the flock with the Word of God (see 1 Peter 5:1-4). Moses told Joshua in Exodus 17:9 that he would "station himself" atop the mountain whilst the people of God fought their enemy. Pastors stand in the gap to equip God's people, preach His word and pray (see 1 Timothy 4:13-16; Hebrews 13:7,17). In Acts 6:2-4 we find the Apostles describing what they did as that of "giving ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word". 

As the church militant fights the fight of faith, needs arise. We find in Exodus 17 the forces of Amalek opposing God's people. Lest there were prayer warriors standing in the gap, the three "d's" (doubt, depression, discouragement) would set-in on the people. Moses was stationed. Moses became spent. Ministry is draining if not accompanied by regular intercession - which was why Aaron and Hur came along side Moses. 

In Acts 6 we find great need. Certain widows in the church were neglected. The Apostles knew that pure religion before our God is that widows and orphans are cared for in time of need (see James 1:26-27). Yet they also knew that the Gospel needed to spread throughout the Mediterranean world. The time came to request of the church to select seven men - i.e., the archetypes to New Testament Deacons. We read in Acts 6:3-5a

"Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation....".

Deacon ministry is not easy, nor is it for everyone - yet it is vitally important. Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13 lay out the following "job-description":

1. Be a servant. Acts 6:2; 1 Timothy 3:13
2. Be Spirit-filled. Acts 6:3

a. Have a testimony  “who are known”
b. Filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit
c. Full of or characterized by wisdom

3. Be a committed Christian that desires influence others for Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-12

a. Worthy of respect 3:8
b. Sincere (not talking out of both sides of the mouth) 3:8
c. Not given to much wine 3:8
d. Not greed (competing for material wealth) 3:8
e. Holding the deep truths of the faith (committed to biblical truth) 3:9
f. Above reproach (no one has anything bad to say about them) 3:10
g. Be tested (Looking for spiritual and moral integrity) 3:10
h. Faithful and believing wife 3:11
i. Have a well-managed or sound household 3:12

j. Sound marriage 3:12

The result? In Acts 6, needs were met and the Gospel spread. Whenever we see Aaron and Hur upholding Moses' arms in Exodus 17, what is the outcome? Exodus 17:12-13 states:

"But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

Closing thoughts:

Good, godly servants of the Lord - Aaron and Hur - were willing, available and ready to serve God's man and God's people. Joshua and the Israelites were all the better for it. The battle on the ground was influenced by what went on above them. These same principles are why we have New Testament Deacon ministry. When good, godly men, willing and ready to serve, step up to aid their pastors and God's people - everyone wins. 

P2God's desire to improve pastors, deacons and churches together

1 Timothy 3:15-16 "I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself inthe household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."

Introduction
Yesterday we began considering how God desires to improve pastors and churches to go from where they're at to where Jesus wants them to be. As we labored on that main point, we discovered that it all begins with the pastor, since he is the spiritual leader of the flock. We all can improve. But we must understand that the call for improvement is not about moralism, applying coats of paint on buildings and putting in new carpets. Certainly such improvements have their place. Rather, a pastor and the local church he pastors must be humble enough and honest enough to say: "there is too much of me and not enough Jesus". That was yesterday's post. Today we will conclude this two-part series by considering how the Deacons function in God's desire to improve the church towards Christ-likeness.

God's place for Deacons in His project of improving the church to go from where it is to where Jesus wants it to be
As we have already mentioned, these same sentiments also apply to the Deacons and ultimately the church membership. The second section of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 focuses on Deacons. Deacons are the servants to the church. Minus the requirement for expounding God's Word, Deacons are expected to have the same level of moral and spiritual maturity as the Pastor. Deacons need to have sound Godly character (1 Timothy 3:8-10). Likewise, they along with their wives need to have a godly homelife and marriage if they expect to retain their qualifications. Paul then makes a point in 1 Timothy 3:13 to remind the church body that any Deacon who has served the church body well is worthy of double honor. The qualifications for Deacons, like the pastor, are impossible to achieve in the flesh. Unless we see Christ inside the Deacon working through and with him to accomplish the ministry, the Deacon ministry will quickly become frustrating. Everything having to do with the church requires dependency on God's grace. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

