Sermon Central
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The Ordination And Ministry Of A Deacon
Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 4, 2026 (message contributor)
Summary: In this sermon I will be preaching about the ministry and qualification of a deacon. It is good for not only these candidates as deacons to hear this sermon but also everyone here.
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.