Sunday Sermons

Deacons

Mark Dunagan
01/23/05 - Sunday Morning

Deacons

“When writing to Timothy and the problem-ridden congregation at Ephesus around the year A.D. 63, Paul found it necessary to give instructions about deacons. In 1 Timothy 3:8-13, he insists that deacons, like shepherds, be properly qualified and publicly examined before they serve. Since he did not want their position to be minimized by others or by themselves, Paul promises that deacons who serve well will acquire an honorable and influential standing in the local church. They will see their faith in Christ greatly increased (1 Timothy 3:13). A serious, fundamental problem regarding the diaconate still exists: far too little in-depth consideration is being given to the biblical texts and the biblical parameters set for deacons. This problem is symptomatic of a much bigger problem among Christians today, which is a shameful lack of trust in God-breathed, holy Scripture. But, as we shall see, the Scripture is perfectly sufficient to answer our questions about deacons. Indeed, the only diaconate worth discovering is the one found on the pages of the inspired New Testament. No matter how limited that information may at first appear, God, in His perfect wisdom, has given us all the information we need. If we don’t adequately consider the texts of holy Scripture or limit ourselves to biblical teaching on deacons, we invariably corrupt God’s design and invent a diaconate of our own imagination” (Minister of Mercy: The New Testament Deacon, Alexander Strauch, pp. 8,9). In the denominational world deacons have been turned into a ruling board of the church, or are often placed into a competitive role with the elders. “While some churches wrongly elevate deacons to the position of executive board members, others mistakenly reduce deacons to building managers, glorified church janitors, or sanctified groundskeepers. In response to this position, we must ask ourselves why God would demand that deacons meet specific moral and spiritual qualifications and undergo public examination, like the elders of the church (1 Timothy 3:10), if all deacons do is wax floors or mow lawns” (p. 11). “Exactly how the congregation in Jerusalem selected seven of its men is not recorded” (p. 37). Seven men were selected in Acts 6 because that is how many men were needed for this situation. “Thus a local church today has flexibility in how its deacons are chosen, how many are selected, and what they specifically are to do. As long as the deacons enable the shepherds of the church to carry out their primary duties, they are doing their job” (p. 43).

Qualifications

“The church has no right to diminish these standards for the officers of the church, nor does it have any right to elevate any other as though they are then equal to these which are commanded by God Himself. These and only these stand as absolute” (p. 88). The term is always in the plural (Philippians 1:1). It is reasonable to assume that the diaconate is modeled after the eldership and so, like the overseer-elders, the deacons met and worked together as a group. A group of deacons provides mutual accountability, collective wisdom, and protection from unfounded accusations concerning such things as the mismanagement of funds.

Men of Dignity

“Because the deacon has greater access to people who are hurting and weak, he can more easily exploit them. Think of the number of politicians, business people, and religious leaders who have been caught in double-talk, drinking to excess, or stealing funds. We can summarize these qualifications by saying that deacons must be men of integrity and self-control who live consistent Christian lives in full view of their fellow believers” (p. 95). In other words, he cannot be full of himself, and thus concerned with his own comfort, ideas, and advancement.

Not double-tongued

“When I was a boy, my father drummed an old saying into my head: ‘A man is no better than his word’. The term plainly prohibits any kind of manipulative, insincere, or deceitful speech. Behind a deceitful tongue is a deceitful mind. Positively, the term emphasizes integrity of speech, sincerity, and truthfulness” (p. 97).

Or addicted to much wine

“Deacons work with people, often those who are troubled. If a deacon has a drinking problem, he will lead people astray and bring reproach upon the church” (p. 98). Yet the verse is not teaching that he can therefore be addicted to a little wine.

Or fond of sordid gain

Remember Judas (John 12:5-6) and the Pharisees (Luke 20:47; 11:39; 16:14). “Deacons handle money—other people’s money, the church’s money, and where money is there are always problems. Money is an irresistible magnet for many people. So we must carefully examine a man’s financial integrity before he is chosen. A person who has a problem with greed, stealing, or making bad financial dealings is not a good candidate” (pp. 99-100).

Holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

“A Christian can’t hold to the faith with a pure conscience and live in sexual immorality, pilfer money, hate a brother, or mix falsehood with the gospel. The New Testament never allows people to separate life and doctrine. Whenever we knowingly act in a way that is contrary to God’s Word and do not seek His forgiveness, we defile our conscience. Every time we violate our conscience, we weaken its convicting power and make sin and hypocrisy easier to commit. “The faith means the entire body of Christian doctrine” (pp. 100,101). “The great truths of the faith are not to be held as theological abstractions, but are to be properly employed in daily life. To hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience is so to live in the light of Christian truth that the enlightened conscience will have no cause to condemn. A pure conscience (usually) indicates a pure life” (Homer Kent, The Pastoral Epistles, p. 139).

These men first must also be tested; then let them serve

This stresses the necessity of testing a prospective deacon, it is not an option, a man cannot appoint himself. “The idea here is for others to officially examine, evaluate, and scrutinize the prospective deacon’s character” (p. 105). “According to 1 Timothy 3:1 and Titus 1:5, a local church must appoint overseers. By definition, overseers must oversee the direction of the church. So in vital matters as important as examining and appointing deacons, the overseer-elders should direct the entire examination process. The shepherds have the authority, position, and knowledge to move the church forward. They know its needs, and they know the people. Furthermore, the shepherds are responsible to decide if any additional deacons are needed and to initiate the process of selecting them” (pp. 106,107). “A good shepherding body also wants an educated, involved congregation, not a passive one. The appointed deacons will serve the congregation, so the people must have a voice in evaluating them. Therefore, everyone in the church is to know these qualifications and is also obligated to see that these biblical instructions are implemented. Some people may have information about a prospective deacon that the shepherds do not have, so their input in the evaluation process is essential” (p. 107).

No time limit is placed on their service. “To arbitrarily limit deacons to a two-or three-year term of service demeans the diaconate to board status and frustrates a man’s God-given desire to serve the Lord’s people. He then remains a deacon until he no longer desires the work or disqualifies himself according to biblical requirements” (p. 109). It is also important that deacons are installed publicly for the church is not some secret society (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22).

Their Wives

“Wives who lack self-control and balanced mental perspective will inevitably undermine the deacon’ service within the congregation. Lacking self-restraint, they will be easily snared by the devil or false teachers. It is essential that wives working in close association with the diaconate be mentally and emotionally stable and in control. They must be able to remain composed in all circumstances. We might expect Paul to say that these women must be faithful to God or to their families. Instead, he writes, ‘faithful in all things’. That means they are to be faithful in every relationship and sphere of life. Every aspect of their life is to be marked by faithfulness. A woman who is flirtatious is untrustworthy. A woman who neglects her family because of selfish ambitions, or neglects God’s people is unfaithful. A fickle, selfish woman who changes her mind or breaks commitments to please her own whims is unreliable” (pp. 130,131).

Husbands of only one wife

“A number of biblical commentators believe that the phrase ‘husbands of only one wife’, means ‘married to one wife’. They then conclude that Paul’s intent was to prohibit polygamy. But the related phrase ‘the wife of one man’ (1 Timothy 5:9) makes it an almost impossible interpretation. Polyandry (a woman with more than one husband) was definitely not a problem in the church. Such a practice was abhorrent even to Jews and Romans. So it is unlikely that the phrase, ‘husbands of only one wife’, primarily addresses polygamy” (p. 139). The expression can be translated “one-wife men”, “one-woman men”, and a number of scholars opt for “married only once”. In addition, the deacon must be true to one woman, which means he is not unfaithful to his wife and neither is he flirtatious with other women. “A one-woman man has an exclusive relationship with one woman. He is above reproach in his sexual and married life” (p. 141).

Good managers of their children

“He must provide for his family—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. His home must not be on the verge of collapse. Having an orderly home means that the deacon’s children must obey and submit to his leadership in the home. Yet he is not to be a spirit-crushing tyrant who gains submission by harsh punishment. Also, the father must not be passive and disinterested in his children, the kind of man who leaves child rearing to his wife” (p. 142).

For those who have served well as deacons

“Perhaps Paul senses that a positive and encouraging statement is also needed concerning deacons. The people may have overlooked and underestimated the deacons. So Paul assures his readers that deacons also do a good work. What a tremendous privilege it is to have an honorable standing in God’s house! It is better than having a good standing in the highest government position or in a prestigious university. God’s household—His church—is the most important institution on earth” (p. 149). Those who serve well will go on to do even greater works and will be involved in even bolder exploits of faith.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017