So why the list of qualifications for pastors and deacons? How do all of these qualifications aid in God's improvement of the pastor and the church. The Lord has so designed the local church to be a place where truth is communicated by the scriptures and reinforced by example. When we see pastors and deacons, we ought to see men who are improving, growing more consistent in their Christian walk, understanding of scriptures, relationships within the church and outside the church and people whom anyone would want to imitate. Jesus Himself was the epitomy of reinforcing the truths of the Christian life by example, which is why the New Testament authors constantly referred to Him as our template. (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:6)

God is in the process of improving the pastor and his church.

He who has ears, let him improve for the sake of the Gospel, lest the Gospel lamp be removed!

Why is Paul going to such great pains to write an entire letter urging the church and Pastor Timothy to conduct themselves accordingly in the church? Two reasons:

1. The Living out of the Gospel is needed. 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Paul was concerned whether or not he would be able to get to Timothy personally and directly. The authority of 1 Timothy as scripture serves to bring God's very words to this young pastor and the growing Ephesian church which he pastored. Ephesus was a pagan city that needed a church modeling the Gospel. Jesus early on taught the importance of living out the reality of discipleship in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love for God and one another ought to be at the center of church life. There is another important emphasis too that serves in modeling the Gospel before a watching world - namely holiness. 1 Peter 2:9-12  "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." Unless we as churches get things in order as pastors, Deacons and church members, the world will only be convinced that the church has a lot to say but not a whole of of action to back it up. As Josh McDowell in his latest book: "The God-Breathed Bible" notes, the Bible is about three main things: right believing, right behavior and relationships with God and each other. Strong church members who prize love and holiness will only do so as it is modeled by both the pastor and Deacons. 

2. The Living Gospel is needed. 1 Timothy 3:16
This final verse of 1 Timothy 3 spells out en example of the living Gospel. Jesus of course is central to the Gospel as the incarnate virgin-born Son of God. His ascension into Heaven is connected to His resurrection from the dead, which in turn was proceeded by His substitutionary death. The last half of 1 Timothy 3:16 deals with how Christians are to proclaim these truths to a lost and dying world. The "Mystery of godliness" in 1 Timothy 3:15-16 is set over against the "mystery of iniquity" that marks our day and age in 1 Timothy 4:1. Unless we proclaiming the living God faithfully, doctrines of demons will not only affect people outside the church but even on the inside of the church. It is important how we live and it is important to know what we live by - the Gospel. By the Gospel God is aiming to improve the church to go from where it is to where Jesus wants it to be. 

Closing thoughts
When I think of Paul's instructions to the church at Ephesus over which Timothy was ready to pastor, I was reminded of something the Apostle John had written to this same church some 30 years after the writing of 1 Timothy. In Revelation 2:1-7 the Apostle John relayed words from Jesus to this same church that failed to conduct itself as God's house. They did not improve, but only got worse. The result: they grew loveless, cold and were in danger of having the blessing and anointing of God permanently removed by Jesus. If a church and pastor fail to improve together, the Spirit of God is grieved and the Gospel witness is quenched. 

My prayer would be that pastors and churches in America would heed the words of 1 Timothy 3 and the scriptures and yield to the Lord in all humility and honesty. Its time to be better than we are and work with the Lord in being all we can be for Him.

How then shall we live? The importance of Deacons in the local church

1 Timothy 3:8a "In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity."

Introduction:

Today's post continues on answering the question of how the local church ought to live in this world. As Paul writes 1 Timothy to young pastor Timothy, he is instructing this young pastor with regards to how he and the church ought to conduct themselves. 1 Timothy 3:15 is the key verse to the entire letter: "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." The word translated "conduct" speaks of how one behaves, carries themselves and lives in a certain way. In one ancient source with this word, the meaning pictures a chariot race with horses running down the home stretch to the finish line. Undoubtedly, the local church in the 21st century ought to be in the mode of giving all she has for Jesus. Paul's concern in 1 Timothy 3 is addressed to three main groups in the church: the pastor, deacons and church body. The conduct of the local church centers around the question posed earlier: "how then shall we live?" 

