Sermon Tone Analysis

I. The Reading | 1 Timothy 3:8-13

A reading from 1 Timothy 3:8-13, reading from the NASB translation of the Bible.

This is God’s Word:

This is God’s Word, and as God’s people we say, Amen.

II.

The Exhortation

For those who have served well, God’s Word proclaims a reward.

It’s interesting that no reward was mentioned for the overseers.

It is only said that oversight is a “fine work.”

The previous seven verses ended with a warning that overseers (who are pastors/elders/examples to the flock) - that overseers NOT fall into the condemnation, reproach and snare of the devil!

(3:6-7).

But here, at end of this text, verses 8-13, for those who serve in a special way, the apostle writes not of the reputation these ones must have, but of the reward these ones will gain!

- They

1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95PARA)

13 ...obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

What an encouragement this is for the Church!

What a gift of God’s grace!

So what service is this then, if done well, leads to such a blessed reward?

And as we hear this text, we notice that this service is not spelled out for us.

1 Timothy 3:8-13, does not list the works of service to be performed, although as one commentator put it, “we may read between the lines” (Marshall, ICC).

The only commands in this text, the only instructions, the only imperatives are given in verse 10: —

1 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95PARA)

10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve...

First be tested; then let them serve...

But no other command is given.

No list of duties.

No operating procedures.

Why, Paul, have you not written of the works required?

After all, we want to know:

What must be DONE!?

That’s how we think, isn’t it?

It is the flesh, not the Spirit that thinks this way.

We hear a text like this, with a list of expectations, and that’s where our minds go - we revert to our self-centered, self-glorying, legalistic tendencies that deceive us into thinking that our reward is a result of works, rather than God’s grace alone.

And instead of a list of “Do’s,” we hear an echo of the apostle in another place saying:

Galatians 2:16 (NASB95PARA)

16 …a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus...

Brothers and sisters,

Before we impose a list of “Do’s” on those who serve in the church, let us first pause and remember the gospel.

Let us see this text and hear it with eyes and ears that have been shaped by the gospel.

Our spiritual reward is never gained through works of the flesh, but only by grace through faith!

We don’t deem a person as faithful by measuring him or her up to a checklist of expectations or works.

A person is faithful because of the presence of Christ, because of the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit, working salvation on that person’s heart.

1 Timothy 3:8-13, and all that it lists out, does not contradict the gospel of the grace of God.

We need to hear this!

I need to hear this!

The reward promised for serving well is -

The grace of God is what compels His servants to serve well.

So a list of works are not given.

Instead —

This text focuses NOT on what these servants do, but on who they are in Christ Jesus.

They are —

Διακόνους/διάκονοι

| “Deacons” (v.8, 12)

We know this text is in part, about Deacons, for this is the first word of verse 8, beginning this new section.

It is a plural word: “Deacons.”

But this text is not only about “Deacons.”

For look with me at the last word, bookending this passage, and let’s ask ourselves as we look at it:

Do we want to know what Deacons are all about?

Do we want to know what service in the Church points us to?

Do we want to know the kind of works Deacons perform?

And the last word answers these questions resoundingly, not with a plural noun (many), but with a singular name (one).

What is that name?

1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95PARA)

13 ...Christ Jesus.

And in each division of this text, there is a word about faith.

Brothers and sisters, if we encounter this text, and walk away thinking about deacons, then this sermon is a failure!

We’ve missed the point!

For this text has one purpose, from beginning to end!

Deacons have one purpose, from beginning to end:

PURPOSE: To lead us ALL to faith that is in Christ Jesus.

James writes this way:

This is the ministry of deacons:

Showing sincere faith through service in the name of Jesus!

If this text were only about “deacons,” then all but our six deacons could check out.

But this text is not only about “deacons.”

It is about faith, the faith that is in Christ Jesus, and this text is for all of us.

For faith is at the heart of the apostle’s concern as he writes to Timothy and the Church.

“Faith” is one of the most repeated, recurring words in this letter known as 1 Timothy.

The apostle urged Timothy to remain on at Ephesus to protect:

1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB95PARA)

4 ...the administration of God which is by faith.

Paul writes :

Paul grieves that some in the church have:

1 Timothy 1:19 (NASB95PARA)

19 ...suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

God desires His household (His Church) to be a household of faith.

And God desires that faith to be visible.

And genuine faith is visible through godly service.

So our text tell us that -

3:8-10 | Deacons hold…

“the mystery of the FAITH with a clear conscience”

3:11 | Women (or Wives) are…

“FAITHful in all things”

3:12-13 | Deacons obtain...

“great confidence in the FAITH...”

Church, this text exhorts us all, to give attention to the Deacons.

And by giving attention to the Deacons, we are actually learning about faith, and the real, tangible presence of our Lord Jesus, who said:

Luke 22:27 (NASB95PARA)

27 ... I am among you as the one who serves.

III.

The Teaching

The first three verses teach us that: