1 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,400 Just a little introduction about the passage that's on the 2 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,300 screen. The great Apostle Paul divinely 3 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:14,700 inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote the letter to the church 4 00:00:14,700 --> 00:00:19,200 at Philippi from a Roman prison. And in this Roman prison. 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:23,100 And in this letter at the very beginning of it, he gives them a 6 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:27,800 salutation and in that he gets also gives us a very quick 7 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,000 glance at the organization of the church. 8 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:36,400 In fact, these are composed of three kinds of people Saints 9 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,900 Bishops and deacons Deacon's now Saints are those that are 10 00:00:40,900 --> 00:00:44,200 baptized Believers. Let me just say this to there's 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,400 nowhere in the word of God as some religious affiliations 12 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,700 would believe that somebody is Anointed or crowned in to 13 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:55,600 sainthood after they die. That is not found in the word of 14 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,600 God, contrary to what some would believe. 15 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,300 In fact, the Bible says that we are all Saints. 16 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,300 So everyone that is a member of the body of Christ. 17 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:08,100 A member of the Church of Christian baptism. 18 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:12,000 Iced into Jesus Christ. For the remission of sins, is 19 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,000 the saint. Secondly, though, he says, there 20 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,100 are Bishops and Bishops, are leaders of the church will not 21 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:21,200 go into that. We've done that in great detail, 22 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:25,500 over six lessons, but there are some synonymous terms that are 23 00:01:25,500 --> 00:01:29,100 related to the word bishop, and it's talking about the same 24 00:01:29,100 --> 00:01:31,900 person. They are Elders, they are 25 00:01:31,900 --> 00:01:35,200 pastors. They are overseers, and there 26 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:39,200 are Shepherds. But then there's a third person 27 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:42,700 that's described In this passage and it's the third that is 28 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:46,800 described in the organizational structure of the church and that 29 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:52,100 is among certain Saints. There are deacons. 30 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:56,100 Now, what is a deacon, the word, Deacon actually comes from the 31 00:01:56,100 --> 00:02:01,600 Greek word Daya condos and it actually means a servant This 32 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,800 word is found 30 times in the New Testament. 33 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:07,900 And you know what's interesting about this word? 34 00:02:08,900 --> 00:02:15,900 Diakon owes is found 30 times in 26 of those times, it refers to 35 00:02:15,900 --> 00:02:21,500 a serve it and only four times it refers to a deacon or 36 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,800 translated Deacon have no fear though, because there's ample 37 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,700 evidence in the scriptures that proves that they these were a 38 00:02:29,700 --> 00:02:33,300 special office. And they were called a deacon. 39 00:02:33,500 --> 00:02:41,000 Now, I want to make this point to a deacon is not a slave of a 40 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:45,200 congregation. Did you get that? 41 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:51,800 There's a difference between a servant and a slave a deacon 42 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:57,100 like one man, said, one time a deacon is a servant of his work, 43 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:02,300 a slave is a servant of his master. 44 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:09,000 Now, every saint every Christian is a slave to Jesus Christ. 45 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:12,700 He has bought us by his inestimable, blood. 46 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:15,100 That was shed. Ed on the cross were baptized 47 00:03:15,100 --> 00:03:17,100 into Christ. Would contact that blood and 48 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:19,900 guess what? For the rest of our life, the 49 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:24,700 Saint the child of God becomes a slave for Jesus Christ. 50 00:03:25,500 --> 00:03:29,900 That's everybody. But a deacon is a servant, a 51 00:03:29,900 --> 00:03:34,800 servant in relationship to his work. 52 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:39,700 Practically speaking a deacon or someone who promotes the welfare 53 00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:45,000 and prosperity of the local church by carrying out tasks 54 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:50,100 that are assigned by the elders. Now there are some that falsely 55 00:03:50,100 --> 00:03:52,200 assumed and I've heard this before. 56 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:58,400 Elders, oversee, the spiritual needs of a congregation and 57 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,400 deacons oversee. The physical needs of the 58 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:08,600 congregation that is not true. That is not true Deacon's over. 59 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:15,500 See nothing and Elders. Oversee, everything an elder in 60 00:04:15,500 --> 00:04:19,300 the body of Christ overseas, both the spiritual and physical 61 00:04:19,300 --> 00:04:24,700 needs of a congregation. They are the overseers of the 62 00:04:24,700 --> 00:04:31,200 flock Deacon's though Deacon serve them as serving them in 63 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:35,700 the tasks that the elders, give them in the work so they are Are 64 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:40,700 Servants of the work directed by the elders. 65 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:44,400 In addition to this to deacons were also teachers, you 66 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,700 remember, Stephen and Philip of Jerusalem and Acts chapter 6. 67 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:50,600 Another man that's found in Philippians. 68 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:56,100 Chapter 2, epaphroditus was a teacher in the body of Christ 69 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:59,700 and also a deacon. Well, I want to notice with you 70 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:01,100 now. Just a couple things regarding 71 00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:05,300 the history of deacons. And if you will turn your Bibles 72 00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:10,600 to Next chapter 6 in Acts chapter 6 verses 1 through 7 and 73 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,200 the reason I asked you to do that is the only verse I'm going 74 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,800 to put on the screen is the first verse. 75 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:20,700 Let's talk about the history of deacons we find in Acts chapter 76 00:05:20,700 --> 00:05:22,300 6. Beginning there in verse number 77 00:05:22,300 --> 00:05:25,300 one that there was a problem in the church. 78 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:28,600 In fact it's the very first one that we can find and the Bible 79 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:33,600 says, there was a murmuring among members of the church. 