Qualities of a Deacon: Character and Integrity

Summary

### Summary

Greetings, everyone! Today, we delved into the character of a deacon, focusing on 1 Timothy 3:8-13. We began by discussing the importance of having a good reputation, being filled with God's wisdom, and being led by the Holy Spirit. These qualities are essential for anyone serving as a deacon, as they ensure that the individual is worthy of respect and capable of fulfilling their duties with integrity.

We also touched on the differences between the roles of pastors and deacons. While pastors are primarily responsible for preaching and teaching, deacons serve by attending to the practical needs of the congregation. However, both roles require a high standard of moral character and spiritual maturity.

Paul's guidance to Timothy emphasizes the present character of a man, not his past. This means evaluating a man's current life and actions to determine if he is fit for the role of a deacon. The criteria include being worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, and holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Additionally, a deacon must be tested and proven, have a godly wife, be a one-woman man, and manage his household well.

We also discussed the importance of consistency, holistic interpretation, and proper application of Scripture. It's crucial to understand the original context and meaning of the text and apply it faithfully in our lives today. This approach helps us avoid misinterpretations and ensures that we live according to God's Word.

In conclusion, the character of a deacon is vital for the health and growth of the church. By striving to embody these qualities, we can serve God and our community effectively, bringing glory to His name.

### Key Takeaways

1. Good Reputation and Spiritual Fullness: A deacon must have a good reputation, be filled with God's wisdom, and be led by the Holy Spirit. These qualities ensure that the individual is respected and capable of fulfilling their duties with integrity. This spiritual fullness is essential for effective service in the church. [07:06]

2. Present Character Evaluation: Paul's guidance to Timothy emphasizes evaluating a man's current character rather than his past. This means looking at his present actions and lifestyle to determine if he is fit for the role of a deacon. This approach ensures that the individual is living a life that reflects God's standards. [09:16]

3. Consistency and Holistic Interpretation: It's crucial to be consistent and holistic in our interpretation and application of Scripture. Understanding the original context and meaning of the text helps us apply it faithfully in our lives today. This approach prevents misinterpretations and ensures that we live according to God's Word. [10:36]

4. Worthy of Respect: A deacon must be worthy of respect, which includes having a good reputation, being filled with the Spirit, and possessing godly wisdom. This respect is earned through consistent, godly behavior and a life that reflects Christ's teachings. It's essential for effective leadership and service in the church. [12:44]

5. Avoiding Hypocrisy: A deacon must not be hypocritical but should hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. This means living a life that is consistent with one's beliefs and avoiding deceit or double standards. Such integrity is crucial for maintaining trust and respect within the church community. [18:07]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[06:07] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[07:06] - Introduction to the Character of a Deacon
[07:55] - Differences Between Pastors and Deacons
[08:41] - Paul's Guidance to Timothy
[09:16] - Present Character Evaluation
[09:57] - Consistency and Holistic Interpretation
[10:36] - Proper Interpretation and Application of Scripture
[11:17] - 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Overview
[12:04] - Key Attributes of a Deacon
[12:44] - Worthy of Respect
[14:04] - Personal Reflections on Respect
[15:37] - Subjectivity in Evaluating Respect
[16:45] - Spiritual Discernment in Choosing Deacons
[17:23] - Evidence of Spiritual Growth
[18:07] - Avoiding Hypocrisy
[19:24] - Holding the Mystery of Faith
[19:57] - Consistency in Faith
[20:38] - Closing Remarks and Prayer Requests

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Timothy 3:8-13
2. Acts 6:1-7

