Sermon Tone Analysis

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)

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

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?