A CALL TO SERVE
Acts 6.1-7; I Timothy 3.8-13
S: Church Structure
C: Deacons
Th: A People with Purpose
Pr: THE ROLE OF DEACON IS A MINISTRY OF SERVICE.
?: How? How do we come to that conclusion?
KW: Issues
TS: We will find in our study of Scripture four issues that will guide us in our understanding of the role of deacon.
Type: Propositional
The ____ issue is…
I. DEFINITION
II. SELECTION
III. OCCUPATION
IV. DISPOSITION
PA: How is the change to be observed?
• We all fulfill the ministry of “deaconing” when we serve.
• Meeting the practical needs of the church family is vital ministry.
• Deacons are the support network that brings peace (help pastors/elders fulfill their calling).
• Our deacons are a hybrid – a cross between the function of deacon and elder.
• Our deaconesses keep closer to the care model.
Version: ESV
RMBC 19 February 06 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Problem: car excuse
As you know, we have moved into the stage of our lives when our kids are driving.
So we are sympathetic to the parent who had a teenage son, Marc, who never missed an opportunity to remind his parents that he needed his own car.
One morning, as his mom drove him to school, it was apparent that they would be late. So mom asked him to write a note, which she would sign when they arrived.
At school, Marc handed his mom a pen and the note, which read: "Marc is late this morning due to car trouble. The trou¬ble is, Marc doesn’t have his own car, and his mom drives too slowly."
Laura Z. Sowers
Oh, the problems we endure…
And if you think that is bad…
How about this?
ILL Service: hot coffee
A diner was agitated that the waiter had brought him no spoon with his coffee. "This coffee," he said loud enough for most of the other patrons to hear, "is going to be pretty hot to stir with my fingers."
The waiter embarrassed, made a hasty retreat to the kitchen and returned shortly with another cup of coffee.
Beaming, he said, "This one isn’t so hot, sir."
Well, that may not have been what the diner was looking for, but I think the following statement is true…
Thoughtful service will get our attention.
When someone really does show us care and attention, we really appreciate it, don’t we?
We enjoy being served well.
TRANSITION:
You may remember that last week, I shared with you one of my favorite sayings…
“There are good problems and there are bad problems. Always take the good problems.”
Yes…
1. Take the good problems when they come.
When we studied Acts 6, last week, we noted that the church was growing.
And with that growth came some growing pains.
In particular, there was a tension between the Hebrew-speaking widows and the Greek-speaking widows.
Help, in the form of food and supplies, was being given to both groups of widows.
Apparently, though, the latter was being slighted in what was being received.
Now, whether this was on purpose or not, the great thing about this situation is that…
2. The conflict was solved.
When the apostles became aware of the conflict, they understood immediately that this was beyond them.
They already had “more on their plate” than was possible.
They also knew that they had a responsibility to keep to their God-given priorities – the ministry of the Word and to prayer.
But they certainly did not wash their hands of the situation.
After, what I am sure was careful consideration, they offered a solution.
3. The solution centered on people that would serve.
Through the coordination of both the apostles and the church body in general, seven men were chosen that were given the responsibility to solve the issue.
Problems abounded with this tension among the widows.
There would be financial problems.
There would be problems about the distribution of goods.
There would be administrative problems.
Nevertheless, it was their task to serve the church in this way.
This situation in chapter 6 of Acts is the beginning of a new thing, that is, the role of deacon.
Simply defined…
4. THE ROLE OF DEACON IS A MINISTRY OF SERVICE.
Today, we are giving consideration to the larger role of deacon and deaconess in the church.
It must be understood that those that serve in the church setting with these roles are helpers for the church.
They are not servants for individuals in the church body to boss around.
No, they are the Lord’s servants.
As we see the early church develop and progress, the role that is introduced in Acts 6 becomes an office.
It is an office of leadership, but it is leadership that is modeled and demonstrated.
It is leadership that modestly and humbly stays in the background.
It is leadership that serves to help the apostles, and those that would follow in leadership roles – the elders and the pastors.
This study, along with the two that follow, is examining the leadership roles that we find in the church.
These studies will work together and will be more informational in a sense since they are more teaching-oriented than proclamation.
That being said, let us proceed, for…
5. We will find in our study of Scripture four issues that will guide us in our understanding of the role of deacon.
You will note that our Scripture texts are on the fourth page of the insert (or page 10 in your bulletin) and are there for you to resource as we study together.
