Four Charges For FBCL Deacons

Attitude Reflects Leadership

In the movie “Remember the Titans,” there is a remarkable scene that comes just before the turning point in the film. As many of you know, the movie is about a high school football team that has to deal with the pressures of desegregation; a black school is combined with a white school.

There is a scene that comes to mind as I reflect on church leadership, elders and deacons. A white defensive captain is having a conversation with a black defensive player. The white captain criticizes the black player for being selfish, not paying for his team. The black player responds by pointing out the lack of leadership by the White captain and says something very insightful, Attitude reflects leadership.

Over the years, Deacon ministry has received bad rap. Churches across the landscape of American have horror stories of rogue deacons who turn the church upside down. On the one hand, there are unqualified men serve on deacon boards who act like a board of trustees whose main purpose is to keep the fire hot under the pastor’s feet. And when the pastor does not do their bidding, they have secret meetings in the night to remove him from office. On the other hand, there are the passive deacons who do absolutely nothing to help the church joyfully advance the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in serving the church. Both sets of deacons reflect poor leadership.

Attitude is a refection of the heart. A good attitude inside the church could reflect confidence in the gospel and those who lead the church. If there is a poor attitude, it could reflect a lack of confidence in the leadership. Elder and deacon ministry must lead and serve in such a way that the church remains confident in joyfully advancing the kingdom of god by making much of Jesus in the Church, community, and home.

This morning, we get the privilege to ordain Sonny Barrett and Michal Koen to serve as deacons at FBCL. These two men will serve the church, and help you develop and maintain a good gospel preaching, Jesus loving, God honoring, Bible believing attitude as you joyfully advance the king of God. So, let’s begin by defining the office.

Deacons are Jesus Imitating Servants

The word for deacon is διάκονος. The word coveys one who gets something done, at the behest of a superior, an assistant to someone. It is used to describe a waiter of tables or aid or assistant. The deacon serves the physical and some spiritual needs of the church under the authority of the elders. Serving is the essence of what it means to be a deacon.

Jesus used this word, διάκονος, to describe his mission on earth. In the Mark 10:43, Jesus tells his disciples that to be great you must be the least. He says, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant (deacon), and whoever would be first among you must be a slave to all.”

Jesus illustrates the spirit of deaconing to his disciples by washing their feet. When Jesus washed their feet, he said, “For who is greater, one who reclines at the table or one who serves (deacons)? Is it not one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves (deacons) (Luke 22:27).

The greatest demonstration of Jesus’s heart to serve his people is the cross. In his own words he says to us in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served (deaconed) but to serve (deacon), and give his life as a ransom for many.”

A deacon imitates Christ the greatest when he crucifies his own interests to serve (deacon) others.

The heart of a deacon is the heart of a servant. The heart of a servant is the heart of Christ. A deacon is one who willfully and joyfully submits his life to the needs of his brothers and sisters. Though he is equal in standing with his brothers and sisters, a deacon pours himself out as an offering, taking the attitude of a slave. In doing this, he imitates Christ. Sonny and Michale, the mission statement of your deacon ministry, in my opinion, should be:

“A deacon does not come to be served but to serve and give his life as an offering so that others may enjoy Jesus.”

Deacons Are Peacemaking Servants (Acts 6:1-6)

Even though Acts six does not call these seven men deacons, at the very least they represent Christians in the church community who were chosen to serve in a capacity like deacon. That is why many scholars look to Acts 6 as the first mention of deacon ministry in the church.

The setting is the young church was experiencing growth. A dispute arose between Greek and Hebrew widows. One group felt neglected because their daily needs were not being met by the church. The twelve Apostles rightly prioritized the preaching of the word of God as their ministry, but felt compelled to meet the needs of the Hellenistic widows by appointing seven men from the church to serve them.

In the beginning, these appointed servants of the early church were born out of a conflict. Out of conflict came an opportunity for the gospel. Highly loved and valued men of the church were appointed to restore peace to the body. They were peacemakers who were appointed to serve tables. Serving the weak and vulnerable brought peace to the church. Deacons are not meant to be trouble makers, but peacemakers. To modify your deacon ministry purpose statement:

“A deacon does not come to be served, but to serve and bring peace, giving his life as an offering so that others may enjoy Jesus.”