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Timothy 3:8-13, what are the specific qualities that a deacon must possess?
2. In Acts 6:1-7, what criteria did the apostles set for selecting men to serve as deacons?
3. How does Paul’s guidance to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 emphasize the present character of a man rather than his past? [09:16]
4. What does it mean for a deacon to hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience according to the sermon? [18:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for a deacon to have a good reputation and be filled with God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit? How does this impact their ability to serve effectively? [07:06]
2. How does the role of a deacon differ from that of a pastor, and why are both roles essential for the church? [07:55]
3. What does it mean to be consistent and holistic in our interpretation and application of Scripture, and why is this important? [10:36]
4. How can the church ensure that the process of evaluating a deacon’s character is both objective and guided by spiritual discernment? [15:37]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you need to improve your reputation or spiritual fullness to better serve in your community? What steps can you take to grow in these areas? [07:06]
2. Think about the present character evaluation emphasized by Paul. How can you focus on your current actions and lifestyle to align more closely with God’s standards? [09:16]
3. How can you apply the principle of consistency and holistic interpretation of Scripture in your daily Bible study and application? Are there specific practices you can adopt to avoid misinterpretations? [10:36]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate respect and integrity in your interactions with others, both within and outside the church? How can this impact your witness for Christ? [12:44]
5. Consider the importance of avoiding hypocrisy in your faith. Are there areas in your life where your actions do not align with your beliefs? How can you address these inconsistencies? [18:07]
6. How can you support and encourage those in leadership roles within your church, such as deacons and pastors, to maintain high standards of moral character and spiritual maturity? [07:55]
7. Reflect on the importance of managing your household well as a reflection of your faith. Are there specific changes you can make to better lead and serve your family in a godly manner? [12:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Good Reputation and Spiritual Fullness
A deacon must have a good reputation, be filled with God's wisdom, and be led by the Holy Spirit. These qualities ensure that the individual is respected and capable of fulfilling their duties with integrity. This spiritual fullness is essential for effective service in the church. A good reputation is not just about what others think but is a reflection of one's true character and relationship with God. Being filled with God's wisdom means seeking His guidance in all decisions and actions, ensuring that one's service is aligned with His will. Being led by the Holy Spirit involves a daily surrender to God's leading, allowing Him to work through us to accomplish His purposes.

[07:06]

Acts 6:3 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty."

Reflection: Think about your daily interactions and decisions. Are they guided by God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit? How can you ensure that your reputation reflects your true character in Christ?

Day 2: Present Character Evaluation
Paul's guidance to Timothy emphasizes evaluating a man's current character rather than his past. This means looking at his present actions and lifestyle to determine if he is fit for the role of a deacon. This approach ensures that the individual is living a life that reflects God's standards. It's important to recognize that everyone has a past, but what matters most is how one is living now. A deacon should demonstrate a life of integrity, faithfulness, and commitment to God's principles. This evaluation is not about perfection but about a consistent and genuine pursuit of godliness.

[09:16]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Reflect on your current lifestyle and actions. Are they in alignment with God's standards? What changes can you make today to better reflect your commitment to Christ?

Day 3: Consistency and Holistic Interpretation
It's crucial to be consistent and holistic in our interpretation and application of Scripture. Understanding the original context and meaning of the text helps us apply it faithfully in our lives today. This approach prevents misinterpretations and ensures that we live according to God's Word. Consistency in interpretation means not picking and choosing verses to suit our preferences but seeking to understand the full counsel of God. A holistic approach involves considering the cultural, historical, and literary context of the Scripture, allowing us to apply its timeless truths accurately.

[10:36]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: How do you approach the study of Scripture? Are you consistent and holistic in your interpretation? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's Word?

Day 4: Worthy of Respect
A deacon must be worthy of respect, which includes having a good reputation, being filled with the Spirit, and possessing godly wisdom. This respect is earned through consistent, godly behavior and a life that reflects Christ's teachings. It's essential for effective leadership and service in the church. Being worthy of respect means living a life that others can look up to and trust. It involves integrity, humility, and a genuine love for God and others. This respect is not about seeking approval from people but about living in a way that honors God and inspires others to do the same.

[12:44]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Consider your conduct and behavior. Are you living in a way that earns the respect of others and glorifies God? What areas of your life need improvement to better reflect Christ's teachings?

Day 5: Avoiding Hypocrisy
A deacon must not be hypocritical but should hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. This means living a life that is consistent with one's beliefs and avoiding deceit or double standards. Such integrity is crucial for maintaining trust and respect within the church community. Hypocrisy undermines the credibility of one's witness and can cause harm to the church's reputation. Holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience involves being genuine in one's faith, living out what one professes to believe, and being transparent in one's actions.

