THE DUTY, DIGNITY, AND DESTINY OF THE DEACON

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (1 Timothy 3:13)

The duty of the deacon is seen in the word, “serve,” reminding us that a deacon’s work is not about status, but service.  The dignity of the deacon is seen in the word “deacon,” underscoring that this office—along with the pastor—is vital to the local church.  The destiny of the deacon is seen in the phrase, “obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus,” promising recognition on earth and reward in eternity.  I am going to use the word “deacon” as an acrostic. 

Disciplined (v.8) The first deacons were chosen because they were men full of the Holy Spirit—and the fruit of the Spirit is self-control.  The deacon is a man of discipline.  He disciplines his tongue.  He doesn’t say one thing in a deacons’ meeting and a different thing in a business meeting.  The deacon is disciplined when it comes to drinking alcohol.  You never have to worry about becoming a drunk, if you don’t take the first drink.  The deacon is disciplined in his finances. He may be a successful white collar businessman or a hard working blue collar guy—but he manages his money with integrity and therefore can be trusted with church finances too.

Exemplary (v.8, 10-13) The first deacons were men of solid reputation.  The deacon must be a model to the other members of the church.  He is a model in his deportment, taking the work of the Lord seriously.  He is a model in his conduct.  He has a proven track record.  He is a model in his character.  None of us are perfect, but the deacon cannot have glaring moral deficiencies. His family life is one that members would look at and say, “That’s the kind of family life I want.”

Alert (v.9; 14-15) Deacons are to be the gatekeepers to prevent false doctrine from entering the church.  They are to know, love, believe and guard the purity of Bible teaching and preaching.  Their ears are to be like doctrinal radar to alert the church if a wolf comes in dressed in sheep’s clothing intent on destroying the church.  Paul underscores that the church is the pillar and ground of truth. 

Courageous (v.13) Picture one of the first deacons, Stephen, standing before a hostile religious mob that despised Jesus and with a confidence born of conviction sealing his testimony with his own blood.  He was the first martyr in the church—not an Apostle, not a pastor—a deacon.  Leadership is not about doing the popular thing—it’s about doing the right thing

Others-oriented (v.10) Deacons are not a board to run the church. The word “deacon” literally means “through dust,” for stirring up the dust as they hasten to their task.  Acts 6 brought the formation of the deacons because the preachers needed some partners—that they might give themselves to their priority of preaching and prayer.

Needed (v.14-15)  Real hope and change will never come from Washington.  It only comes from Christ—and the church is His body.  The world needs the church and the church needs the deacons—this is the hour to rise to our responsibility.  That is the deacon’s duty, dignity, and destiny!  Blessed is the church that has such men serving as deacons!

WATER FROM THE ROCK

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”  (Exodus 17:6a)

When some folks get to heaven, they will probably want their mansion a different color.  They always seem to find something about which to gripe.  That was a persistent flaw among the Israelis in the Exodus.  God’s provision in the past ought to have instilled confidence, but instead they respond to their problem with complaining.  How much like them we can be!

In Exodus 17, there is an example of one such DIFFICULTY (v.1).  They had no water.  This did not surprise God for He had led them to that very place by the pillar of cloud and fire.  The child of God must know that God brings us to barren places.  We arrive in seasons of dryness sent to test us and meant to teach us.  They come to drive us in desperation to God, not to make us despair of God.  Difficulties will make us better or bitter.  It depends on whether we respond with faith or fretfulness.

In their case, the Hebrews responded with DISCONTENT (v.2-3).  The root problem was their unbelief.  They failed to recall God’s unlimited power or rest in His unfailing promises.  Their stubborn heart of unbelief was an affront to God.  They set limits on Him by failing to recognize the boundless ability and absolute integrity of Almighty God.  “How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert!  Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.”  (Ps.78:40-41)  God is warning us lest we have the same sinful spirit (see 1 Cor.10:1-13).

That is what brings DELIVERANCE (v.4-7).  Moses responded properly.  Rather than complain about the lack, he cried out to the Lord.  That is what difficulties are meant to cause.  If you are a leader in the church, you will find members who attack you because they are angry with God.  They can’t get to Him, so they gripe to you as His representative.  Moses, like all God’s men, become targets for the arrows of murmuring meant for God.  They fall short of heaven and hit our heart.  The example of Moses helps us.  He didn’t yell back at them in frustration, but called out to God in faith.  Like Jesus, Moses was meek (Num.12:3)—an essential quality for spiritual leaders.  Instead of clubbing the complainers, he strikes the rock.  That rock symbolized the Rock of Ages—Jesus Christ.  Paul said, “For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”  (1 Cor.10:4b)  As Moses struck that rock, so Christ was smitten on Calvary, and from His side flowed the water and the blood.  In that stream alone can we find eternal satisfaction.  Jesus told the Samaritan woman that drinking of this world’s wells would only lead to thirst again—she had tried that!  He offered her Living Water—that which will fill the thirst of our soul.  That is Jesus and Him alone.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.  (Joseph Scriven)