Acts 6:1-6 provides a helpful criteria for the kind of people who serve well as deacons: Good Reputation & Full of the Spirit and Wisdom

Good Reputation

The word used here is marturew. You may recognize the English word martyr in the root. It carries several ideas of being a witness. In Acts 6, the idea of a good reputation refers to someone who is literally “approvingly testified of” by the church.

In Acts, the word was used to describe Cornelius, the Gentile Roman soldier who came to Christ through Peter in Acts 10:22. He was well spoken of by the Jews under his rule. It was also used to describe Timothy in Acts 16:1-2, who was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul used the word to describe Ananias as a well approved Jewish man when he was giving his testimony ion Acts 22:12.

To get a better sense of the word you need to look no further than the Book of Hebrews. The writer of Hebrews used this sense of the word four times in the infamous Hall of Faith Hebrews chapter eleven. These were old saints who are well commended, or approved, for their testimony. Abel was approved for his righteous offering. Enoch did not see death and was approved for pleasing God. At the end of Hebrews 11, thew writer says

Hebrews 11:39–40 HCSB

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.

meaning, everyone mentioned in the Hall of Faith were well-spoken of, or approved by God and the church.

Deacons in the church are Christians whose lives testify of being approved by God and His church through a commitment to Kingdom living; living that looks like the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7) for example.

What is important here is that the Christians were chosen for their godly character, not their good reputation for business savvy or connections in the community. These were godly people who expressed their godliness in consistent godly character which earned them a good reputation in the church community. They were trusted with the gospel the ministry of the church. And these men took that trust seriously. The second criteria was they were,

Full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom

We’ve said before, clean hands should be the expression of a clean heart; their heart is ruled by the Holy Spirit. The phrase “full of the Holy Spirit” means that their lives are governed by the Spirit. They are spiritually sensitive the the Holy Spirit’s leading and conviction. Their life and ministry are obviously empowered by the Holy Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Coupled with wisdom, they are able to discern needs and offer sound judgments proving their spiritual maturity.

These folks are not afraid of the broken complexity and messiness that comes with humanity. They understand that everyone is broken and the only hope anyone has for restoration and reconciliation is the redemption offered in Jesus Christ. So these folks offer their hands and their feet with their Spirit-empowered heart to serve the body wisely.

At the very least, Acts 6:1-6, serves as a model for deacons. To begin with, they are chosen by the church and agreed on by the apostles. They are to be men of good reputation and filled with the Holy Spirit. They are called to wait tables or serve the widows physical needs. By all accounts, they look like deacons.

I have a friend in the ministry who does not believe that the office of deacon is authorized in the church nor was it approved by the church. He has this view because he has suffered under bad deacon ministry. Remember, attitude reflects leadership. The problem for my friend is, Paul and the New Testament says otherwise.

Deacon Ministry (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

Deacons are authorized in the church.

The word deacon is used 29 times in the New Testament. In its noun form it refers to a servant. In its verb for it means to serve. Of those 29 occurrences, four of them specify it is an office because it uses the term as a proper noun. For example, in 1 Timothy 3:7, Paul says, “Likewise Deacons…” The word “likewise” refers to those who desire to be elders. An elder is a pastor who oversees the church. It is a man who holds the office of elder or overseer.

The way Paul uses the word in verse 8-13, signifies it is an office. First, he sets the word apart, “to be a deacon” he says in verse eight. Then, just like he does for the office of elder, he lists specific qualifications for the office. An example of Paul referring to the office of deacons outside of Timothy is in his letter to the Philippians. He addresses both the elders and the deacons, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:” Finally, he refers to Phoebe as a deacon(ness) of the church in Romans 16:1. Paul recognizes the authenticity of the office of deacon as an authorized office in the church.

Deacons are approved by the church.

As I have already said, Paul provides specific qualifications for someone to serve in the office of deacon. He lists them

1 Timothy 3:8–13 HCSB

Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

With these qualifications the church selects believers they approve for deacon ministry. Furthermore, in an elder led congregational system, the deacons would be vetted by the elders and voted on by the church community. The office of deacon is an authorized office approved by the church for service on behalf of the church. So, no, we cannot get rid of the office of deacon. That is not the answer. The answer is to raise up the kind of Christ imitating, peacemaking, servants the church can thrive under their care. I believe we have two qualified men this morning who will be that for FBCL.

