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Qualifications for Deacons
I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
The meaning of the word deacon
Speaks of someone who is busy assisting someone else
That is the first picture we see in Acts 6
Those men assisted the apostles so that they could dedicate themselves to the Word and prayer
The English word deacon is only found in our Bible 5 times
Four of these times are in this passage
The other is Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
The word behind deacon is used many times
A servant doing the biding of another Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
The same word is not necessarily a spiritual word
It is a servant doing a job for another
The secret to spiritual greatness Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
The same word for deacon is translated minister
Minister means servant
We are embarrassed to be considered a servant
We may want a title but not a duty
We may consider the honor but not the actual use of the word
Spiritual service to Jesus with promise, and intimacy implied John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
The word servant explains what a deacon is
There is the promise of being with Him and being honored
But we are but servants
Government officials are deacons Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Politicians do not understand that they are actually servants of God
They are actually supposed to be doing His bidding
Jesus was a deacon Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Jesus humbled Himself to be a minister, a servant, a deacon
He was there to prove to them the truth of God’s Word
He humbled Himself to be even mistreated by them
The word deacon is used in reference to Phebe Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
She doesn’t have the title deacon but she was doing the job of a deacon, serving
She served her church
I wondered what she did to be so recognized
Paul and Apollos were deacons I Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? II Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Even Paul and Apollos should not be lifted up to something more than a servant
We serve Christ to get the gospel to people
Serving meant suffering
He has made us all deacons of the new testament II Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. II Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
We were not given a title of honor but of servant
We serve His new testament, His blood shed, to give our lives like He did
No matter what it takes, how much we suffer we want to be considered His servants
God gives us the privilege of being His servants
Satan has deacons II Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The word means servant so even the wicked one has some
They can fake it like a servant of God even when they are not
A person can become a deacon of sin Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
We really choose who we serve
Are we serving God
Are we living in sin then we are the deacons of sin
Paul felt God had made him a deacon, a minister, of God’s Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Made a minister, an honor to be His servant
We serve at His pleasure not ours
The Lord’s deacon Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: I Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: I Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
A servant in the Lord’s service
Serving faithfully
Serving God by serving others
We are good servants if we use what God has given us
Greeted as servants, deacons Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Both are His servants
Never should we get an attitude that we are anything more
A deacon is to be grave I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
The word grave means to be considered serious
It is the idea of being worthy of respect, honor, dignified, serious
It is honorable, above reproach, holy
Some questions for each of us to consider
Are you serious about the things of God
Do those you serve with believe you to be serious about the things of God
Have you gained the respect of the believers you serve with
A deacon must not be double tongued I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
A deacon can’t insincere, says two different things
A deacons can’t speak in half truths
We use the term two faced
They are to say what they mean and mean what they say
They can’t say one thing to your face and another behind your back
His yea must mean yea and his no mean no
Being who you say you are is a reflection of Christ in us
We are not to flatter
Deacons are problem solvers not problems or problem causers
Questions to ask yourself
Are you known for keeping your word
Do you speak consistently to different people
Do you speak the truth in love
Would people consider you to be honest and fair with both parties
Are you reliable
A deacon can’t be given to much wine I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Not given to much wine would mean not to be controlled by alcohol
The idea of not given is to be alert to what wine does
It is to be careful
It is to pay close attention
Do you pay attention to sin and vices so as not to allow them a stronghold in your life
How can you help others if you are victim yourself
How can you teach others victory if you do not have victory
Get the Bible attitude about alcohol
A deacon is not to be greedy of filthy lucre I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
This word means not shamelessly greedy for money, not fond of dishonest gain
Money is often referred to negatively in the Bible Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Desires can lead you into temptations and a snare I Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Love of money is the root of all evil I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
It can cause you to err from the faith I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Life is more than money and things Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Heart follows money Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
You can never get enough Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
Questions to ask yourself
Do you live denying self or in greed in regards to finances
Do you exhibit godly generosity
Do you encourage others to be generous or motivate others to be concerned for self
Do you have a pastoral heart for others, our success can make us judgmental
Are you honest in your financial dealings
Do you show a love towards money or view money as a tool to serve God
Have you learned to find your satisfaction in God and not in things