80 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:39,100 Now the Ring or the dispute or the complaining was between two 81 00:05:39,100 --> 00:05:42,800 kinds of people or two peoples, I guess you would say what were 82 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,600 the grecians and the other were the Hebrews. 83 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:51,000 So as I will put now on the screen verse 1, now when those 84 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:55,700 days when a number of disciples was multiplying there arose, a 85 00:05:55,700 --> 00:05:59,800 murmuring against the Hebrews by the hellenists because their 86 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:04,300 widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 87 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:07,700 First of all, the Word murmur means complain. 88 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:15,800 Let me just say as a side note. Have you ever known somebody 89 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:20,400 that complained all the time? They were never satisfied. 90 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,100 They were never content, they just complained all the time. 91 00:06:25,900 --> 00:06:27,600 Hope he likes to be around that person. 92 00:06:28,300 --> 00:06:32,100 That's discouraging somebody that's always complaining. 93 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:37,300 But in this particular instance, there was a real problem and the 94 00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:41,800 complaining was between the hellenists and the Hebrews that 95 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:46,500 who were they the hellenists? You remember they were Grecian 96 00:06:46,500 --> 00:06:51,200 Jews that were born and raised in another country besides 97 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,000 Palestine. They were the hellenists. 98 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,600 And by the way, we are talking about when we say helenus, and 99 00:06:56,600 --> 00:07:00,100 we say Hebrews were talking about converted Christians 100 00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:03,400 though, these are members of the body of Christ, see Got two 101 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,800 kinds of people. You got those guys that were 102 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,800 from a different country. Grecian Jews other than 103 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:12,600 Palestine and you have the Hebrews and the Hebrews were 104 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,900 those of Jewish blood pure Jewish blood running through 105 00:07:15,900 --> 00:07:18,200 their veins. They were Hebrews. 106 00:07:18,300 --> 00:07:22,300 They were like Paul said one time Hebrew of the Hebrews and 107 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:28,900 they spoke the Hebrew language. Now here's the problem in this. 108 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:36,400 There is a Conflict, The Grecian Jews or the hellenists make a 109 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:41,000 charge that their widows were not, receiving equal treatment 110 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:45,800 as those that were Hebrew widows and the Apostle. 111 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,600 The apostles came up with a solution. 112 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,800 Here it is. And for good reason, too. 113 00:07:51,900 --> 00:07:56,700 You can't have division. You know, what's really sad 114 00:07:56,700 --> 00:08:01,800 division, destroys the church? And sometimes when there's a 115 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,600 disagreement or there's personality conflicts, or 116 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,300 there's some kind of a turmoil here and there and people get 117 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:12,000 into some kind of a complaint back and forth, sometimes they 118 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,300 don't Rectify, whatever it was that was differing between them 119 00:08:16,700 --> 00:08:21,100 and very sad sometimes division, occurs and churches even split 120 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:24,600 what a terrible thing. To have the body of Christ 121 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:27,400 divided. Now, what were the apostles? 122 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,600 What did they know? They know if we don't fix this 123 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:33,000 problem. There's going to be division in 124 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,500 the church. It's going to tear up the 125 00:08:34,500 --> 00:08:36,299 church. That's number one. 126 00:08:36,700 --> 00:08:39,200 Number two, what else did the apostles know? 127 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,600 They knew I don't have time to go serve tables. 128 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,300 I don't have time to go out and serve the Widow's. 129 00:08:46,300 --> 00:08:49,100 It's very needed that they get served though but I don't have 130 00:08:49,100 --> 00:08:51,300 time to go out and serve the widows. 131 00:08:51,300 --> 00:08:52,900 We need to have somebody else do that. 132 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:56,600 At, so, they Apostles can continue to preach the word of 133 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,800 God. In fact, as the Bible says, to 134 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:04,100 continue in preaching and in prayer, there are side note 135 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:08,200 here. I'm an evangelist working among 136 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,500 you. And you have no idea how much I 137 00:09:11,508 --> 00:09:15,500 appreciate the workers of the congregation that see about the 138 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:19,000 needs of others. I love you for that. 139 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:22,100 That is a good work. The lord loves that too. 140 00:09:23,300 --> 00:09:26,300 But when you as a body of Christ, as members of the 141 00:09:26,308 --> 00:09:31,900 church, you then our Saints. Go out and help others and see 142 00:09:31,900 --> 00:09:35,600 to the needs of others. It frees me up as an evangelist 143 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:40,400 to do my work and that is to preach evangelistically to teach 144 00:09:41,100 --> 00:09:45,400 in an edifying way and also to set in order the things that are 145 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,400 lacking. Now, every Christian needs to go 146 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,700 and see the needs of others. But I really appreciate those 147 00:09:51,700 --> 00:09:56,500 that go out and do that and take care of those that have needs. 148 00:09:56,700 --> 00:09:58,700 So the apostles come up with a solution. 149 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,100 They instructed the church to choose seven men from among 150 00:10:02,100 --> 00:10:04,600 them, that would care for this business. 151 00:10:04,700 --> 00:10:08,800 In other words, the business at hand was not to be demeaned. 152 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:12,600 It was very, very important but the apostles understood, they 153 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:16,100 didn't have time for that. So he gave some general 154 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:20,200 qualifications. Now, the general qualifications 155 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,500 were these number one in the general qualifications. 