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

3. “Special” Servants Among Servants
Deacons In The Church
“Special” Servants Among Servants

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

5. Some Introductory Thoughts…
Other uses of “deacon” in the N.T.
Jesus was a “deacon” Rom 15:8
Apostles were “deacons” 2 Cor 3:6
Gov’t officials are “deacons” Rom 13:4
All Christians are “deacons” Jn 12:26
Even female saints Rom 16:1

6. What Is A Deacon?
Not an English word, but a word transliterated from the Greek
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

7. What Is A Deacon?
Out of genuine servants of Christ, God has ordained “special” servants to be selected for “special” service to the local church
Obviously, a specific person God has in mind

8. What Are The Qualifications?
Some of what is revealed applies to the one being considered for this work
A man Ù a woman any less a servant?
A married man Ù single men any less?
A father Ù childless men any less?
Most apply to all disciples of Christ

9. What Are The Qualifications?
CHARACTER Tim 3:8-10
A man of dignity v Phil 4:8
Not double-tongued v Mk 7:22
Not addicted to wine v Pet 4:3-4
Not greedy for money v Mt 6:19-24
Holding the mystery v Tim 2:2, 15

10. What Are The Qualifications?
CHARACTER Tim 3:8-10
Beyond reproach v Cor 1:8
FAMILY Tim 3:11-12
His family is also to be considered
Emphasis is on a man committed to his relationships (marriage, parenthood)

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

12. What Are The Qualifications?
FAMILY Tim 3:11-12
His children must be…
…obedient Eph 6:1

13. What Is A Deacon’s Work? Nothing specifically revealed
Yet, Acts 6 offers relevant principles
These 7 men are never called “deacons”
However, there is some similarity
Tasks given represented a need v. 1
They were “empowered” v. 3

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

15. What Is A Deacon’s Work?
We must reject the age-old adage “Elders do the spiritual work… Deacons do the physical work”
If true, the Holy Spirit’s qualifications are too high for “janitorial work”
2 of the 7 from Acts 6 were preachers!!

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

17. Conclusion
Elders are asking us to consider additional men for this important work
We need to “look out among us…”
We need to examine some of our brethren and judge them according to the Scripture’s qualifications re: their character and their family

18. Conclusion Consider also 1 Tim 3:10
A man must already have proven character as a disciple in the kingdom
We’re not talking about “potential”… letting a man “grow” into this work
If asked, brethren see you already qualified…they’ve got confidence in you

19. Conclusion Consider also 1 Tim 3:10
Don’t serve out of “peer pressure” just because 1 or more brethren ask you to
Serve because you are qualified and it is your “obligation” to the Lord and His church at this place