PURITY OF THE SERVANT

1 Timothy 3:1-13

Part 3

Introduction:  This section deals with the second office of the local church- deacon.  Deacons can make or break a church.  We have so long Americanized the Bible; it is hard to know what to believe the Bible teaches as far as church affairs go.

      In some ways, the role of the deacon has changed.  Due to the legal issues of the ministry, deacons have been given more responsibilities.  In the first church, there was not a church building per se, so you would not find the deacon board meeting in reference to it.  In fact, you will not find a deacon board mentioned in the Bible.  It is part of our Americanizing of the Bible.  to get a better understanding of what office entails, we must go to the source of answers in church matters- the Bible, God’s infallible Word.

      In Acts chapter 6, we find the apostles with more than they can handle.  The church had grown to great numbers.  With great numbers of people, you will have greater problems.  With great numbers of people and great problems can bring great disaster unless handled properly.  In the case of Acts chapter six, the apostles were involved with the distribution of food to the widows.   Some of the Grecians felt their widows were being neglected.  This must have been the case even though it was probably not intentional.  The day to day operation was robbing the apostles of the two most essential parts of the ministry- “prayer, and to the ministry of the word”.  the Grecians were not asking anything amiss.  This shows the equality that comes in a true Bible believing church.  Each member is equally important.

      The apostles showed the Christlike wisdom when they told the multitude of the disciples to chose among themselves seven men who would met the three simple yet thought provoking requirements for deacons.  (Acts 6:3 “honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom”)  These requirements are as follows:

1. Men of honest report- Men who are honest will give equal treatment to all the church members.  They were men of fair reputation; regarded as men of integrity.
2. full of the Holy Ghost-  Ephesians 6:18

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”

This evidently does not mean endowed with miraculous gifts, or the power of speaking foreign languages, for such gifts were not necessary to the discharge of their office; but it means men who were eminently under the influence of the Holy Ghost. 

3. full of wisdom- The question could be asked: What kind of wisdom?      James 3:17

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Prudence, or skill, to make a wise and equable distribution. In this place it is seen that they must be men of eminent piety and fair character, and that they must possess prudence, or wisdom, to manage the affairs connected with their office. These qualifications are indispensable to a faithful discharge of the duty entrusted to the officers of the church.

      Their wisdom is the opposite of James 3:15 which says “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”  These men knew what would be the full end of their deeds.  They may not have had Romans 14:12 in writing yet but they knew the essence of it.  It tells us “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

      Let me tell some things that were not asked of the multitude of the disciples.  They did not ask them for men who were the most popular.  They did not ask for the richest men.  I have seen and know of churches where this seems to be the requirement of being a deacon.

      Was it that the apostles wanted to be lazy or have more time for some personal time?  No!  They asked for these men to assist in the work of the ministry.  You know this is true when you see why they asked for help in Acts 6:4.  “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

      Were there some things that happened as result of these men assisting them in the ministry?  Acts 6:7 gives several of the results.  It says “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

      First of all, “the word of God increased”.  Why?  The apostles were able to apply themselves studying the Word of God more and ponder on its truths more.  This result lead to the second result, which was “the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly”.  More people were getting saved.  This was in direct relation to the apostles praying and studying the Word of God more.  These caused results number three which “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith”.  Christianity was starting to reach some of those who are the hardest to reach- the leaders of the religious world of that day.

      The word “deacon” is a transliteration of the Greek word, which means “servant”.  This is where many American churches depart from the Bible.  Many deacons are not servants but want and will rule their churches.  They have forgotten their true calling and that is one of being a servant.  This does not mean a deacon cannot advise or give advice.  If a deacon is chosen properly which is first of all from among the people and met the qualifications of being a deacon which are found in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3, they could shed light on situations that the pastor may not see.  There are times when a pastor is outside the loop so to speak and may not have all the facts needed for the best decision.  But they are not to rule over the church but be a servant.

      Let’s move into our scripture passages as we look at deacons.

2. THE MINISTERING SERVANT

            Vs. 8-10

                  A. Their Personal character vs. 8

      It is interesting to note that this starts with a positive first and then has three negatives.

1. Grave- this is a man worthy of respect.  He is a man of high Christian character that is worthy to imitate.  He takes his responsibilities seriously.  He is not simply filling an office; he is fulfilling the office.  He is unbending in his commitment first to Christ and then to the local church.
2. Not double-tongued- this means that he is not a gossiper.  He does not say one thing to one person and another to another.  He does not spread tales among the church.  His responsibilities include constant rounds of visitation.  If he wanted to do so, he could wreck havoc with a few words here and there but he does not. 

            It means that he knows how to bridle his tongue.  He does not say what comes up so it must come out.

3. Not given to much wine.  Remember what I taught in the last messages about pastors.  We must remember when these words were written. They were penned 2000 years ago.  It was in a time when the water supplies were full of bacteria and germs.  Water quality was very limited. They did not have our modern methods of purifying water.  They would mix fermented wine in their water to kill the germs and bacteria.  The problem came about when there was some people who have more wine than water.

