Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

It would be helpful to read, along with this passage, Acts 6:1-7, which many believe to a description of the original deacons, even though they are not called that.


Some Questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• How many "qualifications" does Paul mention for one to be a deacon?
• Why are these things important to God?
• Which of these is the most difficult?
• How does these things differ from what Paul describes for elders?
• Do you know of men who like what Paul describes? Who are they?

What else is on your mind this week?

Who’s Up for This?

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.


It would be helpful to read, along with this passage, Titus 1:5-9.

Some Guide Questions:

• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• How many "qualifications" does Paul mention for one to be an overseer or elder?
• Why are these things important to God?
• Which of these is the most difficult?
• Do you know of men who are like what Paul describes?

What else is on your mind this week?

Watch Out!

Here is our text for the week:

Acts 20:28-31

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

To help you really understand the text, you should read verse 17 and then all the way to the end of the chapter 20.

Questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• What is Paul’s mood and tone?
• Can you imagine his face?
• What are Paul’s concerns?
• What "assignments" does he give to the elders of the Ephesian church?
• How this text apply to our present time?
• Why is this story here?

What else is on your mind this week?

Waiting on Tables (and God)

Our text for the week is

Acts 6:1-7.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.


Some questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• What is the problem presented in the text?
• What is the solution?
• What point do the apostles make?
• How do they perceive their role in the church?
• How this text apply to our present time?
• Who in the modern church corresponds to the apostles?
• Who in the modern church corresponds to the distributers of food?
• Why is this story here?
  

What else is on your mind this week?

Is This the Way to Do Church?

Here is our text for the week:

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Here is the same text from The Message:

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Some questions:

• What do see by reading by these two versions together?
• What was the focus of these 3,000 freshly baptized men and women?
• How does "church" today differ from this account?
• Should it be different today?
  

What else is on your mind this week?

Your Turn

I am taking off for Michigan after our morning assembly. I am attending Rochester College’s Sermon Seminar, organized and directed by David Fleer. It is a wonderful event. I will be in Michigan until Wednesday night, and then I head for Alabama, along with Kedra, Rebecca, and Ben for Memorial Day. SO I am not preaching next week, SO that means I don’t have a text for us to talk about, SO let’s just talk about whatever you want. I should be able to read/post from Michigan and Alabama, but I’m not sure how often. I guess it depends on how much fun I have or how much excitement I want to share.

What’s on your mind this week?

What Shall We Do?

Try to enter this story; stand there with the ones who have witnessed the baptism of the Spirit and have heard the shocking proclamation that Jesus is Christ and Lord.

Acts 2:37-41

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?

Questions:

• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• What motivates the question asked by the people?
• What does Peter tell the crowd to do?
• What promises are associated with their response?
• How do you “save yourself from this corrupt generation”?
• How important is baptism? (Romans 6 is helpful to understanding it better.)

What else is on your mind this week?

What is the One Thing You Need?

We will temporarily leave our Ancient Future Church series to revisit a wonderful passage.

Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Please take the time to read the broader context, especially Luke 10:25 - 11:13. As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?

Here are some more questions for you:

• Do you think this story is a "corrective" to the Good Samaritan parable, which seems to emphasize works? Why or why not?
• How does the beginning of chapter 11 "fit" with the Martha/Mary story?
• How would you describe Martha?
• How would you describe Mary?
• Which of the two can you identify with?
• What do you think Jesus means when he says, "only one thing is needed?" What is it?
• What from this text does our congregation need to hear?
• How does passage fit with this statement? We are baptized believers participating in the life of God for the sake of others.

What else is on your mind this week?