Deacon Sunday

INTRODUCTION

We are taking a break this morning from 1 Corinthians and will pick up next week with 1 Corinthians 10. This morning we are in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

This morning we are celebrating deacons, and more specifically, the affirmation of a deacon into our church. This is a wonderful moment for us, and we are all excited to bring on a Godly man with a servant’s heart as a deacon. God is doing great things in the life of our church.

While you are turning to 1 Tim 3, I want to read from Acts 6. No need to turn there, we have those verses on the screen.

We see in Acts that the early church is being established, and while these 7 men aren’t explicitly called deacon, they are serving the church like we’ve typically seen deacons serve. Because in 1 Tim we are going to see Paul laying out the qualifications for deacons, but he doesn’t list any responsibilities,

becuase in 1 Tim 3:8-13, Paul wanted the church to know that It’s necessary for the church to select faithful deacons who are worth imitating for the protection of the church.

CONTEXT

Let’s get some background info about this letter before we start. Paul wrote 1st Timothy to a man named, Timothy. He was younger than Paul, maybe in his 30’s, and helped Paul in several ministry contexts, in fact, when Pastor Buck preached back in September in 1st Corinthians 4, Paul referenced Timothy as an example of Godliness. And spoiler alert, we will see Timothy’s name appear again in chapter 16. So Paul clearly trusts this young man to help establish the early church. For this letter, Timothy was sent by Paul to Ephesus to combat the problem of false teaching (1 Tim 1:3). He was also told to lead the church to be faithful in Godly living.

This letter takes place in Ephesus in the mid 60’s of the first century AD. At this time the city of Ephesus was large, diverse, religiously complex, and flourishing commercially, which sound a lot like Charleston. The temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus, and worshipers of Artemis were very influential to this city. This cult enganged in the practice of magic, sorcery, and fortune telling. So the culture in Ephesus is influencing the church, and we see that same thing as we are walking through 1st Corinthians together. It’s clear that the early church is fragile and is in need of Godly leadership.

Paul addresses many areas of concern for Timothy to work on, but the one I’m going to mention is the need for faithful elders and deacons to be identified and appointed.

It’s clear that the church in Ephesus is in dire need of Godly leadership, that’s why this letter to Timothy is expressing the necessity of faithful deacons for the protection of the church.

In verses 1-7, Paul tells Timothy what the qualifications are for elders, or what we call today, pastors. You will see that the qualifications for pastors and deacons are almost identical, expect for one major qualifiction, and that is the ability to teach. And that one difference is what separates the roles of pastors and deacons.

Also unlike pastors, this list of qualifications doesn’t include a list of responsibilities. So the local church is free to use deacons that best fit the local context, and that can change over time.

By paul omiting a list of responsibilities, he is letting us know that the character of a deacon is what’s most important, and that deacons are to set examples for the church.

The first example deacons set is

Deacons set an example of Godliness

VERSE 8 -

We see here that Paul used the word Deacon. This comes from the greek word Diakonos which translates to servant. The word Diakonos is used more than one hundred times in the New Testament, almost always referring to some form of ministry or service.

And see here how Paul says “likewise”. In the previous verses, he told us the high standards of pastors, and now he is saying that Deacon should also be held to a high standard.

A deacon should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money. Basically, a deacon should have self-control and live by high moral values.

This is why a deacon should be someone who sets an example of Godliness, because deacons can set the spiritual tone of the church.

If we appoint deacons who don’t set an example of Godliness, then the spiritual tone of the church is in big trouble.

VERSE 9 -

This means that a deacon is someone who is strong in their faith, deacons must be men of spiritual depth. Specifically they should be men who understand and hold fast the deep truths of the faith. And while deacons are not called to teach and preach, they need to have a solid theological foundation, that cannot be swayed.

They must hold these theological confictions with a clear conscience. This means that there must be nothing in the conduct of a deacon that is glaringly inconsistent with their professed beliefs. In other words they must not profess one thing but practice another.

VERSE 10 -

Now, does that mean that before someone becomes a deacon that he has to take written, oral, and physical exams? Yes, that’s exactly what that means.

What that means is that someone who is either desiring to be a deacon, or is being looked at as a potential deacon needs to show that he is willing to not only live out these qualifications, but is willing to set an example by them.

I want to read an excerpt from Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. deacons can’t be small-minded individuals engrossed in turf wars, maintaining their rights and lobbying for their own causes. Instead, they are to see the mission of the church and work to help others understand that mission. Every facet of their ministry is part of that overarching mission. The church is on a mission to make the gospel known in all nations, which is exactly why the adversary delights in turning the church of Jesus Christ inward on itself at every opportunity. Satan loves seeing the church embroiled in battles over this or that issue. In such cases deacons may be called in to absorb the shock. Certainly valid complaints and real needs arise, and when they do, deacons should rise to meet those needs so the mission of the church can thrive. Churches can get so engrossed in catering to every complaint that the primary mission gets lost.

