To understand about the position of a deacon you first have to understand the position of a pastor.
Why?
Let us look I Timothy 3:1-13
• Verses1-7 speaks of the qualification of a MINISTER
• Verses 8-13 and it begins to speak about the qualification of a DEACON
But notice, when it talks about the qualification of a minister and this passage of scripture start to talk about the qualification of a deacon it starts off in verse 8 by saying “LIKEWISE.”
That is like the requirements for a minister LIKEWISE is the qualification for a deacon
Look at 1 Timothy 3:8 “Likewise must the deacons be…”
The qualification of a deacon is LIKE the qualification of a Minister almost in exact details when it comes to requirement
So, looking at the word LIKEWISE let us look at the similarity between a minister and a deacon.
First let’s look at…
I. THE POSISTION OF A DEACON.
Look at I Timothy 3: 8-13, Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, 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 must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Some churches will install a man as a deacon and not even take into consideration that God’s Word gives these qualifications that I just read.
Illus: They make me think of when some of us when we were children and we would play church. We would appoint someone to be the:
• Pastor
• Song leader
• Deacon
• Usher
• Teacher
The way we as children played church many churches are playing church the same way. They will just appoint who is to be a deacon WITHOUT ANY BIBLE REQUIREMENTS.
Evidently God must have thought these REQUIREMENTS are important or else He would not have placed them in the scriptures.
We are a Bible believing church and we feel they are important so let us take time and look at each one of them carefully from this sacred passage of scriptures.
HOWEVER, before we get into these REQUIREMENTS we need to consider since a deacons position similar to a pastor look at how it is similar looking at two words in verse 1 that is important for the PASTOR AND THE DEACON to consider.
Look at 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (Minister), he desireth a good work.
(1)Look at the word “Work”
The Word of God is telling us to be a deacon is like being a minister, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK.
Notice the word “Work”
This four-letter word “Work” is something in our society that many do not know the meaning.
That includes some pastors and some deacons.
Illus: All over this nation we have pastors and deacons are willing to wear these titles of MINISTER OR DEACON but they are not willing to do this GOOD WORK.
Illus: They are too busy GOLFING, FISHING, AND HUNTING!!!
This could be the reason that churches all over this nation are not carrying out the work of God.
ALSO, we have people in our society people who do not know how to WORK!!!
• That is, they do not know how to produce.
• They think that corporations exist only to provide them a living.
No!!!
Corporations exist for the purpose of PRODUCING a product and in return they hire EMPLOYEES to get the job done and the corporation will provide them some benefits for doing the job.
The job of a pastor and a deacon are similar in that it is a GOOD WORK.
HOW IS IT A GOOD WORK?
Because a deacon has the opportunity like the pastor to be involved in the GOOD WORK of helping people.
Illus: Did you know helping people brings joy into our lives.
For example, “When is the happiest time of the year?”
Illus: I think we all would agree that Christmas is the most joyful time of the year!!!
Why?
• We count the days before Christmas eagerly anticipating for it to arrive.
• The reason it is such a JOYFUL TIME is because people forget about themselves and began to think of other people in their lives.
• It is such a joyful time that people will spend money they really do not have to make others in their life happy.
• It is the most joyful time of the year because anytime we give of ourselves to make others happy…it makes us happy!!!
It is a SAD SITUATION in our churches across this nation we have a lot of lazy pastors and deacons in today’s church, but God did not called them to these position. They are in this position because some churches are not serious in serving the Lord! They are merely playing church!!!
The word “Good” here is the Greek word “Kalou”, which means honorable, excellent, beneficial and productive.
In other words they know HOW to do this GOOD WORK!
So, the Lord is telling a deacon HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK the same as a pastor. HE KNOWS HOW TO DO THIS GOOD WORK
But look at another word…
(2)Look at the word DESIRETH.
It is something a deacon wants to do, not force to do for the Lord.
The same for a pastor!!!
God says the minister of the gospel, “…desireth a good work.”
