Deacons In The Church Special Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church “Special” Servants Among Servants

What Do I Owe The Local Church? A Disciple’s Personal

Deacons In The Church “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church Some Introductory Thoughts… l Concept of “service” found throughout the N. T. l l Servants at Cana wedding feast Jn 2: 5 Gospel preachers, teachers 1 Cor 3: 5 “Deacon” is the word used “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church Some Introductory Thoughts… l Other uses of “deacon” in the N. T. l l l Jesus was a “deacon” Rom 15: 8 Apostles were “deacons” 2 Cor 3: 6 Gov’t officials are “deacons” Rom 13: 4 “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Is A Deacon? l Not an English word, but a word transliterated from the Greek l l l Noun = diakonos cp. Mt 20: 26 Verb = diakoneo cp. Mt 20: 28 Yet, distinction is made among “servants” cp. 1 Tim 3 and Phil 1: 1 “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Is A Deacon? l Out of genuine servants of Christ, God has ordained “special” servants to be selected for “special” service to the local church l Obviously, a specific person God has in mind “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Are The Qualifications? l Some of what is revealed applies to the one being considered for this work l l A man Ù a woman any less a servant? A married man Ù single men any less? “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Are The Qualifications? CHARACTER 1 Tim 3: 8 -10 l l A man of dignity v. 8 Phil 4: 8 Not double-tongued v. 8 Mk 7: 22 Not addicted to wine v. 8 1 Pet 4: 3 -4 Not greedy for money v. 8 Mt “Special” Servants Among Servants 6: 19 -24

Deacons In The Church What Are The Qualifications? CHARACTER 1 Tim 3: 8 -10 l Beyond reproach v. 10 1: 8 FAMILY l l 1 Cor 1 Tim 3: 11 -12 His family is also to be considered Servants Among Servants Emphasis is on“Special” a man committed

Deacons In The Church What Are The Qualifications? FAMILY 1 Tim 3: 11 -12 l His wife must be… l …“reverent” or “dignified” v. 8 l …“not a slanderer” Eph 4: 31 l …“temperate” 1 Cor 9: 25, 27 l …“faithful in all things” “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Are The Qualifications? FAMILY 1 Tim 3: 11 -12 l His children must be… l …obedient Eph 6: 1 “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Is A Deacon’s Work? l Nothing specifically revealed l Yet, Acts 6 offers relevant principles l These 7 men are never called “deacons” l However, there is some similarity l Tasks given represented a need “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Is A Deacon’s Work? l Deacons serve at the pleasure of the eldership l Most often, a “behind-the-scenes” job l We may not know exactly what each deacon has been “empowered to do, ” but we do know he does a“Special” lot Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church What Is A Deacon’s l We Work? must reject the age-old adage “Elders do the spiritual work… Deacons do the physical work” l If true, the Holy Spirit’s qualifications are too high for “janitorial work” “Special” Servants Among Servants

Deacons In The Church Conclusion l Consider Mt 25: 14 -30 l Focus not on “ 5 -Talent” nor “ 2 Talent” servants l Focus is on the “ 1 -Talent” servant…the one who would not even try vv. 18, 24 -26 l He had an “obligation” to serve in “Special” Servants a way his master saw him. Among as Servants

Deacons In The Church Conclusion l Elders are asking us to consider additional men for this important work l We need to “look out among us…” l We need to examine some of our brethren and judge them according to the Scripture’s “Special” Servants Among Servants qualifications re: their character

Deacons In The Church Conclusion l Consider also 1 Tim 3: 10 l. A man must already have proven character as a disciple in the kingdom l We’re not talking about “potential”… letting a man “grow” into this work “Special” Servants l If asked, brethren see you. Among already

Deacons In The Church Conclusion Consider also 1 Tim 3: 10 l Don’t serve out of “peer pressure” just because 1 or more brethren ask you to l Serve because you are qualified and it is your “obligation” to the Lord and His church at this “Special” Servants Among Servants l

Deacons In The Church “Special” Servants Among Servants