The Requirements of a Deacon

Earthquake the biblical Deacon and looking at Acts chapter 6 looking at the reason why I initially that the church needed to have deacons and we see there and act Shepherd mixed with that work began and it really was a need within the church at the pastor's couldn't fulfill within themselves without pulling away from there. Then the work that they had and so that they had the need there in that shirt. You was a great need with a big church God. I've been blasting it. Thank you sir. And I'll be looked at that last weekend and some of the the guidelines for how to choose a deacon. I want to be looking for in a deacon and and I just want to just reiterate the fact that the office of a deacon should not be entered into lightly person that takes that position. It's a it's a calling I got something that God places on their heart that God directs God leads them. It's something that then would be ratified by God speaking to our hearts. As members of our church that that God would would direct us into and nominating them and then pointing them as deacons and and so it truly is a high and holy calling to serve the Lord in and the church as a deacon. It's really is something that should be taken very seriously and that side I believe it's important we spend some time.

How that happened. Sorry about that Eric. I was verified it's muted when I put it on and then I'll need it and somehow I messed it up when I put it on her something. Thank you for that. And so that the role of a deacon is an important one. I'm thankful that the word of God is Not silent though concerning the role what the job responsibilities are what the qualifications are how we are to even look into pick and choose speaking God's word give this much guidance about this. So it's not something that we have to Simply follow a church tradition as far as outside the word of God or something that we would try to figure out herself. The word of God is very clear on the subject and yet it seems as if every church has a different idea as to what deacons are called upon to do and in our world I've seen that I'm different churches a lot of different churches have different ideas about what deacons do and who could be a deacon and and what their role in the church is but I will say this at the Bible is very clear as to what is expected. Deacon the Bible is very clear as to what the qualifications are with the guidelines are in God's word is not silent on the subject. And I think it's important that we understand what the word of God says on it. And that's why we're studying is cuz I just it's been something's been sometimes if we talked about this subject and I just want to make sure that we are following here Lighthouse Baptist Church. We want to follow the word of God. We want that to be the guideline for what we do and and so the word of God is very specific. I will say that it tells us what the Dickens are supposed to do. And when you look at that you compare it to what many times was deacons do with are not the same in many churches. I don't want that to be the same. I don't want that to be true here where Dickens on the following or we're not following the way the Bible says that where we're supposed to have deacons in the job rules many churches deacons are the board that runs the church that's not what deacons were intended to be than they ever were to be Lords over the church would have set themselves in a position of absolute Authority. That's not what deacons are supposed to do. They truly they really literally corded the word of God. They're appointed to be Servants of the church there to serve the church the word Deacon we looked at this last week is translated from a word that literally means a table waiter is serving one who tends to the needs of others. If you look at the root of the word literally means this to kick up dust it means we're so busy about serving that they're stirring the dust up around them. And in the most literal sense, it's talking about 8 that the person that is a servant that is a good servant that has a desired on a serve God's people to serve the church and to be a help to the pastor or the pastor is in our case. And so tonight. I want to share with you from here. We look here in in 1st Timothy Chapter 3, and I want to continue on this thought. I want to look at God's word and see what God's word how it it tells us what is expected of a deacon and I want us to consider the requirements of a deacon. What are some of the requirements what's expected of them? What's the oven that tonight look into that? I want to go ahead and read here though. If you look there first Timothy chapter 3 look at verse number 8 if you would.