Likewise, so must the deacon desire to do a GOOD WORK for the Lord.
People have desired to do many wonderful things with their lives, but the greatest thing a person can do with their life is give themselves to the ministry of the gospel.
Illus: For example a doctor, after many years of doing heart surgery, retired from his practice. He now gives his time and talents to a non-religious organization that helps poor people in some of the foreign countries that do not have any kind of health care.
Their goal is clearly set forth; they want to help people live a better life physically.
Now as GOOD and COMENDABLE as that might be, his desire to do such a thing falls short, when you compare it to the job of a Pastor or deacon.
That is, a DOCTOR might help a man or woman to add a few years to their life, but when a deacon dedicates his life to being a servant of God, he is providing something through the Lord Jesus, that will give a man or a woman eternal life.
While others in the church might just set on a pew they have chosen a GOOD WORK.
• It is not just for him to strut around wearing a TITLE but his job as a deacon and a pastor involves work and sacrifice.
• The word DEACON means SERVANT. They serve all of God’s people.
Illus: Suppose you as a Caucasian were eating a meal with some Hispanics, African Americans and the waitress would only SERVE you a white person.
A deacon is a servant and God place them in the church to SERVE EVERYONE!
The term “deacon” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word (diakonos), meaning “servant”.”
In Acts 6:1-6, although the word “deacon” does not explicitly appear, many see these verses as an early example of deacon-like service.
Throughout the New Testament, various forms of this word often appear in contexts of caring for the physical and organizational needs of believers.
Historically, early church documents (such as writings attributed to Ignatius of Antioch) affirm they recognized the place of deacons as essential servants operating under the guidance of church leadership.
In Acts 6:2 this passage describes seven individuals chosen to “serve tables in order to address the needs of widows in the Jerusalem church.
By delegating this service, church leaders were free to focus on teaching God’s word and prayer.
Later references to the office of deacon are made more explicit in Paul’s letters. In Philippians 1:1, Paul greets overseers (elders) and deacons, showing that the two offices existed together in the early church.
The clearest instructions regarding deacons come from 1 Timothy 3:8-13, where Paul lists specific qualifications and expectations.
• Deacons are not a ruling body. They neither rule over the body, nor do they police the pastors.
• Deacons serve the body and support the pastors.
• In the truest biblical sense, the deacon comes under the authority of the pastor and supports and responds to his leadership.
• His position as a deacon in the church is one of the only two ordained positions in the church ordained by God.
• All other positions in the church are man-made.
We have looked at THE POSITION OF A DEACON
Now let us look at…
II. THE PERSONAL LIFE OF A DEACON
The job of a deacon is like A MINISTER’S JOB in that the scripture also gives us the qualification who is to be a deacon the same as a pastor.
So, we can assume some should not be chosen to be a deacon and some should be chosen as deacons.
First, let us look at him and his wife qualification!
A. HIS PERSONAL QUALIFICATION
Look at verses I Timothy 3:8-13, we read, Likewise (as a pastor) must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, 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 must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(1)He must be GRAVE
This means he is sincere in serving the Lord.
His position as a deacon working with people he gains insight on very personal things within the church.
There are somethings within the church that has to be dealt with which would not be fitting for a congregation to deal with.
He has to be sincere in serving the Lord.
Let me explain it this way…
Illus: A church in this town that I want mention elected a church treasurer that was trustworthy with the money she handled but not trustworthy with her tongue.
For example, she began to spread the word that tithed and who did not tithed as you can imagine causing a lot of trouble in this church.
Now the deacons do not know who tithe and who do not tithe, only the church clerk knows, but I am using this as an illustration to illustrate there are things that deacons have to deal with in the church which would not be fitting for a congregation to deal with.
Let me give you another illustration…
Deacons are sincere believers and they have to meet and discuss things that immature Christian cannot handle.
Illus: Las Vegas has a slogan, "WHAT HAPPENS IN LAS VEGAS STAYS IN LAS VEGAS!”
