Protect & Proclaim: Priority #3- Leaders are servants

Protect and Proclaim the Gospel:

Leaders are servants and servants are leaders in the church.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Protect and Proclaim the Gospel

1 Timothy 3:14-16

Priority #1 Pray for all kinds of people, because God desires for all kinds of people to be saved.

Priority #2 The teaching ministry of the church: What, why, who, and how.

We preached a topical sermon on authority as we began 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Verse one says, “if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”

Before we walked through verses 1-8, I stopped to take a Sunday to establish what we mean and what we don’t mean when we talk about the role of overseers in the church. The reason for this is because the title overseer denotes authority… and authority in the church not the most prominent sermon or sermon series around the country each year.

In the sermon a few weeks ago- my hope was to establish a foundation of what we believe the Bible teaches us about authority in the church.

One of the reasons for this is because way back in the summer of 2017 there were two things that happened. My family was here to be voted on as the next Senior Pastor, and on the same day there was a membership and business meeting that night. In that meeting the church created a small team of members to examine the way we exercise our authority. This team was considered as the governance committee. Now, we already had a committee called the By-Laws Committee. So, the governance committee was tasked with looking at the way we exercise authority in the church and bring recommendations for action in the future.

By the summer of 2018 that committee had spent some time in the Word and reading about the church. At that time it was clear that the Bible establishes the following-

Jesus is the head of the church

Jesus exercise his authority through the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit

The congregation of the church is directly responsible to Jesus for what it affirms and denies.

And this isn’t surprising… because we believe as Baptists that the congregation holds the primary responsibility of authority under Jesus. Jesus is the head of the church, and the church is responsible to Him.

For instance, in our church we believe that the congregation is the primary earthly authority when it comes to doctrine and matters of church membership and spiritual accountability (or discipline).

But, for they church to carry out it’s responsibilities it must be equipped. To do this God has given two offices of leadership to the church. He has given pastors (elders/overseers) that serve the congregation by leading in the teaching of the gospel.

Like most Baptist churches in MS we have a strong deacon ministry, and many of our members understand the role of deacon in some form. But, way back In 2018 it was clear that our church, like many in today’s culture didn’t know much about the role of overseer/elder/pastor the way that it’s demonstrated in the NT.

What I mean by that is we have fully organized deacon ministries, but if the Bible paints the picture of two groups of leaders, we seemed to be missing some information and likely some practices when it comes to the group of leaders known as elders/pastors/overseers.

And, since the role of pastors/elders is to equip and teach the church so it can carry out it’s responsibilities- we realized we needed time to pray, teach, and patience to follow the Lord as it relates to the role of elder/pastor in the NT.

And for the last 5 years our by-laws committee has met, prayed, talked, and even expanded the committee to involve more members in the conversation about authority, pastor/elder, deacons, etc.

Over the course of that time we have made sure to take time to ground ourselves in the Word, and in particular we have made sure when the passage or the moment presented itself to talk about our responsibilities and the role of pastors (or elders), and deacons.

The role of overseers =‘s elder/pastor/teacher/shepherd. These are all the same role described with a few different words in the Greek NT.

Even though the role of deacon is more familiar as a ministry or responsibility in the church.. we still want to take time this morning to examine what this passage says, look at what it means for us, and then consider how it relates and directs our attention to Jesus.

In the same way that we would say God has given the church pastors/elders who serve the church by leading in teaching, God has also given the role of deacon as a ministry that leads the church by serving the physical and practical needs of the congregation.

Pastors and Deacons are gifts to the church. But, not because they are of some great value in and of themselves, but because of the ministry they have to the congregation. God builds the church on the teaching of the gospel, and the gospel produces a church that serves one another in the name of Jesus,

Jesus- Word (Spirit)- Congregation (Supported by the Pastors and Deacons)

our passage today is 1 Timothy 3:8-13… I mentioned as we began, but now, if you will let’s stand as we read through this passage and then unpack it together.

“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 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.” (1 Timothy 3:8–13, ESV)

Deacons lead through service.

The role of Deacon is that of a servant to the church. The word deacon is translated from the greek word diakonos, which when literally translated means “servant.”

The title for the office of deacon is the job description.

This is also true for pastors. The words pastor, elder, shepherd, and overseer are used interchangeably for the same office that denotes both the office and the job description. God is good to us this way, to reveal the nature of our callings and work in the church.

Characteristics of a Deacon (1 Timothy 3:8)

Worthy of respect. This wraps up the description that begins with “dignified- which means worthy of respect… This suggests that deacons are to be serious minded men whose character merits respect. The term combines such ideas as dignity, earnestness of purpose, and winsome attractiveness. And, someone who is worthy or respect or dignified is someone who:

Not double tongued- The nature of ministering to others requires the deacon be consistent and Christ like in His speech. A deacon serves the church with his words.

