Where Will We Go in the Darkness?
Over the last two weeks, in Boulder, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia, eighteen souls suddenly left this earth at the hands of deranged and evil men. Eighteen mommies and daddies, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters went to work or went to the store and never came home. Eighteen families didn’t get to say goodbye to their loved ones and are left in shock and confusion and anger and grief that they’ll live with for the rest of their lives. Our whole nation is left wondering why these things keep happening, why evil seems to be spreading unchecked, why the fabric of peace in our nation keeps tearing.
Many will assume that the government will eventually fix everything. Many will assume that greater education will change the culture. Many will bury their heads in the sand of social media and prefer to be entertained rather than think deeply about what’s happening around them. Many will look to pornography to ease their pain. Many will drown their sorrows with some substance. Many will seek shelter in the safe confines of their work or their kids or their grandkids. Many will medicate with endless movies and media.
Where should people go in all this darkness? Where will we go? Where will you go? There’s only one place to go to find what we need, to find what our nation needs, what our world needs. We must go to Jesus Christ. We must go to the One who came to us. Jesus Christ is the only safe place, the only healing balm, the only true delight, the only faithful friend who knows everything about us and loves us anyways.
Jesus is the only place we can go to find true light. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). So many are walking in darkness. So many are stumbling around in a stupor just trying to survive. So many are longing for some light in their life. So many are in darkness but think they’re in the light. So many need Jesus.
The World Will Find Jesus in the Church
Where will they find him? Where will this dark world find light? Where will they find truth instead of lies, love instead of selfishness, peace instead of rage, forgiveness instead of grudges, hope instead of fear, righteousness instead of wickedness? Where will our neighbors find a safe place for their bruised and broken lives? Where will the scared and lonely, the lost and straying, find the Good Shepherd who wants to carry them home? Where will the world find Jesus?
The answer is simple and surprising. The world will find Jesus in the church. This is surprising because many churches are the last place people expect to find the answer to all their problems. This is simple because the church is literally the “body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27). Those who make up the church, its members, physically represent Jesus on the earth. Jesus is in heaven, so the way he reveals himself on the earth is through his people. The church is meant to show the world what Jesus looks like, to reflect his light in the darkness, to speak his words and promote his kingdom, to reveal his glory and majesty, to tell people who don’t know him how they can know him too.
Jesus the Filament, Church the Bulb
The world needs Jesus. The church is where they should find him, both in our gatherings and in our individual lives. This means that our understanding of and practices within the church take on a much larger importance than we realize. We might say that this whole series on the church is about evangelism, as everything the church is and does is meant to reveal the truth and wisdom and grace and glory of Jesus to the world.
Our worship, love, life together, preaching, praying, good works, baptism, Lord’s Supper, unity, maturity, holiness, sexual ethic, membership, discipline, elders, and deacons are all meant to be what Jesus’ light shines through. Jesus is the filament. The church is the bulb. Jesus’ light passes through the bulb of his church.
None of these things we’re discussing are an end in themselves. We are called to shine forth what we’ve been given. 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.” This shining isn’t some vague and nebulous concept. Everything the church does and says and is meant to shine Jesus’ light.
Our goal in the church is not organizational efficiency. Our goal is to make the church a place where people can meet God, see Christ, and experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. In a world getting darker every day, people need to see the light of the world in the church.
A Church’s Structure and Practices Reveal Christ
Because the church reveals Christ, it’s structure and practices should be according to the word of Christ. We considered church membership and discipline a couple weeks ago, or the ideas that in the New Testament it was clear who was in the church and who wasn’t, who was following Jesus and who wasn’t. We learned that the purity and integrity of the gospel and the church is maintained through membership and discipline.
Then last week we considered the church’s shepherds, or those who’re set apart to lead God’s sheep. The New Testament calls these men elders, overseers, and pastors. They must meet certain requirements to hold the office and their job is to feed and lead the sheep.
Only Two Offices in the Church
There’s only one other office, or official position, in the church mentioned in the New Testament: deacon. Philippians 1:1, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons (episkopoi and diakonoi).”
Elders are mentioned several times in the New Testament, but deacons are only mentioned here and in 1 Timothy 3. We don’t know for sure where the office of deacon came from, but by the time Paul writes to Timothy, he puts the deacons beside the elders, making it clear that they had an official leadership position in the church.
In his book Paul’s Vision for the Deacons, Alexander Strauch argues that Paul created the office of deacon because he knew that the elders would need help carrying out the ministry of the church. The deacons served the church by serving the elders. They assisted the elders primarily by meeting any of the physical needs that the church had.
Where Did Deacons Come From?
Why would Paul do this? Was this just a brilliant leadership move on his part? No, he learned this from the example of the apostles in Acts 6. Let’s turn there and look at the situation that set the precedent for what Paul would later institutionalize, or formally place, in the churches he planted.
The events of Acts 6:1-7 helped Paul and the early churches understand more clearly the role of elders. There must be men in the church who “devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (v. 4). Why? As Strauch says, because “Christianity was and is a preaching-teaching movement.” The Word of God is what creates, sustains, strengthens, protects, encourages, and guides the church. Thus, the leaders of the church must be men who know the Word and can communicate its truths clearly and effectively.