The deacon must be GRAVE. When I think of the word GRAVE I think of a graveyard (Burial site)
In other words, what TAKES PLACE IN A DEACON BOARD STAYS IN A DEACON’S meeting?
He has to be GRAVE WHICH MEANS HE IS SINCERE!!!
Let me give you another illustration…
Illus: Suppose a church member MENTIONS to a deacon confidentially to pray for him and his family they may have serious problems and they may have to file for bankruptcy.
This comes up as a matter of prayer for this family in a deacon’s meeting.
Then that deacon goes home and tells his wife, and his wife mentions it to “Mrs. Blabber” mouth and she spreads this confidential prayer request all over the church about this individual financial need.
And this information get back to this person having this financial problem who confidentially made to a deacon is hurt and embarrassed because it was told as a confidential prayer request!
• Somethings are supposed to be kept in confidence!!! (Grave) BURIED!
• Somethings are not for the public!!!
Illus: That is like this old country church a man stood up and requested prayer for Bro. So and so could not come to church today because he is CONSTIPATED!!!
He must not only be GRAVE (sincere and sensible)
But also…
(2) Not double tongued,
A double tongue person can look you in the eyes and turn around and say just the opposite what was said.
Illus: The Indians had a word for this type of a man who speaks with a forked-tongue.
We trust people with our money, but we also trust them with our words also.
But a double tongue person cannot be trusted with our words and probably not even with our money.
THEY HAVE A SERIOUS CHARACTER FLAW!
(3) Not given to much wine,
Illus: Again, William Barclay points out two things about the ancient world:
(a)First, the water supply was often inadequate and dangerous to drink.
(b) Second, although the ancient world used wine as a common drink, it was used most moderately.
Illus: When wine was drunk, it was drunk in the proportion of two parts of wine to three parts of water.
A man who was drunk would be disgraced in ordinary heathen society, let alone in the church.” (The letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, p, 91)
(5) Not greedy of filthy lucre
A greedy person is a selfish person. And a greedy person is always looking for how they can get more.
And they can take advantage working with elderly people inability to make good decisions for themselves.
(6) Must be proved
He cannot be a new convert but someone who has been saved proven to be trust worthy person.
(6) HE MUST NOT BE GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE
Again, it does not say he is not supposed to have any money, but it does say he must not be a lover of money.
A dishonest person is always looking for ways to cheat people. A deacon can be dishonest in dealing with the elderly by taking advantage of their inability to make good decisions for themselves.
(7) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Look at the words (ruling their children). When our children reach adulthood we become parents by name only. The adult children rule their own lives.
But while they live in a deacon’s home the deacon must be in control of his own household.
When it comes to the requirement HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE I am going to park here for a few minutes because this requirement is the most controversial of them all.
For example, some believe when Paul teaches a deacon must BE THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE HE IS TEACHING HE MUST BE MARRIED MAN. If he is not married he is disqualified in becoming a deacon.
• We know for certain that Peter was married because he had a mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14). Which gives the Catholic Church some problems because they claim Peter was the first POPE!!!
• The apostle Paul, who was not married at this time, asked the Corinthians whether he also did not have the right to take a believing wife (1 Corinthians 9:5)
From this, we can assume that Peter was not the only one to have a wife.
However, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians at that time he did not have a wife but later took a wife later it is believed.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?
• Paul could not have been a member of the Sanhedrin had he never been married. This was one of the requirements.
• Also, anyone who reads Paul’s writings knows that he knew a lot about the married life. It is believed that Paul later was married but most likely his wife had died.
So, the question is, some believe that a minister must be the husband of one wife.
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger said he was raised in a church that taught that for many years and he believed this also because that was what he was taught.
Some believe this requirement is teaching one of two things.
(a)Some believe, if a man has ever been married and divorced he has disqualified himself from the ministry and God cannot use him being divorced man.
Really!!!
Illus: David had eight wives and God used him.
Illus: Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines and God used him.
