On Christian Servanthood: Deacons

Introduction

- Good morning. Today, I want us to be reminded of the call to Servanthood that our Lord Jesus Christ places on each of us who follow him.

- As we look at the next section in 1st Timothy, Paul gives us a detailed instruction on the qualifications of those called to a special role within the church body, the Deacons.

- This doesn’t mean that you can tune out.

- The role of Deacon is just a servant in an official capacity but we as Christians are all called to be servants of Christ and serve here in our church.

- These qualifications that we will look at while specific to the deacons are ones that we should all be striving towards as we strive towards Christlikeness.

- Lets dive into the text, look down at your bibles as we read 1 Timothy 3:8-13:

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.

- Lets Pray

- Our main idea this morning centers on an important truth found here in this passage

Those who follow Christ are called to faithful service; some are called to “official” service.

- This passage not only gives us information about the role of Deacons but also shows all of us as believers the true nature of Christ centered service.

- As we explore this passage we can see that faithful servanthood requires a living in accordance with the gospel which Paul shows us here through specific tangible attributes.

- Let us consider how God might be calling each of us to serve faithfully in our capacities whether it’s deacons, Sunday school teachers, trustees, in the nursery, or any other position here at church our service is a response to God’s incredible mercy and love.

Faithful Servanthood of a Deacon requires living by the Gospel. (vv. 8-9, 12)

- Our first point today is that faithful servanthood of a deacon requires living by the gospel.

1 Timothy 3:8–9 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.

- The term deacon originates from the Greek word Diakonos which simply means minister or servant.

- This term appears about 100 times throughout the New Testament signifying the broad application of Servanthood throughout the text.

- It is only used as deacon for the role specific to the church twice in the New Testament once here in first Timothy and a second use in Paul’s opening to the Philippians.

- The inception of what we might consider to be the role of Deacon or for a lack of a better term the Proto Deacons can be traced back to acts chapter 6.

- Here, The Apostles had been spreading the good news and many were coming to a saving faith in Christ.

- A dispute came up between the Greek speaking Jews called Hellenists and the Hebrew speaking Jews who were in the area. The Hellenists argued that their widows were not getting a daily food supply.

- To address this issue the Apostles selected seven men who were full of the spirit and wisdom to oversee the task of food.

- By doing this it allowed the Apostles to focus on prayer and the Ministry of the word well at the same time not neglecting the crucial service to those in need.

- While the term deacon is not directly used in this passage The theme of being selected for a specific service carries over to the deacons being talked about in our passage today.

- This early example shows how these proto deacons came alongside the apostles and enabled them to focus on teaching and spiritual guidance while the Deacons ensured that the people were taken care of.

- We can see that this relationship between the Deacons and the Apostles carries on in Paul’s opening to the Philippians where he addresses both the overseers and the deacons in his letter.

- As we reflect now on the specific qualifications for deacons we must remember that this servanthood is a reflection of Christ who came not as a sovereign but as a servant.

- As we read in the scripture passage earlier he washed his disabled feet which was a task typically reserved for the lowest servant.

- In Matthew 25 she says use the parable of the talents to distinguish pointing the good and faithful servant and the wicked and lazy servant which shows the overarching significance of faithful service.

- Because of this the quality is outlined for deacons are not just for those specific roles but are something that every believer should be striving for.

- We are called to serve in various capacities and by doing so we are also called to embody the humility dedication and faithfulness that Christ himself showed to us.

Dignified

- The first qualification that Paul gives to Timothy for deacons is that the deacon must be dignified.

- The term dignified which comes from the Greek word Semnos covers more than just a serious demeanor.

- It carries with it a sense of gravity and respectability that fits one who follows Christ.

- To be dignified means to have a character that inspires respect and esteem through a demonstration of moral integrity and spiritual maturity.

- Being dignified is to live a life so saturated by the gospel that others are drawn to Christ through his presence in you.

- To be dignified requires maintaining a consistent walk with the Lord.

- There’s dignity reflects the holiness and righteousness of God in our everyday actions.

- It is marked by a profound commitment to living out the truth of the gospel with integrity and honor.