likewise must the deacons be grave not double tongue to not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience and let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless even so musterwives be grave faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husband of one wife ruling their children and their own houses. Well for they have for they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase themselves a good degree and the great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Let's go and have a word of prayer will be thank you for your word. I pray the Lord that we would once again Lord listen intently as you speak to our hearts what I pray that you would meet with us what I pray that we would have a better understanding perhaps just to be refreshed. Once again Lord is the role of a deacon and Lord I pray that tonight that you would just help us to to have guidance by your Holy Spirit when I pray over the next couple of weeks since we are a nominating Deacon for that would be led by the Holy Spirit more than we would Lourdes we weave study from Acts chapter 6 last week Lord that we would have a man that would meet the qualifications for that. We would seek out your will and your guidance Lord as we nominate order guide our church Lord, we pray that we would have strong Godly men Godly leaders in this church more that we would be a strong churches that with you at the very center Lord that we'd be willing to serve Lord all the leadership here at this church is to be a servant leader and what we see that we see it specifically with your son Jesus Christ how he served Lord how he was willing to Humble himself and Lord. I pray that we would desire the same pattern and Leadership here at this church. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. What's look here? First of all tonight at sweet. We notice to the requirements of a deacon. I want you to notice of the work of a deacon is a separated work. It's a separated work. It seems that our day that many churches. They no longer look to the Bible for selecting deacons. They have their own set of rules that they follow but they really need to be very careful to go to the word of God. Once again God is not signing with subject. God has set aside some qualifications that must be met if a man is to serve as a deacon and so the world may not like the requirements that God has put forth the goddess at the requirements 4th. And so if I'm doing something contrary or against or not following what God has put forth I'm wrong. God's word is always right. The word of God is to be the final Authority and so on the subject we went we need to suck it. What does the Bible say? And so this this separated work involves a couple of areas in the area personal qualifications and spiritual qualifications. And in reality that they're all spiritual but we see some specific things that are listed are some of them on the personal level that are because of the spiritual level of the individual were talking about a right and sold the first one. I want you to notice here as we think about a separated work it say there are personal qualifications this look at them notice for September 8th. Once again, he says likewise. This is a continuation the qualifications for the pastor prior to that nice talkin about deacons. He says likewise must have deacons be grave not double tongue not given to much wine not greeted as filthy lucre and I'll jump the first number 12. He says let the deacons be the husband of one wife ruin their children and their own house as well. So we see some personal qualifications you want to spend some time looking at each of them and then Briefly describe and what this is talking about. When you look at this verse of scripture. It says first of all, the deacons are to be grave grave that words are gray. That means honorable worthy of respect Pius. Holy we don't hear a lot about those words nowadays about being holy about living a life of being a Pious and in your living the way that you live that doesn't mean an old stick-in-the-mud by the way it what it means is it's a person that is a worthy of respect. They have respect about them. They live a life that is it set aside on to God. They are living a life. That is Holy. They are separated. There's Sanctified under God, by the way. I will tell you this this all to be a characteristic of every single one of us is a child of God. It's really ought to be But obviously for Deacon it is an absolute requirement. This is not a requirement to be born again. It ought to be a general thing that happens those who become a disciple of Jesus Christ. This is something that ought to be as we grow and mature this ought to be something that you would see the the norm of The Godly husband Godly father Godly leader within the home in the church ought to already have this as a qualification honorable worthy of respect highest and holy it's a character trait that views the work of God in serious life. It is a man who is respected for his Zeal and care for the church and Lord It's a position of the van has created it because of his testimony and respect the people look to the Deacon is to treat his office with a wholly respect in the fear of God. He understands that the Deacon is to guard the interest of the church With all sincerity. It doesn't mean that you can't laugh. It doesn't mean you can't enjoy life but fully understanding the seriousness of the work of Christ is what this is talking about. It doesn't like I said, it's not being a stick-in-the-mud. It just means you're serious about the matter of things that are going to affect eternity or a serious matter. It's important. It's reflected in the priorities. You see the church's work is eternal business. We're talkin about being grave. Secondly. We see another qualifications does not double tongue not double tongue the word literally means quote saying the same word twice not saying the same word twice the truth truth that's talking about when you're talking to one person. You say a word and I'm going to talk of another person you're saying a different work. It's today. We would we would call it being two-faced depending on who you're talkin to listen deacons cannot tell one person one thing and another person something totally different regardless of how they me react that they're not going to tell a tale to one person in order. Stop for whatever reason but that didn't the person that's going to tell the truth. There's no room for gossip. Either where you're telling this person this thing and telling that person something else and you're you're telling untruth there's no room for gossip among the church. Expression is no room for gossip among Dinkins. Is he being a dick and they're going to be things that must be kept confidential? There's many things that will come up with the deacons meeting or maybe perhaps between some leaders within the church that