156 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,500 There were those of honest report as the King James says 157 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:30,400 know. Other words they had to be a man 158 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:34,000 of honest report. He had to be a man that was full 159 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,400 of the Holy Spirit. And number three had to be a man 160 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:42,700 that was full of wisdom. Let's talk about these 161 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,700 individually. First of all, the words honest 162 00:10:45,700 --> 00:10:47,500 report. As found in the King James 163 00:10:47,500 --> 00:10:51,100 version, really, simply means this, in fact, it is translated 164 00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:53,700 in this way, in the new King James that is. 165 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:57,500 We've got to 57 men of good reputation. 166 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:04,600 That's that's reasonable 57 men of good reputation. 167 00:11:04,900 --> 00:11:08,700 In other words, men of good reputation and integrity. 168 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:15,800 What else in a general sense, full of the Holy Spirit Full of 169 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:20,000 the Holy Spirit. Now I got to tell you for many 170 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:24,000 years, I thought, because the various commentators that this 171 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:30,400 was talking about miraculous gifts or spiritual gifts. 172 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:35,300 And when he said, find seven men of good reputation that are full 173 00:11:35,300 --> 00:11:38,900 of the Holy Ghost, I used to believe that this was talking 174 00:11:38,900 --> 00:11:43,100 about those that had the endowment of spiritual gifts 175 00:11:43,100 --> 00:11:47,800 given to them and Were able to perform Miracles, there's a 176 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:51,300 problem with that. There's a problem with that. 177 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,100 In this qualification. What's it actually talking about 178 00:11:56,100 --> 00:12:00,900 McGarvey says this. This means men that are full of 179 00:12:00,900 --> 00:12:06,300 the spirit as respects to the fruits of a holy life. 180 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:11,200 Now, let me just say this Let me just say this. 181 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:18,300 This if this is talking about miraculous gifts full of the 182 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:21,400 Holy Ghost, be miraculous gifts, if that's what that means. 183 00:12:21,900 --> 00:12:25,600 Then this does not apply today because we do not have Miracles 184 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,800 today. So they had to be men of honest 185 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,700 report or good reputation full of the Holy Ghost. 186 00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:39,100 Now remember this, too? When spiritual gifts were given 187 00:12:39,100 --> 00:12:43,000 they had to be given by the laying on of the Apostles hands. 188 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,600 Now, watch this, this verse that we're talking about that says 189 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:50,300 full of the Holy Spirit or full of the Holy Ghost is in verse 3. 190 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:55,200 The laying on of hands did not happen until verse 6. 191 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,500 So whatever it was here, it was talking about a requirement or 192 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:04,700 qualification that they had before the laying on of the 193 00:13:04,700 --> 00:13:08,700 Apostles hands there for I believe it could not have been 194 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:12,000 miraculous. All right, so, how do we apply 195 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,700 this today? What is a practical way if we 196 00:13:14,700 --> 00:13:17,500 were looking for deacons today? That would fall into the 197 00:13:17,500 --> 00:13:21,600 category of being a good reputation and being full of the 198 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,500 Holy Spirit? And as those that are described 199 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:28,500 by McGarvey from that passage, who would we be looking at? 200 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:31,400 We would be looking at these fellows right here in the book 201 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:35,400 of Galatians. In the book of Galatians chapter 202 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,000 5. In Galatians. 203 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:42,000 Chapter 5, Paul gives exactly what we're talking about. 204 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,400 We are talking about those individuals that manifest in 205 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:49,300 abundance, the fruit of the spirit, here it is. 206 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,800 So if we're looking for somebody that fits this quality, here it 207 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,000 is. But the fruit of the spirit is 208 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:59,700 love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness 209 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:04,400 goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control against 210 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:05,900 such. There is no law. 211 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:09,100 In other words, Someone that was full of the Holy Spirit. 212 00:14:09,100 --> 00:14:12,500 From this context of this passage is someone that in, 213 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:15,300 abundance manifested. The things that I just read to 214 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:20,700 you from Galatians chapter 5. Now. 215 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:28,600 One commentator said, a man can be recognized for what he really 216 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:33,300 is by observing what his life produces. 217 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:37,900 Years ago, you've heard me say this, you've heard me use this 218 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:40,800 quote and I did and I did, I made it up came to me. 219 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,700 One day years ago, I was coaching a football team that 220 00:14:43,700 --> 00:14:47,000 was undefeated. And every week I was trying very 221 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:51,700 hard to keep them focused and not rest on the things that they 222 00:14:51,700 --> 00:14:53,800 did, but to continue to work forward. 223 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,400 So, one day we are out on the practice field and I said, 224 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:02,700 listen, we are what we are, because we do what we do. 225 00:15:03,700 --> 00:15:06,600 And my point was, we have, if we want to continue on the path 226 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:09,500 that we are on, we have to continue doing the things that 227 00:15:09,500 --> 00:15:12,900 got us here. But I like what Jesus said 228 00:15:12,900 --> 00:15:16,000 though, I like he said, it's so much better in Matthew chapter 7 229 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:18,700 and verse 20 by your fruits, you shall know them. 230 00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:21,800 In other words, you can determine a person by the things 231 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:24,900 that they do. It's manifested in their life, 232 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,000 can't you? Just put your mind back on that 233 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:31,400 day when he says, choose men of honest report 7, man that are 234 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:33,100 fit. The qualifications that we've 235 00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:35,400 just talked about. In other words, their life is 236 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:40,400 manifesting all of these characteristics and qualities in 237 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:41,900 their life. And I'm going to tell you right 238 00:15:41,900 --> 00:15:49,700 now, when a person has them their obvious, if you ever heard 239 00:15:49,700 --> 00:15:55,200 somebody, Say that you should never have have to tell somebody 240 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,900 you're a Christian. We've said it. 241 00:16:00,500 --> 00:16:04,300 I've known a lot of people that wore t-shirts. and on the 242 00:16:04,308 --> 00:16:06,900 T-shirt it was always saying something like I'm a follower of 243 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:11,200 Christ or I'm a I'm a Christian Sometimes bumper stickers are 244 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,200 put on cars and they want everybody know. 245 00:16:13,500 --> 00:16:18,400 I'm a Christian I've known a lot of contractors over the youth. 