[18:07]

James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle with hypocrisy? How can you align your actions with your beliefs to maintain a clear conscience and genuine faith?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We should be striving to be a man or woman of godly character, and we should see these traits in us. So I want us just to consider that. I also want you to know he's dealing, Timothy's dealing in present tense. What am I doing now? What am I looking for in a man now? Not what they did 20, 30 years ago. Not what they did before they were a believer. None of that. But now. And proven, right? So what am I seeing? How do I discern this? How do I distinguish this?" [09:16]( | | )

2. "The word of God can never say what it never said to the original audience. And you can't make the word of God say something it doesn't say. If it's not there, you can't make it say it. So if you don't like the word that was chosen and you think, well, I'm going to interpret it this way. You can't do that. You can't do that. You can't do that. And then if you're going to apply. To one characteristic for the whole life of someone, you must do it for all of them. We must be consistent." [09:57]( | | )

3. "We must be consistent in our interpretation and application. We must be holistic. What's the whole? What's the whole Bible say on this topic matter, right? And then third, are we properly interpreting and then applying it in context? And then go back to that thing. It can never say what it never said, and you can't make it say what it doesn't say. Really important when we go through our homiletics, we go through our hermeneutics, we go through our exegesis, that we do those things." [10:36]( | | )

4. "We live in a realm of we are fallen sinners. We are sinners. And we fall in a realm of people, people that are not perfected. They're in this process of sanctification. So do I see the evidence of this man growing in Christ? Does he stand out? Is he worthy of respect? He's living it, man. He's talking it and walking it. That's what I want to see in a deacon. That's what you should want to see in a deacon." [17:23]( | | )

5. "There are people that may not be deacons that are more spiritual than me, that are closer to the Lord than me, that pray more than me, that know the Bible more than me. Those things can happen. But you look for somebody, whether a pastor or a deacon, that's worthy of respect because God's hands on their life. And you can see the evidence of it." [17:57]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "So the first thing, as we look at the character of a deacon, as I think it's important for us to do, one, just like they said in Acts 6, do they have a good reputation? Are they filled with God's wisdom? Are they filled with God's Spirit? Is there evidence of the Spirit there? If those things are there, then we're saying they're worthy of respect. A man who has those things is worthy of respect. And we want them to be worthy of respect, right? I mean, any man that we have serving us should be worthy of respect. If they're not worthy of respect, we've got a problem." [13:25]( | | )

2. "Over time, over time, and this is why I think that middle of that text, you must be tested and proven. I think over time, the character of a deacon, the character of a man comes out. Even on Sundays, you can only put on your Sunday best for so long. Eventually, I'm going to see, do you get angry? Eventually, I'm going to see, are you dishonest? Eventually, I'm going to see, they're inconsistent, they're not faithful. Eventually, I'm going to see, he doesn't treat his wife right. Eventually, I'm going to see, man, the children, man, they are, I mean, beyond just, little things, they are crazy that he's not managing this household. There's no discipline at home. And on and on, things will come out." [14:47]( | | )

3. "We want it to be objective, so we want to go check, check, check, check, check, check. But worthy of respect really is, even of good reputation, right? That really is subjective. And so I think we have to live in this realm of, one, spiritual discernment on the part of the congregation to choose those men from among us. And two, we need to have spiritual discernment within the pastorate and the body of the deacons that when we evaluate the tested, proven attributes of this deacon, that we're guided with, in all sincerity, not just objective legalistic task list, but this subjective fluid list where we look at the life of a man and say, yeah, you know, yeah, there may be some problems, but overall, they're of great quality, worthy of respect." [15:37]( | | )

4. "Hypocrisy is a huge word that you hear thrown at somebody. You know, you're a hypocrite. You know, when a Christian doesn't do something like somebody thinks you're a hypocrite, or, you know, one time I was mowing the grass on a Sunday and somebody asked me a question, are you allowed to do that? You're a pastor. And I thought, you know what, I enjoy mowing my yard. And I get out there, I put my earphones on, I just sit there on that tractor and I'm just going around in circles and I'm just kind of brain dead and zoned out. I'm praying some in and out, just zoning in and out. And you know what, it's enjoyable, man. So it's not work to me. It's not drudgery to me. And I find that actually therapeutic. Can you believe that? I find it therapeutic to sit on a tractor because I get along with just me and God in my head and just, boom, I'm there." [18:07]( | | )

5. "None of us have. But as we come to understand faith, right, and as a deacon especially, that I hold the mystery of faith, of Christ, in utmost. And I have a clear conscience in my faith. I know that I'm saved, right, and I'm living for the Lord. And I'm trying not to be hypocritical in my way. I want to be consistent in my ways. I want to follow Jesus. I want to love like Jesus. I want to be like Jesus. That is the type of man we're looking for. Because that man, everything falls back to this, that man's worthy of respect." [19:24]( | | )

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Transcript

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