you're sharing about something to pray about that. You don't go and talk about it to other people. And it would not be that somebody hears about some half-truth because a deacon opened up his mouth and said something that he shouldn't have said and so it's important a deacon must be a man to whom the church can share its burdens without fear of that conversation being shared with everyone else the church needs to be able to trust the church needs to be able to depend on that man. And so if you make a commitment you are obligated to stand by if that's what we're talkin about when we talk about not being double tongue. Let's go on to the next one is not given to much wine. What that tells me tonight is that the Deacon is to refrain from the use of alcohol. Now when I say that that doesn't mean you can't use alcohol to clean thermometer. You don't understand what I'm saying. I mean there's times and places that use alcohol the context of what this is talking about Not Giving too much. Mine has been completely misuse today in our society. People will look at that verse to say it's okay to drink socially because it's not much wine. Now you have to look at the context because the Bible is very clear that we're not to drink. Alcoholic beverages very clear about that. You cannot get you cannot look at the whole of the word of God and come away saying it's okay to drink you have to pick and choose and you pull out a verse out of context to try to make it okay for them to be social drinking this what is one verse that people will use and it's interesting of the Taco on the context. It's talking about deacons and they'll use it. As a reason why it's okay to socially drink now, here's the problem. It's not looking at when you whenever you looking at scripture. If you have scripture, that is an absolute that talks about not even to look at the couple that turns up right in the glass. When you look at the preponderance of war the word of God that talks about how liquor how it deceives how it could lead to nudity have at least two destruction. I mean, you can go right down the line look at so much scripture that talks about drinking and then you come to one vs tagoma qualifications for the spiritual leader in the church to say it's okay to drink. Does that make sense to you? No, it's obviously they're not being interpreted. Right so many times when you're looking at scripture when something doesn't make sense like that. You need to start looking at the context and you start looking at the the significance of how this would have been interpreted even in the culture of the day. If you've been through discipleship A through Z, we have I think it's letter X that talks about drinking and it has a great write-up on what the Bible is talking about when it talks about wine and the context of this what this was talked about in those days didn't have NyQuil. I'm not going to ask you to raise your hand. But how many you all drink NyQuil? You know, I mean some of you do and some of you don't some of you take an aspirin before you go to bed some of you take something for your headache, but we do understand the concept of using it for medicinal purposes. It's in a medicinal application. It's not me going down to the store and buying a Jack Daniels bottle of whiskey and saying I'm buying this cuz I'm not feeling well today. You're not going to see me doing that. All right. I hope I don't see you doing that. Right? I'm not going to go get some you know, whatever drink you want to serve vodka, whiskey whatever Jen I didn't understand the differences between them to be quite honest with you. I just know that you got to be careful buying marinades for your steak. That's all I'm going to say about that, but I'm not going to go down and buy that stuff because the Bible says to abstain from all appearance of evil. And so why would why would the Bible have you so very black and white when it talks about drinking and yet it's okay now go ahead and drink some know. This is talking about much wine in the reason why that would be is because in that day they use wine differently than we use today. They would have used alcohol as an antiseptic. They would have used alcohol to do some cleansing out of the water. They would have mixed in a very diluted form to eat to help with their water situation that they had for preservation for 4 antiseptic they would have Used in different ways and they would have used it for for your stomach. It would have been something that we've been used in such a way that would have been at medicinal but not in excess much were they were they would never have the intent of using it to become drunk by it or drinking it as a recreational beverage. That's not the concept that used it for when he says much wine what he's saying is yes, we use it for different things because in those days they did they used it for cleansing to use it for a lot of things but make sure that you're not addicted to it where you're drinking it much wine. It becomes a problem with your thinking remember the Bible says I'm be not drunk with wine. Where is an access would be filled with the spirit the idea behind this isn't that you're not being led or under the influence of alcohol, but you're under the influence of the holy spirit of God and so not given to much wine was talking about there. Is that you Doing it for the purpose of getting drunk at all. It would have been proven decimal purposes. It would have been for cleansing would have been four different things that would have used it for and so you cannot use that verse to say that it's okay to drink wine with deacons can do it. It says it right there. Says about I mean other people to in the Bible we're going to get to that. But anyway, that's not what I'm talking about. The Bible is very clear about that and besides all of that. There's no good reason why you have to drink wine today. Let me just say this. If you lived in a situation where the water was polluted in the only way that you could sanitize that water was because you had some alcohol that you can mix with it very sparingly to make it drinkable in a situation where you had to the Bible is not against that that's the context of this. We don't have that problem. We don't have that need. I hope we never have that problem. You know, we live in a great country. I praise the Lord for that and so let's move on one more thing. We don't be a stumbling block either and even if you said I'm going to go and I'm buying a bottle of wine for such-and-such the Bible tells us not to be a stumbling block. There's no good reason why you have to go down the wine aisle or the Whiskey Island buy a bottle of that cuz you're making something with it. There's no good reason for that for the child of God. It is a stumbling block. Many people and so it says not greedy of filthy lucre. That phrase means the deacons are not to seek to make a dishonest dollar.