246 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,600 The 24 years that I was a painting contractor, they have 247 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,200 business cards with a fish on them because they want people to 248 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:26,900 know that they are religious people. 249 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,300 But, you know, in your life, you shouldn't have to do any of 250 00:16:30,308 --> 00:16:32,200 that. You shouldn't have to wear a 251 00:16:32,208 --> 00:16:37,200 t-shirt, a billboard, a bumper sticker a card, whatever. 252 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:38,700 You shouldn't have to do any of that. 253 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:43,600 People should be able to see the manifestation of what you are by 254 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:45,700 your actions. And by the way that you live, 255 00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:52,000 the same is true with these deacons same as true now. 256 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,000 What else? There was another quality, 257 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,900 another qualification and that was, they had to be full of 258 00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:00,800 wisdom. Now, why was that those that are 259 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:05,300 full of wisdom are man, who are able to make wise, and fair 260 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,300 decisions? Those are those that are wise. 261 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,599 Now, I said stay in the book of Acts. 262 00:17:10,599 --> 00:17:14,200 So now, look in verse 5, Acts chapter 6, and verse 5. 263 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:18,000 Watch what happened after they said this and the saying please 264 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:21,900 the whole multitude and they chose Stephen. 265 00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:27,300 Man, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, just in the context that 266 00:17:27,300 --> 00:17:32,200 we've just said, and Phillip and proc chorus and night, caner, 267 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:37,000 and timman, and parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. 268 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:40,800 Now, what happened in verse 6, look at verse 6, so they chose 269 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:44,800 these seven men that fit the bill of these three General 270 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:48,700 qualifications what happens? Now in verse 6, they got 47 in 271 00:17:48,700 --> 00:17:50,900 front of them. Watch this, the apostles, are 272 00:17:50,900 --> 00:17:54,500 there whom they sent me. Before the apostles and when 273 00:17:54,500 --> 00:17:58,400 they had prayed, what did the apostles do they laid their 274 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:05,800 hands on them? now folks, The laying on of 275 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:11,200 hands was not, merely part of a ceremony of ordination, as some 276 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:16,100 would assume, it was that the apostles endowed, the seven with 277 00:18:16,100 --> 00:18:19,400 miraculous powers. Do you remember Acts chapter 8? 278 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:24,700 Remember that? Simon, the Sorcerer acts 8 and 279 00:18:24,700 --> 00:18:27,100 verse 18. Now, Simon saw that through the 280 00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:30,300 laying on of the Apostles hands. The Holy Spirit was given he 281 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:34,300 offered them money. So, the giving of the holy 282 00:18:34,300 --> 00:18:38,900 spirit in miraculous form was always done by the laying on of 283 00:18:38,900 --> 00:18:42,900 the Apostles hands. So, miraculous Powers came by 284 00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:46,100 the laying on of hands. Now, look at verse 8, x 6 and 285 00:18:46,100 --> 00:18:49,500 verse 8. Now, remember this before this 286 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:54,500 They didn't have it. Before this they didn't have it. 287 00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:56,600 They didn't have miraculous powers. 288 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,800 In fact before verse 6 they were full of faith that talks about 289 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,500 Stephen being full of faith and the Holy Spirit just like we 290 00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:05,800 have on the screen. But after verse eight, things 291 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:10,200 changed looking at x 6 and verse 8, and Stephen Full of faith and 292 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:14,800 power did great wonders. And signs among the people. 293 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:19,400 You see the difference after the laying on of the Apostles hands, 294 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,400 they were able to perform miraculous. 295 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:27,200 Gifts. So we're talking about this 296 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,800 General sense, got to be good. Reputation. 297 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,000 Got to be manifesting the fruit of the spirit in your life. 298 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:35,300 You got to be a man that is full of wisdom. 299 00:19:35,300 --> 00:19:40,400 Making Fair decisions, those are qualifications of being a 300 00:19:41,100 --> 00:19:44,300 deacon. Now, let's talk about this. 301 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,500 Let's talk about some general duties and responsibilities. 302 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,200 I hear this a lot. I hear. 303 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,200 Well, what in the world does a deacon do then? 304 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:56,300 What is their job description? First of all, in General sense. 305 00:19:56,300 --> 00:19:59,100 All we're just say that the duties and responsibilities of a 306 00:19:59,108 --> 00:20:02,700 deacon are to provide a support structure for elders and 307 00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:06,400 preachers so that they can engage in activities that are 308 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:09,400 more centered on teaching God's word. 309 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,400 Now, this does not mean that deacons don't share in the 310 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,500 responsibility of teaching and preaching God's word. 311 00:20:16,500 --> 00:20:19,500 In fact, I know some deacons in the church today of other 312 00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:21,700 congregations. They are some of the best 313 00:20:21,700 --> 00:20:26,100 congregational teachers that that congregation has So I'm not 314 00:20:26,100 --> 00:20:29,800 saying that deacons don't teach what I'm saying, is the deacons 315 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,600 provide a support structure under the under the get under 316 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:37,000 the instructions of an elder, so that the preachers and the 317 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:41,400 elders can continue with the work of teaching the word of 318 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,900 God. Now, Let's talk about some 319 00:20:44,900 --> 00:20:47,700 specific qualifications. Now, though specific 320 00:20:47,700 --> 00:20:54,100 qualifications go to First Timothy chapter 3, In 1st 321 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:57,000 Timothy Chapter 3 B and we're going to notice the things that 322 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:03,500 are found beginning in verse 8. Now the first thing that he says 323 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:09,600 is reverent the King James says grave. 