Acts 6 was our specific text of study last week.
The I Timothy passage was just read during the Scripture reading.
OUR STUDY:
I. The first issue is DEFINITION.
Many Greek words have made their way into the English with little change.
The Greek word for deacon is one of them.
It is diakonos.
1. Diakonos literally means servant.
When the word is first used in the New Testament, it is a word that applies to the general public, so to speak.
Anyone that serves Jesus by serving others acts as a deacon or deaconess.
Many people do the act of “deaconing” or “deek” as some like to put it.
A similar word that the apostle Paul likes to use is doulos.
It means slave.
Paul liked to use the word doulos to demonstrate his complete submission to the Lord.
The Greek words for servant and slave are used quite often in the New Testament writings, but the word for servant gets an addition.
For…
2. The term diakonos expanded into a role.
By the time Paul writes in I Timothy 3, the role of deacon is established, following the verses describing the elders.
Paul also establishes that the role of the diaconate is not gender exclusive.
And though some translators have chosen to translate the word woman as wife in this context, I firmly disagree with that particular interpretation (note that I used the more literal NASU on the back page).
I choose to accept the idea of deaconess for two reasons.
The first is because there is no corresponding treatment of wives of elders in the section before, so it leads me to believe that there is a distinction of role being made.
The second reason is the verse in Romans 16 (also on page 10), which indicates that Phoebe is a deaconess.
Regardless, though, we must remember that the word diakonos, and its corresponding verb form, are used for the role, action and office, and we must show discernment as we study them.
Which leads us to…
II. The second issue is SELECTION.
In the passage we studied last week, Acts 6, we were given characteristics that served as a basis for selecting those that would serve in this role:
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
ILL Integrity: just became a Christian
The story is told of a shoplifter who writes to a department store and says, "I’ve just become a Christian, and I can’t sleep at night because I feel guilty. So here’s $100 that I owe you." Then he signs his name, and in a little postscript at the bottom he adds, "If I still can’t sleep, I’ll send you the rest."
Well, that was almost integrity!
And that is what deacons are to possess…
1. Deacons are to possess integrity.
When we studied Acts 6 last week, we noted that the apostles wanted men that were deeply honest.
They had to have a trustworthy reputation in the community as well as among the church family.
Second…
2. Deacons are to be spiritually-minded.
They are to be men that are Spirit-controlled.
And it is to be obvious.
They are people that live in such a way that the influence of the Spirit can be observed.
Third…
3. Deacons are to have demonstrated wisdom.
In today’s culture, when we elect church officers, we are tempted to elect those with expertise in the world.
They have fine skills in finances, construction, education or administration.
But those skills, at best are only secondary, and are not the biblical criteria.
We are told that wisdom is the real key.
Is this a man or a woman that demonstrates wisdom in their daily life?
If this is so, they are worthy of the selection.
III. The third issue is OCCUPATION.
What are they to be doing?
Well…
First, as we noted in the passage last week…
1. Deacons serve to unify the church.
They were serving a real need.
The care ministry of the church was vital.
The widows needed help.
So, as they provided the organization and the administration that was needed, they were playing a vital role in keeping the church united, helping the needy to survive, and encouraging peace in the church.
Second…
2. Deacons meet practical needs.
The church kept growing, and one of the early church Fathers, a second-century believer, Justin Martyr, noted that the deacons visited the sick, poor, prisoners, widows, and orphans.
In other words, the diaconate ministry is one of hands and feet, modeling the love of Jesus.
We can never discount the power of such a ministry, for love in action truly does change lives and leads people to Christ.
We need our deacons and deaconesses actively meeting the needs of the church family and others.
It is one very practical way to live out the commands to “love one another” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Third…
3. Deacons support the work of the elders/pastors; they do not direct them.
Scriptures do not give any indication that deacons or deaconesses rule over pastors.
I know I may end up treading on some toes, but we tend to follow the typical Baptist polity here at Randall where the Deacon Board gives spiritual and general oversight to the ministry of the church.
But in the early church, this was not the case.
The deacons and deaconesses were fully under the authority of the elders of the church.
They did not govern.
They had spiritual responsibilities to administrate, to care, and to keep unity.
These were and are vital responsibilities that are a handful all by themselves.
Now we come to…
IV. The fourth issue is DISPOSITION.
The section in I Timothy describes what deacons and deaconesses are to be like.