It means that they're not in business to take advantage of people in the dishonest in their business dealings.

The Bible says in 1st Timothy 6:10 is For the Love of Money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after that they have aired from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. And so what the point is is that deacons are not in the position where they are greedy of filthy lucre. They are in a position where they're they're looking for a social position and take advantage of people for the for the sake of getting money inappropriately getting a dishonest dollar next. It says the husband of one wife. Look at burst 12 verse is let the deacons be the husband of one wife used to be the husband of one wife and he is to remain faithful to her as long as we both shall live. That is a scriptural principle that we find we find Jesus Christ speaking of it in divorce. That doesn't mean you can't serve the Lord that doesn't mean it that the past and maybe the situation that you went through was a difficult thing. Listen. I'm not trying to judge that at this point. What I'm doing is speaking at the word of God. I'm taking it at face value for what it says. It says let the Deacon be the husband of one wife. That is a very simple statement and it's a very simple one to understand now, there are some that that say that that that that the Brewers is talking about polygamy. They're saying that this means that one wife at a time And a polygamist should not be allowed to serve that there's people that have interpreted that way then here's the problem. Once again go back and look at the cultural acceptance of the day in the context of Paul would talk about that in that day in the New Testament time in the churches that Paul would have been addressing polygamy was not an issue. It wasn't a main thing that he was addressing. It wasn't something that he had to deal with all the time. And so to jump to the fact that it's polygamy would be outside of the the reason why he would have written that letter and an unknown things that polygamy was not a problem to church in Paul's day. So it seems unreasonable to assume that this would be the what the text is speaking about. And so I believe this verse that forbids those who have been divorced and remarried to service a deacon. I take it at face value, I believe that's what the word of God is saying here and God wants those who serve in these offices to be a one woman man, and every regard Not one woman at a time. A one woman man it in all regards and that goes for this as well. That means that that man ought to be in a proper relationship with a woman who's married to as well. He ought to be a one woman man. He'll not be a womanizer. Well, I've never been divorced so I can qualify to be a deacon. Is a one woman man is married to the woman that God gave him as his wife and he is going to stay with her till death do us part. And he said that's the vowels that we make when we we make that decision it and it if I follow through with it what we see is a principal from the word of God that Jesus Christ ratifies that principal himself that being said once again, that doesn't mean that a man that's been divorced cancer. But in the area of Deacon that is in the area being not being qualified now, why is that? Why would God do that doesn't God know that there's going to be so much divorce rate in the United States during the you know, the 2018 or so many people attended the warmest 60% of marriages end in divorce doesn't God know that Why would God put such a standard in the word of God is not unreasonable?

Is it? But what if nobody qualifies? What if everybody's been divorced? So what are you do then? You start a new group and you call it a different name. Call Daddy. Can you call it something else? And that silly it oughta be. Know God's word is always right. God's word is always true. We also big God rather than man. And that being said, I believe that there are many men that meet the qualification to this is talking about specifically in this one are and by the way I said this last week just because a man meets the qualification of never being remarried. All right, and he makes the qualification of he has a pulse that beats does not make him a a deacon nominee indeed. Those are not the only qualifications but it is a qualification. You got to be alive, right and you have to be the husband of one wife. That's what the word of God says. And by the way, it's doesn't say the wife of one husband. You all that agree with me. It doesn't say that right any confusion about that. Sympathy we have confusion with the other one. We don't have any confusion about it's not the woman of one with no, it's specific. It says the husband of one wife. And most Christians that look at that verse that say what that's not obviously women are not in the role of Deacon in leadership in the church. We understand it because it says the husband of one wife. But it also says the husband of one wife. One wife. It's not hard to understand. It's not talk about polygamy. I believe I believe is talking about the fact that it's not going to allow the devil to have any type of accusation that would cause there to be stumbling within the church or there to be at the protest by that church to be blighted as a result of it and there might be deeper reasons to it than that, but God knows what he's what he's doing. We have to trust the Lord and so the Bible is very specific let the Deacon be the husband of one wife and so Make a move on and it says the next one. This is every bit as important as being the husband of one wife is his ruling home. Well