324 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:12,000 I don't know what you think about when I think about grave 325 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,100 but I think about something that's pretty negative. 326 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:18,700 You ever heard somebody say that something is grave door? 327 00:21:18,700 --> 00:21:22,000 Someone is in grave danger, I think about something that's 328 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:26,900 really - and I think about death but in the King James actually 329 00:21:26,900 --> 00:21:29,300 says gray, but it really means reverent. 330 00:21:29,300 --> 00:21:32,000 That's what the passage means, that's what the word means and 331 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,300 it means this serious and somber. 332 00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:40,400 Now we have to stop right there. It doesn't mean that deacons 333 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,700 have to walk around and be serious from the standpoint of 334 00:21:43,700 --> 00:21:46,300 they can enjoy life. They can't have any fun, they 335 00:21:46,300 --> 00:21:48,900 can't laugh. They got to walk around like 336 00:21:48,900 --> 00:21:51,100 they're sick all the time religiously. 337 00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:53,100 And you know what? I think about that a religion 338 00:21:53,100 --> 00:21:55,200 that makes a man sick won't cure the world. 339 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,500 It doesn't mean that you have to walk around with a serious 340 00:21:58,700 --> 00:22:00,300 somber. Look on your face. 341 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:05,600 What it means is this reverent word, here means serious and 342 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:10,100 somber about the Business, that's to be conducted. 343 00:22:11,300 --> 00:22:15,900 We're talking about somebody that is serious about the work 344 00:22:16,500 --> 00:22:20,500 and when it comes time to do the work, they are reverent in that 345 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:23,300 they're serious. And somber in that. 346 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:27,700 In other words must not be conducted with a slack hand or a 347 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:31,100 flippant attitude. Here's another one. 348 00:22:32,300 --> 00:22:35,800 Not double tongue. What's that mean? 349 00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:41,100 I would venture to say, that if you thought about it right now, 350 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:45,700 you could think of somebody that you know, that fits the bits 351 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:50,700 that very idea of being double-tongued It would double 352 00:22:50,700 --> 00:22:52,200 tongue means. Here it is. 353 00:22:53,100 --> 00:22:58,500 Does not say one thing to one person and say, another thing to 354 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:02,900 another person. We've known people like that. 355 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:08,600 In other words who they are is influenced by who they're with. 356 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:11,500 I'm going to tell you. You can't trust that person. 357 00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:14,700 You cannot trust a person that will say, one thing, to one 358 00:23:14,700 --> 00:23:16,900 person. And another thing to another 359 00:23:16,900 --> 00:23:23,100 person, Double tongue, the psalmist. 360 00:23:23,100 --> 00:23:28,900 David said this, he that swears, but to his own hurt and does not 361 00:23:28,900 --> 00:23:32,100 change somebody that's influenced by those that are 362 00:23:32,100 --> 00:23:37,300 around him and doesn't stand for anything is double-tongued. 363 00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:40,800 Deacon cannot be that. Here's another one. 364 00:23:40,900 --> 00:23:44,700 And by the way, you remember, when we preached on the idea of 365 00:23:44,700 --> 00:23:48,100 Elders, and we talked about how the Bible says, about an elder, 366 00:23:48,100 --> 00:23:52,100 he cannot be given to Wine. I said, Hold that thought 367 00:23:52,100 --> 00:23:54,800 because when we get the deacons, I'm going to go into detail 368 00:23:54,900 --> 00:23:57,100 about much wine and what that means. 369 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:00,800 So here we go. Another quality is he cannot be 370 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,700 a man that is given to much wine. 371 00:24:04,900 --> 00:24:10,900 Now, the word much Is added to verse 3. 372 00:24:10,900 --> 00:24:13,800 Concerning an elder. It's added. 373 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:20,300 So, you know what people say? They say an elder can't have 374 00:24:20,300 --> 00:24:24,200 any. And a deacon, he can have 375 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:27,800 learning. An elder, he can't have any 376 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:31,100 because it says not given to Wine, but it looks over there 377 00:24:31,100 --> 00:24:33,900 like a deacon, he just can't have much wine. 378 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:39,400 So people have deduced if a deacon can have a little bit 379 00:24:40,300 --> 00:24:44,500 then that's authorization for social drinking and a guy can go 380 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:47,100 out and he's not drinking a lot, he can go out and have a couple 381 00:24:47,100 --> 00:24:49,800 beers with the boys and everything is fine because after 382 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:53,700 all even a deacon in the church can have a little bit, he just 383 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:57,900 can't have a lot. The question is, what does it 384 00:24:57,900 --> 00:25:02,100 mean? When it says much Wine, Barn 385 00:25:02,100 --> 00:25:06,900 says this regarding the word much it is not affirmed. 386 00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:10,700 That it would be proper for a deacon, any more than a bishop 387 00:25:10,700 --> 00:25:14,000 to indulge in the use of wine and small quantities. 388 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:18,000 In other words, Barnes is saying, when it says not given 389 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:21,900 to much wine, it is not saying that a deacon is authorized to 390 00:25:21,900 --> 00:25:24,300 have a little bit, just not a lot, that's what he's saying. 391 00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:26,200 There, he further goes on and says this. 392 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:30,800 If it is affirmed that a man, that is given to much wine 393 00:25:31,100 --> 00:25:34,500 ought. Not on any consideration, be a 394 00:25:34,500 --> 00:25:37,700 deacon. Now let's go further. 395 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,600 Wycliffe said this? This is Wycliffe on much wine. 396 00:25:44,700 --> 00:25:47,900 He said, the Bible testimony is consistently against the use of 397 00:25:47,900 --> 00:25:51,700 strong drink, the practical application of the principle in 398 00:25:51,700 --> 00:25:55,300 modern society. This is the Practical example is 399 00:25:55,300 --> 00:26:02,300 total abstinence. All right now, but there's got 400 00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:07,600 to be a better explanation. and there is Here's the better 401 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:09,700 explanation to believe it or not I am sorry. 