Deacons: The Key to Church Work & Growth

Introduction:

1 & 2 Timothy written to instruct Timothy in his work. From these 2 epistles, we enjoy good, practical instructions to order our work according to the divine pattern. That pattern involves what we read in 1 Tim. 3:1-13. This teaching ought to have a place in our work as a local church. To the best of our ability – based on the human resources available, and in keeping with this instruction we should seek to follow this pattern.

I.  The work of a deacon is important.

A.     God only recognizes 2 distinct offices in the local church.

1.      Elders & deacons. See Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13.

2.      Greek word for deacon is diakonos.

3.      Literally, the words mean raise dust by hastening.

a)      In other words, deacons are to “kick up dust.”

                                                                                                1)      Deacons are to be live wires, not dead heads.

B.     It’s not about power. Mt. 20:25-28 – this was a problem of Gentiles.

1.      In God’s kingdom, greatness is achieved by service.

2.      Deacons are great because of their ministry.

C.    The deaconate is a “ministry” not a “position.”

1.      It is “work time” not “rest time.” “Get in or get out.”

D.    Lazy deacons demoralize zealous church workers & sabotage good programs.

II. Deacons have a specific role to play.

A.     Deacons are the key to local church work & growth.

1.      Elders should not do what the deacons should be doing.

2.      Deacons should not do what members should be doing.

B.     Look at the way the church is presented in scripture.

1.      Eph. 4:11-12; 15-16; 1 Cor. 12:12; 14-20

III. Deacons are servants.

A.     Look at Jesus. Lk. 19:10; 22:27. What was His mission?

B.     Serving as a deacon involves an attitude, a concept, and a life.

C.    Phil. 2:1-11 - the greatest is the servant.

D.    This is a hard lesson to learn. It’s opposite to human nature.

1.      A servant mentality must be in the mind of the person who serves as a deacon.  It is not a reward, title, or position.  It is a function!

IV. Philip the evangelist is a great example of this.

A.     He – one of the “7” in Acts 6. They were simply servants.

B.     Honest, wise, spiritual men served. No title, no position, no personal reward.

C.    We next run into Philip in Acts 8. Preaching the scriptures.  To Samaritans.

D.    Servant hood is the foundation for benevolence, evangelism, and missions.

E.     8:26 – now called by God to go to desert and preach.  Where God wanted him to be. Find out where God wants you to be and serve!

F.     Acts 21:8-14 – Paul comes to house of Philip.

1.      Philip could love a man who killed his best friend. How?

2.      Deacons are simply servants.  It truly is the glory of the ordinary.

Conclusion:

A.     We’ve talked about servant hood today. Are you a servant of Jesus?