and first 12 the second part of his ruling their children and their own houses well, Who did God ordain to be the head of the home?

That's all safe together. If you know the answer god-ordained be the head of the home say if you know it the husband do we have any disagreement with that? No, we understand that. I know sometimes we struggle with that some men struggle with being the leader. They should be in some ladies struggle with following that leader. It's a struggle it is you know, why? Why is that cuz of Eve?

It's because of sin I'm joking around about it. Because if you go back to the first occurrence when God had to actually put order the reason why he had to put the order that he did is because of the sin that we have the sin that we have without with with because of sin. We have to have a loss. And we have to have organization. Did you have to have leadership within the organization? Otherwise, you have what Anarchy so God has put in place and you go all the way back to the very beginning. You see that God put Adam over Eve deceived Eve was. And I haven't figured all that out yet. I will tell you the honest truth. I don't understand why Adam did it maybe it was a love that he had for his wife. He didn't want to lose her. We really don't know but what we do know is this that he send his much does Eve did difference being he wasn't deceived by that serpent. We know that to be a fact and we know that big because of part of the the curse of sin that there is a God had to put a ruling order in place. We know that and so God ordained god-appointed the man to be the head of the home that man is responsible for the well-being of the home. We know that from the word of God. And so the Deacon should be recognized as the leader of the home and respected as such he is to be in control of the atmosphere of his home. And so that is a qualification for a ticket if you can't rule his own house. Well, how is it going to be in the leadership position within a church? And so it's important that he rules the home. Well looks good move on. Now look at some spiritual qualifications that all of these are related to spiritual there some specific things here regarding the spiritual realm and bursitis is holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience holding the mystery of the faith of the pure conscience. The Deacon is to be a man of the word. He is to know the word of God. He is to know what he believes. He is the hold the mystery of the faith and a pure conscience. He has to be a man who knows the doctrines of the Bible. He has to be one who lives them before others. They'll likely be a time when when you're going to be called upon to stand upon the truth of God's word as a deacon. You better know what the word of God says. I can't emphasize enough the importance of knowing the word of God know what you believe know. Why you believe it's that other see or faith in God's word revealed for the life that you live. By the way. This goes hand-in-hand with ruling their children and their own household. Well it is. Well, this is connected understanding that knowing what you believe that being able to give a a a a a concise reason why you do what you do? Why is the church to do what they do? Why do we what is a major doctrine that we stand upon? Why do we believe what we believe Deacon all to know that and hold firm to that holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And so we see his suffering work number one is better move on. I want you to notice. It's a serious. Look at number 10.

I'd let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless first. We see the candidate must meet God's requirements, but that's not all that's involved. There's requirements. But there's more to it. We see here the work of a deacon is a serious Endeavor notice. We see that first of all his face must be examined. It says and let these also first be proved. Concerned with the faithfulness of those who serve as deacons let them also first be proved his faith must be examined there to be proven to be tested to be examined for the work. I think it must be a man who has had time to mature in his face. Number one. They have to be mature or not a novice say praise God for them. I need to grow and get to the place. I would love for every man that gets saved. He's baptized and out of his church to have in his mind to half and they the desire to come to the place where he could be nominated to be a deacon cuz he meets the qualifications. I would love to see that. That'll be the desire of the purpose of discipleship and mentoring by the Methodist Church for young Christians. They are to be setting an example. They ought to have these as being a desire that young man that gets saved that even if you've been through divorce you ought to desire that man never have to go through what you went through with that.

