TEXT: Colossians 3:12a

SUBJECT: Studies in the Diaconate #5

We come this evening to the fifth sermon in our study of deacons. In part one, I described the deacon's role in the church; he is "an agent of Christ's mercy" or "a minister of mercy". If anyone must "put on tender mercies", it is the deacon. To better choose the right men for the job, let's take a closer look at "mercy".

What is mercy?

"Mercy" may be informally defined as "pity in action". To pity another is to feel his sorrow; it is to "weep with those who weep". A piteous man is not detached from others; he shares their pain. Nehemiah was such a man. Though comfortable in the King's house, he "sat down and wept and mourned for many days" at the ill tidings from Jerusalem.

Mercy, therefore, begins with pity; it begins with a feeling for others. But it doesn't stop there! Mercy acts on the feeling. John warns us to "Not love in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth".

Deacons must be men of mercy; true men who both feel the sorrow of others and know what to do about it.

What does the Bible say about mercy?

It begins by saying: God is merciful. At Mount Sinai, He identified Himself as "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth". The Psalmist praises Him, for "His mercy endures forever". Paul styles Him "rich in mercy". Mercy originates with God and flows from Him.

Consequently, it's no surprise that when "God was manifest in the flesh", He showed Himself a uniquely merciful man. How often did the sick come to Him with the cry, "Lord, have mercy!" And in Him, they found it. How different He is from the religious leaders of the day--men who tied "heavy burdens and grievous to be borne" on the backs of their people. His "yoke is easy"; His "burden is light". How wrong-headed His disciples were that day they thought to fire bomb Samaria for God's glory! "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" He said. Unlike so many others, "Jesus was moved with compassion".

In showing mercy, therefore, the deacon is doing God's work.

To whom should deacons extend mercy?

Their model is Jesus Christ. To whom did He extend mercy? To those who needed it: a leper here, a blind man there, to the famished multitudes, and so on. His mercy was not narrowly confined but was broadcast. Deacons must walk in His steps.

His priority must be to the needy saints in his church. To apply I Timothy 5:8, "If a man does not provide for his own, especially those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel". This means he must be on the lookout for authentic needs.

His mercy mustn't stop at the church door. He must be concerned with the Lord's people outside of his assembly. "Now concerning the ministering to the saints...let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver" (I Corinthians 9:1,7). Church membership is never the grounds for brotherly love; union with Christ is. The deacon, therefore must keep an eye out for the saints elsewhere who need help.

Neither may his mercy be limited to the saints. Galatians 6:10 is hard to get wrong: "As much as, therefore, we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially to those of the household of faith". Like the Virtuous Wife, a deacon must "Stretch out his hand to the poor; reach out his hand to the needy".

Wisdom, of course, is needed. A Deacon mustn't be a soft-touch for every con artist who passes by. But neither can he be hard-nosed. Not every need is a need; some are but lusts. A Deacon isn't called to fulfill them. Neither is he employed to support irresponsibility. "If a man does not work, neither should he eat" is Paul's command. At times, a deacon must show mercy by saying "No!" But he must never do so in a contemptuous manner. Even his "No" must spring from a tender heart; even it must be a fruit of mercy.

The deacon is blessed. "It is more blessed to give than to receive". Thus, he gains more by bringing food to a needy family than the people receiving the groceries. "Blessed are the merciful".

The needy are blessed. When true needs are unmet, pain, sorrow, and fear are sure to follow. But by the deacon's mercy, the suffering is relieved.

The church is blessed. The Lord's people are merciful. They're eager to show mercy. But they often lack the wisdom to do so effectively. Thus, the deacons help them to do what they were "born again" to do--to imitate Christ.

The world is blessed. "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another". And love cannot be limited to "word and tongue", but must be proven by "deed and truth".

The Lord is blessed. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven".

I Timothy 3:10 tells us how: "Let these also first be proved". Without being a busybody, you can observe a man's life. Ask yourself: Is he merciful? But don't leave it in the abstract! Make it concrete. Is he merciful to his wife? When she seems tired or ill, does he notice? Or does he blather on without regard to her? Is he merciful to his children? Does he speak to them or yell at them? Do you ever see him playing with them? Is his discipline firm or brutal? Has he ever been merciful to you? Has he ever offered his help? These are the questions you must ask yourself. Not to interrogate him, but to ascertain his fitness for the diaconate. No one is perfect. But some men are merciful. Find such in the church and make them your deacons. May the Lord give us such men, for Christ's sake. Amen.