I Timothy 2:8-13
"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus," I Timothy 3:8-13.
We are thankful that the Lord has given us clear qualifications for who can and cannot be a model servant in His church. The deacon is a model servant. The deacon is one to pattern your life after in life and service to the Lord and to the Lord's church. The deacon is to be a spiritual person. Our walk with the Lord makes us who we are. These qualifications are for the deacons, the servants, but like with the elders, these qualifications are for everyone. This is the model in which we are to be serving. If you have been in a church growing up you should be able to think of some godly servants: men and women. These are those who lovingly and faithfully served in the Lord's church. Some of them may have held the office of a deacon, others may not have, but either way they were unique. Their life gave you a model to follow. Their life was or is a life of successful service. Thank the Lord for godly deacons.
"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre," I Timothy 3:8. "Grave" in this verse means dignified, respectable. This means the way they conduct themselves is worthy of respect and gratitude. Like with the bishop the deacon is not doing what he is doing for the tittle, but because he loves the Lord and the Lord's people. He carries himself in such a way that honours His Lord and Saviour, and that doesn't draw attention to himself.
The deacon is not to be double-tongued. This means he is not to be telling a different story from one person to another on the same subject. Someone who does this is trying to get favour with man for personal gain. They also have a fear of man more than of a reverence for God. This will cause them to be swayed in their service, and even be bought by wicked people. A double-tongued person is always trying to get an advantage on other people, or for his own profit. They will even have different people mad at each other if it benefits them. If there is a leader in the church like this, they will destroy the church, not help build it up. This person needs to be disciplined by the church. Notice what Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." If God hates it, we should too. A weak church will turn a blind eye to these kinds of people because they are scared of what may happen. They may even say we need to love on them like Jesus did. The pharisees were double-tongued people. It would do the church good to do a study to see how Jesus loved on the pharisees. A double-tongue comes from a double heart.
The deacon is also not to be given to much wine. During these times in I Timothy the church would have people going from house to house serving others. If you did not conduct yourself in a godly way and if you were double-tongued you would really hurt the ministry of the local church. In serving others, if you were given too much wine you would hurt the ministry of the local church. In your erring you would cause others to err. You would be causing God's children to err. He doesn't take this lightly.
Someone who is not grave, who is double-tongued, and who is given to much wine will also be greedy of filthy lucre. They will do what they do for gain. This gain is wicked. They will view those they are supposed to be serving as a way to get gain. What is worse is that they will do this in the name of religion. Their view is on the things of this world. And they will point others in this direction to profit themselves. This is terrible. What is sad is that this is popular today, and people do not seem to have a problem with it.
The deacons were also entrusted with the church's money. If they are greedy of filthy lucre they will be tempted to embezzle it for their own use. They may even say the church owes them the money for all they do for the church. This again shows their wicked heart.
It is a true blessing for the church to have deacons who love the Lord and have a desire to serve the Lord and the Lord's people. This helps the church to shine in this dark world. Even though they may not ever get a plaque or their name in the paper etc., they continue to serve for God's honour and glory. The church surely needs qualified deacons. A biblically qualified deacon is a great blessing to the local church.
Let me add this here. As with the bishop, the elder is to qualify every day. I have heard people say they are ordained as a deacon for life. This is unbiblical. Someone who is desiring the tittle should not be in the office of a deacon to begin with. Lord help us.
Lord willing, we will pick up here next week. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. To God be the glory.