That young man ought to be learning about being a Godly leader within his home and he ought to see examples of what the follow young men that could see what it is to be a Godly leader of their home. They ought to see that they have to see men that are living a life is Holy a Pious like the gray they ought to see that and it ought to be our desire for them to grow to that are young people we want to see them grow to the end. So addicted must be a man who has the time to make sure that they that's not a new Christian but it's a man who's been saying for some time a man who that is familiar with the ways of God a man that is it has served and has become an example for fellow Believers. He's showing what it means to be a Godly Man a Godly individual there must be clear evidence that this man has been saved as made a commitment to serve the Lord. And in with that being said when we look at that, he must have his faith examine that it's not just a new member either some of that has joined recently. We haven't had a chance to get to know them that well and it doesn't mean that they're not great people. It's just means that this is not just, when a person just could save us, having some time to see the fruit. Of their service to God and so that's something that when when nominations are made if a man is his his not been here very long. You have to really when you when you look at this that let also hit first be proved there has to be an opportunity for them to be proof of the fact that he is who he says he is and and so we see that look like move on his faith must be exercised. I said then let them use the office of a deacon. Exercised then let them use the office of a deacon in an office. Tell me feel.

Being a dick and doesn't mean you're filling the position. Being a dick and means that you are going to be used to fulfill the need that the Deacon's role has what the need to serve. Its to be used to be a exercise. It's not just what we have to have at least three D cuz we're going to fill the positions. Now if we don't have men that meet the qualifications or that are called by God and are willing to serve we're not going to have positions filled just to say the field. It's not going to happen. This is the faith that must be exercised using the office of Deacon. The Deacon should seek ways to be of service to the Lord and his people hit something that is seen prior to becoming a deacon. It's something that is examined in seeing it something that is visible within their life, but don't actually use the role you're coming to serve your coming to serve the people of his church are coming to serve and it helped the pastors of this church. It's a servant Rule and by the way the pastors of the Church of the servant role as well. It's a cervical an application of what's involved in what we're doing, but it's all about service. So you're using the office of a deacon it's going to be an obligation to work. And men using the office. Well thoroughly, we see his faith must be enduring. And so if you're literally being appointed to this office being founded Bible says being found blameless. Blameless that word it simply means to be above reproach above does that mean perfect. No, because otherwise none of us would qualify not a person here tonight. Would it have been Perfection? What is talking about is that there's there's been nothing found. It could be laid against you it in preventing you from serving Lighthouse Baptist Church. Deacon's are to live so that there is no opportunity for charges to be brought against them. And if the charges are brought that that evidence is not going to stick because of the testimony that individual it's going to be like this. This is happened. I've seen it happen. Somebody says something horrific about a person and you go I can't believe that. That doesn't mean you don't check into it doesn't mean you don't go and ask the question perhaps. But when people say things it's like it doesn't stick why because there's been such a preponderance of evidence for that person's life through their testimony as they serve in the church that you would go that that can't be possibly can ever be true. Yes, it can be and that's why we have church discipline. That's why you have a way of handling that but this is talking about if a person is qualified that that they have such a testimony that the charges brought forth that there that that accusation won't stick. What's a fat does stick what happens then? What is a dustuk what happens then help me out. What do you think what happens if it is true? What is what should happen then? What's that discipline discipline? Exactly. Right and there's a way to handle at the Bible tells us that what they're saying is though, but if a person doesn't have a proper testimony, they shouldn't be nominated as a deacon in a person doesn't have the proper tests more. They should be appointed as a deacon and then it should maintain a proper testimony as a deacon and if they don't they should be removed at from being a deacon. It's it's really that doesn't mean that you don't throw it out because of people that that are perfect yet. There is nobody perfect, but they should have a proper testimony says being found blameless having a good testimony. All right. So we see a separate series working tonight. Lastly we see is supported work. They need support even Dickens need support the Bible has a a very clear thing here. We see a Deaconess set aside to serve the Lord, but it's not only that. Can the man that's involved in this work their wives if married are also responsible to meet and uphold certain qualifications responsibilities. I've known men that were called. Perhaps at one time is served but no longer serving in the area even be evidence of Pastor or a deacon because their wife won't support their work. Here we see that there's a mandate that the wives they need to be on board. They need to be supporting their husband being a deacon is a supported work. He needs the support of his wife and just as the Deacon will give an account to God for a service the wife. She's going to get an account for her support as well as so literally that the wife has a great privilege of being a great help the Lord through the support of your husband as a Deacon's wife. God has a word for the wives of deacons as well notice what it says in verse 11. Let's look at it. Even so musterwives be grave not Slanders sober faithful in all things there were back to that. We're grave. Once again grave the shares the same meaning as that of your husband. You are to be honorable worthy of respect Pius. Holy your to understand the seriousness of the work that your husband has been called to you are to set the example for other women in the church to follow you will be looked on for spiritual guidance among the women of the church. People will look up to you. It's a position of being in leadership because your husband is in that place and so to be Graves the first thing we see her must be grave second lease is not Slanders. You to be a woman who controls her Tom not a gossiper. That's what I'm talkin about not being a slander. Not a talebearer not one who stirs up mischief and disturbances that I'll be the case. There's going to be some things that Asians when your husband's going to share for have some things with you to pray about that. You're not going to talk to other people about You not going to stir up any problems if you're not going to gossip.

