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Very few doctrines are as misunderstood in
Baptist churches as the doctrine of the deacon…even when you hear the word
deacon it conjures up all kinds of images in your mind depending upon your
past experience and what churches you’ve been raised in.
If I were to ask you, what is a
deacon?/what are they supposed to do?...I would get dozens of answers.
Some places they are money hungry or power
crazed, some places they are the brute squad, some places they are ladies,
and in Wake Forest they are “Demons”!
Some would say that deacons form the ruling
body of the church--“they run the church”—in many churches=true!
Other churches would say the deacons are the
pastor police…he answers to them in all matters…they keep their thumb on him
in all areas—in many churches=true!
I know of churches where the deacons
represent authority and discipline…if you get out of line—watch out! Here
come the deacons! —in many churches=true! Some picture such a dry, stuffy,
crusty old guy we might as well call him “Deacon Gestant” [decongestant!]
Well, what does the Bible say about the
office of deacon, and the role of deacons?
The term deacon is a marvelous
term…in general, it means servants. (“aren’t we all supposed to be
servants?”) Yes, this message is for the whole church, and I want to show
you 3 levels of servants in the church.
The Greek word for servant is diakonos (diakonos)—where
we get the word deacon. The word did not originally signify an office, it
was simply a word for servant.
·
General
Servants
And the 1st servant in the Bible
we’ll call a general servant—we’re all
called to this.
Hundreds of Bible verses use the word
diakonos, and translate it as servant, or in the context of a servant…not as
a deacon. (ie: waiter—Acts 6)
The following verses all contain the word
diakonos:
John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants,
Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha
served…
Luke 4:39
And he stood over her, and rebuked the
fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
You can see, these verses are about general
servants, in the sense of cooks, butlers, and waiters.
But then, the word was broadened to include
all kinds of service…for example:
Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the
sword in vain: for he is the minister of God…
This is about law enforcement
officers, and others in authority serving the public.
Let me show you what Jesus then did w/ the
word diakonos:
John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me;
and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him
will my Father honour.
He’s talking about general
servants…and we all are deacons in that sense of the word, if we’ve been
saved. We’re all deacons w/ a small “d”. We’re a church full of deacons!
(bring up example to stand as example of a
general servant)
None of us have been
saved to sit…but saved to serve!
So, we’re all deacons, not in the official
sense, but in a general sense.
I wouldn’t want to convey the idea
that the deacons serve while everyone else watches! (serving
the Lord is not a spectatorsport!)
We’re all to be “general servants”!
Then there’s another category:
·
Gifted
Servants: (bring up another
example)
Romans 12:5-8
So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let
us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry,
let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on
teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him
do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.
It’s their spiritualgift. Many here have the gift of ministry, I Cor. calls it the gift of
helps, our Spiritual Gifts survey calls it “servant”. These are not just
general servants, they are gifted servants.
They don’t have to be leader, they
love to serve, behind the scenes, no recognition required.
Here are some
characteristics of a gifted servant:
1.An alertness to and awareness of practical needs
They see what needs to be done, usually
w/out even being told.
They see those dishes and just wash them.
(others would have walked by 10 times) They see the trash in the parking
lot and pick it up (pull that weed) rather than complain about it.
2.Motivated
to meet needs quickly…they
can’t stand delays
They don’t like to formulate and talk about
it, just get it done!
3.Work to meet needs with disregard for personal weariness
4.Great
desire to complete a job
once it is started
When others want to leave on the work day,
these say, ah, where are you going? Only a few hours and we’ll have it all
done!
So, there’s general servants = all of us
Then, there’s gifted servants = it’s their
spiritual gift
Still the word diakonos, they are
gifted deacons, w/ a small “d”.
But, then there’s a 3rd group,
represented by… (bring up example). There are some deacons w/ a
capital “D”! They actually hold the office of Deacon.
Now deacon group 1 is called to be servants
Deacon group 2 is called to be servants at
another level
Group 3…tell me, has the meaning changed?…are
they suddenly the ruling body?/has the meaning changed?/do they run the
church?
