Sermon Tone Analysis

The Deacon’s WORK

In Acts chapter 6 verses 1-7 we see the early church establishing the role of the deacon.

The church at Jerusalem was seeing extraordinary growth and with that growth came more care needs for the leaders of the church.

According to the text, the first seven deacons were chosen so that they could assist the twelve Apostles with the temporal and logistical needs of the ministry so that they could devote themselves fully to prayer and the ministry of the word.

Deacons were selected so that they could serve as an extension of the ministry of the Apostles by serving the people physically and meeting practical care needs.

Deacons were chosen to lead the church by serving.

According to the work of the Deacon is:

A sign that the church is exhibiting Healthy Growth.

(v.

1-3)

Essential to ensure the Care of the Congregation.

(v.1-3)

A demonstration of Gospel Partnership.

(v.

3-4)

Essential for the Multiplication and Maturation of Christian Disciples.

(v.

6-7)

The Deacon’s WITNESS

By the time Paul writes First Timothy, the office of deacon has become normal in the life of the church but for the first time we see the Apostle lay out the criteria for the selection of the deacon.

It is important to note that these are not qualifications as much as they are characteristics.

The perspective deacon should have a life and witness that is characterized by the things that Paul lists in verses 8-12.

1 Timothy 3

According to the text Paul gives us characteristics of the Deacon’s Witness.

He tells us that the Deacon must be:

One who is Honorable.

(v.

8)

A man who is Dignified.

“Deacons likewise must be DIGNIFIED...”

A man who is Genuine.

“Not double tongued...”

A man who is Disciplined.

“Not addicted to much wine...”

A man who is Content.

“Not greedy for dishonest gain...”

One who is Faithful.

(v.9) “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

The Deacon is one who is faithful in his Doctrine.

The Deacon is one who is faithful in his Deportment.

One who is Proven.

(v.10)

Proven through his Service.

Proven in his Character.

One who is Domestically Qualified.

(v.

11-12)

A man who is complimented by a godly wife.

“Their wives likewise...”

A man who honors his marriage at all cost.

“Let deacons each be the husband of one wife...”

A man who has earned the respect of his house.

“Managing their children and own household well...”

The Deacon’s REWARD

After Paul gives us the characteristics that should be possessed by those who serve as deacons, he then moves to tell us the reward that awaits those who have been exemplary in their service as deacons in the Lord’s Church.

1 Timothy 3:13

It is a reward for those who serve Well.

“For those who serve well as deacons...”

It is service marked by Dedication to Christ and His Church.

It is service marked by Collaboration with the Elders of the Church.

The Deacon is rewarded with Honor in the Church.

“gain a good standing for themselves...”

It i the promise of The Lord Jesus Christ that the greatest in the Kingdom would be the servant of all.

The Deacon should serve well whether he is celebrated or not, but it is the responsibility of the church to honor those who serve well.

The Deacon is rewarded with Confidence in Christ.

“and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Faithful service is rewarded with confidence or “boldness” in Christ because it is through service that Christ makes his presence known.

I gain confidence in Christ because I have seen him empower me for service.

The reward of the deacon is a reward of genuine relationship with God, proven through service that provides him with the assurance needed to strengthen the church through encouragement and continued service.

In other words, the deacon who serves well is rewarded with a TESTIMONY.

Isaiah 40