1 Timothy 3:8-16 Called to Serve

Scripture Reading: Greg Eisen

Intro

Last week we looked at those who are called to lead

We saw the qualifications of Elders

An elder is an overseer

Today we are going to look at Deacons

Deacon = Diakonos

Translates servant

It is said Elders are overseers and Deacons are overdoers

Elders aren’t to be overdoers and Deacons aren’t to be overseers

1 Timothy 3:13 ESV

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 Servant vs. 8-10

A Deacon who serves well is first a dignified servant

Another word for dignified is reverent

Reverent = It means that respect or honor paid to a worthy object

The deacon ministry is to be filled with men who men who are reverent towards Jesus and dignified in serving

Titus 2:2 ESV

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Double-tongued

A deacon needs to watch his mouth

means you say one thing to one person and something totally different to another

Not given to much wine

a deacon cannot be drunk

Last week looked at Elders being sober-minded which means they are to be controlled by any foreign substance

Here is specifically refers to not being given to wine

Deacons are to keep their drinking under control

Not Greedy

A city boy, 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

Hold Mystery of Faith

Tested & Found Blameless

A deacon sent in his apologies for the Sunday morning service, claiming that he was ill with flu.

One of the members, however, said he had seen the deacon on his way to a ball game.

After the service, the minister went to visit the deacon, "Brother," he said, "I have information that you were not sick at all this morning, but went to watch a ball game."

The deacon protested: "That’s a vicious lie! And I’ll show you my FISH to prove it!"

Dignified Wife vs. 11

A deacon who serves well has a dignified wife

This is more than just wives, this is all women

What is required of the man is also required of the women

We can detect this because Paul doesn’t give qualifications for Elders wives

The major emphasis here is dignified

It means to lead a serious life

They are to be respectable, not given to drama

People should hold them in awe because of their devotion to Jesus

Proverbs 19:14 ESV

House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Slanderers

Literally, not devils. This may be properly enough translated slanderers, backbiters, tale-bearers, for all these are of their father, the devil, and his lusts they will do”

Another term is malicious gossips

Women must control their tongues

Temperate

Temperate has two meanings

First, not given to wine

Second, sober in judgment

Faithful

They are to be absolutely trustworthy

This gives the idea of handling money

Love Their Family vs. 12

A deacon who serves well loves their family

Faithful to Wife

Once again we see the idea of being faithful to your wife

Ruling their Children

Ruling = To influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action

Bold in their Faith vs. 13

A deacon who serves well is bold in their faith

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.