Illus: Abraham had three wives and God used him.
Illus: Isaac had two wives and God used him.
Illus: Jacob had four wives and God used him.
The Bible is not advocating that a minister should have many wives in any shape, form or fashion, but Paul in the New Testament is saying that a Minister and a deacon should BE THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE.
• In Bible times, polygamy was a common practice.
• But God is saying during this time a deacon is to be the husband of one wife.
Divorce is a horrible sin; it is a sin that hurts many people.
BUT IT IS NOT THE UNFORGIVEN SIN THAT SOME MAKE IT TO BE.
There is only one UNFORGIVEN SIN and that is when the Holy Spirit deals with a lost man about coming to CHRIST FOR SALVATION that is a sin that is UNFORGIVEN.
Lost men and women will die and go to a devil’s hell because they drink, smoke and committed adultery, they will die and go to hell because the committed the UNFORGIVEN SIN of not coming to Christ for salvation.
John 5:40 and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Illus: We read in the scriptures where the Lord told several people who were involved in sexual sins and divorcement. But after he saved them he told them GO AND SIN NO MORE!!!
Illus: Isn’t it strange:
• It is always people who are slim that make jokes about fat people. Why? Because it makes the slim people feel more important than the fat people.
• It is always tall people who make jokes about short people. Why? Because it makes the tall people feel more important than the short people.
• It is always people who have hair makes jokes about people who are bald. Why? Because it makes the people with feel more important than the bald people.
• It is always attractive people who make jokes about ugly people. Why? Because it makes the attractive people feel more important than the un-attracted people.
• It is always the educated people who make jokes of the un-educated. Why? Because it makes the educated people feel more important than the uneducated people.
• And it always people who are not divorce that critize people who are divorce. Why? Because it makes the un-divorced people feel more important than the divorce people.
Divorce is like any sin; IT IS A SIN!!! Divorce is a sin that leads to many problems in the life for parents and children.
Listen, the Bible nor am I encouraging divorce, but I am dealing with what does the Bible say about THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEACON.
But If God’s Word is teaching a man that is divorced cannot be a deacon we have two problems with the scriptures.
For example, we have a problem with the doctrine of…
(1) JUSTIFICATION
It is impossible to use the word Forgive and say at the same time God forgives a man for all his sins but God still holds it against him for the sin of ADULTERY he is disqualified to be a deacon.
If this be true, HE IS NOT A NEW CREATURE!!!
• FORGIVENESS has to do either God forgives of us for all our sins (Plural) or He does not!
• It has to be we are made a NEW CREATURE OR WE ARE NOT!
• It has to do with God forgives some of our sins or part of our sin
• There is no such thing as a BIG SIN OR A SMALL SIN. In the sight of God…SIN IS SIN!!!
IS IT NOT TRUE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD…?
• A little WHITE LIE is just as bad a big black lie.
• Little curse word is just as bad a big curse word.
Illus: Mankind CATEGORIZES sin, but God DOES NOT!!!
He died for ALL OUR SINS.
I John 1:9, 1 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us OF our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When God forgives US FOR OUR SINS He wipes the slate clean and it is called JUSTIFICATION, which means when God saves us we stand before Him just as if we have never sin!!!
When God forgives us all our sins we become a “NEW CREATURE in Christ and the old man is BURIED!!!
Illus: Listen, if I was a saved divorce man and they preach and taught I was a second class citizen in God’s Kingdom I would leave that church because GOD DOES NOT HAVE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS IN HIS KINGDOM!
There are preachers all over this nation preach JUSTIFICATION but they
DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANS EVIDENTLY!!!
Also, we have another problem with this opinion about a divorce man…
(2) The definition of adultery
The New Testament in Mt. 5:28 teach that if a man looks at a woman and lust for her in his heart it is the same as committing adultery in the sight of God.
God sees adultery as the act of adultery committed in his heart and the only reason it was not the opportunity was not there.