- In the context of church leadership a deacon who is living with dignity is one whose presence and conduct commend the gospel to others fostering an environment where golly reverence and Christian discipline are pursued earnestly.

Not double tongued

- The next qualification that Paul urges for deacons is that they must not be double tongued.

- This qualification directly addresses the speech of a deacon.

- Being double tongued refers to a few different things.

- In one instance it can refer to not speaking inconsistently or saying different things to different people, but rather to be honest and upfront with people.

- Not being double tongued can also refer to the act of not gossiping, Or speaking behind the backs of others.

- For a deacon clear and consistent communication is a non negotiable.

- It reflects a heart commitment to the truths of the gospel and a disposition that values honesty and transparency.

- This is an important attribute for anyone that is striving for Christ’s likeness as the tongue is both powerful and spreading the gospel as well as a weapon when not constrained by the power of Christ.

- In our daily lives we must strive for speech that is right and true in an effort to reflect Christ.

Not addicted to much wine

- Thirdly here paul advises that Deacon should not be addicted to much wine.

- While this qualification point specifically to a wine in a broader sense is a prohibition against any overindulgence in life.

- This qualification calls for the essential virtue of self control in all aspects of life.

- The emphasis here within this qualification is on maintaining a sobriety and a clear mindedness which is critical for making wise and godly decisions.

- An addiction of any kind can impair judgment and lead to a behavior that compromises once witness and effectiveness as a leader.

- For a deacon being free from the enslavement of addiction of any kind shows a broader commitment to overcoming one’s selfish desires in favor of growing in their desire and affection for Christ.

Not Greedy for Dishonest gain

- The fourth qualification that Paul gives is an instruction that Deacons must not be greedy for dishonest gain.

- Paul had a particular reason for writing against greed and specifically the pursuit of dishonest gain.

- Throughout Paul’s writing he often addressed the issue of integrity among church leaders especially in financially turbulent environments such as Ephesian Church where Timothy now served.

- Disqualification for not being greedy comes in light of the false teachers that were prevalent in the church, specifically those that exploited others spiritually for personal profit.

- This qualification for deacons also reflects a broader biblical mandate for all of us to exhibit financial integrity.

- This principle is not just about avoiding corrupt behavior but it’s about maintaining purity of heart and motive within the confines of the service to the church.

Hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

- Next paul instructs Timothy that Deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

- To me this qualification is the most important one in this list of qualifications.

- What Paul means here by holding on to the mystery of the faith is that in order to serve a deacon must hold on to the profound truths of the gospel.

- Paul here calls the gospel a mystery because it was not completely understood in the Old Testament until it was fully revealed through Jesus Christ’s a Tony sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection three days later.

- Now this mystery has been made fully known the way of salvation is now clear.

- It is through Jesus Christ and him alone we can obtain salvation through repentance and faith in Christ’s work on the cross.

- he took our sins on the cross and had exchanged his righteousness with our sins for those who have placed their face and trust in him and repented of their sins. What an amazing mystery it is.

- This qualification for the deacon does not merely mean that the understand the gospel but more importantly than they do it with a clear conscience or rather to say that they’ll live out the gospel in their everyday lives.

- Paul is clear that theological knowledge must align with moral behavior.

- We must understand that integrity of one’s faith is demonstrated through a life led in accordance with that faith free from hypocrisy and moral failings.

- But this teaching is not just for deacons it serves as a reminder for all of us.

- For anyone that has placed their faith in Christ we are called to hold on to the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience.

- So as we examine ourselves we must ask does the way that we live out our life in the day to day match what we profess our beliefs to be?

- Do my habits and behaviors align with the gospel or do they point to something other than Christ? We must commit to being people whose lives are transparently faithful who not only know the gospel but live it out every day allowing our clean conscience to testify to the transformative power of our faith in Christ.

The husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households

- The last set of qualifications for the deacon revolves around his family and home we read 1 Timothy 3:12 which says,

- Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

- Paul’s guidelines here for the deacon highlight key aspects of their personal life that reflect a broader spiritual responsibility.

