TITLE: Qualifications for Deacons
TEXT: 1 Timothy 3:8-13
PROPOSITION: God set down qualifications for the deacon.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Qualities

Introduction:

1. Deacons have a special work in the church.

2. They also have some qualities of life they must meet.

3. NOTE: All that I am going to discuss are ALSO the requirements of all Christians with 2 exceptions (family and proven leadership).

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS (1 TIMOTHY 3:8-13)

1. 1. "Must be grave"—He must be serious minded about (a) being a Christian (b) doing the work of a deacon (c) life in general. This character trait would cause others to respect him.

2. "Not double-tongued"—This involves contact with people. If a man’s tongue is not what it should be, it is a revelation his heart is not right (Matthew 12:34). Due to his work though, his heart must be right. His attitude, disposition and life must be one that will influence people. Moffet renders it "not a tale-bearer". His word is to be dependable. Not to talk one way to one person and another way to another or say one thing to one person and the very opposite to someone else.

3. "Not given to much wine"—His life is centered upon spiritual things. This shows his work involves social work and social matters.

4. "Not greedy of filthy lucre"—He is not to live in order to get but in order to give. (Ephesians 4:28) He is to be one that is generous in life and heart that lives for the good of others. A true leader would not expect anything out of his followers that he himself would not do.
   What kind of a deacon would Ananias or Judas have made? What kind of influence would they have had on the church?

5. "Let these first be proved – He must be tested or proven. Demonstrate his ability. It would be foolish to put one in this place of influence that you had no idea of his background and character.

6. “Blameless"—This is not sinless perfection. This word means – not likely to be blamed, not suspected of doing wrong. When there is wrong in his life, he will out of a penitent heart correct the matter because he knows not only how sin effects his life and also the body of Christ.

7. "Wife…children"—His family life must be correct because home is the real test of leadership. When we are away from home we tend to put on a face, but when we are at home we are what we really are and our real character comes out. Does he lead his home?

8. "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience"—He must know what the faith is. He won’t compromise truth. He must be sound in his doctrine and Biblical knowledge.

9. “Use office well” - 1 Timothy 3:13 "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."

10. “Obtain a good standing” - While individual Christians are to reflect the gospel, the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 show deacons are to reflect that in a special way.

    1. "Purchase"—means literally "to win".

    2. "A good degree" is translated in the (ASV) "gain a good standing". So here is one that serves as a deacon and serves well, but he has not earned anything because when we have done all we are still "unprofitable servants". (Luke 17:10) But he has gained "a good degree" or place of influence.

       1. His life and character is such that he has reached a position of trust and influence.

       2. He has great boldness in speaking, not fearful or reserved, but wins and influences for the good of the church.

       3. A store will put their very best merchandise on display to try to influence people to buy. Deacons are God’s display of his people in a community.
          
           

11. In verse 15 and 16 you have THE MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING A DEACON. It ought to thrill the heart to think about that "mystery of godliness".

    1. Think about the very holiness and deity of God being clothed upon with sinful flesh to struggle against the wiles of the devil in order that victory might be won, Satan conquered and fellowship with God might be restored.

    2. After his death and resurrection, see Jesus with his disciples as they watch him, the sinless son of God, having finished his work, being received back up into glory. Now He’s waiting and looking for sinful men who will be moved and motivated by his love and his life to give up sin and look for him to return.

    3. If that does not motivate a man to measure up to being a deacon nothing will.