Your husband is going to be in a position that he needs your support and he needs your confidentiality he needs for you to be that person that he can talk to and pray with and know that you're not going to let that outside of that conversation.

He needs your confidence. He needs your help. You need to respect that and there's only time when he's going to come home and perhaps he doesn't want to burden you with a weight. I do not like when I tell people things and in certain situations, I can't forbid them from telling their wife, but there are times when I make a recommendation that perhaps your wife doesn't need to carry that burden. And I say that it is just that's up to the husband. I will say that but he ought to be able to trust his wife are sometimes when you ladies don't push your husband to tell you what happened, but maybe he's trying to protect you. And maybe there's some things that he feels it's better than in that poor trust comes in with that. And so it goes by move on. It seems to be sober. This means that you're to be temperate abstain from wine and abuse of substances your to keep a sound mind with sound judgment being sober and it's a space bun all things. This means just what it says being faithful in all things. You'll be faithful to your husband faithful to his work faithful to your family faithful to the church that you are a member of faithful to the Lord the Deacon his wife are expected to support the church in every area. There will be those who will look to you as an example of faithfulness in the church being faithful.

Unlimited shoes an example. I've seen some some pastors were there otherwise weren't faithful to the church services. I've seen that I'm confused by that and often times when I've seen it and I've not seen it here. I'm not talkin about Lighthouse Inn, churches that visited and churches that I've had friends people have known even family that goes to churches and and just to get the what I've gone to visit in the wife's not there and every time I've gone to visit the wife's not there and I asked I've never met the pastor's wife and they say no she doesn't come that often. only asked you how does it appear?

How's that support the husband? You might say well you don't know the dirty rotten guy. That's what makes you think doesn't it? Does it not well, I wonder how he acts at home if his wife won't even come here and preach. You see only that you understand I'm talking about and if it causes LK, maybe there's a health issue. Maybe there's a very well could be in those situations. I know a great Pastor is down in Fremont, Ohio and his wife had some I mean major physical problems in the church knew all about it though. And it had a husband often would say would you please pray for my wife and people knew about it? I understand situations like the other situations when the wife just didn't come. I mean, she just wasn't there. Let me say this it is. So I will tell you from a pastor's perspective as a preacher. I need my wife next to me. I need her here. Such support and the testimony of the pastor and his wife. It's so important that we are together as a team God expects the same thing of deacons that man needs his wife. She needs to be here with her husband and being faithful to him to the church to whatever Ministry that God is called her to being faithful to set an example to other couples to other people to young people setting an example of being faithful. and so all these things are important and you know, there's a lot of things we looked at here and I some of its overwhelming it perhaps but the Lord of set these things aside for the good of his church serving as a deacon is an exciting wonderful Journey for the Lord is truly is and there's going to be Days Of Heartache does going to days of rejoicing is going to be days when it is difficult to be a dick, but if God has called you to do it and you will surrender to that call and have that desire to do it and are willing to meet those qualifications. God will use you and you'll be able to see God bless you in a great way. God will truly bless you. Let me just see this. It's going to look here in closing.