We saw yesterday that it all begins with the pastor, since he is the spiritual leader of the church and leads by example how God's people ought to live. Today's post focuses on the second group addressed in 1 Timothy 3 - the Deacons. Deacons serve the church by reinforcing what the Pastor preaches and teaches by way of practical service to the flock. For a church to live out a Christ-honoring testimony before a watching world, Deacons are important. What traits should Deacons have according to 1 Timothy 3:8-13?

1. Godly character. 1 Timothy 3:8-10
It is interesting how Paul begins his description of the Deacon ministry with the phrase "Deacons likewise" in 1 Timothy 3:8. Much of the same qualifications for character and the homelife of the pastor are mirrored in this description. Minus the qualification to expound the scriptures (which though not excluding Deacons, certainly is the main task of the Pastor), Deacons serve the local church best by modeling the scriptures. To add to these thoughts, the Deacon clearly needs to know his Bible well-enough to know what he is modeling! Notice 1 Timothy 3:9-10 "They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons."

At the heart of the Deacon ministry is the meaning of the word "Deacon" itself - namely: "servant". Contrary to modern day portrayals of typical Deacon ministry, Deacons are not a "board" that exercises jurisdiction over the pastor. Undoubtedly the Deacons can serve the pastor by being his accountability partners, however unless the pastor is being immoral or making decisions contrary to the Word of God, the Deacons need to follow their leader. As the pastor follows Jesus and the Bible, the Deacons need to model what it means to follow the leader. 

It is interesting in Paul's discussion about the Deacon's character (along with his wife), that emphasis is placed upon the Deacon and his wife not being double tongued (3:8) and malicious gossips (3:11). Sadly in many churches, the Deacons are viewed as walking complaint boxes for disgruntled church members. Matthew 18 gives the Biblical model for dealing with disagreements, namely one on one, then several and finally, if all else fails, the whole church. Well over 75% of disputes in churches would be resolved if people took care of problems between themselves. Occasionally if something has been done publicly, the nature of the sin requires immediate attention (as in Paul's case with Peter in Galatians 2). 

Though Deacons can aid greatly in helping church members and pastoral leadership resolve differences, the Deacons should not be ever placed in the role of putting out fires that otherwise could not be quenched by one conversation between the pastor and the church member. A pastor for sure ought to make himself accessible to his flock and sometimes, pastors need to do a better job at being more approachable (see 1 Timothy 3:2-4). Church members need to realize that it is in their best interest to cultivate a relationship of love, prayer and trust for the pastor, since it is in their best interest. (see Hebrews 13:7,17)

Godly character is so important in a church, whether we are talking about pastors, Deacons or church members. Pastors ought to uphold godly character by being willing to listen to the concerns of their flock, since in most criticisms, grains of truth can be gleaned. Deacons ought to uphold both the character of their pastor and be mindful of the church they serve in being an example. Church members ought to pray hard for both the pastor and Deacons, since public example requires continual cultivation of private Christian character building. But now lets consider a second priority from our reflection on the importance of the Deacon ministry for a church to consider in answering the question: how then shall we live?

2. Godly Home life. 1 Timothy 3:11-13
I won't spend too much time on this area, since much of what is described here by Paul about the Deacon is mirrored in his instructions about the pastor. Whether we are talking about Pastors or Deacons, example is immensely important in driving home the truth of God's Word in the local church. We all need to be about Godly homes in our churches and thus in our culture. When a Deacon and his wife are honoring Christ in the church through godly marriages (3:11) and parenting of their children (3:12), a double reinforcement of the principles of God's Word occurs. In a culture that has no idea what the family is or what marriage is all about, modeling the Biblical standard of marriage is a must. 