I believe Acts 6 works better as qualifications, while I Timothy acts as an exhortation for these leaders on how they are to behave.
First…
1. Deacons are reliably consistent.
These are to be men and women who are honored because of their distinct honesty and integrity.
Their lives are consistent.
They can be counted on.
And because they treat others with dignity and respect, they are given the same treatment.
Second…
2. Deacons live disciplined lives.
When it comes to alcohol, they show no addiction (this is what the Greek word says).
In other words, there is not any preoccupation with the drink.
Instead, there is moderation, because the influence that one wants is the Holy Spirit, and obviously, not chemical.
There is also a discipline in the area of sex.
For deacons, it is being, literally, a “one woman man.”
Through the years, this has often been applied to saying that a person that was divorced could not serve in the office of deacon.
The context of the times, though, would have been much more concerned with polygamy, not divorce.
Simply, a deacon was not to have wandering eyes that were discontent with God’s chosen partner for them.
In addition, the deacon was to be disciplined in the matters of the home.
He, or she, was to be giving proper attention to the matters of the home.
Thus, managing their home well, they were able to be an example to others.
Overall, a deacon is to be a man of character (a deaconess a woman of character).
He or she is disciplined in regard to habits, marriage and family.
Third…
3. Deacons are filled with contentment.
Paul wants deacons to be content with what they have been given by the Lord and not living a life of greed.
You see, there are people that are always looking to make that next, fast buck.
Being “wheeler-dealers,” they are always taking advantage of situations to gain money.
Those that serve in this role must be people that are content and are not money-driven.
Deacons were also to understand that they were to be tested.
There is to be a proven depth of faith and experience that shows they live an authentic life.
Finally…
4. Deacons are careful with their words.
First, they are careful with the words of truth.
For they do not just believe the truth, they live it.
With a strong biblical knowledge, and insight to how it is practically lived, they are men and women of conviction.
They live with a clear conscience.
They speak with a clear conscience.
They carry and speak the good news.
They are also careful with their words in general.
The text tells us that they are not double-tongued.
It reminds us of the old television show, “The Lone Ranger.”
The Indian friend, Tonto, often accused the “white man speaks with forked tongue.”
But deacons and deaconesses should not be characterized by this kind of hypocrisy.
Instead they are people of grace.
ILL Gossip: church service
Coming out of church, Mrs. Peterson asked her husband, "Do you think that Johnson girl is coloring her hair?"
"I didn’t even see her," admitted Mr. Peterson.
"And that dress Mrs. Hansen was wearing," continued Mrs. Peterson, "Really, don’t tell me you think that’s the proper way for a mother of two to be dressed?"
"I’m afraid I didn’t notice that either," said Mr. Peterson.
"Oh, for heaven’s sake," snapped Mrs. Peterson. "A lot of good it does you to go to church."
The deaconesses are particularly being warned to not be gossips.
Interestingly, the word that is used for slandering is diabolos, which means “accuser,” the same title for the devil.
This is why we should be careful with what we say.
We are not to be wreckers of reputation because we have uncontrolled tongues.
It is essentially evil.
So those who would serve in such roles need to have a deliberate control of their tongue.
APPLICATION:
So how does this apply to us today?
First…
1. We fulfill the ministry of “deaconing” when we serve.
Deacons and deaconesses “deek” when they care.
But the ministry of caring is not just for those that have he office.
We all can and should do it, regardless of what our role is.
ILL Care: Patch Adams
"Patch Adams": Christlike Caring
Patch Adams is a movie based on the true story of a medical student who discovers the healing qualities of humor while treating patients. Hunter "Patch" Adams (played by comedian Robin Williams) is frustrated by school policies that encourage an impersonal approach to practicing medicine.
Borrowing a white lab coat, Patch disguises himself in a group of third-year students making rounds. The teaching physician impersonally describes the symptoms and diagnoses of each patient.
As the teacher approaches a young woman with open sores on her feet and legs, he says, "Here we have a juvenile onset diabetic with poor circulation and diabetic ulcers with lympadema and evidence of gangrene. Questions?"
A student asks, "Any osteomylitis?"
"None apparent, although not definitive."
Another student inquires as to the appropriate treatment.
"To stabilize the blood sugar. Consider antibiotics and perhaps amputation," he answers.