But the events of Acts 6:1-7 show us that other demands will inevitably start to crowd in on the preachers of the Word. The physical needs of the church will start to overshadow the spiritual needs of the church. So, the apostles wisely called the church to appoint qualified individuals to help them keep their focus on the Word by helping them meet the physical needs of the church.
Deacons Preserve the Unity of the Church
Mark Dever, pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington D. C., points out that, while these first deacons were appointed to meet physical needs, they were also appointed to protect the unity of the church. The physical neglect of the Hellenist widows was causing a spiritual disunity in the body. Dever says, “The apostles were not merely trying to rectify a problem in the benevolence ministry of the church. They were trying to stop the church’s unity from fracturing.”
Dever’s exhortations to deacons concerning the importance of their ministries and how they promote unity in the church are worth quoting at length. He says, “Edifying and uniting the church is especially the ministry of the deacons as we see it in Acts 6. Therefore, we cannot have people serve us well as deacons who are unhappy with the church. The deacons are not those in the church who are complaining the loudest or jarring the church with their actions or attitudes. Quite the opposite! The deacons are to be the mufflers, the shock-absorbers. Therefore, among those who would serve a church as a deacon there must be no small-mindedness. Such members must not be given to ‘turfiness’ – caring about their area, their rights and prerogatives in that area, or even quietly resenting service by others who would interlope into their sphere! Deacons are not set apart to advocate their cause, or argue for their corners like representatives or lobbyists. Instead, they are to come on behalf of the whole – to serve particular needs, yes – but with a sense of the whole, a sense that their work contributes to the health of the whole. Even more, they are to be able to help others come to understand this particular ministry as a part of the uniting and edifying of the church as a whole. They are to be builders of the church by being servants who help to bind us together with cords of kindness and of loving service.”
The deacons are one of the main ways the church’s unity is preserved. Unity is one of the main ways that the world sees Jesus’ power and presence in the church (Jn. 13:34-45). Therefore, the ministry of the deacons helps the church show the world what Jesus is like by preserving the church’s unity.
The deacons also allow the elders to stay focused on the Word of God and prayer. The Word of God and prayer are how God creates and sustains his people. Therefore, the ministry of the deacons helps the church show the world what Jesus is like by promoting the spread the Word of God.
Who Can Be a Deacon?
The ministry of the deacons is therefore more important than you may realize. They need our prayers and support and encouragement. The gravity of the ministry of deacons is also why not just anyone can be a deacon. Because character in leadership matters, Paul lays out specific moral and spiritual qualifications for the deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
“Dignified”
First, deacons “must be dignified” (v. 8). This dignity, or respect, isn’t based on worldly accomplishments or outward appearances, but rather on a person’s character and spiritual maturity. Deacons are highly visible leaders in the church, so they must be models of Christian character. Those who hold office in the church, elders or deacons, represent the church in a very public way. Thus, their reputation must not hinder the church’s reputation, or more importantly, Jesus’s reputation. The church reflects Jesus to the world. The church’s leaders represent the church to the world. Thus, the church’s leaders must be “dignified,” or “worthy of respect.”
“Not Double-Tongued”
The next thing Paul says is that a deacon must not be “double-tongued.” This means that a deacon is an honest person. They’re not the kind of person who says one thing to one person and another thing to another person. A deacon isn’t a chameleon with his words.
A deacon doesn’t gossip or slander. They don’t share personal information about the people they’re ministering to with other people. They resist the urge to always be in the know about everyone in the church. A deacon is “dignified” because he’s credible, and he’s credible because he’s honest and because he doesn’t gossip. Deacons, just like elders, must be morally qualified for the task given them by the church. A friendly personality and a desire to serve isn’t enough.
Not a Drunkard or Greedy
The next two qualifications are like two of the elder qualifications. A deacon must not be “addicted to much wine” and he must not be “greedy for dishonest gain.” Deacons can control their appetites, both for wine and money. They know that drunkenness is a sin and they’re not in it for the money.
Deacons aren’t secret alcoholics, and they don’t try to take advantage of people, or the church, financially. Ministry will always require money. Those who lead in ministry must be able to handle money in ways that are honest and responsible.
“Hold the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience”
Verse 9 says that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” Deacons must hold the faith of the gospel, and they must do so with a clear conscience. They must be true to the faith and live in light of the true faith.
They understand the gospel and hold onto it without wavering. And they understand that the gospel demands a new way of life. They understand that the gospel isn’t some abstract philosophy disconnected from their everyday lives.
There won’t be immediate fruit from much of their labor, so deacons know how to wait patiently and persevere during difficulty. The demanding nature of meeting physical needs requires someone who’s spiritually strong.
Let Them Be Tested
Verse 10 says that a deacon must be tested first and can only serve if they “prove themselves blameless.” This isn’t referring to a literal test, like you’d take in school. This “testing” is a testing of character. It’s looking at the positive and negative things in their life and seeing if they’re qualified for the office. Perfection isn’t the goal. An increasing love and obedience to God and his word and evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in their life is.