3. Godly service. 1 Timothy 3:12
As we consider "how then shall we live" from the standpoint of Deacon ministry, we realize, like we saw in the pastorate, the importance of maintaining Godly character and home lives in this 21st century world. But what about service to the King of Kings? As we already noted, the heart of Deacon ministry is that of service. Additionally, Deacons are given the benefit of deserving honor in the local church which they serve as servants of the Lord. Why? All of God's people and the Pastor together need to be reminded that serving the Lord is worth it. 1 Corinthians 15:58 states for instance - "So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is never useless." 

The Blessings of God's Godly Servants

1 Chronicles 23:28 For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God

The Beneficial Ministry of God's Godly Servants
Over the past week we have been drawing parallels between the three sets of ministering families among the Levites: The Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites, and the New Testament office of Deacon.  Both groups, though differing in form and in different times of redemptive history, nevertheless have one main theme in common: they are God's Godly servants.

In our study of these groups, we have noticed three primary functions by which each has benefited the people of God:
1. God's Godly Servants Share the Load of Ministry
2. God's Godly Servants Love the things of God
3. God's Godly Servants are Living Families

In looking at these snapshots of the Old Covenant Levites and New Testament Deacons, the question we want to know is: how does the remainder of Biblical history view these sets of servants.  In the scheme of redemptive history, God's Godly Servants ended up benefiting the people of God.

How the Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites developed through Old Testament History
Over four hundred years after Moses gave instructions in Numbers 3-4 regarding these three clans of the Levites, we wonder: did they still remain intact?  As we fast forward over 400 years later, we discover that all three were organized by David, bearing their same names and carrying on their beneficial service to the Priests serving in the temple. As 1 Chronicles 23:28 shows, they were used of God to benefit His people in the following ways:
1.  They assisted Aaron and his sons, the priesthood
2.  They purified the holy things in the courts and chambers
3.  They served as a family to model to the people what it meant to serve God

Like we already mentioned, their calling to be load carriers in the ministry, love the things of God and be a Living family still carried forth into the days of David.

How Deacons fare in the Bible as God's Godly Servants
As we come to the book of Acts, how did those called to aid in the needs of the widows at Jerusalem fare? Most likely being the forerunners to the Deacon ministry outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 7-8 records for us the outcomes of two Deacons: Stephen and Phillip.

1. Acts 6:6ff. After the seven Deacons (or forerunners of the office) were chosen, the Bible says many converts resulted and the church grew even more!  No doubt, untold benefits were given due to the church's needs being taken care of by Godly servants who desired to serve God's people with the Spiritual Leaders, the Apostles, who were providing Pastoral leadership of the rapidly growing church. 

2. In Acts 7, Stephen ended up sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his Jewish oppenents, laying out one of the finest summaries of scripture you would ever want to read.  He loved the things of God and carried the load of ministry, giving his life in the process.

3. In Acts 8, Phillip, another "Deacon", shared the Gospel and a man from Ethiopia ended up believing on Jesus Christ.  Phillip baptized that man, and then was wisked away!  Like Stephen, he too loved the things of God and carried the load of ministry.

4. We know in 1 Timothy 3:7-13 that the office of Deacon is formerly described.  We see there the Deacon's life, home-life and spiritual life being the testing grounds for his qualifications.  Deacons are God's Godly servants in the New Testament who with their wives and children are to be a living family, who loves the things of God and aids the Pastor in carrying the load of the ministry.  This is why we see both offices mentioned in the same chapter. 

5. Philippians 1:1-6.  This letter of Paul is addressed to all the saints in Christ, the Elders and the Deacons.  Paul's positive remarks about the Philippians' faith-walk shows us the by-products of a well-functioning deacon ministry.  When Deacons and the Pastor/Elder work together, fulfilling their respective roles, the congregation is duly equipped to be participators in the Gospel, empowered by God to do His will. (Philippians 1:5-6).

As we can see, Biblical testimony confirms the track records of Deacons who stay faithful to their office and service to the King.  May we as God's people aim to emulate the example we are called to through the Godly servants he put in our lives. 

