A new school year is upon is, and as students and parents concern themselves with things like new supplies, class schedules, and navigating school traffic, in a few weeks that focus will shift to something else: grades.
And for the student who has done well, the grade will both convey something and impart something. It will convey the student’s good standing in the class. It will also impart a confidence to the student. Having done well, the student will be able to affirm: I have been made capable in this realm of study; I have succeeded in my assignments; perhaps even, I have pleased the teacher.
I’m not handing out grades for those who read and apply this sermon well, but this morning’s text will focus on measured result. This sermon is given on a day that marks a new season—not of school, but of service—as we ordain four deacons to serve in this local body of Christ.
First Timothy 3:13 says:
For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high [good] standing and great confidence1Or “boldness.” in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
In this middle section within our Oracles of God series—concerning the ritualistic elements of baptism and laying on of hands2Our larger study on the Oracles of God is based on Hebrews 5:12–6:2. The six elementary principles of the oracles of God that we are studying are: (1) repentance from dead works, (2) faith toward God, (3) baptisms, (4) laying on of hands, (5) resurrection from the dead, and (6) eternal judgment. We have now studied the first four of these.—we’ve seen opportunities for the individual to express faith in the setting of community. And so I emphasize this morning the possibility of each deacon’s individual faith being emboldened as they gain good standing in their service to their local community of faith. This deacon ordination service is a community participation—designed to benefit both individuals and the community as a whole.
I challenge everyone—not only new (and existing) deacons—to gain a high standing in matters of faith. This is a calling every follower of Jesus can aspire to.
Every believer is called to serve, whether he or she bears the title “deacon” or not. A great confidence in the faith is God’s desire for us all.
To gain a high standing in matters of faith … is a calling every follower of Jesus can aspire to.
Let’s grab a few more verses from the same passage quoted above in 1 Timothy 3:
Deacons … must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Wives must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8–13)
We already discussed the last verse in this passage—about the possibility of deacons attaining high standing and confidence in the faith. Incidentally, this possible result mirrors the very reason someone is called to be a deacon in the first place. The entry and exit points look the same.
The [deacons] entry and exit points look the same.
Verse 13 says deacons may attain a high standing, but verse 8 tells us that deacons entered their service already as “men of dignity.” Verse 13 states that deacons can gain great confidence; verse 9 declares that such deacons (already) hold “a clear conscience.”
Thus, from start to finish, by the grace of God, in the power of the Spirit, in the love of Jesus, deacons are able to serve the church well.
The service of deacons within a local church is an acknowledgment that no one human person can fulfill all the needs of the church. And this calling to service is a reminder that the one Person who could fulfill all the needs of the church—Jesus—has chosen to make us part of His body and has called us to serve in His power.
Those called to serve are equipped for service by God Himself. They not only serve but are an example—a model—of service for everyone else in the church. Their wives,3I favor the interpretation “wives” instead of “women” in 1 Timothy 3. For good summaries of these issues, I recommend this article by language expert Bill Mounce (N.B. In Mounce’s fuller treatment within his commentary, he holds distinct the arguments of translation and interpretation; while he favors the translation “wives,” he leaves room for the possibilities of women serving as deacons, writing, “Paul envisions but does not require male deacons” [Pastoral Epistles (Vol. 46, p. 207). Word, Incorporated, 2000]; see also the textual note which appears in the NET Bible. too, are uniquely called to a high standard.
May we pray for those who serve Christ’s body as deacons—those who take on the assignment of caring for the physical welfare of the church.
Those called to serve are equipped for service by God Himself.