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

2. 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)

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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