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Protecting & Propelling the Church Forward with Deacons & Deaconesses – I Timothy 3:8-13


(These are the notes I preached from this morning. The link to the video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_DZBOfQiE0 )


Greeting/Opening Prayer:


INTRODUCTION – So a few months ago as we were finishing up our sermon series on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, our preaching team began to seek the Lord for what we should preach on or what book we should preach through next. In the sovereignty and wisdom of God He led us I believe to preach through I Timothy. This letter to Timothy from the apostle Paul is often referred to as “The Handbook of Church Management”. Paul wrote it out of great concern that if Christ’s church is not led by godly men and godly women according to godly and Biblical principles, first Christ will not be honored and glorified and adored as He should be, and second people and marriages and families will be hurt and left in their dysfunction, and third watching communities around those churches will continue in their unbelief and darkness and deception.


The apostle Paul had an ever growing zeal for the glory of God in and through Christ’s church as can be seen in his two letters to Timothy and in all of his other letters to the various churches. For instance he closed his letter to the church in Rome with these words, “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” Rom 16:27     To the church in Corinth, he exhorted, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1Co 10:31  To the church in Ephesus he wrote, “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” - Eph 3:21  And then in his first chapter of his first letter to Timothy that we are currently preaching through he exulted, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.:” 1Tim. 1:17


Paul was zealous that God be glorified in and through His church because… well… the church is His church! Paul reminded Timothy of this in that succinct purpose statement for his first letter to Timothy – chapter 3 vs. 15, “….I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God…”   The church is God’s idea; His creation; His intended dwelling place. It is to be the very heart and voice and hands and feet of its glorious risen Savior and Head Jesus Christ.

And the fact that it is still growing and spreading all over the planet and surviving - even thriving - in some of the most godless and evil nations (like Iran and China) is solely because He has protected it and nurtured it and transformed it by His Spirit and the precious blood of His Son Jesus.


Paul never got over the mind boggling reality that he not only was made part of Christ’s church by the Spirit of God, but that he even got to help establish it and lead it and serve it until his last dying breath.


So it is out of that passion and zeal for the glory of God in and through His church that he spends some time and ink in the middle of this letter to establish what the leadership of Christ’s church ought to look and live and minister like. Last week Joshua talked to us about the crucial role of elders and the crucial role of character in those elders– much more crucial than gifting or anointing or ministry skills. Today -starting with vs. 8 -  we are going to dive into a discussion about deacons and deaconesses and the crucial role they play in Christ’s church.


I want to say this morning that while Christ’s promise and declaration that He “….will build His church and the gates of hell will not overpower it” -  is being fulfilled all over the world (Matthew 16:18), there is no guarantee that individual congregations will continue to be a part of His ongoing building program and an integral part of his ever expanding kingdom.


Are you aware that it is estimated that between 4-10 thousand Christian churches close their doors each year in North America? Three evangelical churches have closed their doors in our town in the 31 years we have lived and ministered here. My home church that for a while was a vibrant church in Knoxville is no longer. The church that we bought these buildings from over 26 years ago is no longer.


Being able to be a part of a congregation that Christ is building and that Christ is pleased with is a great privilege. Being able to be a part of a congregation that in the coming years could be in the very midst of the coming revival and great outpouring of the Holy Spirit would be a huge blessing that none of us are worthy of, but all of us could experience. But it is not guaranteed. We still have some foundation laying to tend to here at The Well - to protect us from the many adversaries and snares that Christ’s church always has lurking around the corner.


So turn with me if you would to I Timothy chapter 3 vs. 8 and let’s read that together: “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”


Deacons….how do they differ from elders and what is their unique role in the church? Well to best answer that question let’s go back to the historical roots of the ministry of deacons in the book of Acts chapter 6. This is where we believe the ministry of deacons began.   Vs. 1  “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.      The good news is the church in Jerusalem was growing leaps and bounds. The sobering news is every new person that came into the church brought with him or her a new set of problems and needs. Specifically in the case of the widows, most of whom were very needy, somehow the widows that were Hellenistic were being overlooked. We don’t know the details, but the complaint got to the 12 apostles, who at that time were serving as the leaders and elders of the church there in Jerusalem.


