Christian Leadership: Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
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Intro:
This is a great topic considering where we were last week- SERVE. Also, because we will be voting on Deacons here in the coming weeks.
“Gifting can take you farther than character”
This is not ment to be unattainable or so far beyond reach that no-one qualifies. Little men (boys), young men (teens, college aged men), older men, this is what God wants you to strive for in your life. Maybe you won’t hold the office or serve in a formal way, but this is what we as men should be seeking to be when it comes to character. Notice, this is not a call to perfection.
Outline:
Personally: “Dignified” (vs. 8-10)
Marriage: “Wives” (v. 11)
Family: “Lead” (vs. 12-13)
Summary: Serving as a deacon starts with a proven track record of following Jesus in all areas of life.
Prayer:
Personally: “Dignified” (vs. 8-10)
Personally: “Dignified” (vs. 8-10)
Dignified (v. 8)
Deacons: servant, minister
Likewise- to what, what was just mentioned before?
Must be dignified- “semnous”, worthy of respect; especially on account of one’s behaviour, used also of older men in Titus 2:2
Negative (v. 8) THINK OF BIBLICAL EXAMPLES FOR EACH
Not double-tonged- “dilogous”, adjective, double-talk, hypocritical or insincere speech on account of equivocation or duplicitiousness. what you say is what you mean. Jesus tells us that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What fills my heart fuels my tonue.
Not addicted to much wine- “prosecho”, to serve, (devote) pres act, part, to devote (part of) one’s life or efforts to. Our culture would like us to believe that being a man is directly related your alcohol consumption. Listen to a country song, watch a movie, look at the fans at a sporting event, what do they have in their hand? Put it this way, this is not the highlight of your day or the objective of your weekend. Your life is characterized by more than what you consume.
Not greedy for dishonest gain- “aischrokerdes” fond of dishonest gain, shamefully greedy, being so desirous of aqcuiring wealth that it brings disgrace and shame on a person or his family. “Boys and their toys” right? It is not a sin to own a boat, motorcycle, house in florida, or go on vacation. But these are not the things you are willing to sacrifice your marriage, family, or corporate worship for.
Positive (vs. 9-10)
They must hold- “echo” pres, act, part, have, to consider, reckon
the myster of the faith- “mysterion”, the revealed secret, a divine secret that is now openly revealed. faith- the gospel content, the content of what is (and should be) believed about the good news of Jesus’ way of salvation. We are not talking about some secret society or rituals that they must hold to
The Letters to Timothy and Titus B. Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons (3:1–13)
In any case, Paul’s counsel to Timothy assumes that deacons are not just busy activists but also capable and informed in matters pertaining to Christian teaching, experience, and to some extent the Scriptures (OT and any then-recognized NT) themselves.
with a clear conscience- “meant that there must be nothing in the conduct of these men that was glaringly inconsistent with their professed beliefs. In other words they must not profess one thing but practice another.”
Litfin, A. D. (1985). 1 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 738). Victor Books.
Let them also be tested first- “dokimazo” pres, pass, imperative (command) examine, test approve, to be scrutinized, to be or become examined critically or searchingly, or in minute detail (whether genuine or not). How do you know if they presently hold the faith with a clear conscience?
then let them serve as deacons- “diakoneo” pres, act, imperative (command) to serve as deacon
if they prove themselves- “eimi” pres, act part, conditional participle
blameless- “anenkletoi”, adjective, abover reproach, unaccusable, not subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing. AHA, this is where we get the idea of perfect or without sin. But what is Paul hinting at here. Is he saying without fault? These are the other times it is used in Scripture by Paul:
1 Cor 1:8 “who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 1:22 “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”
1 Tim
Titus- 2x 1:6-7
It seems to me that what Paul is getting at is that after being tested, there is no question as to whether or not you love Jesus and are found in Him. No one is guessing whether or not you are a believer.
Application/Implications:
So what do you think men? Where are you in the process of being “dignified”? Maybe there are some things that the Holy Spirit brought conviction about in the last few minutes. Confess it to him now, repent, and seek God’s grace this week to change and obey.