God's Godly servants share the load of ministry

Numbers 4:31“Now this is the duty of their loads, for all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and its bars and its pillars and its sockets"

Acts 6:2-3 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

For the past several days we have been understanding the ministry of Deacons as God's Godly servants - functioning as models to all Christians of every believer's responsibility to serve the Lord with gladness.  We have been using Numbers 3 and 4 to demonstrate the pattern God set for His people in the Old Testament for Godly service, and how that principle carries forward by illustration into the New Testament.

What God's Godly Servants Demonstrate
As we have noted, God's Godly servants, the Deacons serve to benefit the church in the following ways:

1. They demonstrate the benefit of working together or unity as God's people to get whatever needs done for the glory of God.  Thus they labor together for God's glory.

2. The second thing God's Godly servants demonstrate is love for the things of God.  They are to hold the the mysteries of the faith. (1 Timothy 3:8-9)

3. Thirdly, they demonstrate the importance of Godly families as foundational to God's work in the culture and the church.  Thus they are to be living Godly families. 

The key to understanding Deacon ministry is this: they don't just merely state God's Word with their lips - they also demonstrate God's Word by their lives.  Today we want to consider another benefit of God's Godly servants in the church - namely in how they help carry the load of ministry.  As we have done in the past few blogs, we will use the text of Numbers 3-4 as an illustration of what we see play out in the New Testament ministry of the Deacon.  Today's blog will feature the Levitical clan of the Merarites. We will see how God's Godly servants labor to share the load of ministry.

God's Godly Servants, the Merarites, were to share the load of ministry in the Tabernacle
The Tabernacle was designed by God to be a mobile worship center, which meant that whenever God led the people to set out, it would have to be torn down and set back up.  Over the course of 40 years the people had set up camp in some 42 places! The Merarties took care of the boards, the cords and sockets undergirding the tabernacle.  Quite literally the tabernacle was likened unto a tent.  To share the load meant taking on the responsibility of managing the facilities.  Aaron and Eleazer could not had done all the work and the people of God were not allowed to do this task, since they were not Levites.  The Merarites had been assigned this task, a task which was vital to the worship patterns of God's people.

Deacons share the load of ministry in the New Testament
In Acts 6:2-5 a major burden had grown in the early congregation at Jerusalem.  The Twelve Apostles oversaw a church that had grown to around 20,000 people.  Being composed of both Greeks and Jews, widows from each of those groups were needing care.  In the course of the church's life, one group was being neglected, and it was leading to potential for great disharmony.  The house of God needed men who could "share the load".

The Apostles instructed the church to select men who were full of wisdom, the Holy Spirit and faith who could "take charge of the task". (Acts 6:3)  Seven men were chosen who could represent the interest of these widows and deal with the matter of caring for the widow's needs.  The Apostle's needed these men in order to carry out their ministry of the Word.  Imagine if these seven men had not been called forth by the church.  The mission of the church, humanly speaking, could not had carried forth.

Thanks be to God for establishing the office of Deacon.  Whenever the church has Godly Servants, the load can be shared, and the example be reinforced to all of God's people of the importance of carrying the load of ministry together. 

God's Godly servants: A Living Godly Family

Numbers 4:24 “This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in carrying"

1 Timothy 3:12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

Quick Review
Yesterday we considered how God's Godly servants love the things of God.  This marks the essential starting point of Deacon ministry, since the chief qualification of becoming a Godly servant is a godly life rooted in sound doctrine. (1 Timothy 3:8-9).
Why is it so essential to have a particular group in the body of Christ whose purpose is to be an example of service to the Lord? Because the principles of God's Word, proclaimed by the Pastor serving the flock by his example through preaching and teaching are to be reinforced by the Deacons who example it by their conduct and living.  Thus we will consider a second observation of God's Godly servants: "A Living Godly Family" 

God sets the pattern of Godly servants being made up of families
As we saw yesterday, three clans were defined as constituting God's Godly servants to aid in the tabernacle or God's House - The Gershonites, Merarites and Kohathites.  The Gershonites will be our focus today, as we aim to understand the principle of God's use of families in His pattern of Godly service.  The word for "family" in the Hebrew text of Numbers can be used to describe everything from Parents and their children to extended families to a whole lineage of relatives.  The point of Numbers was to show that every man in the Gershonite tribe was needed, since they represented their families and the whole nation in their service to the Lord.  They were to "serve and carry" the coverings of the tabernacle. 