Vs. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.  Please note that the apostles heard the complaint, and evidently immediately acted upon the complaint. They took it very seriously. But their action was not to physically go and meet the need. Had they done that - that very real need would have become a very real snare that could have harmed everyone involved spiritually speaking. Apostles and elders are not above getting their hands dirty. If they are true apostles and true elders – solely desiring to serve and please God, they are not looking for ways to work less and play more.  But if getting involved in meeting a physical need causes them to neglect their clear God given priorities then they must draw a line and find some other way for that need to be met.


vs. 3 Therefore brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.  The godly solution to meeting this need for the Hellenistic widows was godly men who are wired by the Holy Spirit to be hands on with meeting physical or material needs. Please note that while the world would say anyone could serve tables and dole out food, God doesn’t see it that way. He knows every mouth needing food represents a complex person with a set of complex needs; and for widows – who could have been anywhere from 30 – 80 years old – having experienced the significant loss of their spouse, and since God cares about the whole person, only people who think like He thinks and sees like He sees can carry out this ministry in a way pleasing to Him and that adequately reflects who He is and that brings Him glory.


Vs. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”    This is what apostles and elders and pastors are called to do more than anything else. This is our highest priority. If we neglect this highest of priorities, our ministry or church will no longer reflect Christ, it will reflect us, and everyone will suffer as a result.


Vs. 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.     Luke, the author of this book by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – tells us a little more about Stephen’s godliness than the rest of these guys – not I believe because they were not godly - - because the apostles had given clear expectations for the godly character of the men chosen. My suspicion for why he said this about Stephen and not the others is he was getting ready to have Stephen take center stage for the last half of chapter 6 and all of chapter 7. And he wanted the church worldwide from then on to have good examples for how a deacon could be powerfully used by God.


Vs 6. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.   Even though these 7 men were known to be godly men, the apostles still saw the need to lay hands on them and pray over them. Nothing was left to chance with leadership in the first century church in Jerusalem. Laying on of hands is also a way the Holy Spirit has chosen to impart God given authority to one starting to minister from one who has been in ministry for a while.


vs. 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”     The result of the apostles sticking to their God given priorities and not allowing real legitimate needs to divert them from that and instead raising up godly men to meet these needs – the result was continued unabated church growth and the expansion of Christ’s kingdom. This we believe is the historical precedent of appointing deacons for the two-fold purpose of meeting real needs and to protect elders, pastors, apostles and prophets from getting diverted or distracted from daily seeking God and His will and way.


Back to I Timothy 3:8-13 please.


So what is a deacon? The English term “deacon” is translated from the Greek word diakonos and basically refers to a servant or attendant. In the New Testament a deacon is a person specifically appointed to accomplish some of the more physical, hands-on ministries of the church. Some of those things in the church in North America in the 21st century might be helping provide food or meals for needy people within the congregation, helping widows or single moms with things that need to be fixed in their homes or on their property – perhaps their cars, helping maintain church buildings and grounds, helping people move, praying over the sick, etc.


How do the qualifications for a deacon compare with that of an elder or overseer? Well the qualifications for a deacon are less than half as many as the qualifications for an elder/overseer. Similar to the elder/overseer most of the qualifications have to do with being, not doing. Character over skills, giftings or anointings.


Only in this passage in the New Testament do we find such a discussion of characteristics that deacons should be aspiring towards to serve effectively in Christ’s church. I totally concur with Joshua and his sermon last week on the elder characteristics that this is not a legalistic pharisaical list meant to shame us into some kind of lockstep conformity or performance. And I agree with Joshua that all of us disciples should be aspiring to these characteristics because we want to be Christlike and these are all aspects of Christlikeness.

But when it comes to appointing deacons and/or deaconesses there should be some level of attainment of these qualities before we lay hands on them and put a target on their backs. So let’s take a quick look at them:


Deacons likewise must be men of dignity”. (vs. 8). The Greek word translated dignity here has the idea of being serious, not frivolous, worthy of respect or honor in the way we carry ourselves. Elders in vs. 4 are also to be men of dignity as are older men in Titus 2:2


Deacons are not to be double-tongued. (vs. 8). They are not to say one thing to one person, but something else to another person in response to what that person thinks or believes or might expect of them. Deacons should speak from sincere and pure hearts; willing to speak the truth in love and strong enough to withhold sensitive information about someone when someone is prying, who doesn’t need to know what they are prying about.


