2. Servants of God Two Words Used for Servant in NT – Doulos A slave; one who is conscripted into service – Diakonos A servant with a higher degree of freedom who serves because he wants to serve God calls all men to serve Him. Yet, the call is not forced, it must be accepted voluntarily. The word is translated as ministers about 20 times in the NT. Seven times, the word is translated as servant. Three times, the word is translated as a deacon which is a particular office or position in the local congregation. Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13

3. The Importance – and Need – for Deacons in the Local Church Church of Christ at Medina December 4 th, 2012

4. The Importance and Need for Deacons “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 3:13) Why are deacons important? Because they serve others! They look to fulfill the needs of the local congregation under the direction of the Lord and the local elders. – A deacon is one who executes the commands of another. Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13

5. The Importance and Need for Deacons The deacon is a living example of the principle of serving that Christ taught. “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35) Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35

6. The Importance and Need for Deacons There is perhaps no greater work in the Lord’s Church than to be a servant. The attitude of the servant is also very important, and a deacon must show that willingness, freedom and desire to serve which is defined by the term deacon. – Attitude of Paul (2 Cor. 12:15, 1 Tim. 1:12) – Attitude of Martha (Luke 10:40) We all need to be encouraged to serve others, and deacons provide us a great example to do so. Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35 2 Cor. 12:15 1 Tim. 1:12 Luke 10:40 1 Cor. 16:15 Heb. 6:10

7. Misconceptions about Deacons 1.Deacons are not junior elders. – Deacons are a serving group, not a ruling group. 2.Deacons are not elders in training. – Being a deacon does not prohibit a person from moving on to the eldership, but it is not required either. 3.Deacons are not the only servants in the local congregation. – Everyone in the local body should be servants. Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35 2 Cor. 12:15 1 Tim. 1:12 Luke 10:40 1 Cor. 16:15 Heb. 6:10

8. Qualifications of Deacons 1.Dignified – Worthy of respect, honorable 2.Not Double Tongued – No hidden meanings 3.Not addicted to much wine – Actions should maintain a level of respectability 4.Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain – Not eager for dishonest gain Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35 2 Cor. 12:15 1 Tim. 1:12 Luke 10:40 1 Cor. 16:15 Heb. 6:10

9. Qualifications of Deacons 5.Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience – Demonstrate a stability with regard to the faith 6.Proven – Examined first, and then admitted to the office 7.Blameless – Unimpeachable, nothing justifiably laid to one’s charge Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35 2 Cor. 12:15 1 Tim. 1:12 Luke 10:40 1 Cor. 16:15 Heb. 6:10

10. Qualifications of Deacons 8.Family Obligations – Husband of one wife – Managing their children and household well. Rom. 12:1-5 1 Tim. 4:6 Matt. 23:11 John 12:26 2 Tim. 2:24 Acts 6:1-6 Phil. 1:1 1 Tim. 3:8-13 Mk. 9:33-35 2 Cor. 12:15 1 Tim. 1:12 Luke 10:40 1 Cor. 16:15 Heb. 6:10

11. Current Deacons Keith Baumgardner Lance Epperson Ben Holt Chris Patterson Chris Smith Chris Travis  Do we have others who are, or need to be, working to become deacons?  What are you doing to prove yourself?