A Place of Influence & Honor

A Place of Influence & Honor

2005007

Topic # 1486 (deacons)

Introduction:

A. 1 Tim. 3:13

1. For far too long the Diaconate has been demeaned and treated as unimportant.

2. For far too long, some deacons have treated their office as just a glorified title & nothing else.

B. 1 Tim. 3:8-12 – Paul lists qualifications for men who wish to serve & if they are found without accusation – then they should be installed.

1. 3:10

2. 3:13 – Paul concludes his thoughts on the Diaconate.

3. Let no one demean the Diaconate.

C. Paul declares that through service, deacons can gain significant influence/honor in the church.

1. They have the potential to be a spiritual powerhouse for God...

2. exercising bold faith in Jesus through their labors

3. 3:13 – provides encouragement & rich incentives for deacons to serve from the heart.

D. Compliment our present deacons.

1. Utmost respect & admiration for you & the work you’re doing.

a) Not unnoticed or unappreciated.

b) Respect for the way you have/are raising your families.

c) Respect for the way you lead in your home & in the church.

2. It is because of this example – that we should all be very confident in the future of our congregation.

I. Deacons gain a place of influence and honor.

A. 3:13 – note that these things apply to deacons who have served well.

1. Blessings don’t just come w/a title.

2. Well indicates commendable service done in the right way.

3. Well is also used in 1 Tim. 5:17 in reference to elders.

B. Those who serve well gain a high standing.

1. The context suggests this wording means that the deacon can find an honorable standing for excellent service.

2. They can become a person of influence & honor.

C. This high standing is achieved through selfless service.

1. 3:13a – served well Remember the Diaconate is not a position … it is a function!

2. Everything in Christianity is found upon servant hood.

a) Measure of any man is his ministry.

b) Mt. 25:21 – faithful servant.

c) The Church of Christ is a servant Church.

3. 3:13 – Greek word for high standing appears only here in NT.

a) Paul does not promise power to deacons…

b) He promises wholesome self respect & Christian confidence.

D. What a tremendous privilege it is to have godly men standing in God’s house.

1. Better than in the highest government position or a leading institution of learning.

2. His church – is the most important institution on earth.

II. Deacons gain great boldness in the faith.

A. The 2^nd reward for diligent service.

B. Confidence (boldness) in the faith indicates…

1. Openness; firm confidence; boldness.

2. Opposite of reserve, fear, concealment, timidity.

C. Boldness is in the faith.

1. A fixed set of doctrines? Not really.

2. But the deacon’s personal faith centered in Jesus Christ.

3. Think about it: work of deacons demands spiritual power & faith.

4. Deacons need spiritual vitality & faith.

5. Deacons – never underestimate the potential influence you can have on the congregation.

D. Take a personal inventory.

1. Look for ways to do mighty deeds for God & his people.

a) Remember..for God’s glory – not yours.

b) Never forget your potential to influence others in their faith.

2. Done through your living example of Christ likeness.

a) Haven’t done as well as I should have to this point...

b) Here’s a great opportunity to rekindle the flame & build your drive.

c) Let the past be the past & move forward for God!

E. Faith is a dynamic quality.

1. 2 Thess. 1:3 – Paul compliments Thessalonians for enlarged faith.

2. 2 Cor. 10:15 – Paul wanted Corinthian’s faith to grow.

3. But...it can be weak – because it always under attack.

a) either/or one of the other. Growing weak? Stronger?

4. Satan works continually to destroy our faith – b/c it is the key to resisting Him & winning spiritual battles.

a) Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4

b) Unbelief paralyzes men. Halts action. Destroys vision. Creates disobedience/discouragement. Deut. 9:23

F. Although deacons don’t teach or govern the congregation – they can be spiritual giants who exercise bold faith.

1. Entire Christian life to be marked by faith/trust in God.

2. 3:13 – as deacons faithfully serve – they develop their spiritual lives.

3. They are the ones whose faith will allow them to do great exploits for God.

a) move mountains

b) Come up w/creative ideas for showing/demonstrating love for others.

c) Gain new vision for the road ahead.

d) Going beyond minimal duties.

G. Men of faith are men of action & deeds.

H. Faith constantly trains or grows slack.

1. quote

III. 3:13 – where is this faith rooted?

A. In deacon’s own intelligence/skill/energy/financial resources?

1. Faith is rooted in Christ Jesus – the rock of our salvation.

2. Biblical faith points to Jesus – not to self.

B. We’re talking about a Christ centered faith.

1. Object of our faith makes all the difference.

2. Faith in the one who empowers & sustains us.

C. John 15:5 – Jesus is the supreme object of our faith.

1. Faith determines our capacity for God’s service.

2. Mt. 17:20 – failure? Lack of faith.

3. All that we truly do is done according to our faith.

a) Heb. 11:33-34 – look at what was accomplished through faith!

b) Acts 6:5 – Stephen...one of the “7”

D. Could deacons gain anything better than great boldness in Christ?

Conclusion:

A. What a wonderful ministry deacons can accomplish!

B. Should remind us that the real treasures of the church are its people – not the pews or building.

1. What wonderful potential we have here.

2. Hope you’ve enjoyed this series.

C. Talked about faith today. How strong is yours? Can we help you get started building your faith?

1. Start by committing self to Christ.

2. Obey the gospel.

D. I N V I T A T I O N



A Place of Influence & Honor 2005007 Topic # 1486 (deacons) Introduction: A. 1 Tim. 3:13 1. For far too long the Diaconate has been demeaned and treated as unimportant. 2. For far too long, some deacons have treated their office as just a glorified title & nothing else. B. 1 Tim. 3:8-12 – Paul lists qualifications for men who wish to serve & if they are found without accusation – then they should be installed. 1. 3:10 2. 3:13 – Paul concludes his thoughts on the Diaconate. 3. Let no one demean the Diaconate. C. Paul declares that through service, deacons can gain significant influence/honor in the church. 1. They have the potential to be a spiritual powerhouse for God... 2. exercising bold faith in Jesus through their labors 3. 3:13 – provides encouragement & rich incentives for deacons to serve from the heart. D. Compliment our present deacons. 1. Utmost respect & admiration for you & the work you’re doing. a) Not unnoticed or unappreciated. b) Respect for the way you have/are raising your families. c) Respect for the way you lead in your home & in the church. 2. It is because of this example – that we should all be very confident in the future of our congregation. I. Deacons gain a place of influence and honor. A. 3:13 – note that these things apply to deacons who have served well. 1. Blessings don’t just come w/a title. 2. Well indicates commendable service done in the right way. 3. Well is also used in 1 Tim. 5:17 in reference to elders. B. Those who serve well gain a high standing. 1. The context suggests this wording means that the deacon can find an honorable standing for excellent service. 2. They can become a person of influence & honor. C. This high standing is achieved through selfless service. 1. 3:13a – served well Remember the Diaconate is not a position … it is a function! 2. Everything in Christianity is found upon servant hood. a) Measure of any man is his ministry. b) Mt. 25:21 – faithful servant. c) The Church of Christ is a servant Church. 3. 3:13 – Greek word for high standing appears only here in NT. a) Paul does not promise power to deacons… b) He promises wholesome self respect & Christian confidence. D. What a tremendous privilege it is to have godly men standing in God’s house. 1. Better than in the highest government position or a leading institution of learning. 2. His church – is the most important institution on earth. II. Deacons gain great boldness in the faith. A. The 2^nd reward for diligent service. B. Confidence (boldness) in the faith indicates… 1. Openness; firm confidence; boldness. 2. Opposite of reserve, fear, concealment, timidity. C. Boldness is in the faith. 1. A fixed set of doctrines? Not really. 2. But the deacon’s personal faith centered in Jesus Christ. 3. Think about it: work of deacons demands spiritual power & faith. 4. Deacons need spiritual vitality & faith. 5. Deacons – never underestimate the potential influence you can have on the congregation. D. Take a personal inventory. 1. Look for ways to do mighty deeds for God & his people. a) Remember..for God’s glory – not yours. b) Never forget your potential to influence others in their faith. 2. Done through your living example of Christ likeness. a) Haven’t done as well as I should have to this point... b) Here’s a great opportunity to rekindle the flame & build your drive. c) Let the past be the past & move forward for God! E. Faith is a dynamic quality. 1. 2 Thess. 1:3 – Paul compliments Thessalonians for enlarged faith. 2. 2 Cor. 10:15 – Paul wanted Corinthian’s faith to grow. 3. But...it can be weak – because it always under attack. a) either/or one of the other. Growing weak? Stronger? 4. Satan works continually to destroy our faith – b/c it is the key to resisting Him & winning spiritual battles. a) Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4 b) Unbelief paralyzes men. Halts action. Destroys vision. Creates disobedience/discouragement. Deut. 9:23 F. Although deacons don’t teach or govern the congregation – they can be spiritual giants who exercise bold faith. 1. Entire Christian life to be marked by faith/trust in God. 2. 3:13 – as deacons faithfully serve – they develop their spiritual lives. 3. They are the ones whose faith will allow them to do great exploits for God. a) move mountains b) Come up w/creative ideas for showing/demonstrating love for others. c) Gain new vision for the road ahead. d) Going beyond minimal duties. G. Men of faith are men of action & deeds. H. Faith constantly trains or grows slack. 1. quote III. 3:13 – where is this faith rooted? A. In deacon’s own intelligence/skill/energy/financial resources? 1. Faith is rooted in Christ Jesus – the rock of our salvation. 2. Biblical faith points to Jesus – not to self. B. We’re talking about a Christ centered faith. 1. Object of our faith makes all the difference. 2. Faith in the one who empowers & sustains us. C. John 15:5 – Jesus is the supreme object of our faith. 1. Faith determines our capacity for God’s service. 2. Mt. 17:20 – failure? Lack of faith. 3. All that we truly do is done according to our faith. a) Heb. 11:33-34 – look at what was accomplished through faith! b) Acts 6:5 – Stephen...one of the “7” D. Could deacons gain anything better than great boldness in Christ? Conclusion: A. What a wonderful ministry deacons can accomplish! B. Should remind us that the real treasures of the church are its people – not the pews or building. 1. What wonderful potential we have here. 2. Hope you’ve enjoyed this series. C. Talked about faith today. How strong is yours? Can we help you get started building your faith? 1. Start by committing self to Christ. 2. Obey the gospel. D. I N V I T A T I O N