The role of servants in the church… (6 points)

• 1^st – Leadership Roles…
  • 1^st – There are different roles within the church – leadership positions God gives…
    • The Pastor/Elder – is the one who ministers to the SPIRITUAL needs of the church…
      • Teaching the Word of God / Praying with those who are in need…
      • Giving Biblical guidance to those who looking for Godly counsel…
      • These are the responsibility of the Pastor / Elder within the church!
    • That does not mean a pastor does not serve…
      • I Corinthians 4:1 – “Let a man so consider us, as servants [slaves] of Christ …”
      • Pastors are first and foremost to be servants – they are the example for the church…
      • They should be the first one to pick up the broom / the first to clean the toilet…
      • But there needs to be a balance – they cannot allow those things to take all their time…
      • If all they did was clean / take care of the practical need of the church…
      • No time to teach the Word / prayer – and the church would not grow in Jesus!
      • I love to sweat – sent me out to paint and build / let me clean the bathroom!
      • The problem is if I spent all day making the church look nice – no time to study…
      • Come Sunday morning the message would be VERY short / and not very good!
      • The number one responsibility for a pastor is to TEACH the Word and PRAY…
      • A pastor MUST TEACH the Word so that people can grow in Jesus!
      • A pastor MUST PRAY so that he knows where the Lord is leading the church!
  • 2^nd – The DEACON – is the one who ministers to the PRACITCAL needs of the church…
    • The idea of the deacon first comes from Acts 6 – taking care of the widows…
    • The Apostles did not have the time to deal with all the PRACTICAL issues…
    • So they had the people choose 7 men to – wait on tables – Deacons!
    • Deacons pick up the trash / clean up the mess the people leave behind…
    • Setting up for services / greeting those who come to church…
    • These are the responsibilities of the deacon within the church!
• 2^nd – Personal requirements for DEACONS… vs. 8 (4 points)
  • Likewise DEACONS…
    • Likewise – Paul continues the second section of the book – roles in the church…
    • DEACONS – 31x in NT – to be a SERVANT / executes the command of another…
    • MUST be – these are not optional – they are necessary qualifications!
  • 1^st – A DEACON must be REVERENT…
    • REVERENT – from the root word to WORSHIP – they live their life to worship God!
    • A deacon should take the role of being a servant of God seriously…
    • It is not something that they do if they have the time – Jesus is a priority to them…
    • A lot of people do not mind helping out around the church – if they have extra time…
    • But a deacon is someone who looks for opportunities to serve – makes the time!
  • 2^nd – A DEACON must not be DOUBLE TONGUED…
    • DOUBLE TONGUED – only here NT – saying the same thing twice – NOT a man of his word…
    • The idea is he has to repeat himself – to convince you he is telling the truth!
    • A deacon is the person who ministers to the practical needs of the fellowship…
    • If he says he is going to be at the church to help – he is there…
    • He is a man of his word – you can count on what he says!
  • 3^rd – A DEACON must not be GIVEN TO MUCH WINE…
    • Like anyone a deacon is forbidden to be drunk – Ephesians 5:18
    • But where a pastor is not allowed to drink ANY alcohol – I Timothy 3:3
    • A deacon should not be someone who is known for drinking…
    • Because they are and example to others – do not stumble them – I Corinthians 8:9
  • 4^th – A DEACON must not be GREEDY for MONEY…

• GREEDY for MONEY – 3x in NT – same word used for pastor in I Timothy 3:3
• The word means to get money by using dishonorable means – cheating others…
• They use their position as a means for personal gain – taking advantage of people…
• The result of which is people are wary of the church – the Gospel message become tainted…

• The reality is deacons usually do not make ANY money at church…
• They are almost always VOLUNTEERS – there to help because they want to…
• So if someone wants to help out around the church so they can become rich…
• They might want to rethink their strategy – the rewards only come in heaven!