Four Charges For FBCL Deacons: Sonny Barrett & Michael Koen

Serve With Principled Character (1 Timothy 3:8)

To be principled in character is to be governed by a strong moral compass, balanced spirit, and consistency in word and deed. The Lord tells us through Paul that the deacon must be dignified. The word for dignified is semnos. Semnos means to be serious, honorable, noble, worthy of respect. It is used four other times in the New Testament. Paul uses the word in Philippians 4:8 when he tells the church to dwell on whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable…” In Titus 2:2, he uses semnos to tell older men to be level headed. The other two times Paul uses the word semnos are in our text in verse 3:8, referring to deacons and in verse 11 referring to deacon’s wives saying that they must be worthy of respect.

Paul further explains what it means to be dignified by using three negatives; not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, and not greedy for dishonest gain. To be double-tongued is to speak out of both sides of your mouth. It is to tell one person one thing and then tell someone else another thing, so that when you compare notes you have two different stories. He is not prone to slander or gossip. He is the kind of man Will Rogers described as “not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” A deacon principled in character can control his tongue in the church, community, and home. This includes media platforms like Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, Twitter.

He not only controls his tongue, but to the temptation to lust after money and wine.

Os Guinness once wrote, tongue in cheek, of deacons in the Baptist church,

“If a man is drunk on wine the church will throw him out. If he is drunk on money, they will make him a deacon.” Os Guinness

Of course, neither should be said of God’s servant of the church. Because he is principled in Godly character, he does not let the lust of wine or money or anything for that matter rule him. He is well aware that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10) and that many woes and sorrows and wounds and conflicts and complaints come to a man who is filled with wine (Proverbs 23:34-35).

Paul says in verse nine that a deacon is to hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. The deacon is filled with the gospel. When Paul speaks of the mystery of the faith, he is referring to the gospel. Paul references the mystery of the faith in Ephesians 3:1-13 when he tells the church Timothy is pastoring that the mystery of the Messiah and his authority over all peoples has been revealed to them in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Paul asks the Colossian church to pray that God would open a door for him to reveal the mystery of the Messiah, for which he is in prison. Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel.

A deacon knows the gospel. He lives the gospel. He is transformed by deep abiding truths of the gospel. To have a “clear conscience,” a deacon must give continual obedience to God’s truth as revealed in Scripture. Nothing sways him away from obeying the truth; not conflict, not bribery, not status, nor family, or close friends. Blood may be thicker than water, but it is not thicker than the truth.

In sum, a deacon who serves with principled character is respectable. He is respectable in what he says and what he does. He is respectable in his humble obedience to the truth. He is respectable in his ability to sympathize with people in all walks of life, in all areas of life, in all arenas of life. No one is out of bounds or beyond reach. His hands reach out to both wealthy and poor. His feet walk with the lame and the healthy. Why? Because a deacon’s heart is principled in the heart of Christ.

Serve With Prized Wisdom (1 Timothy 3:10)

Prized wisdom is cherished wisdom. Approved wisdom. Proven Wisdom. It’s the kind of wisdom everyone wants to have but very few are willing to endure to get it because one must be tested in order to get it.

In verse ten, Paul says that a deacon must be “tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.” To be tested is to be tried. It is to be examined and found approved. The word is often used to determine genuineness. Paul uses the same word in 1 Corinthians 11:28 cautioning a man to examine himself before he takes communion to ensure his motives are pure. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says, “ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.” To be tested is to be examined. Examined by what?

There is no official test mentioned in out text. But Paul does say ha deacon must be found blameless. The word blameless does not mean perfection. It carries the idea that the overall character of a man’s life is found to be above reproach. He is not known in the church or the community as a trouble maker. When his name is mentioned in the church or community, no one brings an accusation against him.

Taking what we know about verse 8-9, that deacon must be principled in character and that character is rooted in the mystery of the faith, we can at least some minimum criteria for a test. For starters, if he has to hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, then he must be a man who knows his theology. Though he is not required to teach, he could teach if he needed too. Also, godly character is not something given to you at birth. It is taught and tested. Why does it have to be tested? Fire obviously refines and purifies. But testing can also seal the truth in your heart.