No, they’re still servants, but at
the 3rd and highest level.
Why do we need a 3rd group when
we’ve got these other 2?
Because this 3rd group is
called to be the example to the other 2 groups!
These are to be the…
·
Model
Servants
Our God is
really big on the concept of being
an example:
Parents teach children by example / older
women teach younger by example / Paul told Timothy to be an example to the
flock / we can win the lost by being an example of a changed life!
More things are
caught than taught!
The capital “D” Deacons are the
examples, the model servants to these other 2 groups!
That’s why the qualifications are so high
(virtually the same as for Pastor!)
Any church member should be able to look at
one of our deacons and say, oh, that’s how it’s supposed to be!
For example, if the deacon is a s.s. teacher,
he is obligated to be the “model” s.s. teacher! Not necessarily in terms of
talent, but character, and faithfulness, preparedness, attitude, spirit,
enthusiasm, etc.!
Model choir member—other choir members should
look at and say, so that’s how to be a good choir member!
Family life (there are stringent
qualifications for a deacon’s family…pastor’s too!)
Joke: 3 deacons confided in
each other.
1st-- Guys, I have a problem w/
gambling, help me!
2nd-- I’ve been drinking some to
forget my troubles, help me!
3rd--Confession is good for the
soul. I must confess I have a serious problem w/ gossip, and I can’t wait
to get out of here!
Deacon wives: your husbands are
deacons because you let them be…and any time you decide to, you can
disqualify him from being one! The Bible says your husband isn’t
qualified he cannot run his own household (those under the roof)
So, the wives are to be examples to
all the other ladies in the church. An example of service…of submission…of
faithfulness. I mean, why should any of the ladies help in
children’s ministries if a deacon’s wife won’t? Why should any of
the ladies serve in the nursery if a deacon’s wife won’t? Why should
any of the ladies attend the ladies’ meetings if the deacon’s wives don’t?
Our young couples ought to look at Don and
Kim Ragsdale and be able to say, oh, so that’s how you have a
marriage, so that’s how a man should treat his wife, that’s what it means to
love your wife as Christ loved the church!
Our young ladies should be able to look at
Mrs. Sheree S. and say, so, that’s what it means to submit to the authority
of your husband/follow his spiritual leadership!
Those raising kids should be able to look at
the Tomeys and say, so, that’s the way to raise good kids to love the Lord!
So, that’s how to have family altar / discipline / teach how to act in
church!
Every church member should be able to look at
a couple like the Jones’ and say, so, that’s how to be faithful, that’s how
to have a good spirit, that’s how to maintain a good testimony!
Deacons, there’s a charge for you in this
message today…you are being called upon, not to be perfect, but to strive to
be the models: model servants, models in every area of personal and
practical life!
What an awesome responsibility, and so, the
Bible calls upon us to lay hands upon you, and pray for you.
(dismiss helpers to seats)
This is not simply for show. It’s a Biblical
practice going back to the very beginning.
(2006 Deacons come to altar)
We’re asking God to do 3 things:
Fill you w/ wisdom. Deut. 34:9… “Joshua was full of the spirit and wisdom (Acts 6); for
Moses had laid his hands upon him…”
Fill you w/ Holy Spirit as never before.
Acts 19:6… “when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon
them.”
Bestow upon you spiritual gifts for the
ministry. I Tim. 4:14… “neglect
not the gift that is in thee…laying on of hands.”
Deacons kneel. Ordained ministers/deacons
not currently serving invited to partake.
3 of these men are already ordained deacons,
but for Bro. Mark, this is his official ordination…but all 4 are being
officially confirmed for the next year of service, and dedicated to that
task.
The church is witness to this, so you need
not bow your heads, but are free to watch and pray in your hearts.
Pray: They have wisdom…need more (Godly wisdom, not just man’s) / have the
Spirit…need more / have spiritual gifts…give them more.
Invitation: have wives join them /
“come lay a hand on one of these men, say a prayer for them”
