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

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

3. Deacons In The Church 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

4. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church 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 Some Introductory Thoughts …

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

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

7. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church 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 What Are The Qualifications?

8. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church CHARACTER 1 Tim 3:8-10 A man of dignity v. 8 Phil 4:8 Not double-tongued v. 8 Mk 7:22 Not addicted to wine v. 8 1 Pet 4:3-4 Not greedy for money v. 8 Mt 6:19-24 Holding the mystery v. 9 2 Tim 2:2, 15 What Are The Qualifications?

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

10. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church FAMILY 1 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” What Are The Qualifications?

11. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church FAMILY 1 Tim 3:11-12 His children must be… …obedient Eph 6:1 What Are The Qualifications?

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

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

14. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church 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!!

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

16. “Special” Servants Among Servants Deacons In The Church Conclusion Elders are considering 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

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

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

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