Godly Leadership - Diaconate

Intro:

I want you guys to know what kind of Pastor you have now.

I mess up.

Last week I preached on and the entire sermon I used the name Joseph instead of Joshua.

My son is named after this very Joshua.

I have no idea.

Next time I do something like that feel free to correct me.

Last week we looked at the end of at the battle between Amalek and Isreal.

1. When we pray, and completely rely on God, He prevails.

2. When we cease to pray, we are overcome.

3. When we become weary, we must allow others to help.

4. When we pray, obey, and rely on one another, God is glorified.

As we move forward in our text today we are going to see these ideas move Israel toward a leadership structure that is designed by God to create sustainability.

We are going to be applying what God is doing in them and make application for our body.

We are going to read all of today for the sake of context and then focus primarily on the later half.

We are going to see how God uses Jethro to give Moses a plan for structured leadership so that the burden of ministry doesn’t fall on Moses alone.

I mentioned last week that because of the way that God has instructed us to do ministry here, specifically with me having my primary vocation be in another field, we have to all understand and move beyond our historical idea of what church ministry looks like.

its obvious that our text today is dealing specifically with that idea.

As we move forward, I want to take a moment and give you a glimpse into my day to day.

Not as a pat on my back, but to make sure we are all on the same page and to remove any opportunity for assumptions.

All of these times are heavy on the ish… I’m not a schedule monster

Day starts 6:30ish quiet time and getting ready for work

8-5:30ish is work with lunch time reserved for sermon prep or meetings with church members as needed.

I get home around 6 and from 6-9:30 is family time, dinner, chores, and exercise.

9:30-11 sermon prep

11 until bedtime is Bethany time

somewhere between 12 and 1 is bedtime

Saturdays I try to spend at least half of the day with the family/chores the other half is sermon prep

Sundays are up early around 6 for quiet time and sermon prep, getting kids ready and getting to church, church, lunch and grocery shopping, run home to unload, life group, go home and get supper, kids in the bed, pass out, start over.

Again, this is not to pat me on the back. It is to show you that I literally don’t have time do any more than I already am.

If it can be stripped from my schedule it already has been. I have spent a lot of time asking God what there is in my life that I can stop doing. lol

So, as we read our text today, keep in mind that all of us have packed schedules.

I am not alone in being really busy, but all of us have ministry responsibilities that we are called too.

Remember a couple of weeks ago we talked about the fact that all believers are called to be disciple makers, not just pastors.

None of us can do this on our own...

The only way this happens is if all of are fulfilling our roles.

Exodus 18 ESV

1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, 3 along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), 4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6 And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” 12 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. 13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

Jethro, Moses father in law, comes to visit and bring Moses family back to him.

Synopsis

They have a great reunion and even though Jethro has heard some of God has been doing, Moses gets to give him all the details.

Those who “serve” in the Christian community, assisting the elders or overseers (bishops). The Greek word which the NIV translates four times as “deacon” occurs a further 25 times in the NT, where it is translated as “servant”. It seems that all Christians have a general servant role, whereas some (deacons) are called to a specific office of service within the church.

Jethro is amazed by what God has done and because of the stories that he is hearing from Moses, he understands the truth about who God is.

Side note, this is super encouraging to me. We have all had family that have heard what God is doing and been doubtful that it is him.

The Seven: assistants to the apostles

We are unclear exactly what Jethro believed, but based on his response, it seems that God is revealed to him and he has a better understanding of all the things Moses has been telling him.

Why they were needed

The verb “wait” means “to serve”.

As God works in our lives, He has the power to give us opportunities to explain and show our families that we have been hearing and obeying God the entire time.

As a result they will come to have a better understanding of who God is.

(ESV) — 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The needs of a church cannot be met by one person.

Their qualifications and selection

Exodus 18:17–20 ESV

17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.

ex 18:17-

God wants us to focus on the task that He has called us too.

(ESV) — 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

When we all do our small part, no one is overwhelmed.

I love that Jethro points out that it won’t be only Moses that will be worn out, but also the people.

Having to wait for days on someone else so that you can get something done is exhausting.

This is why it is important for us to all do our part. It keeps us from being overwhelmed.

Their names and appointment

This works in two ways.