Does that sound familiar? I’m not here to open old wounds, or to bring up the past, but the reality is, this church has a history of putting all the burden of the church onto one man, and that man gracefully and faithfully endured that trial that was placed upon him becuase he is mission minded. He didn’t want to see this church close it’s doors, becuase if these doors close, then this community loses a Gospel presence.

Where would this church be today if it were not for that deacon? He protected this church. He is a prime example of why deacons are necessary for the protection of the church.

I’m here to tell you that we are not a church that takes advantage of deacons. Remember Diakonos means servant, not doormat.

Now, that doesn’t mean that a deacon’s job is meant to be easy, becuase it’s not.

We have another deacon that has faithfully stepped into the role in the finance committee, making sure that all books are balanced and that we are staying afloat financially. He’s also stepped up into worship ministry, and teaching one of our life connection groups.

And our soon to be deacon has been faithfully serving by being the first to arrive and last to leave, and greets everyone by name.

All three of these men have shown the heart and character of what a deacon is, and I am hopefully that our deacon body will continue to grow with men of Godly character.

Not everyone is qualified to be a deacon. Deacon is reserved for men of unprecedented character. Deacons are Godly examples worth following.

The 2nd example deacons set is

Deacons set an example of service

VERSE 11 -

Why does Paul reference deacon’s wives? Much like pastors, a deacon’s first ministry is to his wife and children.

So wives, much like your husband is called to set an example of Godliness and service, you are too. Paul is making it clear that a deacon’s wife should reflect the Godly character of her husband.

Your husband is going to go through good times in ministry, and bad. I mentioned earlier how gracefully and faithfully one of our deacons handled the burden of the whole church placed on his shoulders, but he did not go through that alone. Alongside him was a wife who also gracefully and faithfully endured that trial.

So wives, your job is to support your husband to the best of your ability with godly character. And look, there are going to be times where your husband due to confidentiality of ministry cannot tell you certain things. So if he withholds certain information from you, please trust his judgement. And on the flip side, if your husband opens up to you, he is trusting that you will not only keep it confidential, but that you will join him in praying for what he tells you.

Women in this church, while you aren’t a deacon’s wife, you should strive to follow the example your sister in Christ is setting and lift her up in prayer.

VERSE 12 -

I remember during my ordination council, Pastor Tommy challenged me by saying “don’t let your ministry be your mistress”

That has stuck with me, and I’ve already been called out on that. So deacons, as much as you love this church, and want to serve it, you should love and serve your wife first.

Even though you are the one called to being a deacon, your wife is a big part of that calling too. You should not enter into a position of ministry if your wife is not on board. Because a wife on board will serve along her husband for the sake of the ministry. Just like my wife was on board for me becoming a pastor, your wife better be on board with you becoming a deacon.

Because the way you serve should be an example to others in the church, and your service begins in the home.

Deacons, your first ministry is to your family.

VERSE 13 -

Though the position of deacon seems by worldly standards to be dull and unattractive, to close followers of Jesus Christ it looks quite different. Those who fulfill their servant roles faithfully gain two things: first, a good standing before fellow Christians who understand and appreciate the beauty of humble, selfless, Christlike service;

and second, great boldness in their faith in Christ Jesus. Humble service, which lacks all the rewards the world deems important, becomes a true test of one’s motives. Here one discovers for himself whether or not his efforts are truly prompted by a Christlike spirit of selfless service. When a deacon has indeed served well his ministry builds confidence in the sincerity of his own faith in Christ and of his unhypocritical approach to God.

A deacon strives to be Christlike

Now church, our deacons cannot do that on their own. Our deacons are still members of this church, and as a church that values church membership, your job is to pray, encourage, and hold our deacons accountable.

I said earlier that a deacon isn’t a doormat, but that doesn’t mean you tiptoe around them either. They are men who go through life just like the rest of us.

So church, support your deacons.

CLOSING

The only way a deacon can set an example of Godliness and service, is if they follow the exmple that Christ has given us. It’s only through the person and work of Jesus Christ that we have a standard for the qualification of deacon.

Jesus set the example of Godliness and service by coming to Earth as full person who lived a full human experience from conception to death, and lived that full human expereince perfectly. He humbled himself took the death we deserve on a cross, and three days later rose again, defeating sin and death. And those that place their faith in Him, will be saved and will have an eternal life in the presence of God.

Let’s pray.

The praise and worship team are going to make their way back up. If you are believer in this room, I want you to know that being an example of Godliness and service is not reserved for deacons only. In fact, I want to encourage you to step up your game to put the pressure on our deacons to keep growing in their faith and service to this church, and selfishly, I want our deacon body to continue to grow with Godly men.

If you are not a believer this morning, I pray that when you step into this church, you see a congregation of Godly people worth imitating. And if you haven’t started a relationship with God and you want to start that today, or if you just want to talk about it, I’ll be down front, Pastor Buck will be down front, we would love to have that conversation with you.