402 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:12,900 Emser had the best explanation. Here it is. 403 00:26:12,900 --> 00:26:18,400 Watch this. The old-time wine was often used 404 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,200 as medicine. Don't you remember what Paul 405 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,200 said to Timothy? Timothy said don't no longer, 406 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:27,500 just drink water Timothy but have a little wine for thy, 407 00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:31,100 stomachs sake, and thine often infirmities. 408 00:26:31,100 --> 00:26:35,200 In other words, he told Timothy because of the infirmities that 409 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:40,200 he had physically to take a little wine for that purpose. 410 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:44,400 In other words, there says the amount little wine. 411 00:26:44,500 --> 00:26:49,800 I was always connected to medicinal purposes, always. 412 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,400 Back up again. The old-time wine was often used 413 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:59,900 as a medicine and that's what Paul meant in 1st Timothy 5:23. 414 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:05,700 But the amount for medical purposes was always considered a 415 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:09,800 little wine and it would not make a man drunk. 416 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:14,000 Thus, if a person manifested drunkenness, it was evidence 417 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,300 that he is using it for the purpose or not using it for the 418 00:27:17,300 --> 00:27:20,700 purpose of Health. How do I summarize all that? 419 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:27,600 Here it is. if I take some medication with alcohol in it, 420 00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:32,600 that is the equivalent today of little wine. 421 00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:38,000 Anything. In addition to that is 422 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:42,000 considered from a social standpoint or any other way, it 423 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:47,500 is considered, let's wine. So that's all it is medicinal 424 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:51,300 purposes given to us by for medicine and medical purposes. 425 00:27:51,500 --> 00:27:53,800 That is little wine. That is not a sin. 426 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:55,600 That's what Paul told Timothy to do. 427 00:27:55,800 --> 00:28:00,100 Anything in addition to that anything is considered much wind 428 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,800 and that is wrong. Now let's go further though. 429 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:07,600 Why. And why would Paul in all of 430 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:12,000 this and giving the qualifications of a deacon Why 431 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:16,400 would Paul say it's okay to have a little and just don't get 432 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:20,300 drunk if that's what he meant. Why would he say that when the 433 00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:23,900 wisest man that ever lived? Except for Jesus Christ, said 434 00:28:23,900 --> 00:28:26,600 this in Proverbs Chapter 20 and verse 1. 435 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:31,800 Watch this wine is a mocker intoxicating. 436 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:37,900 Drink arouses brawling and whoever is Led astray by it is 437 00:28:37,900 --> 00:28:41,000 not wise. Why did I highlight those words? 438 00:28:41,100 --> 00:28:44,100 I did. This reason watch this, he 439 00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:50,000 doesn't say. Becoming intoxicated leads to 440 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,500 brawling. He didn't say that. 441 00:28:52,700 --> 00:28:55,700 He didn't say becoming intoxicated is a mocker. 442 00:28:56,400 --> 00:29:02,500 He talked about the intoxicant itself, the intoxicant is a 443 00:29:02,500 --> 00:29:07,300 mocker, the intoxicant, arouses brawling and whoever is led by 444 00:29:07,300 --> 00:29:10,300 it. The intoxicant is not wise. 445 00:29:12,100 --> 00:29:17,200 Christians have no business, no matter who we are drinking at 446 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:20,000 all. Here's another one and some of 447 00:29:20,008 --> 00:29:22,800 these were just going to kind of swing just kind of Breeze by 448 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:26,400 because we wouldn't great detail about an elder but those that 449 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:30,000 are greedy for money Deacon cannot be greedy for money. 450 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:32,300 In other words, no lover of money. 451 00:29:33,900 --> 00:29:37,500 Money is not there God. It is not what drives them in 452 00:29:37,500 --> 00:29:40,000 their life. First Timothy chapter 6 and 453 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:43,800 verse 10, For the Love of Money is a root of all kinds of evil, 454 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:47,000 for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, 455 00:29:47,300 --> 00:29:50,000 and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows. 456 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:56,200 So, a person that is driven by greed and is driven by money is 457 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:59,000 a person that doesn't qualify to be an elder. 458 00:29:59,100 --> 00:30:02,300 And the reason for that is it takes their mind and their 459 00:30:02,300 --> 00:30:04,600 motive and there. Far away from. 460 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:08,500 What is should be their focus? Here's another one and I'm just 461 00:30:08,500 --> 00:30:11,200 going to call it this. I'm going to call it a holder of 462 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,600 the faith. Paul says, it's those that hold 463 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:19,600 the mystery of the faith deacons and all Christians for that 464 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:23,000 matter. Need to hold the faith. 465 00:30:23,900 --> 00:30:28,800 It's a matter of the ability to express clearly and convincingly 466 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:31,900 what they believe. Okay. 467 00:30:34,100 --> 00:30:37,100 I'll tell you, I know a lot of Christians. 468 00:30:39,100 --> 00:30:41,800 That believe what they believe because they know it's right. 469 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:45,100 Because they've always been taught that because they've 470 00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:49,100 always done it that way. But cannot tell you why. 471 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:54,600 A deacon being a holder of the faith is the ability to express 472 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:59,000 clearly and express convincingly what they believe. 473 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:03,600 And why the Deacon also must know what he believes and be 474 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:08,000 firm and secure, especially in matters of Doctrine. 475 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:12,400 This is somebody not by his own thoughts, or by his own 476 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:16,000 standards, but by the standards of the word of God is someone 477 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:19,600 that can distinguish between good and bad, he can commend the 478 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:24,700 good while condemning the bad. Another quality. 479 00:31:24,900 --> 00:31:28,100 Paul says, he must be proved. What does that mean? 480 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:30,900 Well, first of all, the Deacon must first be tested. 