1. All the needs are met and there is only light work for each person...

Although the Seven are not actually called “deacons”, they were probably the earliest example of Christians carrying out the tasks which came to be linked with deacons.

2. You are doing what God has called you too and you don’t have to feel guilty about not doing all the other things.

(ESV) — 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

This has been my experience so far in this new role. When the elders meet and we talk about all the things that need to be done around here, I struggle with not feeling guilty.

I tend to feel guilty because I have the knowledge, experience, and the tools to fix all the stuff around here.

The only thing I don’t have is the time and I’ve had some conversations about it.

I have talked with God about this and

A major part of my transition to pastoring was me learning to say no, I can’t do that.

I had to stop doing some things that were enjoyable, but they weren’t what God was calling me to.

I also want you to know that I recognize the fear and anxiety that some of you are feeling as we talk about this.

You may be recalling personal experiences or experiences of you parents where you volunteer to participate in a ministry and you have to die to get out of it.

Deacons were assistants to overseers in Philippi

God doesn’t call someone to leadership to hang them out to dry.

That is never his plan, but each person isn’t faithful in their calling, things are left undone.

God very purposefully creates a leadership structure that allows all of us to lean on the support of others and to spread the load out among everyone.

All Christians are “saints” (that is, set apart for God), but overseers and deacons have specific roles assigned to them.

Exodus 18:22 ESV

22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.

(ESV) — 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Qualifications for men and women deacons

There is no NT description of the precise role of deacons (although may imply a certain role). These qualifications would be appropriate for people responsible for financial management, administration, and social service, such as that offered to widows; The women may be deacons’ wives (NIV text), or deaconesses (NIV footnote).

We can see here a very clear picture of each person taking on responsibility with the directive to pass it up the line if it is too much for them.

As we talk about serving in a leadership position, please understand that you will have a support system.

There are specific qualifications for leadership.

(ESV) — 8 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.

(ESV) — 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

Exodus 18:21 ESV

21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

ex

Phoebe, a deaconess

It is crucial to the life of the church and to the reputation of God that those who are in leadership positions are qualified to hold that position.

The qualifications listed for the positions that Moses is to appoint some to are:

able - have the ability to lead and judge righteously

fear God - they understand who God is

trustworthy - they can lead without the people having to question their motives.

NIV footnote.

Looking at this passage over the last few weeks God has made it abundantly clear to me...

It is time for us to begin the servant ministry of deacons and deaconesses in our body.

I want to be clear that Moses isn’t appointing deacons as we see them later in scripture, but God is using this system of leadership in the life of Israel as a way to ease the burden of ministry for Moses.

As we have been doing through this study, we are looking at what God is doing through Moses and Aaron and making application into our own lives.

The biblical standard of church leadership that is set forth in the new testament is through the ministry of the Elders and Deacons.

So, we are moving at this point today, from and we are going to look at what it means to be a Deacon so that we can follow God’s leading.

(ESV) — 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,

I think it was fall last year, as we were studying the book of Acts that God spoke for us to appoint deacons and deaconesses.

For a number of reasons, this slipped through the cracks, but we are going to pick up where we left off.

As I prayed through this I have felt that it would be really important for us to revisit what the characteristics and expectations of a deacon and deaconess are.

If you grew up in the Southern Baptist Church, you probably have some preconceived notions of what a deacon is.

Most of us in this room have had experiences with a deacon in

A great example is that you’ve probably never seen a Deaconess, however, there are explicit examples in scripture of women holding this position.

I’m asking you to lay that aside what you think you know and let’s look at scripture together and see what God is saying.

Like many other things, the church took a truth from scripture, twisted it to meet their desires and called that truth.

As I have pointed out to you guys before, learning is moving from a position of perceived understanding or no understanding into full understanding.

God’s desire is that we move from what we have experienced in the past to living under what He says and see the differences between the two.

Can we agree together that we will look at these passages with fresh lenses on?

Responsibilities of a Deacon or Deaconess

Acts 6:1–7 ESV

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:1–8 ESV

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

The primary responsibility of the Diaconate [dia a kuh nuht] (the office of deacon) is to serve the body.

The primary responsibility of a Diaconate is to serve the needs of the body.

There is a need in the early church for men and women to attend to the needs of the church.