Not addicted to much wine- The public nature of the role of deacon requires special care for the reputation, one way to guard both reputation and heart is to avoid alcohol. A deacon serves the Lord and not fleshly addictions. Any addiction and desire of the flesh is to be avoided to be dependent upon the Lord, His Word, and the Holy Spirit and not fleshly indulgences.

Not greedy for dishonest gain- The deacon must be trusted to have God’s motives and intentions for his work in the church. Deacons don’t serve their own agenda’s or their own reputations, but the reputation of the Lord and the church. A greedy deacon isn’t a deacon at all. This heart attitude is inconsistent with a servant in both heart and action.

Tried and True

A clear conscience and able to withstand testing when it comes to what you believe and how you live.

Requirements of a Deacon (comes with testing) (1 Timothy 3:9-10)

As a servant of God and His church 1 Timothy 3:9 reveals that the Deacon is both believe the Gospel and respond to it regularly. A clear conscience is the result of consistent repentance and the pursuit of obedience to God and His Word. Deacons must be men who serve the church as godly examples of faith and obedience. He must know the Word and serve God in obedience to the Word.

Know, Believe, and Respond Regularly To The Gospel

Serve his family

Deacons are men who have been tested, and found to be consistent with the description of the office in scripture. The men being brought forward tonight have been questioned, considered, and found faithful. Faithfulness doesn’t mean perfection, but repentant and obedient as described in 3:9.

The role of wives and women in the church

The wives of deacons should be involved in the work of the ministry. This is not a role that is overseeing the church and exercising authority through teaching the congregation. Many parts of a deacon’s ministry should not be done alone. The wife of the deacon is a part of the ministry. In the first century men, especially One of the immediate roles the deacons seem to have undertaken is that of caring for those in need in the congregation. To do so, their wives are a necessary part of the ministry. Wives of Deacons are to follow the same categories of being dignified, filled and dependent upon the Lord, and faithful to the Gospel

And, not trying or wanting to be controversial in any way… the word that is translated as wives here in 1 Timothy 3:11 is the plural word for “woman.” And, it’s also possible that there is a progression here in Paul’s teaching.

Authority is exercised by men, following God’s creation design by men serving in the role of elder/pastor… and 3:1-7 are the characteristics and qualifications.

Then, for those who lead in the church in ways that aren’t elders- Deacons- Servants who lead in the church are to be faithful men who are exemplary in their believe and their faithfulness to the Lord- and their homes are a model of what it means to be maturing and faithful Christian.

Then, Paul speaks to women- and this can be the wives of deacons, and it could also be simply to women and their roles in the church.

Elders- worthy of respect/above reproach

Deacons- dignified/ able to be tested/ etc

Wives/women- must also be dignified- worthy of respect, faithful in all things.

And- deacons must demonstrate their ability to care for the church by first caring for their wives and children. In the same way that elders demonstrate their ability to care for the church by shepherding their home- the deacons demonstrate their ability to serve the church by leading and serving their home.

And, in the same manner that elders are to be faithful to outsiders, deacons have an impact for Christ with their lives outside the church as well.

Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:13 that “those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Leading by serving grows the deacon and the kingdom.

Deacons serve the church. As the pastors shepherd and equip the church through the ministry of preaching and teaching, the Deacons serve the church through the ministries of the church. Offices of leadership require good reputation. Deacons are no exception, faithful service yields a good standing with the congregation.

Deacons gain confidence in their faith through their obedience to God in serving. They also gain confidence on the front line of the churches ministry. They see the way God is working throughout the church. They pray and see the results of God’s answers to prayer. They serve and see God meet needs, heal homes, and save lives.

A good deacon is a gift to the church. He is part of a two sided coin of leadership in the church. Healthy churches have healthy pastors and healthy deacons. The men who serve our church as deacons have a great responsibility, and I feel confident that our men who serve as deacons are striving to be faithful to the Lord in their hearts, homes, and in our community.

The word Deacons means to serve… and it’s impossible to think of the word servant in the NT and not consider Jesus.

For instance in Matthew 20:25-28 it says…

“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25–28, ESV)

So, to anyone who aspires to the office of overseer, or who desires to be a deacon, or who wants to serve or lead in any way in the church… Jesus, the son of Man, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords..

Jesus served for the sake of others

Jesus served to the glory of His name

Jesus is worthy of all honor and glory

Jesus is tried and true

Jesus is the King who serves

Jesus didn’t flip everything on it’s head… Jesus came to make it right. It is sin that flipped everything wrong side up. Jesus isn’t countercultural as much as culture is counter Jesus or counter God’s design.

Jesus has all authority… and as it says in Philippians 2:1-11

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1–11, ESV)

You-

Pursue a clear conscience

Be humble and accept the grace that comes with accountability from others.

Live for the one who is worthy- Jesus