- Specifically a deacon must be the husband of one wife or literally a 1 woman man.

- Zach went into much greater detail in the breakdown of what it means to be a one woman man last week so if you’re interested in that I highly encourage you to go back and listen to it online.

- The main point is this, the qualification calls for a deacon to be faithful and devoted to one woman as long as she lives. He must not be given to sexual promiscuity or have multiple woman.

- This dedication to one woman demonstrates and reflects the steadfast love and loyalty of Christ’s devotion to the church.

- Additionally paul sets the qualification that a Deacon must manage both his children and his household well.

- This is about more than just having an orderly home but it is concerned with that Deacon’s ability to lead and nurture his family.

- This effective management includes providing spiritual guidance as well as setting an example of godly living for his children.

- Together these qualifications emphasize that Deacon’s leadership in the church is deeply connected to his conduct at home.

- His role as a husband and a father acts as a microcosm of his ability to serve within the church community effectively.

- A Deacon’s faithful and wise management of his family responsibilities reflects his capability To serve his larger family within the body of Christ.

Faithful Servanthood of a Deacon requires they be tested. (v. 10)

- Next we move on to verse ten which reads:

1 Timothy 3:10 ESV

And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

- This command from Paul serves as a safeguard for the church ensuring that anyone who steps into the role of Deacon is truly prepared and proven.

- The idea of being examined or tested is rooted in the necessity of ensuring that those who serve in the church exhibit a character and faith that can withstand scrutiny.

- This is more than a simple evaluation it is a thorough process that looks at a candidate’s background reputation and adherence to the core truths of the gospel.

- It addresses not only their capabilities but their spiritual maturity and ethical standing.

- This process was especially important for churches like Ephesus where poor leadership had led to significant issues as we saw in chapter one.

- Essentially this means that a man wanting to serve as a deacon as an observed track record before he is put into office you don’t put a man into office and then test him to see if he is trustworthy test him first and then recognize him.

- This is not just a role for the pastor or overseer but a responsibility of the church as a whole to observe And interact with the potential deacon in order to see if they lead a life that is worthy of being called blameless.

Conclusion

- While this testing that Paul lays out is specific to the role of Deacon we all have something that we can learn by it.

- We as a church are called to keep each other accountable and to help each other grow in our Christ’s likeness.

- We should each be striving for a life in Christ that can be called blameless.

Faithful Servanthood of a Deacon requires their wives to be faithful in all things (v. 11)

- Next we look at verse 11 which says:

1 Timothy 3:11 ESV

Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

- Our next point is this then, faithful serverhood of a deacon requires their wives to be faithful in all things.

- The Greek word γυνή (gynē) (Ya Nay), is translated here in esv as wives but can also be translated as The word women in other places in Scripture.

- This has led some to wonder if Paul was actually talking to wives of deacons or to women who serve in a role similar to that of deacons.

- In the early church the role of women in ministry was significant and still is to day.

- A good example of this would be in Romans chapter 16 verse one where Paul refers to Phoebe who is described as a servant of the church.

- The important aspect is to look at the context of the passage that we’re looking at and within this context for the qualifications of deacons it makes the most sense for Paul to continue his train of thought in talking about the deacon.

- I believe that here Paul is talking about the wife of a deacon which provides an uninterrupted thought process and just lists yet another qualification for the deacon.

- This makes sense because the deacon’s wife may and usually is involved in many aspects of the serving and visitation that they do

- It is interesting that while An elder’s wife must also meet biblical criteria it falls under the generalization of managing his household as we saw last week.

- The aspects of a deacon’s wife are laid out to a greater extent and I believe there is a reason that Paul takes more time in giving qualifications for a deacon’s wife also.

- For an elder or pastor his wife can serve alongside her husband but only in the ways of service to the congregation and not in church leadership functions or in preaching.

- A deacon however is not given the qualification of teaching and so the Deacons wife’s qualifications are expressed in a more detailed way because she can and should partner with him as he ministers to the church In rolls other than authoritative.

- In light of this a deacon’s wife must be vetted in this process along with the deacon himself.