481 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:34,500 And he must have the qualifications listed. 482 00:31:34,500 --> 00:31:40,300 Now, let me say this, let me say this. when it comes to an elder 483 00:31:40,300 --> 00:31:45,600 and a deacon, Nowhere, does it say, let's install them. 484 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,300 And they'll grow into the qualifications. 485 00:31:49,900 --> 00:31:53,500 I've heard that talk I've actually heard somebody take the 486 00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:56,200 interpretation of the passage. When it says the elders that 487 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:57,400 rule? Well, now what do we already 488 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:00,700 know about ruling? Well, Elders, we know it's those 489 00:32:00,700 --> 00:32:02,900 that are doing so they don't have a job. 490 00:32:02,900 --> 00:32:06,600 Perhaps they're retired, their entire existence is the church 491 00:32:06,900 --> 00:32:09,200 and they are Elders in the church. 492 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:12,500 That is their life. And when they teach the word of 493 00:32:12,500 --> 00:32:17,800 God, and they labor in word and Doctrine, it says those men are 494 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:21,400 those that rule. Well, and they are those that 495 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:24,100 are worthy E of double honor, meaning the honor of being an 496 00:32:24,100 --> 00:32:27,600 elder and the second honor, meaning financial support. 497 00:32:27,700 --> 00:32:32,400 So if a man is an elder and that's his entire existence and 498 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:35,500 he's teaching and laboring in the word of God, guess what? 499 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:38,900 The Elder gets supported financially just like the 500 00:32:38,900 --> 00:32:41,900 preacher. But I heard somebody say one 501 00:32:41,900 --> 00:32:46,000 time this you see if in fact, it is true that there are Elders 502 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:48,600 that rule. Well, then there also are elves 503 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,800 that Elders that do not rule. Well, maybe they're the younger 504 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:55,000 Elders, they could just kind of grow into the position. 505 00:32:56,700 --> 00:33:01,300 No elders. And deacons had to be proved 506 00:33:02,100 --> 00:33:06,800 Meaning they had these qualifications before they were 507 00:33:06,800 --> 00:33:10,800 installed, what else? He must be of sufficient age, 508 00:33:11,100 --> 00:33:14,900 that would allow time for faithfulness and steadfastness 509 00:33:15,300 --> 00:33:19,100 in the work of God. Here's another one, we spent a 510 00:33:19,108 --> 00:33:22,800 lot of time on it with Elders. Remember this one, blameless. 511 00:33:23,100 --> 00:33:25,600 What's that mean? It doesn't mean he's a perfect 512 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,000 man. He doesn't mean that he will not 513 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,900 make mistakes because he will, it just means this. 514 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:33,000 There are no sustainable charge. He has against him. 515 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:38,300 He he does not have a reputation for evil. that's somebody, that 516 00:33:38,300 --> 00:33:42,200 is Blameless. Here's another one. 517 00:33:42,700 --> 00:33:46,900 This is exactly like an elder. He's the husband of one wife. 518 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:51,500 Now. You can read commentators and 519 00:33:51,500 --> 00:33:52,600 they'll tell you all manner of things. 520 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:56,300 But really, when it talks about the husband of one wife, we are 521 00:33:56,300 --> 00:33:59,600 talking about a one woman, man, that's what that means. 522 00:34:00,100 --> 00:34:02,700 Husband of one wife is a one-woman man. 523 00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:07,200 This is somebody, this is somebody that is faithful to his 524 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:11,900 bride in the same form and fashion, that Jesus Christ is to 525 00:34:11,900 --> 00:34:16,199 his bride, that's the church. He's faithful and true to his 526 00:34:16,199 --> 00:34:18,699 bride. Just like Jesus Christ is 527 00:34:18,699 --> 00:34:22,400 faithful and true to his bride. There are no other women in his 528 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:24,500 life. This is a man that is the 529 00:34:24,500 --> 00:34:29,300 husband of one wife. He is a one woman man. 530 00:34:29,699 --> 00:34:33,600 What else? He rules their children and 531 00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:38,100 their own house, will their children are not out of control. 532 00:34:40,100 --> 00:34:41,900 Yeah, they're not out of control. 533 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:45,300 Now, watch this. Remember, when we talked about 534 00:34:45,300 --> 00:34:48,900 with Elders, we talk about ruling ruling doesn't mean with 535 00:34:48,900 --> 00:34:51,400 an iron fist. Doesn't mean Boston me screaming 536 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:55,800 at kids and mean that at all, it means to lead in other words, I 537 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:58,000 lead my family. For example, if I was to fit 538 00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:00,100 that quality I would be somebody. 539 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:03,500 That was a one woman man. Faithful to my wife as Jesus 540 00:35:03,500 --> 00:35:07,000 Christ is to the church. Furthermore, I would leave my 541 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:09,800 children and I would lead my entire household. 542 00:35:09,900 --> 00:35:11,600 Old in the way that they should go. 543 00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:16,000 And my kids would demonstrate that and they would not be out 544 00:35:16,000 --> 00:35:19,100 of control. Wild and out of control. 545 00:35:20,100 --> 00:35:22,900 Incidentally, incidentally, you can tell how kids are brought 546 00:35:22,900 --> 00:35:25,500 up. You really can if you ever coach 547 00:35:25,500 --> 00:35:29,900 or you're involved in anything at all with kids at all, you can 548 00:35:29,900 --> 00:35:34,200 tell who was raised, right? And who was not, you can tell 549 00:35:34,200 --> 00:35:37,600 who has respect for authority and who does not you can tell 550 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:41,900 who's in control and respectful. Who is out of control and 551 00:35:41,900 --> 00:35:45,600 disrespectful? Don't you see it's the 552 00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:48,900 manifestation of what they got at home and a deacon is supposed 553 00:35:48,900 --> 00:35:52,800 to be such that he leads in such a way that his children are 554 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:56,100 examples of how he led his family. 555 00:35:57,400 --> 00:36:01,500 Furthermore. Furthermore, he's a man that 556 00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:05,100 loves his wife. As Christ loved the church. 557 00:36:06,400 --> 00:36:10,900 He cares for his family, he follows the example of Abraham 558 00:36:10,900 --> 00:36:14,900 listen to this passage in Genesis 18 and 19 for. 559 00:36:14,900 --> 00:36:19,700 I have known him in order that he may command his children and 560 00:36:19,700 --> 00:36:23,200 his household after him that, they keep the ways of the Lord 561 00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:27,100 to do, righteousness and Justice that the Lord may bring to 562 00:36:27,100 --> 00:36:30,200 Abraham what he has spoken to him. 563 00:36:31,500 --> 00:36:36,200 All right. Summing up so far and we are 564 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:40,000 almost finished. I realized that when we gave in 565 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:44,100 six lessons, we went down all the requirements. 