I Timothy 3 8 13 8 Deacons likewise

I Timothy 3: 8 -13 8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

I Timothy 3: 8 -13 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

I Timothy 3: 8 -13 11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

I Timothy 3: 8 -13 12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Deacon’s Qualifications & Duties I Timothy 3: 8 -13 Larry Cline Hardin Valley church of Christ 1 -27 -2013

Deacon “Deacon” comes from the Greek word “Diakonos” and means “one who executes the command of another; an attendant servant. ”

Are not a policy making group but individual servants carrying out ministry in a given area.

Deacons

Qualifications I. Negative Qualifications A. Not double-tongued. (v 8) dilogos - “saying the same thing twice. . . speaking one thing and meaning another, deceitful in words. ” Their word is their bond. They will not talk one way to a person’s face and another way behind their back.

B. Not addicted to much wine. (v 8) foolishness of strong drink. Proverbs 23: 29 -35 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 35“They hit me, ” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink? ”

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6: 9 -10) Avoid every kind of evil. (I Thessalonians 5: 22)

Not fond of sordid gain. (v 8) Not eager for dishonest gain. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (Romans 12: 17) Not one who steals or one who would even if he had the opportunity.

Qualifications II. Positive Qualifications A. Man of dignity (NAS), reverent (NKJ), and worthy of respect. (NIV) (v 8) This term means the deacon is to be a person dedicated, holy, & committed. B. First be tested (NAS), must be proved. (v 10) This word comes from a Greek word which means “to test, examine, prove, or scrutinize, as with metals”

C. “Blameless”, “nothing against them”. (v 10) Does not mean they are perfect or have been so. It does mean their lives show a purity of thought and action. They have done everything necessary to be forgiven of their past and are currently walking in a blameless fashion with a pattern of life that gives great confidence for the future.

D. The husband of one wife. (v 12) Same meaning as for an elder. Prohibits a bachelor or polygamist from serving. Married and committed to one and only one woman for life.

E. Good managers of their children and their own households. (v 12) Must not only be married but have children. They must “manage” their families. The “Greek” means “to preside over, govern, or supervise”.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5: 22 -24)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” which is the first commandment with a promise “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. ” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6: 1 -4)

Qualifications III. Duties of Deacons A. “Keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (NIV) They must know, live by and hold on to the foundational principles of our faith. Their conscience must be free from the effects of sin.

Qualifications of Their Wives (v 11) I. Reverent - same as deacons. II. Not slanderers. Not backbiters or gossips. III. Temperate, self-controlled - same as deacons. IV. Faithful in all things. Good stewards in every walk of life.

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. I Corinthians 4: 1