ANNIVERSARY ORDINATION SERVICE

DEACON-ELDER ORDINATION SERVICE

October 4, 2015

RF DEACONS: Ruly Arellano, Frank Ayala, Elias Garcia, Norvel Green, Tony Hernandez, Bobby Ramirez, J.D. Roach, John Tafoya.

DEACON PURPOSE

Acts 6:1-7 NKJV “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."

DEACON QUALIFICATIONS

I Timothy 3:8-13 NKJV Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

DEACON MOTIVATIONS

Mark 10:42-45 NKJV But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant (diakonos).  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

DEACON REWARDS

I Timothy 3:13 NKJV For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

RF ELDERS: Kelly Cook, Ron Durkes, David Giron, Jack Hon, Dan O'Leary, Sip Serrano, Ron Thompson, Gary Wilcox

ELDER PURPOSES

Acts 14:23 NKJV So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 15:6 NKJV Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

Acts 20:28-31 NKJV Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Titus 1:5-11,13 NKJV For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.  This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,”

ELDER QUALIFICATIONS

I Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

ELDER MOTIVATIONS

I Peter 5:1-3 NKJV The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

ELDER REWARDS

Acts 20:32 NKJV So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I Timothy 5:17 NKJV Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

I Peter 5:4 NKJV and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

SOME PERSONAL THOUGHTS

1. These are Godly men. We are so blessed.

2. They lift up my arms just like Aaron and Hur lifted up Moses' arms and allowed Joshua to defeat the enemy.

3. They carry the same spirit God has given me.

Numbers 11:17 NKJV Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

4. They extend the ministry.

LAYING ON OF HANDS