So, if this be the definition in God’s definition of adultery no man in any church would be qualified to serve as a deacon or as a minister in God’s sight.
Illus: I think of the young pastor that had committed every sin in the book.
A man in the audience saw him sitting there on the platform fixing to preach and gave a note to one of the ushers to give to him which said, YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAME TO BE SITTING ON THAT PLATFORM WITH ALL THE SINS YOU COMMITTED.
When it came time to preach he read the letter to the congregation and said, I AM SHAME OF ALL THE SINS I COMMITTED BUT IAM THANKFUL FOR THE BLOOD OF CHRIST THAT HAS WASHED ALL THOSE SINS AWAY!!!
So, what is the Word of God teaching that a deacon and a pastor must be the husband of one wife?
Paul wrote to the Corinthians who had committed all kinds of sin. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Look at this list,
• Fornicator,
• Idolaters
• Adulteress
• Abusers of themselves with mankind,
• Thieves
• Covetous
• Drunkards
• Revilers
• Extortioners
HERE IS THE SAD NEWS FOR ALL OF US, EVERYONE HERE FINDS THEMSELVES IN THIS LIST AND GOD SAYS THOSE ON THIS LIST WILL NOT BE IN HEAVEN!
But here is the GOOD NEWS, look at 1 Corinthians 6:11 and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified (set aside for God’s use), but ye are justified (Just as if you have never sin) in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
God has the LAST WORD when it comes to who is qualified who is to serve as a deacon.
Illus: This makes me think of the Man who asked this young boy whose father had died. This young boy was by his dad’s bedside when his father had died and he asked this young boy,
• “Young man what was the last words you dad said before he died?”
• “He did not have any last words, Momma, was beside him when he died also”. (Momma always have the last word)
When it comes to the command a deacon must be the husband of one wife God’s Word is teaching against being a bigamist.
Illus: Such a great Bible scholar as Dr. J Vernon McGee believes this is what Paul is teaching.
He believes Paul is teaching that the minister of the gospel must be the husband of one wife, and since polygamy was a common practice, he is stating that the minister and the deacon must have only one wife.
The Bible is filled with Polygamy as already mention.
• Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.
• David had three wives.
• Abraham had three wives
• Isaac had two wives
• Jacob had four wives
But when we get into the New Testament we do not hear so much about polygamy because the apostles had preach so much on holiness that polygamy was phasing out in the New Testament.
When a deacon meets these requirement look at verse 13, we read, “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Look at the word “Well”. God says such a deacon has earned himself a great respect those he serves.
What the First Baptist Church of Lykesland is doing today is giving Keith McCullough, Gerald Rye, and Ronnie Ray an opportunity to earn some wonderful eternal rewards for them and their wives if they take this position of being a deacon seriously.
And this church would not vote you in this position as a deacon if they did not think they were serious.
Conclusion:
To be a deacon of the gospel is truly a “Good Work”.
This congregation has high expectations of you men who stand before me this day.
All of us are called to be servants. Those who are called to be deacons are not held to a higher standard than the rest of us, for all of us are held to the standard of Jesus Christ and His righteousness and holiness.
Deacons are not held to a higher standard, but they are placing themselves in a position of higher responsibility and accountability before God.
To WHOM much is given MUCH is required!!!
Let me illustrate this way…
Illus: One Pastor stated this way, he said, I realized that I have a rule in my house, “No dumping apple juice on the floor.”
I did not realize it was a rule until this week when my ten-month old daughter poured some on the living room carpet. Then later she did it again.
Now while I told her, “No” and moved her from the situation, I can honestly say if my four year old had done the same thing the consequences would have been much more severe. The reason is not that the rules are different for my children, but the expectations are not the same.
Once a deacon always a deacon!!!
• If you take this responsibility serious God can use you in ways you never dream God could use you.
• And when you get to heaven you will be bless in ways you never dreamed of being blessed!!!
We have looked at the…
I. POSITION OF A DEACON
II. THE PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