The primary responsibility of a Diaconate is to serve the needs of the body.

The apostles gathered up the body and instructed them to appoint some from among them that could make sure that all the needs were being taken care of and that they were take care of in the proper way.

We see the diaconate serving, in this example, making sure that widows were being properly taken care of, but we see a more generalized view of their service in other passages.

In short, they take care of the physical needs of the church.

There is clear distinction between an Elders and Deacons.

Elders are overseers in the church, whose primary focus is on spiritual matters.

Deacons are servants in the church, whose primary focus is on physical matters.

We get the words deacon and deaconess from the Greek word diakonos [dee-ak’-on-os] , which translates to servants or minister, in the church.

Most people have had a church experience in which deacons were acting as elders. They ran the church and were even over the pastor.

That is not what we see in scripture.

Philippians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

:1

Here we see Paul specifically mentioning both roles. He wouldn’t do that if they were the same thing.

The word for overseer and deacon are two different words with different meanings.

They are different roles in the church.

Don’t be confused by the wording “servants of Christ Jesus”.

The word used there is doulos [do los] which means slave or bondservant. Paul is using this language to communicate the level of commitment they have to the ministry in which they have been called.

Why is it important to make the distinction between Elders and Deacons? Because we have all been called to different things and it is important that the church knows who is in what role and the what is expected of them.

Romans 16:1 ESV

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,

Romans 16:1–2 ESV

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

romans

again we see this same word, diakonos.

again we see this same word, diakonos.

I’m using this scripture in particular because I want clear up an confusion on the idea of a Deaconess.

Paul is telling the church in Rome to welcome Phoebe [Foy bae] no just as a member, but as a Deaconess. The role in which she has been serving.

I also want to point out that a man isn’t introduced with her.

Her leadership is not based on anything other than her call from God and Paul very clearly affirms that.

The role of a

Characteristics of a Deacon or Deaconess

She is not just a Deacon because her husband was. She held that position based on her own merit.

Deacons and Deaconesses work together with the Elders in taking care of the church.

Characteristics of a Deacons and Deaconesses.

Let’s look at two different passages to see the characteristics that a deacon and deaconess should possess.

1 Timothy 3:8–13 ESV

8 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 tim

Acts 6:8–15 ESV

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8–10 ESV

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Just like the Elders, Deacons are held to a very high standard

Truthful

God wants to make sure that those that are in leadership are the right kind of people.

Not an Alcoholic

Not Greedy

A Believer, full of the Spirit

Full of Wisdom, Grace, and Power

Spouses are held to the same standard

Able to manage their household

Being a Deacon or Deaconess, just like being an Elder, is a calling from God.

If you take the negatives of that list

I’ve been to a lot of churches who choose their deacons based on their giving, social status, personality, etc.

However, none of those things are on the list of qualifications.

As a result, those in leadership are serving themselves rather than God and the church suffers as a result.

As an Elder, it is my responsibility and the responsibility of the other Elders, to protect this body and to uphold the distinctives that God has given us.

I can promise you that there will not be a person in leadership here unless they meet the biblical qualifications.

Dignified

Honest

Sober

Faithful

Full of the Spirit

Full of Wisdom

Full of grace and power

I say this in such strong terms because of how much we all love this church.

Our church is the way it is because there isn’t anyone in leadership here that is self serving.

Up unto this point all we have had is staff and Elders, but each and everyone of the people that are in leadership are pursing God daily and leading their ministries as the are led by the Holy Spirit.

The same will be true of our deacons and deaconesses.

What we are about to do won’t look or operate the way you have seen this role in the past.

God is calling men and women that are in love with Him and have a desire to fulfill their role in this body as servant leaders.

So what is the process? How does one become a Deacon or Deaconess?

Do you feel called to this position? If you don’t, well…

Are you qualified? Do you have the characteristics that are set forth in ?

This does not mean you must be perfect. It means that you are striving too be.

If you are knowingly and purposefully living in sin, you do not meet the qualification.

If you are called and qualified, let me or one of the elders know. We will join you in praying and affirm your call.

There will be a period of “ prayer and testing or questioning” by both the elders and the rest of the body as required in vs 10

We will lay hands on you, pray for you, and appoint you.