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.  

The Sovereignty of God in the God-centered congregation

Numbers 1:45-46 So all the numbered men of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ households, from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war in Israel, 46even all the numbered men were 603,550.

Over the past few days we have looked at what makes for a God-centered congregation from Numbers 1-4 and other passages.  We have noted two marks:
1. The strength of a God-centered congregation is scripture
2. The celebration of a God-centered congregation is redemption

Today we want to consider the focal point of the God-centered congregation - The Sovereignty of God.

What is God's Sovereignty?
God's rule and reign over the affairs of creation, history and salvation are covered under the heading of His Sovereignty.  God operates by both means and ends.  He excercises His Sovereignty by Providence in History and through His redemptive plan through God the Son, which will draw history to its conclusion.  He alone has the ability to accomplish His ends through whatever secondary means He deems necessary.  Sovereignty does not exclude human responsibility not the will of any creature.  If anything, a biblical understanding of Sovereignty and human responsibility will recognize the compatability of both, even if we cannot fully comprehend how both function in relationship with one another. 

Included in this definition is the idea that all whom He calls by grace through faith, and who truly and freely believe upon Him, will never be totally and finally lost.  

God's Sovereignty in His people's lives means not one of his people will ever be lost
This principle physically illustrated
Every New Testament truth has at least one Old Testament, physical illustration.  In the physical sense, every Israelite male coming out of Egypt did not physically perish.  In Numbers 2:46 we read that 603,550 came out of Egypt.  When we compare other scriptures - we discover just how Sovereign God was in protecting the physical lives of His people:

Exodus 38:26 a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for each one who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men

Numbers 2:32 These are the numbered men of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ households; the total of the numbered men of the camps by their armies, 603,550.

This principle spiritually demonstrated
If this was true of the physical lives of the people coming out of physical Egypt, how much the more will not God Sovereignly protect the Spiritual lives of His people who believed on Him.  Those that came out of Egypt were physically spared, however they perished in the desert due to not ever having saving faith to begin (Hebrews 3-4).  By their fruits, that first generation sadly demonstrated they weren't God's people spiritually, even though they were physically protected and loved by Him.  Scripture is clear that they had no one to blame but themselves for failure to enter into the Divine rest of salvation. 

Understanding a little bit about the relationship between Divine Sovereignty and human responsibility
Its not that God's Sovereign intentions failed, rather the blame for unbelief falls upon man.  God's purpose to glorify Himself is still accomplished - since all he is obligated to do towards any human being is dispense His justice.  Anyone who believes on Jesus Christ does so due to God's saving grace - a gift which God freely dispenses soley out of His loving intention, rather than any obligation he owes to the creature. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 4:19)  For eternity His Justice will be ever upon those who rejected Him, and His Mercy will be ever upon those who believed through His Graceful purpose at work in their lives. (John 3:17-19; Romans 9:22-26; 1 John 2:19; Revelation 21:6-9, 22:14-15) God will get the credit for all who are with Him in eternity, since their choosing of Jesus was due to the Spirit's work of conviction in their lives. (John 16:8-11; Jude 24-25) Whereas those who spend eternity in hell do so because they chose to reject God in Christ this life. (Luke 16) Paul writes of that first generation of Israelites that their lives and actions served as illustrations and warnings to us living in modern times. (1 Corinthians 10:6)

For those who by grace through faith truly believe on Jesus Christ, the promise is that they will be Sovereignly kept in their salvation.  Jesus Himself states in John 10:28-30 "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30“I and the Father are one.” Peter tells us that true believers in Jesus Christ are being preserved until the day of His return. (1 Peter 1:5).  Additionally, Jude tells us that true believers will be presented before the Father's throne by Christ as faultless and blameless with great joy. (Jude 24-25)   

The Defining Marks of the God-centered congregation
And so the God-centered congregation has these following traits:

1. Their strength derives from scripture
2. Thy celebrate redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ
3. They are focused upon the Sovereignty of God, who keeps them in their salvation

God-centered congregation celebrates Redemption - P2

Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin"

It is in Numbers 3:40-51 that we see God revisiting that decree He had made over a year prior in Exodus 13. As God sets the foundations for His God-centered congregation, He places at the center of His instructions the celebration of redemption.

What is there to celebrate about redemption?
Our particular text on redemption is Numbers 3:40-51. In this text, we find four details about redemption that make cause for celebration. There are four traits about redemption that we find in Numbers 3:40-51. Yesterday we looked at the first two traits of redemption that make cause for celebration: namely redemption’s specific focus and redemption being about a substitute on behalf of sinners.  Today we will consider the final two traits, noting how they are fulfilled and completely worked out by Jesus Christ in the New Testament:

Redemption is about Sufficient Payment. Number 3:44-47
God had originally told the Israelites back in Exodus 13 that the firstborn of every Israelites belonged to the Lord. Here in Numbers 3, that episode is recalled - only in this instance it is given more detail. For every firstborn Jewish male, God would have a corresponding Levite firstborn serve God - full-time - in their place. According to Number 3:39 - there were 22,000 Levite firstborn. However in Number 3:43 - there were 22,273 first born in the remainer of the camp of Israel - which meant that there was not enough to cover the requirement. God already had it covered by instituting the payment of silver as "redemption money" to cover the 273 who did not have the necessary substitute. If it had not been for that provision, those Jewish males would had to been included in the service of themple, seperated from their families, and thus violating the word of God which said only the Levites could serve.

Redemption's setting is in blood. Numbers 3:48-51
In Number 3:48 we find out where the redemption money was to be paid - "to Aaron and his sons". Who were these people? The High Priest and his priestly sons - the ones who offered the blood sacrifices on behalf of the people. God reminds us here that redemption is never seperated from the shedding of blood. Ephesians 1:7 tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins."

Why redemption accomplished in the New Testament is so superior
This text in Numbers points us to what would be accomplished by Christ in the New Testament.  Thankfully when He accomplished salvation, it was once for all, never to be repeated. (John 19:30; Hebrews 9:28).  Just as the redemption mentioned here in Numbers pictured substitution and the payment for one group of people by others, Christ fulfilled both by being both the sinner's substitute and paying in full the salvation of all who by grace through faith would believe on Him. (1 Peter 1:17-18; 2:22).  Unlike here in Numbers, Eternal redemption is not based upon silver and gold, but rather the precious blood of Christ, the spotless lamb of God. (1 Peter 1:17-18). Finally, unlike the redemption mentioned here in the Old Testament, what Christ did enabled the cleansing of the conscience. (Hebrews 9:14)

With the scriptures being the strength of a God centered congregation, redemption is cause for celebration.