566 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:49,400 Of being an elder. And now we've talked about more 567 00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:54,400 requirements and qualifications of being a deacon And sometimes 568 00:36:54,400 --> 00:36:58,400 what people do is? What people do is they think 569 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:03,800 it's so difficult, why bother. It's so difficult. 570 00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:08,100 Why Try? So the mindset really? 571 00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:11,300 Well we're just not going to have Elders today, that's just 572 00:37:11,300 --> 00:37:13,200 kind of something that fit that back then, we're not going to 573 00:37:13,207 --> 00:37:15,500 have qualified men so let's not even worry about it. 574 00:37:16,900 --> 00:37:19,700 And we'll just exist in the absence of Elders and deacons 575 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:23,800 forever. But folks, two things about 576 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:28,400 that. Name, one thing that's found in 577 00:37:28,400 --> 00:37:32,300 the qualifications of an elder or one thing that's found under 578 00:37:32,300 --> 00:37:35,700 the qualifications of a deacon name, one thing in your mind 579 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:38,100 that is unreasonable or hard to do. 580 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:45,100 Secondly, except for the familial requirements of a 581 00:37:45,107 --> 00:37:48,000 deacon. Everything I said today, except 582 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:50,900 for the family requirements of being the husband of one wife 583 00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:53,000 and ruling. Well, his own children his own 584 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:55,100 house. Do you know every one of those 585 00:37:55,100 --> 00:37:59,500 other qualities fits every single Christian everyone? 586 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:04,400 So in other words, the idea wasn't to try to find men that 587 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:08,600 were super naturally Superior in a spiritual sense that everybody 588 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:13,100 else they were spiritually minded men and that's why on 589 00:38:13,100 --> 00:38:16,900 Crete they were able to and ordain Elders in every Church in 590 00:38:16,900 --> 00:38:19,200 every city they were spiritually minded man. 591 00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:22,200 And they did fit the qualities, they did fit the qualifications. 592 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:26,900 Just talking about Christians, folks. 593 00:38:28,100 --> 00:38:30,600 But there's some great rewards to great rewards. 594 00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:34,000 Listen to this, listen to the rewards of being a deacon and 595 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:37,700 First Timothy 3:13 for those who have served well as deacons 596 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,800 obtain for themselves. A good standing and great 597 00:38:41,800 --> 00:38:46,200 boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 598 00:38:47,400 --> 00:38:53,000 It is a fantastic benefit. It is a trend, it is a wonderful 599 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:59,200 thing for being a deacon or an elder in the Lord's, Church in 600 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:02,700 conclusion. Then this morning We've talked 601 00:39:02,700 --> 00:39:06,700 about three things, the history of the office of a deacon from 602 00:39:06,700 --> 00:39:10,700 Acts chapter 6, we talked about the responsibilities of that 603 00:39:10,700 --> 00:39:14,400 office as they serve under the direction of the eldership and 604 00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:19,300 we talked about the qualifications of a deacon. 605 00:39:19,800 --> 00:39:22,400 Now, I found this quote, I want to share it with you. 606 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:25,100 I stole it. Watch this final point. 607 00:39:26,700 --> 00:39:31,700 I love this one is not a Christian because he is a deacon 608 00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:36,800 But he is a deacon because he is a Christian. 609 00:39:38,700 --> 00:39:40,800 Then that kind of fit what I just said about all the things 610 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:43,700 that are related to a deacon also relate to a Christian. 611 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:47,900 Just a Christian. That's a Christian. 612 00:39:49,400 --> 00:39:52,600 All the qualifications fit except the familiar ones to 613 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:56,600 every child of God. Now, we've now covered the 614 00:39:56,600 --> 00:39:59,300 office of an elder and we've covered the office of a deacon. 615 00:39:59,300 --> 00:40:01,600 And there are only two things left here they are. 616 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:06,400 This is all that's left. Number one is the qualification 617 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:10,800 of an elder and a deacons wife. Yeah. 618 00:40:11,100 --> 00:40:15,900 Does that mean if a man is fit and qualified in every single 619 00:40:15,900 --> 00:40:18,200 one of those qualities and characteristics and 620 00:40:18,200 --> 00:40:22,000 qualifications of requirements? Is it saying that a wife? 621 00:40:22,200 --> 00:40:28,400 If she doesn't fit her role can disqualify the man, Yes. 622 00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:35,400 There's qualifications for the wife to and secondly, we have to 623 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:36,900 discuss the duties at the church. 624 00:40:36,900 --> 00:40:40,600 Has toured the eldership, not only the eldership to the 625 00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:43,600 congregation with the congregation to the eldership. 626 00:40:44,000 --> 00:40:48,600 I'm through this morning. I hope something was said, that 627 00:40:48,600 --> 00:40:53,100 was edifying to you. Encouraging to you in some way 628 00:40:53,100 --> 00:40:57,300 on the subject of Elders and deacons, I realize that these 629 00:40:57,300 --> 00:41:00,800 are things that we we want to strive for in the future at some 630 00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:02,100 point in time. I would love it for the 631 00:41:02,100 --> 00:41:05,400 congregation here to be able to have a plurality of scriptural 632 00:41:05,400 --> 00:41:08,000 elders and deacons in this congregation. 633 00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:12,100 Now I don't know when and if we will ever achieve that but I do 634 00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:16,000 know this if we don't aspire to meet the qualifications and we 635 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:17,900 don't aspire to do that as a goal. 636 00:41:17,900 --> 00:41:21,200 We'll never get there and what will happen is 10 years ago by 637 00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:23,900 and we didn't move at all another 10 years ago by and we 638 00:41:23,900 --> 00:41:26,000 haven't grown at all from that standpoint. 639 00:41:26,500 --> 00:41:29,300 So these are things to work toward and work on. 640 00:41:30,000 --> 00:41:33,800 As we strive for the scriptural government organization of the 641 00:41:33,800 --> 00:41:35,900 church given in the New Testament. 642 00:41:37,200 --> 00:41:39,900 We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the 643 00:41:39,900 --> 00:41:45,600 Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you 644 00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:48,700 would like any additional information, or you would like 645 00:41:48,700 --> 00:41:51,800 to receive a free Bible correspondence, course by mail. 646 00:41:52,500 --> 00:41:56,300 Please email us at info at her Church of Christ 647 00:41:56,300 --> 00:42:00,300 Bakersfield.com. Our service times are on Sundays 648 00:42:00,300 --> 00:42:05,900 at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. 649 00:42:06,500 --> 00:42:10,100 Please make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our 650 00:42:10,100 --> 00:42:11,000 honored guest.