The Office of Deacon

Order of Service

• Prayer of Invocation
• Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 3:8-13
• Scripture Reading — Acts 6:1-7
• Sermon
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: The Office of Deacon

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-7

I. What Deacons Are

A. The word diakonos means servant, waiter, or minister — deacons are men called to sacrificial, joyful service

1. All Christians are called to serve one another, but the deacon is an officer set apart specifically for Mercy Ministry

B. The institution of the first deacons arose from a crisis in the Jerusalem church

1. Hellenist widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1)
2. The care of the poor had been under apostolic oversight (Acts 4:34-35)
3. To neglect them was to neglect family — 1 Timothy 5:8

C. The apostles recognized the task would encumber the primary ministry of word and prayer

1. Physical needs of the congregation are not less important than the ministry of the means of grace
2. The body is knit to the soul; bodily care affects spiritual health
3. The Son of God took on flesh and was raised bodily — our bodies matter

D. The congregation selected seven qualified men; the apostles examined and ordained them by laying on of hands

1. They were men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3)

E. The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 describe men who are godly, orthodox, of proven character

1. The word likewise in verse 8 creates a parallel between the Elder and the Deacon
2. The only distinguishing qualification is that the Elder must be apt to teach
3. Neither office is more dignified than the other — they are co-operating offices of equal dignity
4. The Elder's office is one of word and rule; the Deacon's office is one of mercy and service

F. Result: when both offices function as designed, the love of Christ is made known in word and deed, and the church grows — Acts 6:7

II. What Deacons Do

A. Deacons are living examples of Christ's love, modeling and leading the congregation in service

1. In John 13, Jesus washes his disciples' feet and gives the new commandment: love one another as I have loved you
2. What makes the commandment new is the manner of love — self-sacrificial, lowly, costly service
3. By this love all people will know his disciples (John 13:35)

B. Deacons make that service-love visible in the life of the church

1. They encourage the congregation to minister to itself in Christlike service
2. They lead the congregation to reach outward to those in need around them

C. Deacons are joy-preservers (Cornelius Van Dam, The Deacon)

1. Their ministry relieves those who suffer physically and materially so that joy in the Lord is not diminished
2. James 2:15-17 — faith without works is dead; deed-love always works
3. Real gospel love is tangible; the church is equipped to meet the needs of suffering members so that none would lack

D. The Deacon's work complements the Elder's work

1. Word and prayer ministry is the primary calling of the Elder
2. Mercy ministry of deeds is the essential calling of the Deacon
3. Together they ensure the church is faithful in both proclamation and practical love