God's pattern of families as Godly servants in the New Testament
Though the form be different, the principle is remarkably similar.  In 1 Timothy 3:11-12 we see instructions given concerning the Deacon and his wife.  In fact, the wife herself is to be a woman of godly character, much like her husband.  Though he will be the one carrying and serving, yet he will need a Godly wife who both supports his efforts and provides an example to the wives in the church.  The Deacon and his wife serve to be ean example in their home-lives, their lives and spiritual lives.  In a sense, they function as spiritual Gershonites - carrying the behind the scenes burdens and serving faithfully the people of God who are the house of God. (Hebrews 3:1-6)

The Benefits of God's Godly servants as a family
In seeing how this principle threads its way from the Old Covenant types and shadows of the priestly nation of Israel, what benefits can we see in God's New Testament Godly servants, the Deacons, yielding as a family-oriented ministry?

1. Deacons are God's Godly servants who place before the church the necessity of Godly marriage (1 Timothy 3:12)

2. Deacons and their wives also place before the Church families the premium of raising up children in a Godly home (1 Timothy 3:12)

3. Deacons and their wives demonstrate the value of building up one another as fellow Christians and families

4. Deacons and their wives, as God's Godly servants, set before the world the pattern of what a Christian family should look like

5. Deacons and their wives can be used of God to offer counsel and encouragement in an age where marriages and families are struggling

6. Deacons and their wives can demonstrate that Godly families are not just an idea, but a practical reality that is needed in out world

7. The office of Deacon is designated by the Lord to remind every generation of the need to raise up Godly offspring and permeate the culture with the Gospel (Deuteronomy 6; Malachi 2:15; Acts 7-8; Ephesians 6:3-4)

God's Godly Servants love the things of God

Numbers 4:4 “This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things.

1 Timothy 3:9 "holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience."

The Kohathites modeled what it meant to reverence the things of God
In Numbers 4 we see mention made of the Kohathites, the clan within the Levities who were responsible for handling and carrying for the furnishings of the Tabernacle.  Within the Tabernacle there were seven furnishings in all:
1. The Ark of the Covenant
2. The Mercy Seat - the lid or covering on the Ark
3. The Golden Altar of Incense
4. The Table of Show bread
5. The Golden Lampstand
6. The Brazen Wash basin or laver
7. The Brazen Altar

Each of these furnishings functioned to convey the Holiness and character of God to the Priests and people alike.  Whenever it came time to move the Tabernacle to the next location, someone had to make sure these furnishings were covered from the eyes of the people.  The Kohathites modeled to the people the care and reverence for the things of God. Thus we could summarize their function as being those who "Love the things of God"

Deacons are to model reverence for the things of God to the New Testament Church
In the list of qualifications of Deacons in 1 Timothy 3:9, we see mention of the Deacons "holding to the mystery of faith".  Why? because in addition to living the Christian faith before the people, the Deacon needs to know the faith which He professes to live.  How much should he know and how much should he be holding to?  In Acts 7 and 8 we see two Deacons - Stephen and Phillip - cluing us in on the areas the Deacon should know.  A Deacon should know his Bible enough to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lead someone to the point of faith and repentance.  Since the actual act of faith and repentance begins as a work of the Spirit of God, the Deacon needs to be a man who can sense when God is working in that person's life. 

The Deacon also needs to be a man who has a regular prayer life and knows doctrine well enough to share the Gospel.  God's Godly Servants are to be men who model what it means to be people of the Word and prayer.  Furthermore, just as in the Old Testament Godly servants, New Testament Deacons should be consistent in their church attendance.  Care for the things of God demonstrates the reverence that we have for God.  Desire to grow in doctrine and Godliness reflects a life dedicated to knowing God in Christ. 