The patient cringes when she hears the frightening words offered by a doctor who has not yet even acknowledged her presence. From the back of the room, Patch’s voice is heard.
"What’s her name? I was just wondering the patient’s name."
Caught off guard, the physician struggles to find a name on the chart before announcing, "Marjorie."
As the class moves out of the room toward the next patient, Patch lingers at the bedside of this woman and reaches out to touch her shoulder as he calls her by name.
Patch Adams proves we need to be cared for and loved.
With that in mind, let us realize that…
2. We need the ministry of the deacons to keep peace.
They meet the needs of people that might go otherwise unnoticed or uncared for.
They are needed.
They fill the gaps.
They do this, because…
3. Pastoral priorities are the Word and prayer.
I believe the responsibilities of the apostles have transferred to the elders and pastors.
I will speak more of this over the next two weeks.
But suffice it to say, deacons and deaconesses take the pressure off the pastors so that they can attend to their calling and ministry – the Word and prayer.
When we come to our own situation here at Randall, we discover that…
4. Randall’s deacons are a hybrid – a cross between the function of deacon and elder.
In our present constitution, it reads:
The Board of Deacons shall consist of twelve members selected from the membership of the church of those men who best qualify for that office according to the Scriptures as found in Acts 6:3; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
What is significant here is that the qualifications that are listed here speak of both the elder and deacon.
Our constitution writers had the option to just support their position with Acts 6 and the latter verses of I Timothy 3, but they chose to create a position that our Deacons would have more responsibility.
More specifically, our constitution reiterates what our are to be doing:
To assist the Pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, to be his counselors, to exercise special and prudent watch-care over the church membership and welcome new members into the congregation.
Similarly, and perhaps more directly, the deaconesses fit the biblical model the most.
This means that…
5. Randall’s deaconesses organize and model care ministry.
It says in our constitution that:
The Board of Deaconesses shall consist of twelve members selected from the membership of the church, of those women who meet the Scriptural standard as set forth in Titus 2:3-5.
Along with that, their duties are described as:
The Board of Deaconesses with the Board of Deacons and the Pastor shall seek to promote the spiritual welfare of the church, the care of the poor, the visitation of the sick and welcoming of new members. They shall prepare the elements of the Lord’s Supper, and assist the ladies and children in baptism.
Now, please understand, I am not trying to stir up trouble.
But it is on my heart to teach the Scriptures, for they are our rule of faith.
And because I believe in that, I believe that we should shape our leadership roles, as much as we are able to, along biblical principles and examples.
To be fair, the New Testament never gives us a complete example of how the church is to govern itself, so there is a good amount of variety and creativity that comes into play.
But such variety and creativity should always be secondary to what Scripture is teaching.
As I made note before, this lesson is the first of three, and is not designed to stand alone.
So there is more to come.
On the other hand, please feel free to give me feedback and your thoughts, especially when it comes to how we might be more effective in the ministry of “deaconing” to the glory of God.
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 6:1-7
(1) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (2) And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (3) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (4) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (5) And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (6) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. (7) And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
I Timothy 3:8-13
(8) Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, (9) but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. (11) Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. (12) Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. (13) For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (NASU)
Romans 16:1-2
(1) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, (2) that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
BENEDICTION: [Counselors are ]
I have good news today.
God is passionately and devotedly in love with His creation.
That being so, He longs to be in relationship with you.
Do you have that relationship?
If you do not, and would like to know more, Tim and Rhonda Schwartz will be down here in the front as the service ends.
If you would like to know more about God and what it means to be a believer in the Lord Jesus – a Christian – then come and see Tim and Rhonda as others go out of the room.
Let every one of us, regardless of what positions or roles we do or do not have, participate in the ministry of service, for when we do so, we literally become the hands and feet of Jesus, ministering His love.
Now…
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Amen.
RESOURCES:
SermonCentral
Hamby, John The Responsibility of the Deacon
Higgins, Kevin Deacons Modeling Biblical Leadership
Pounds, Wil Deacons Are Men Who Serve
Rodgers, Joseph The Qualifications of Deacons
Stedman, Ray C. The Lord’s Servants
Diemer, Carl J., Jr. “Deacons and Other Endangered Species: A Look at the Biblical Office of Deacon.” Fundamentalist Journal. March 1984, pp. 21-24.
Getz, Gene A. Elders and Leaders: God’s Plan for Leading the Church. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003.