A heat sealer is a machine used to seal products, packaging, and other thermoplastic materials using heat. Sealing the packaging protects what is inside to keep it pure. Testing does the same thing to our character. Being tried seals it in our hearts. God uses the experience to heat up his truth, his holiness, into our hearts to mold us into Christ.

Prized wisdom is proven wisdom. It’s the kind of wisdom where God’s truth has been sealed in his heart truth experience. It is not enough for the deacon to know about God, he has to experience God in this broken world. This is how we learn biblical discernment. Discernment is the ability to be able to apply biblical truth with the biblical character to any given circumstance or situation. He shows the ability apply godly character to and truth to life.

Serve With Prudence For Your Family (1 Timothy 3:11-12)

Like the elders, deacons must manage their homes well. For deacons, Paul explicitly mentions the role of the wife. As I mentioned above, she is to be worthy of respect. Like her husband, her words have consequences. She is not to clothe gossip in the form of a prayer request. Like her husband, her life needs to show balance and control. She should not be known stirring up strife, but as one who is temperate and sober-minded. Paul uses the same word for sober-minded here as he does for the elders. A deacon’s wife must be faithful in all things. This is similar to the deacon’s requirement of being blameless. She is first to be faithful to her husband. She is to be trustworthy. She can keep a confidence. Meaning, when things are said in confidence, it remains on a confidential basis.

Not only is his marriage to be marked by godly character, but his children also must be marked by obedience. I do not think Paul is saying that his children must be saved. I believe the intent of the passage is that his children respect his authority and position as their father enough to submit to his leadership.

For this to be genuine in the home, the deacon must serve his family with prudence. He must be committed to loving his wife as Christ loved the church, being faithful to her, and leading her well. Like the church captures the heart of Christ, so the wife of the deacon captures his heart. He is to be a one-woman kind of man. A man who is faithful to his wife physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As the father of the home, he must lead his home in a gospel-centered manner. He must not be heavy-handed all the time. He must raise his children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). He models the love and submission of the Trinity to teach his children and expects them to do the same.

Serve With Passion For The Gospel (1 Timothy 3:13)

Finally, Paul says, “For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” Here is the ground clause for verses eight through thirteen. It is the reason for why deacons serve. There is a reward for serving as deacon. They will receive a good standing before men and before God.

Paul says he will have “great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” Great boldness refers to their personal faith and the testimony of the church.” Good deacons have a vibrant relationship with Jesus. They spend enough time with Jesus that they become confident in His mission and ability to fulfill that mission. Their confidence flows from being conformed into the image of the Son. Deacons serve like Jesus because they are conformed into his image.

A deacon is passionate for joyfully advancing the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in the church, community, and home by serving the church, community, and home. Passion is the word that comes to mind when I read these qualifications for deacon. He is passionate for Jesus.

Put the entire package together. A deacon is a man who is principled in character. He speaks the truth with confidence. His tested life pours out godly wisdom, which makes him approachable, desirable, friendly. The resources of his life are shared with confidence and consistency. His wife is trusted. His children are helpful. All of this is at your disposal. How can you not appreciate such an asset to the church?

Attitude reflects leadership

There is one very important takeaway for the church. It has been said that what the leadership is in microcosm, the congregation will be in macrocosm. Whatever the leadership looks like or acts like, the church will inevitably follow. The church takes on the face and personality of its leaders. If the leaders act and sound like the world, the church will become worldly. It is no different than inside the home. Parents cannot parent their children with a do as I say not as I do approach. The children become much of what you have shown them. The church is no different.

The church must raise up Godly men to lead and serve. We must not be quick to put unqualified men in leadership. We have to take these qualifications seriously. Otherwise, we give the devil too much opportunity to destroy the work we have been called to do. Sonny and Michael have been vetted and given some training. They have met the qualifications for deacon. This morning we charge them to serve with principled gospel ingrained character, to serve with prized biblically infused wisdom, to serve with careful prudence for their family, and to serve a confident passion for the gospel. If they will do this well, under the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit, then our church will blossom under their care, and we will have confidence in the gospel. Our attitudes will reflect their good leadership.