Love for the things of God are caught as they are taught
We know in the Old Testament system that the Priests were charged with the responsibility of not only sacrifice, but also biblical instruction. (Malachi 2:6)  These Priests, along with the serving clans of the Kohathites, Merarties and Gershonites, aimed to model before the people of God a love for God and His things.  The Priests, with the more later developed office of the Prophet, aimed to instruct the people of God in the Word.  However the remaining Levites reinforced that teaching by means of their service.

In the New Testament, in a far fuller richer way, a way not conceived of in the Old Testament, the Church was born on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.  From that point God ordained Pastors/Elders to labor in the Word and prayer, love the people and lead. (Ephesians 4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1; 1 Peter 5).  Concerning Deacons, God ordained that they be the ones to model what is preached and taught to the people.  Love for God's things must be caught by example as it is taught through the preaching and teaching of the Word. 

Would it be that all of us, as New Covenant Christians, catch the desire and be doctrinally equipped with the desire to love the things of God. 

God's Godly Servants Labor together

Numbers 3:5-6 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7“They shall perform the duties for him and for the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Yesterday we explored how God had so designed the ministry of the tabernacle in the Old Testament to be that of the priests and their assisting servants among God's people.  We noted that this pattern foreshadows a Divine Design that God would employ in a far richer way in the New Testament.  Today I want us to consider how these servants in the Old Covenant system were beneficial to both the Priesthood and God's people, with a few suggested applications to us as believers today.

Identifying the Godly servants in Numbers 3-4
After telling Moses to bring the remaining Levites to stand before Aaron and the priests in Numbers 3:5-10, we are then told the specific identity of these "Godly servants" who were to aid the priesthood in Numbers 3:17 - "These are the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath and Merari".  Levi, who had been one of the original sons of Jacob back in Genesis, had three sons who in turn were the ancestors of the three clans with the tribe of the Levites - hence the Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites. 

The root meanings of the Gershonite, Kohathite and Merarite clans
The meanings of these names can help shed light onto what they may had been like as a people.  "Gershon" comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to drive, to expel, to push out".  We could say that this particular clan of Levites were aggressive, the go-getters.  Although we cannot discern the root of the Kohathites, by their actions and calling, they were to care for the transport and upkeep of the furnishings of the tabernacle.  The Merarites come from a Hebrew root meaning "to weep, to be hard".  This may indicate their passion, their ability to do the grunt work needed to enable the priests and the people to worship God at the tabernacle. 

What the godly servants were supposed to do
Each of these three clans within the Levites had an important role in the setting up and tearing down of the Israelite worship center - the tabernacle.  Since the people traveled continuously throughout the book of Numbers, God had so designed the tabernacle to be mobile.  Thus each clan had a responsibility of ministry in His house. 

The Gershonites - Took care of protecting God's house
Numbers 3:26 describes the Gershonites - "Now the duties of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, and the screen for the doorway of the tent of meeting, 26and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the doorway of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords, according to all the service concerning them." Though these actions may had seemed tedious, the coverings of the tabernacle prevented unholy eyes from looking upon the holy things of God.  God warned the people that death would come upon anyone who overstepped in places they did not belong.  The value of a ministry should never be judged by its seeming simplicity.

Kohathites - Took care of protecting the furnishings of God's house
In Numbers 3:31-32 we read about the Kohathites: "Now their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service concerning them; 32and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was the chief of the leaders of Levi, and had the oversight of those who perform the duties of the sanctuary."  Eleazer, the son of Aaron the High priest, had both "leadership' and pastoral oversight of not only this clan, but also the Merarite and Gershonite clans.

The Merarites - Took care of the practical upkeep of God's house
Numbers 3:36-37 describes the function of the Merarite clan -  "Now the appointed duties of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its equipment, and the service concerning them, 37and the pillars around the court with their sockets and their pegs and their cords."  Without maintaining the undergirding structure of the tabernacle, wear and tear would gradually ruin the tabernacle in the process of its mobility.  The Merarites served to ensure it as in tip-top shape, ready to go. 