The reason a deacon candidate should be “tested” is because serving in the local church, while bringing great joy, will test even the most mature Christian. As one pastor says, “Serving brings great rewards, but sometimes those rewards come gift-wrapped in trying situations. Those who lovingly serve others can end up feeling like crash dummies designed specifically to discover the heat, force, and pain tolerance of some new product.” A deacon’s character must be tested before they serve God’s people because it will be tested when they serve God’s people.
Godly Wives
A deacon’s wife, if he has one, also must be a certain kind of person (v. 11). Paul is saying that a deacon’s wife must have a character that matches his own. His wife’s qualifications are part of his qualifications because she’ll undoubtedly help him as he carries out his duties.
For example, if a deacon is visiting a sick church member and brings his wife along with him, and all she does is slander the elders and gossip about other members of the church, then the ministry that the deacon might have with that person will be hindered. A deacon’s wife works to build up the church, not tear it apart through gossip and slander.
Godly Homes
Verse 12 says that a deacon’s home must be like that of an elder’s home. He must be a “one woman man,” or sexually pure. He must be able to manage his own home well before he can minister in “the household of God” (3:15). The logic here is simple: If a deacon is unable to manage his own house, he won’t be effective in caring for God’s house.
A Deacon’s Reward
Verse 13 says that deacons who serve well gain two rewards. First, they “gain a good standing for themselves” before the people that they serve. They have respect and influence in the congregation.
Second, they gain “great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” As a deacon faithfully serves God’s people, their confidence in the gospel increases. The more they serve, the more they see their own need for Jesus. The more they see their own need for Jesus, the more they run to him for grace, strength, wisdom, and help.
It’s almost always true that those who’re actively serving in the church, who’re giving of their time and resources for the good of others, are the ones who’re growing spiritually. Christians who’re serving are Christians who’re growing. Ministry to others creates growth in us. That’s why those who serve well gain “great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
Because character in leadership matters, these requirements must be met to serve as a deacon.
Women Deacons?
There are two practical questions I want to address before we close. First, can women be deacons? Godly men and women disagree on this question, and it’s certainly not a hill that I’ll ever die on. But I do think that women can be deacons, for two reasons. First, Romans 16:1 says, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.” The word “servant” here is the word for deacon. Paul commends Phoebe as a “deaconess” in this local church.
The second reason why I think women can be deacons is based on what the Bible says about elders. Many churches confuse the roles of elders and deacons, placing governing authority in the hands of deacons rather than elders. But if we’re clear about elders and their role as those who teach and govern and deacons and their role as those who assist the elders, then there doesn’t seem to be anything that would prohibit a woman from being a deacon.
Relationship between Elders and Deacons
The second question I want to address is: What’s the relationship between the elders and the deacons? Both groups are called to serve the church. Both are important and even necessary for a local church to grow and thrive. But how do they relate to one another?
The deacons and elders shouldn’t be viewed as two houses of the legislature through which bills need to be passed. The deacons are fundamentally supporters and encouragers of the ministry of the elders. The elders set the agenda and the deacons work to carry it out. This is why deacons should be the most supportive people in the church.
The deacons aren’t a deliberative body. In other words, they don’t meet together to make decisions. They’re each assigned particular ministries in the church which they’re responsible to coordinate. We have a deacon of hospitality (Justin Heard), deaconess of finance (Rose Kimball), deacon and deaconess of member care (Jeremy and Stephanie Housel), deacon of public worship (Jared Puls), and deacon of media (Jeff Thompson). These deacons recruit others to help them carry out their duties, but they’re responsible for making sure these physical needs get met within our congregation. They report back to the elders and are ultimately accountable to the congregation who places them in office.
Summary and Result of Deacon’s Ministry
Based on all we’ve discussed, here’s my summary of who deacons are and what they do. Deacons are morally and spiritually qualified people who gladly assist the elders by carrying out various ministries focused on meeting physical needs within the church, for the sake of the unity of the church, so that the proclamation of the Word of God is not hindered.
Acts 6:7 shows us what the results of a faithful deacon ministry look like. It says that “the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.” As a result of the apostles leading the church to install qualified people to meet physical needs in the church, the ministry of the church flourished.
The church grew because the Word of God had free course in the church and because those outside the church saw the practical and powerful effects of the Word in a loving, united community of faith. Deacons are about the gospel flourishing in the church and through the church.
Servants Who Need the Servant
Both elders and deacons are servants of the church, meant to reflect the Servant to the church. As elders and deacons pursue their ministries in the church, they must remember Jesus’ words, “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).
Jesus came to give his life for the good of others. He came to work for us because we can never work enough to get to him. He gave us his life so that we can live, even though we die.
If you’re here today and your life is full of darkness, turn to Jesus. Life and light is found in his name. He lived the life you can never live, died for your sins, and rose from the dead to prove that his death was enough to save you. He gave his life on the cross as a payment for those who trust in him and turn away from their sins, not for those who call themselves Christians but have no desire to follow him. He wants to give you everything you need. But you must admit your need. Jesus wants to free you from your sins and serve you with his love, but you must call on him. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).