The Local Church: Deacons
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Jojo Ma
Weekly Bulletin | Song Lyrics | Nicene Creed
1 Timothy 3:8-13
If we take God’s Word seriously, we have to know what God has said about organizing the church.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I. What is a deacon?
II. Where does the office of deacon come from? [Acts 6:1-6]
III. What are the qualifications of a deacon? [1 Tim 3:8-13]
IV. What are the differences between an elder and a deacon?
I. What is a deacon?
diakonos = servant
diakonia = service
diakoneo = to serve
Mk 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
II. Where does the office of deacon come from? [Acts 6:1-6]
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Wayne Grudem: “It seems appropriate to think of these seven men as ‘deacons’ even though the name ‘deacon’ had perhaps not yet come to be applied to them as they began this responsibility.”
3 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Having official servants of these churches, this allowed the apostles to concentrate on their own calling of spiritual leadership, teaching, and oversight. And this is a very similar pattern for elders and deacons today.
So it is appropriate to think of deacons as pastoral assistants, those called to assist the pastors/elders by serving the church, the congregation. They are not there to serve the elders per se; rather, they assist the elders by serving the needs of the church (the members).
Phil. 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.
The office of deacon is structurally or organizationally under the office of elder in the sense that it serves a supporting or assisting role.
Our deacons are so important, they do so many things seen and unseen. And they are humble, godly men. We are truly blessed to have these 4 men as deacons in our church.
III. What are the qualifications of a deacon? [1 Tim 3:8-13]
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
You should look at our deacons and think, “I want to love this church like that. I want to serve the Lord with gladness like them.”
This doesn’t mean deacons cannot teach in the local church, only that deacons are not required to preach and teach in relation to their office as deacon.
IV. What are the differences between an elder and a deacon?
Since ‘diakonos’ means servant, the deacons primarily help with the service-oriented ministries of the church or physical needs or administration --- under the direction of the elders.
The New Testament doesn’t prescribe any formal list of duties or responsibilities. Paul simply leaves it to the elders to decide how to best use the deacons most effectively in a given church context.
Deacons are godly and respected servants who care for the physical and logistical and administrative and service-oriented needs of the church, under the oversight of the elders. They assist the elders and they serve the congregation.