Maybe you are thinking, “I don’t think I would ever be able to be a Deacon?” Why not? According to this, what is holding back God’s work in you?
Transitional phrase: There is no doubt, men, we have to start by looking in the mirror of our souls and taking a good hard look. Am I living my life in such a way that no one could accuse me of not being a believer? It is hard to serve if people cannot trust what you say. It is hard to serve if you are not sober, it is hard to serve if you spend most of your time trying to accuire wealth.
Marriage: “Wives” (vs. 11-)
Marriage: “Wives” (vs. 11-)
Dignified (vs. 11) Same pattern as before
Their wives- this could be translated as deacon’s wives or a group of female deacons (Phoebe in Rom 16:1 “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,” )
likewise
must be dignified- “semnous”, worthy of respect; especially on account of one’s behaviour- there is no doubt that the two of you love Jesus! Wife, you are not just tollerating this as if it is something your husband is into so you are going to go along with.
This structure gives weight to the fact that God sees man and women as co-heirs with Him, yet serve in different roles. There is not a double standard here.
Faithful (vs. 11)
Not slanderers- “diabolous” devil, characterized by attacking the reputation of another by slander or libel
but sober-minded- not given to any extremes in behaviour; perhaps especially in terms of alcohol, temperate, well-balanced
Faithful in all things-”pistas” reliable, trusting, characterized by belief, trust, and reliance (on Jesus for salvation)
Once again, It seems that what Paul is getting at is that after being tested, there is no question as to whether or not you love Jesus and are found in Him. No one is guessing whether or not you are a believer. This is what it means to be faithful in all things.
Application/Implications:
So what do you think ladies? Where are you in the process of being “dignified”? Maybe there are some things that the Holy Spirit brought conviction about in the last few minutes. Confess it to him now, repent, and seek God’s grace this week to change and obey.
Maybe you are thinking, “I don’t think I would ever be able to be a Deacon’s wife?” Why not? According to this, what is holding back God’s work in you?
Transitional phrase: There is no doubt, ladies, we have to start by looking in the mirror of our souls and taking a good hard look. Am I living my life in such a way that no one could accuse me of not being a believer? It is hard to serve your husband if he cannot trust what you say about what has been said. It is hard to serve your husband if you are not sober or well-balanced in your your emotions and behaviour. It is hard to serve your husband if you are not trusting in Jesus on a regular basis.
Family: “Lead” (vs. 12-13)
Family: “Lead” (vs. 12-13)
One Woman man (vs. 12)
Let deacons each
be - estosan” from eimi- to be (quality)
the husband of one wife- genitive of possession, relation.
Leads his children (vs. 12)
Managing their children- “proistamenoi”- to lead (authoirty), to be in charge of
and their households well- during the time of writing this, the church met in homes. It was a lot harder to have two different lives during these times. Navogating home well, it is a joy and blessing to be with your wife and kids. They are not “holding you back” from what you could really do...
Gain (vs. 13)
For those who serve well as deacons- combining the thought of loving your wife and navogating home life well to serving as a deacon well.
gain a good standing for themselves- “bathmos” the idea of rank or grade, recognition
and also great confidence in the faith- great confidence to continue to do what is right and serve with more compassion, more willingness, more eager to serve the body of Christ. What will I gain from this, well, here it is.
that is in Christ Jesus
Application/Implications:
There seems to be 5 areas in a man’s life expressed here (John Stott)
Personally: self-controlled and mature
drink
Money
Temper
Tongue
Family:
Faithful to his wife
Discipline of his Children
Relationships:
Hospitable
Gentle
Outsiders:
highly esteemed
Faith:
Strong in his hold on its truth
gifted in teaching it
Application/Implications:
Maybe you are sitting there thinking well, I can’t be a deacon because I am not married, or I don’t have kids. Well, be faithful personally and if God allows you to get married, be faithful in your marriage.
Transitional phrase:
Summary
Discussion questions
Discussion questions
Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)
1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)
?
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