Sermons, Outlines, Illustrations and Pastor Resources

(Sermon)

Following is an excerpt of "The Deacon I Want To Be" by Johnny Hunt added on 10/16/2009.
The Deacon I Want To Be
The Deacon And His Worthiness
Johnny Hunt


"Growing in Faith, Faithful in Service"

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." (Ephesians 4:1-2)

1. Be Faithful 3. Be Humble 5. Be Forgiving
2. Be Called 4. Be Patient

Share a brief personal testimony of being saved out of a poolroom.
STATE: My story, like yours, is a story of grace.

Introduction

When God calls spiritual leaders He looks for those whose heart is right. We often look for those with talent, skill, and business success. This is not so with God. Therefore, the office of deacon is not to be entered into lightly. There is great strength where there is great confidence! When the church recognizes men of godly qualities and sets them apart for spiritual leadership, then great confidence is bestowed. Each potential deacon should be measured against the standard found in God's Word. The standard for a deacon is laid alongside that of a pastor.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 lists the qualifications of a pastor. 1 Timothy3:8-13 deals with the qualifications of a deacon and his wife.
READ only verses 8-13.

Qualifications of Deacons

"Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, (9) holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. (10) But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. (11) Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (13) 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 3:8-13)

The Setting

1. After recording the pastor's qualifications, the Apostle Paul lists the attributes upon which deacons should be gauged. Thus, high standards are set for both vital offices of a New Testament church.
• The bar needs to be raised

2. The deacon's qualifications are set against the backdrop of the pastor's qualification.

• "Likewise" (v. 8) indicates that the deacon will be like the pastor, not the same, but similar.

Obviously, they hold different offices with different responsibilities but they are similar in that they both serve the people and they both are responsible for spiritual leadership in the church.
The Standard

These qualities should exist in the lives of those being considered for ordination as a deacon or those being reactivated as a deacon.

A deacon is to be...

1. Of Good Reputation.
Reverent - honorable and devout (v. 8)
Fully devoted follower of Christ and His mission
An intense conviction of the seriousness of life; taken
responsibility seriou ...

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