Deacons Stir Up The Dust 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Christians are Servants The former thief (Eph 4:29) Moses, Elijah, Elisha, the Prophets Jesus & his disciples (Mark 10:42-45) Timothy (Phil 2:19-21) Household of Stephanas (1 Cor 16:13-18) One’s life for another is the greatest service (2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Pet 4:1-2)

What is a Deacon? He Stirs Up The Dust Deacon: Dia (through), Konos (dust) “To raise the dust by hastening” (Thayer) He is ready and able to serve

What is a Deacon? Proven (Tested) Servant (1 Tim 3:10) The seven were proven men (Acts 6:3)

What is a Deacon? Self Controlled (1 Tim 3:8) Reverent: dignified, honorable, honest Not double tongued: believable, will not say two different things Not given to wine or greedy for money: motivated by God’s will, rather than by sinful appetites (Acts 6:3, 5, 8)

What is a Deacon? Holds Faith with a Pure Conscience (1 Tim 3:9) Not prejudicial in his dealings (Eph 3) Holds firmly to the truths of the gospel Not just a laborer, also an edifier, encourager by speaking God’s word

What is a Deacon? Respected In His Home (1 Tim 3:11-12) His wife: reverent (honorable, dignified), not slanderous (gossips), but temperate (self- controlled), faithful (trustworthy) in all things His children: ruled well and behave well

Christians are like Deacons Stirring up the dust in service to God Proving & examining ourselves Resisting sinful desires Desiring the “pure milk of the word that [we] may grow thereby” Respecting & following God’s leadership in the home

Deacons are Servant Leaders They model servanthood for a community of servants

Forgiveness of Sin: Salvation! Faith in Jesus Christ through the Gospel John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Heb 11:6 Repent or turn from sins Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess faith in Christ Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 10:9-10 Be baptized (immersed) in water Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith Heb 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10