Ode to The Deacon

Intro

Dave, I figured I would tell a couple of stories about deacons if that’s okay with you.

My Favorite Illustrations Lacking a Grateful Spirit

A man prayed that God would send him one hundred dollars. A Baptist deacon heard about the man’s need. At the next meeting of the deacons he related his concern and the man’s prayer. He suggested that they honor the man’s expression of faith by taking up an offering for him. They received seventy-five dollars and delivered it to the man. Later the man prayed again for God to send him one hundred dollars. Then he added to his prayer, “Lord, if you don’t mind, this time please send it through the Methodists. Last times those Baptist deacons kept twenty-five percent.”

That one was for you, Brad. Another:

One day, a young man named Kenny moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.

The next day, the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died." Kenny replied, "Well then, just give me my money back." The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already." Kenny said, "OK then, just unload the donkey." The farmer asked, "What ya gonna do with him?" Kenny: "I'm going to raffle him off." Farmer: "You can't raffle off a dead donkey!" Kenny: "Sure I can." A month later the farmer met up with Kenny and asked, "What happened with that dead donkey?" Kenny: "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars apiece and made a profit of $900." Farmer: "Didn't anyone complain?" Kenny: Just the guy that won. So I gave him his money back. Kenny grew up to be the deacon in charge of finance at the local Baptist Church

One last one, a little more of a serious note:

A young man, dirty, stinking, and dressed in rags, came into a sanctuary just as the Sunday morning worship service began. As he looked for a seat, nobody was willing to allow him to sit by them, and they shifted their bodies to fill the pews, so he could find no seat. At last, he sat down on the floor right at the front of the sanctuary, centered on the aisle he had walked down. An elderly deacon, who had been watching from his seat near the back of the church, slowly stood up and made his way down the aisle. It was obvious that the congregation was pleased that this long-time and highly respected deacon was going to do something about this filthy ragamuffin at the front of the church. When the deacon got to the front, he slowly got down and sat beside the young man, and shook his hand, prayed with him, and acted like he had found a long-lost friend!

The true spirit of a deacon…

Let’s move to our passage for tonight.

Passage

1 Timothy 3:8–13 ESV

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Dignified: Years ago, this word was translated, “grave.” Serious respect. You know what it means to be dignified? Worthy of respect. It’s curious, the deacon is first to be a person worthy of respect. And what does respect point to, if not our character as believers? Dave, as you take on the role of deacon, it is a role that your church family and your brother-deacons have looked at you and said, “This man is worthy of respect.”

Not double-tongued: Honest. Straightforward. Not speaking one way to someone, and another way to their face.

Not addicted to much wine: You can’t deac and be a drunkard.

Not greedy for dishonest gain: Dave, when I think of your qualifications and I get to this item right here… I think of how many people did business with you right up the road here at Cass Grocery, and would attest to your honest dealings. I read about all of them in your son’s book.

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience: There’s an old reason Paul would speak of the mystery of the faith. In their time, to know the mystery of the faith was to be well-versed in the faith. To know how to obey God and follow Him. Dave, the call is to be a man of clear and good conscience. You can’t have a troubled conscience and hold the office of deacon. This is a role for a godly and well-instructed man.

To ascertain all of this, Paul says that a deacon must be tested first. Let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Dave, we’ve known you for a long time around here. We know you’ll do well in this role. And we know you’ll represent the church well. But most importantly, you will represent your Savior and your Lord well.

Paul then speaks to the ladies, saying, “Likewise, they must be dignified.”

Not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things: Susan, I don’t know if anyone could call you slanderous. And if they did, they’d have a loving husband and two sons to answer to, wouldn’t they? Faithful in all things… I think we all know this to be true of you. Anyone who knows you would agree.

Further, turning back to the deacon, Paul says that they must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their households well. Now this doesn’t mean your kids need to be perfect. But it does mean you need to have control of your home. When you speak, your children listen, for they know their father is a loving man who cares for them. Now Dave, your sons are both grown, but they’ve grown well.

Now what I really want to do is draw all of this to a conclusion, because Paul ends it with this right here…

Those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Notice the common characteristic of all these attributes listed…

Every single one of them is about a man’s character. Dave, it’s not about what kind of skills you bring to the table. You know that. It’s about your character and maturity of faith in Christ. You know this. But perhaps tonight there is someone listening that needs to ear these things. Perhaps they one day desire to sit in the seat that you sit. To these men, I would say this. Step one: Care about your character. Any church worth its salt that’s going to call a deacon is going to care first to get men who are of good character. To do that… Be diligent about your faith, your family, and your relationships with those outside the church.

And at the end of the day… It all comes back to Christ, and serving Him well.

Dave, Susan. God bless you guys. I’m so looking forward to seeing you grow in your role as a deacon and for you to gain that good standing in Christ and the great confidence that comes with it.