Some practical suggestions and applications for Christians
As you look over the functions of these three clans in even further detail in Numbers 3 and 4, many would say that what they had to do was menial, tedious and more behind the scenes.  Being a Godly servant is not about having the stage or the spotlight - rather its about building the stage and holding the spot-light to bring glory to Jesus Christ.  Aaron and Eleazer illustrate by their leadership role the New Testament Pastor /Elder who shepherds and oversees the people of God.  Even he, as a leader, aims to shine the spot-light upon Jesus Christ.  (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:7,17)

The three clans we looked at today could be comparable, in an illustrative way, to New Testament Deacons.  Deacons are men who aid the Pastor and God's people in shining the spot light on Jesus Christ.  Often Deacons may be called upon to do seemingly tedious things.  However for the servant of God, nothing is tedious or menial - since the privilege of serving the King always outweighs the apparent value of the task. (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13)

Then the people of God in the Old Testament function to foreshadow the New Testament church, who, like they, are a Kingdom of Priests and household of faith. (1 Peter 2; Hebrews 3:1-6) In a far more richer way, the theme of Godly servants is not just restricted only to Pastors/Elders and Deacons, but all of God's people have a share in the ministry. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) We are equal in value before Christ and differing in function.  It takes all of God's people, laboring together, to bear out the Godly service desired by God for His church in the 21st century. 

God's Godly servants

Numbers 3:5-6 "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him."

Introduction to this week's blog series
This week I will be blogging on the significance of Deacon ministry in the life of today's church.  The name of this series will be all about "God's Godly servants".  I hope you find this series to be helpful, since its not just about Deacons, but something that is so fundamental to being a follower of Jesus Christ - namely serving Him.  Our approach will be to show how the pattern of Godly servant hood was woven into the lives of God's people to benefit them.  In seeing God's purposes of service in the tabernacle system in the book of Numbers, we will then see the principle recast in a far more richer way in the New Testament office of Deacon.  May God bless you as you follow me this week into God's Word.

How the Lord designed ministry in His house
As we look at Numbers 3 and 4, we see a pattern laid out by God that describes the worship of His people in His house.  In the nation of Israel, God made a distinction between the twelve tribes of Israel and the Levites.  Furthermore, within the Levites themselves God made a distinction between the priests who were to serve in the administration of the sacrifices (Numbers 3:1-14) and the Levites aiding them in the caretaking of the tabernacle itself (Numbers 3:15-4:49). So no doubt, in the Old Testament, we see a pattern of administrators of the covenant and servants who aided them in maintaining the reverence and service to God before the people.  It was the people in the remaining twelve tribes who were all called to be a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy nation, serving God and displaying His glory to the nations. (Exodus 19)

Reflecting on our service to the Lord as a consistent theme in Old and New Testaments
This idea of God's house, and His people performing differing roles of service is a principle that appears in a different form in the New Testament.  In commenting on Number 3:6-7, Matthew Henry in His Bible Commentary draws the following parallel: "The service for which the Levites were designed: they were to minister to the priests in their ministration to the Lord (v. 6), and to keep Aaron's charge (v. 7), as the deacons to the bishops in the evangelical constitution, serving at tables, while the bishops waited on their ministry."
Henry's observation has validity.  When we read passages such as Hebrews 3, the parallel is drawn between the tabernacle as God's House and the New Testament Church as God's House.  Other passages, such as 1 Peter 2 draw from Exodus and Numbers to connect certain parallels between Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Church. Though having different appearance and application in the New Testament, yet the similarity of pattern holds.

Similarities and Differences of God's people serving in the Old and New Covenant (or Testament) systems
In the Old Testament system, we had Leading Priests, serving Levites and the people of the congregation.  In the New Testament, we can can see similar Divine design as God outlined the offices of Pastor and/or Elder, Deacons and the people in the local church.  None is better than the other - just different in function.  In the Old Testament a portion of God's people were charged to serve Him in distinct functions.  In the New Testament all of God's people and a portion of God's people are charged to serve Him in distinct functions.  The same Lord who called forth Israel in the Old Testament and formed the Church in the New Testament is the Author of both who delights to see His people serve and love Him.  

Would it be that every Christian, whether Pastor, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, or whatever station serve the Lord with gladness and thanksgiving.  Would it be that we be His household of Godly servants.