• 3^rd – Church requirement for DEACONS … vs. 9-10 (3 points)
  • 1^st – HOLDING (present) the MYSTERY of the FAITH… vs. 9
    • THE MYSTERY – 27x in NT – something that was hidden – but is now revealed!
      • THE FAITH – the mystery is we are saved ONLY through FAITH in Jesus – Ephesians 2:10
      • PURE CONCIENCE – meaning there is no ulterior motive!
      • A DEACON serves because of his desire to constantly share the mystery of the Gospel…
      • We go to work every day – in our businesses / or to school…
      • We do not go because we want money – we go because we want to buy things!
    • That is not the case for a deacon – they SERVE because we want people to know Jesus!
      • If someone does not think the most important thing in life is Jesus…
      • If they do not love the Word of God – and desire for others to hear it…
      • If more than anything else – they do not want to tell others about Jesus…
      • Then why would they want to be a part of SERVING in a church!
      • The whole reason for the church is to KNOW Jesus – and make him KNOWN!
    • If a DEACON does not have a PURE CONCIENCE…
      • He is going to either hurt himself / or he is going to hurt others…
      • He will either become frustrated – because of the lack of reward for his work…
      • Feeling like he is not paid enough / or given enough recognition…
      • Or he will hurt others by trying to take from the people / rather than bless them!
  • 2^nd – A DEACON must FIRST be TESTED… vs. 10
• TESTED – imperative – verb form of dokimos – to test to see if something in genuine…
  • In Bible times there was no paper currency – all the money was precious metals…
  • As a result – people would shave / steal the edges of a gold / silver coins…
  • But there were honest men who would make sure their coins were full weight…
  • They were called dokimos – they proved they were doing what was right!
• Before a DEACON can SERVE…
  • If someone offered to set up before the Sunday service…
  • Then at the last minute blew it off – because they forgot / had other things to do…
  • It is the people who would suffer – therefore we want to make sure they are faithful…
  • Knowing they are responsible – no matter what they will get the work done!
  • Anyone who wants to can come and help out around the church…
  • And we use those opportunities to TEST people – to see if they will be faithful…
  • Because before we give responsibility to someone – they need to prove themselves…
  • People want to be trusted with responsibility before they have proven themselves…
  • FIRST you have to show faithfulness – then you will be given responsibility!
• 3^rd – A DEACON must be BLAMELESS… vs. 10
  • BLAMELESS – 5x in NT – NOT the same word as for Pastors – I Timothy 1:2
    • Meaning no one can call them out – make an accusation against them
    • Not that they are SINLESS – all of us are sinners and make mistakes!
  • But like PASTORS – when a DEACON stands up for Jesus – they are a target…
    • Luke 22:31 – “Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat.”
    • I imagine those were VERY unsettling words for Peter to hear – satan knows my name!
    • Make no mistake – if we stand up for Jesus – satan knows who we are…
    • And he will come test us – try us – to see what we are made of…
    • He wants to try and get us to back down – walk away from the ministry…
    • People will make false accusation against us – try and discourage us…
    • Do not help satan out – do not give him things to attack you with!

• 4^th – Relationship requirements for DEACONS… vs. 11-12 (3 points)
  • 1^st – The WIVES of DEACONS… vs. 11
    • WIVES – can mean wives (of deacons) – or can also simply mean women…
      • Meaning the role of a deacon is not limited to just men / women can be deacons…
      • Romans 16:1 – Phoebe was a servant – diakonos – a deacon in the church!
    • Their WIVES must be…
      • REVERENT – from the root word to WORSHIP – they live their life to worship God!
• SOBER – also I Timothy 3:2 – meaning they are not to drink alcohol…
• FAITHFUL in all things – pistos – she must also be proven / tested… 
• The qualifications for a woman DEACON are the EXACT same as a man!
  • With one addition that Paul adds for the women – they are NOT SLANDERERS
  • SLANDERERS – diabolos (name of the devil) – meaning an accuser – we might say gossip…
  • James 3:3 – “The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.”
  • Sometimes we speak – without being careful of who is listening to us…
  • Time will heal many kinds of wounds – but words leave marks that last a lifetime…
  • We need to be careful of our words – careful who is listening to what we say!
• 2^nd – Let (imperative) deacon be the husband of one wife… vs. 12
  • DEACONS must be (imperative) the husband of ONE wife…
  • Some say this means deacon must be married – husband of one WIFE…
  • I again – I do not think this is right – Paul was not married – I Corinthians 7:7
  • Some say this means deacon cannot be divorced – husband of one WIFE…
  • Also not right – three Biblical reasons for divorce – Matt. 19:9 / I Cor. 7:15 / Romans 7:2
  • The husband of ONE wife – simply means he cannot have multiple wives!
  • But God gives men wives because we need help – Genesis 2:18 / Proverbs 18:22
• 3^rd – A DEACON must RULE (oversee) his own house WELL…. vs. 12
• RULE WELL – kalos – emphasizes the outward appearance of the goodness…

• In other words a man should have proven himself as a LEADER in his HOME…
• If a pastor cannot RULE his own family – how can he take CARE of the church of God!
• In many ways the family is the proving grounds for new DEACON…
• If a man does not SERVE his wife and kids / be proven FAITHFUL with them…
• Why would God trust them to SERVE and take care of HIS kids!

