Deacon Qualifications

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 The Work of a Deacon is to serve the church.

 

Qualifications

  1. Reverent, Respectful  (1 Tim 3:8) — a deacon serves in the ministry of Christ. Humility is necessary.
  2. Not Doubletongued  (1 Tim 3:8) — able to be truthful in all their activities. They're a consistent person wherever they are.
  3. Not Given to Much Wine   (1 Tim 3:8)  — disciplined in his personal life (i.e. alcohol). God commands kings and princes to abstain (leaders), wine is for the sick (Prov 31).
  4. Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain   (1 Tim 3:8)  — not seeking gain. Their priority must be service.
  5.   Hold the Mystery of Faith with a Clear Conscience   (1 Tim 3:9)  — able to hold onto the faith without compromise.
  6.  Tested and Found Blameless   (1 Tim 3:10)  — they will be examined and held accountable.
  7.   Wife Reverent, Not a Gossiper/Slanderer, Self-Controlled, and Faithful  (1 Tim 3:11)
  8. Husband of One Wife   (1 Tim 3:12) 
  9. Ruling/Managing His House Well   (1 Tim 3:12) — wife and children respect and honor him. 
  10.  

Elder Qualifications

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These are not suggestions or ideals. A man must meet all of these qualifications.

 

  1. Desires to be an Elder   (1 Tim 3:1)  — he must want to serve in this office.
  2.  Blameless and Above Reproach  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6) — not perfect since there would be no elders ever, but living in a way that no reproach or blame rests on them.
  3. Husband of One Wife   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6)  — he must be a married man.
  4. Temperate    (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — self-controlled in all aspects of life they are the same man wherever they are.
  5. Sober-Minded      (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — able to clearly make decisions, mature.
  6. Orderly   (1 Tim 3:2) — well behaved and reliable.
  7. Hospitable  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8) — courteous, friendly, kind, welcoming.
  8. Able to Teach   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9) — able to teach the church and hold to the Word of God. 
  9. Not Given to Wine  (1 Tim 3:3)
  10. Not Violent  (1 Tim 3:3)
  11. Not Greedy or a Lover of Money  (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7) — generous with sound judgement. Able to manage finances for the work of God.
  12. Gentle  (1 Tim 3:3) — courteous, peaceful, not harsh or turbulent or coarse or ride.
  13. Not Quarrelsome  (1 Tim 3:3) — not argumentative but able to manage conflict peacefully.
  14. Not Covetous  
  15. Rule His House Well   (1 Tim 3:5-6) — children living faithful lives in submission.Not a New Christian  — new to the faith or new to the church (how can they shepherd if they know not the sheep?).
  16. Good Reputation among Non-Christians  (1 Tim 3:7)
  17. Faithful Children   (Titus 1:6) —  children old enough to be Christians should be.
  18. Not Quick Tempered   (Titus 1:7) 
  19. Lover of Good  (Titus 1:8)
  20. Holy  (Titus 1:8)
  21. Sound in the Faith   (Titus 1:9) 
  22. Wife Reverent, Not A Gosspier, Temperate, Faithful   (1 Tim 3:11)  — the wife of a man can disqualify him.

Godliness

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2 Pet 2:5–10

Godliness Defined

  1. Having a great reverence for God characterized by a Godward attitude and a Godward devotion. 
  2. Thinking, speaking, living, being like God. 

 

Godliness Illustrated

  1. Noah found favor before God, was righteous and blameless in his generation (Gen 6:8-9).
  2. Abraham trusted in God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). 
  3. Moses spoke to God as he would a friend - this required Godliness (Exod 33:11).
  4. David was gentle and faithful and had a heart like God (1 Sam 13, 17). 
  5. Mary was submissive and serving (Luke 10:42).
  6. Jesus was selfless and he was one with God.

Examine Yourselves: Goals for 2017

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Goals for Yourselves: Examine Yourselves (2 Cor 13:5–6)

  • But don't measure yourselves by other people (2 Cor 10:12ff).
  • Grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet 3:1)
  • If you have been in the faith for a long time, should you not be a teacher? (Heb 5:12–13)
  • So it's entirely biblical to sit down at the turn of every year and even more frequently to evaluate whether or not we have been who we need to be as a Christian

Goals for the Church: How Can You Serve?

  1. Discover your gifts and talents to use them in the ministry.
    • Even the "One Talent Man" could have done something useful with his talent but he was scared to use it (Matt 25:14-30). He was afraid to fail, to be criticized, or to do it right.
    • Use your gift to serve one another (1 Pet 4:10). It would be nice to have other certain talents but God has given each of us gifts to use.
  2. Equipped to Serve (Eph 4:11–12)
    • We need a diversity of talents, abilities, and viewpoints.
    • Sometimes we have people who are equipped but unwilling to step forward; others with less ability in this area step forward but with less experience and struggle to accomplish the task. Yet the person who stepped forward was more helpful.
    • The talent who choose to sit on the side should not criticize those who attempt to work.
  3. The Heart of a Servant (Matt 20:20-28)
    • When you have the gifts and talents it's important to have the heart of a servant. To recognize that you have the ability and step forward.
    • But you must ask who are you trying to serve? James and John were confident but sought to be important and recognized.
    • Jesus however led the way by serving (John 13:1–20).

Walking in the Timing of God

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Proverbs 3:1–10

 

  1. Keep God's laws and by his timing it will lead to length of days, long life, and peace (Prov 3:1–2)
  2. Being merciful will lead to favor and success in the eyes of God and men  (Prov 3:3–4)
  3.  Trust and acknowledge the Lord and he will give us direction  (Prov 3:5–6)
  4. Be humble and respectful and God will provide health and strength  (Prov 3:7–8)
  5. Be generous and God will provide blessings   (Prov 3:9–10)