Deacons are not to be addicted to much wine. (vs. 8).  It doesn’t say Deacons shall not drink wine. But they should be able to abstain when it is inappropriate or untimely to drink. Especially if they are around someone that might stumble seeing them drink. I find Paul’s wisdom in his dealings with the Corinthians very helpful here when he said, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.” (I Cor. 10:23)  A godly man should know the difference.


Deacons are not to be fond of sordid gain. (8). This would be financial gain acquired in a shameful or shady manner. Deacons should be dead to the love of money, knowing as Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (or mammon).” (Matthew 6:24).


Deacons are to hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (vs. 9).   They are not to be hypocrites. Performers. Posers. But men who serve out of their love for Jesus, and who have learned to be daily sprinkled by His blood. Not wavering in unbelief. Holding fast to the promises of God.


Deacons are to first be tested. (vs. 10) They should not be thrown into service and left to the wolves. They should not be given a title before they are ready for the warfare that goes with the title.


Then once they are clearly beyond reproach (vs. 10) – not perfect, but consistently seeking to walk with Jesus and please Him – let them serve as deacons with the title.


Vs. 11 – “Women must likewise be dignified,…”   What women?  Wives of the deacons? That’s what some think. But the problem with that thinking is elders have far more characteristics they should be growing in and weight they must be carrying than deacons, so wouldn’t their wives’ character be addressed as well? If there is no mention of expectations for elders’ wives, why would there be for deacons’ wives?


So it is far more likely that Paul is starting a discussion about female deacons or deaconesses. Vs. 11 is stuck right in the middle of a discussion about the ministry of deaconing or serving. So to me it only makes sense that these qualities are to be found in deaconesses. Unlike elders, deaconesses are not exerting authority over men.


Like deacons in vs. 8 deaconesses are to be dignified. (vs. 11). I was curious how other translations translated this term; K.J.= grave; NKJ = reverent; NLT = well respected; NIV worthy of respect/sincere; ESV = dignified. More concerned in any given situation about pleasing God than man.


Deaconesses are not to be malicious gossips. (vs. 11). The best way to not be a malicious gossip is to learn to quickly get in touch with any malice or ill feelings towards someone that might then cause you to get back at them by divulging some sensitive information about them to another. Because deacons and deaconesses are hands on with real people with real issues and needs, they must be tight lipped with what they learn and observe, and with information that someone entrusts to them about their family or situation.


Deaconesses are to be temperate. (vs. 11) That is they are to be clear headed, free from extremes in emotion or passions, self controlled or better - Spirit controlled.


Finally Deaconesses are to be faithful in all things. (vs. 11). They are to be trustworthy, dependable, consistent in all areas of life, not flip floppy, not sloppy agape.


What about Deacons and their family life?

Vs. 12 – Deacons are to be husbands of one wife – literally a “one woman man”. Some say this means they can never be divorced. So…. what if you have a man (and there are plenty of them under the church umbrella in our nation) who has never divorced his wife, but is a terrible husband?  And often these men are arrogant about the fact that they have not ever been divorced!  Is that really what God is after?  I think not. It makes far more sense to me that God is looking for deacons who are clearly known to love their wives in the now as Christ loves the church. She is consistently a very high priority in his life. He never takes her for granted. All the better if he has never been divorced. But if a man was divorced early in life; and repented of his sins; learned from his mistakes and has clearly lived with this woman for some years in an understanding way and has consistently honored her as a fellow heir of the grace of life, then he can be seen as a “one woman man.”


Deacons are to be good managers of their children and their own households. (vs. 12). They are to be men that are glad to invest the daily time and energy necessary to be hands on with their children and hands on with managing finances and hands on with maintenance and care of their home and property and cars, which means they are willing to die to the right many men in our nation hold on to to pursue their hobbies and their men friends, etc.

Deacons who aspire to and who attain to these characteristics to some degree by the Spirit of God and the blood of Jesus and who serve well in their local church situation and community over time will bear the fruit of their investments per vs. 13.


So why if Deacons and Deaconesses are called to help meet real needs that God wants met but doesn’t want elders meeting them so the elders can stay focused on seeking Him and His will and way for the church and community they are serving and devote themselves to prayer and the Scriptures - - why does the Well not appoint deacons and deaconesses??


Well we do appoint them. We just don’t call them deacons and deaconesses. Should we?

I think that’s a fair question. Do we need more deacons and deaconesses? I would say yes we definitely do.


So pray for us that we can discern the will and the way of the Lord in this.


Corporate prayer time.


Closing Invitation:

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