Qualifications for Deacons
Notes
Transcript
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 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.
Introduction
As we noted last time there are two Offices in the church namely Elders and Deacons. As with Elders the Deacons must be qualified for the task. Although their responsibilities will of a practical nature their qualities must be spiritual.
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1. Dignified v8
1. Dignified v8
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8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
Dignified = worthy of respect
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The Pastoral Epistles (3:8–12)
This refers not only to their necessary decorum or propriety of manner and conduct but also to the fact that in their inner thoughts and attitudes they must be men of Spirit-wrought gravity and respectability. William Hendriksen
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3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
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Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
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2. Not Doubled-Tongued v8
2. Not Doubled-Tongued v8
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8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
doubled-tongued = insincere
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Psalm 5:9 (ESV)
9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
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2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
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5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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3. Not Addicted to Much Wine v8
3. Not Addicted to Much Wine v8
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
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4. Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain v8
4. Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain v8
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
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21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
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27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
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1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
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5. Hold to the Faith v9
5. Hold to the Faith v9
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9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
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5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
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9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
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6. Tested v10
6. Tested v10
10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
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The Pastoral Epistles (Joseph)
This does not mean that a prospective deacon must first serve a trial-period, but rather that by means of a consecrated life he must furnish a testimonial of character. He must be able to sustain the test of having the eyes of the whole church (plus the outsiders!) focused upon him. William Hendriksen
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1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
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7. Their Wives v11
7. Their Wives v11
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Wives likewise, or Women likewise
The Pastoral Epistles (The Seven Men of Good Report)
What Paul means, accordingly, is this, “Timothy, see to it that the deacons’ assistants be carefully selected. They should be Ruths and Lydias, not ‘silly women,’ nor the kind that remind one of Jezebel!”
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1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
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8. Maritally Pure v12
8. Maritally Pure v12
1 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
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Malachi 2:15 (ESV)
15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
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Matthew 19:9 (ESV)
9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
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4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
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9. Good Standing v13
9. Good Standing v13
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1 Timothy 3:13 (ESV)
13 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.
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Hebrews 6:10 (ESV)
10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
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1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
Conclusion
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15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.