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.      _________ & _______________. See Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13.

2.      Greek word for deacon is diakonos.

3.      Literally, the words mean raise ________by hastening.

a)      In other words, deacons are to “_____ ____ dust.”

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

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

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

2.      Deacons are great because of their _______________.

C.    The deaconate is a “_________” not a “____________.”

1.      It is “________ time” not “_______ time.” “Get in or get out.”

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

II. Deacons have a specific ____________ to play.

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

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

2.      Deacons should not do what ____________ 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 ______________________.

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

B.     Serving as a deacon involves an __________, a concept, and a ______.

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

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 _____________!

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

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

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

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

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 – ___________ comes to house of Philip.

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

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

Conclusion:

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