- Going into the qualifications for a deacon’s wife we see the connecting word likewise meaning that like the deacon himself the wife also must be dignified meaning that she should be honorable and respectable in the same ways that we talked about earlier for the deacon.

- They should also not be slanderers which mirrors the deacon’s own qualification of not being double tongued.

- This emphasizes that just as Deacons must have integrity of speech so must their wives especially given the social dynamics of the time where idle gossip could undermine the church’s mission and unity.

- Deacon’s wives, or anyone serving in the church, should be godly and stamp out gossip when heard.

- The Deacon’s wife should be a woman of peace and should work to build up others with their words and not tear them down.

- Next Paul says that they should be sober minded.

- This is similar yet again to the deacon’s qualification of not being addicted to much wine.

- Being sober minded not only refers to not being a drunk but it also refers to having self control over her mind.

- She should express herself with balanced and controlled judgments in all situations or in other words she should be a level-headed.

- Lastly that Deacon’s wife is told to be faithful in all things.

- This is a catch all qualification that Points to the end goal of being Christ like.

- First and foremost she must be faithful to her lord and savior Jesus Christ.

- She must be a believer and love the Lord but she also must be trustworthy and faithful to her husband.

- She needs to be reliable and consistent and lastly she must be faithful to the church she must be dependable.

Faithful Servanthood of a Deacon brings about blessing. (v. 13)

- Finally we move onto verse 13 the conclusion to the qualifications of deacons that Paul gives us.

- Verse thirteen reads: 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.

- Our final point is this, faithful servanthood of a Deacon brings about blessing.

- This verse shows the approval of God for those who serve the church through acts of service.

- They gain a good standing for themselves.

- This good standing is in the sight of God and the church.

- God honors those who humbly serve him and the church should highly regard humble servants as well.

- In the context of Deacon ship this humility is expressed through their service service that often goes unnoticed by many but is always seen by God.

- As Deacon’s faithfully fulfill their duties they earn a position of respect not through self promotion but through selfless service aligning with Christ’s example of servant leadership.

- As first 1 Peter 5:6 says:

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

- God exalts the humble, he is glorified by those who are humbled before him.

- While we may not see the fruit of our humble labors here on Earth we are guaranteed riches in his glory when we get to heaven.

- We also see that as a church we should respect and honor those who serve as church leaders or other capacities.

- As 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says,

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 ESV

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

- There is much labor in the church that is unseen by most. But God sees what is done behind the scenes. Oftentimes, the work that Deacons do is especially not seen by the church.

- However this is true for all those who serve in the church especially in ways that aren’t seen.

- I think of those who paint the walls, or clean the floors and the toilets, or the hospitality behind many of our meals

- Do we appreciate the hard work that is put into keeping this place clean and well stocked.

- More importantly are we all willing to serve in ways like that and get our hands dirty?

- Are each of us willing to do the hard work that no one else sees?

- I do want to throw a reminder though that nothing you do will earn you a better standing with God on this side of eternity.

- Your ultimate standing before God is only right because of Christ’s work not your own

- However scripture is clear that he will reward those who do work during their earthly lives for him through the power of the Holy Spirit and for his glory alone.

- Lastly Paul ends this section by saying that the last reward is a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

- This confidence grows from practical hands on service within the church.

- As Deacons engage deeply in the lives of their brothers and sisters in Christ they witness first hand the transformative power of the gospel.

- This direct involvement brings a unique blessing the blessing of seeing faith in action which in turn strengthens their own faith.

- This intimate experience with the workings of God’s grace and the lives of others brings about a deeper understanding of the gospel.

- It allows those who serve to preach not only with their lips but with their lives enhancing their boldness and assurance in the truth they proclaim.

- A summary of the role of a deacon but it is also an invitation to each of us.

- It invites us to a life of service where humble labor brings both communal respect and deep personal spiritual growth.

- Let us then be encouraged to serve whether in official capacities or in everyday acts of kindness.

- As we do we build a good standing before God and his people and grow in confidence in our faith.

- Ultimately we draw nearer to Christ who is the source of all of our blessing.

6. Conclusion