• 5^th – The reward for a deacon… vs. 13 (2 points)
  • Those who have SERVED WELL…
    • SERVED – to hold of office or position of a DEACON…
    • WELL – kalos – emphasizes the outward appearance of the goodness…
    • People who have been FAITFUL as DEACONS – will see two REWARDS!
  • 1^st – A DEACON obtains GOOD STANDING…
    • GOOD [kalos] STANDING – only here in NT – from a root word meaning high place…
    • A deacon becomes a regular part of the church life – always there / always helping…
    • The result is everyone gets to know the deacon – and appreciates his service!
    • One of the greatest blessings is to see men / women who faithfully serve in the church!
  • 2^nd – A DEACON will have GREAT BOLDNESS in the FAITH…
    • As a deacon serves in the church – he learns and grows in his faith…
      • A deacon is not as famous as a pastor / and the work is not as glamorous…
      • But being a deacon is where we learn – it is where we are prepared!
      • A lot of people step up and say they want to be used by God…
      • Only to be handed a broom / or asked to wash the dishes…
      • And they walk away – because they think they are better than menial work…
      • Or they start serving – but do not continue because it is not important to them!
      • I have noted two traits on the people God uses…
      • They have humility – realizing it is not about them – but all about Jesus…
      • And they do not give up – they persevere – do not quit hanging on to Jesus!
      • John 15:4-5 – “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me…. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
    • As a deacon is given more and more opportunities – and becomes bold for Jesus…
      • More often than not – that deacon then ends up becoming a Pastor!
      • In fact the best way to become a Pastor – first be a deacon in the church…
      • I first started serving in church – taking out the trash / greeting at the door…
      • But as I was around – available to help – I was given more and more responsibility…
      • Eventually those included ministering in the SPIRITUAL – teaching / counseling…
      • And one day – without even realizing it – I had become a pastor!
      • When we are faithful – God gives us greater responsibility – Zechariah 4:10

Faith comes by hearing the Word – Romans 10:17 – getting to know Jesus!

6^th – The reason why Paul wrote these requirements… vs. 14-16

1^st – Paul hoped to come shortly… vs. 14-15

Recall Paul was on his four missionary journey – and in Philippi – I Timothy 1:3

Timothy was in Ephesus – a young leader who was still learning how to Pastor!

The HOPE was Paul would be there SOON – to help lead the church…

But just in case Paul was DELAYED – he WROTE these instructions – this letter – to Timothy!

2^nd – That you may KNOW… vs. 15

KNOW – (perfect / subjunctive) – eido – that he MIGHT completely SEE…

How we ought to CONTUCT – (passive) – our conduct is a reaction to what we SEE…

HOUSE of GOD – when we come to church – we are entering the HOUSE of GOD…

CHURCH [ekklesia] – a place where we are CALLED OUT of the world by the LIVING GOD…

The PILLAR / GROUND of THE TRUTH – it is a place that supports THE TRUTH!

Paul wanted Timothy to know how to run the church…

But in order to do that Timothy had to SEE what the CHRUCH was…

A place where people come to meet with God – it is HIS HOUSE…

Where we are CALLED OUT [ekklesia] of the world – by the LIVING GOD…

Where our FAITH is FOUNED on the TRUTH – what is THE TRUTH – the WORD!

Anytime you build a house – you need a set of blueprints to follow…

With so many pieces – so many different parts that have to fit perfectly together…

If you do not have a blueprint for a major project – it will end in disaster!

The blueprint God has given to the church – is the Word of God…

The church of God is built upon the foundation / instruction of the Bible!

Unfortunately many churches today look to the World rather than the Word…

They think in order to be used by God you need a college degree…

In order for a church to grow in size you need to entertain the people…

To get money – hold fundraisers to raise money for the church…

All ideas that come from the world – nowhere to be found in the Word of God…

As a result many churches are not looking to the Bible – so the churches are in chaos! 

3^rd – The MYSTERY of GODLINESS… vs. 16

Without CONTROVERSY – only here in NT – can also be translated QUESTION [NLT]…

Without QUESTION – THIS is the GREAT mystery of Godliness!

God was manifest in the flesh – when Jesus came to earth as a man…

Jesus was justified in the Spirit – so that He could live a perfect life by the Spirit…

Jesus was seen by Angels – birth / temptation / and death – Mark 1:13 / Matthew 28:2-7

Jesus was preached among gentiles – Paul had a LARGE part in this!

Jesus was believed on in the world – the Gospel is for EVERYONE – all NATIONS!

Jesus was received up onto Glory – now in heaven – at the right hand of the Father!

The point – Jesus is the HOPE of Godliness!

Jesus / the Word of God – is the foundation of the church… 

Matthew 16:18 – “On this rock I will build My church…”

You can always spot a church founded on Jesus – because the people grow in the Lord…