      We do not such a problem today in many homes in America.  We can purify our water or buy bottled water for drinking.

      A Christian has no reason whatsoever to drink alcoholic beverages.  This means total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages that are not really fit for human consumption anyway.

      What are some of the results that happen when a believer drinks alcohol for the sole purpose of drinks?

1. He gets drunk.  It is important to remember the formula that is in the North Carolina law code book that says one eight ounce beer is equal to a four ounce of wine and one ounce of whiskey.  What a sad shape to be in!
2. He defiles this body.  He is killing cells.  This includes brain cells and kidney cells that can not be reproduced. 
3. He can bring disgrace upon the name of the Lord and to his church, especially if seen in public.
4. He could cause a young brother to stumble and fall.   Romans 14:21

“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

4. Not greedy of filthy lucre

      Since part of the responsibility of the deacon is distribute things to those who are in need which may include money, it would be easy for them to use the funds for selfish purposes or even steal funds from the church.

      Several churches that I have been a member would use their deacons to count offerings and work with the treasurer to dispels the said funds.  This is good as long as these men are men of personal character and integrity.  Also that they remember that the money is not theirs but the Lord’s.

2. Spiritual life Vs. 9

            In their spiritual life, they are doctrinally sound.  This means that they are men who know their Bibles.

            The word “mystery” means truth once hidden but now revealed by God.  It is the body of truth that comprises the Christian faith.  The great doctrines of the faith we hold dear are hidden to those who are outside of the body of Christ.

                              2 Corinthians 4:3-4

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

            It is understandable to those who trust in God.  Part of this by applying Psalm 37:4 in one’s life.  (“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”)

            A deacon does not have a requirement to be apt to teach such as was required of a pastor.  He should be so grounded in the Word of God that he can teach. 

            Some men are more familiar with their church constitution and bylaws.  Even though it is good to have such instruments to help maintain order; it is more important that the affairs of the church be managed by the basis of the Bible.  A deacon that does not knows or even tries to learn the Bible is an obstacle to progress in the church.

            Since the primary task of deacons is serving others, it is important that he knows how to use the scriptures in helping others.  If they need comfort, he gives them the comfort from the Bible.  If they need to be saved, he knows how to use the Bible to lead them to Christ.  If they need to be encouraged, he knows how to use this Blessed Old Book to do so.  Whatever the need is, he can provide it through the scriptures.

3. They must have experience as a believer.  Or in other words, they have been tested and proven. 

                                    Vs. 10

      This implies that they are watched to see how they conduct themselves as believers.  Some of the most godly men I know are deacons.  I think of Brother Johnny.  He loves the Lord.  He loves his Lord.  He loves his church and he loves his pastor.  He is very unassuming.  In fact, it was years before I knew he was a deacon.  He did not advertise the fact.  He was proven first before he was made a deacon.

      This does not mean a written or oral test. It means a constant observing or testing.  It helps assure the church that these men are blameless. 

      One pastor I know has a training period for deacons.  I believe the classes are a year in length.  I think that they met on Sunday afternoon for Bible instruction.  They were given books to read and write reports on.  Then they are given tasks to do to help them understand do the work of the ministry.  This includes cleaning the church.  If a man thinks this work is beneath him, he is disqualified as a candidate as a deacon. 

      A man is not to be considered to be a deacon if he would be offered the position in order to make him more faithful.  It really weakens the testimony of the local church to do so.  When a church does this, it shows ignorance of the person and the Bible.

                        1 Corinthians 4:2

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

      An untested believer is an unprepared believer.  He will do more harm than good to give this person an office in the church.

                  D. Godly homes Vs. 11-12

      Without going into too much detail that I did with the messages on the pastor, the deacon is to be the husband of one wife.  He is not to be a divorce man. 

      His family should be godly and in subject to him.  It is like what was like the pastor. 

1. His wife must be a Christian.  A man whose wife is not a believer then he will not have an effective ministry as a deacon.  Behind every good and godly deacon is a good and godly wife. 
2. She is not a slanderer.  This is a person who is a false accuser or devilish.  Slanderer is another name for the devil. 
3. She is sober which is in control of herself.
4. She is faithful in all things.  She helps in all of areas with her husband.

                  E. A willingness to work Vs. 13

      In other words, he uses the office to do the work of the ministry.  He does not simply filling a vacancy.

Being a deacon is a promotion for a faithful man.  As I said in the past two messages, every young man ought to strive to grow in Christ so they can be a pastor or deacon.  He can be used by God to help build the church.  He has a spiritual boldness that makes for effective ministry. 

Conclusion:  If a man is “promoted” to be a deacon, he can be trained to be a pastor.  In the New Testament days, many of the pastors work as a deacon first. They were not imported like we see many times today.

      The work of the ministry is serious.  May we all strive to be serious in our work for Him!