The Office of a Deacon

In this part of the sermon: The Acts 6 account of selecting seven men to serve tables is presented as the origin of the deaconate. Martin defines the deacon's general responsibility as ministering to the…

Martin contrasts the early church's care for widows with modern welfare states, highlighting the church's direct responsibility before government programs existed.

And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. The church cared for the widows. President Roosevelt hadn't appeared on the scene there in Palestine, and instituted social security and some of the other, quote, blessings of the welfare state, and so these people had a problem. And as the church multiplied, why, the care for widows multiplied, and so you had this problem that arose out of that great increase in the church.

5:08 - 5:42 Read in full sermon

Driving home: because when he puts out that hand the whole life behind it reflects the character of the church and the church and the Lord in whose name he puts out his hand in this deed of mercy

Martin shares a personal story about his mother's surprise at his preaching and his own struggle with dressing formally, realizing he represents the church even at his front door, illustrating why deacons must be 'grave' and worthy of respect.

the word grave as the general title of virtue he must be a man worthy of respect and honor a noble dignified serious man worthy of the veneration of the people of God he must be marked by his consistent piety and godliness now why should this be so he is not doing what we would call primarily spiritual ministries caring for the table of the poor the table of the Lord and the table of the pastor is this not a rather mundane requirement why should it be necessary that there be this dominant characteristic a marked clearly seen piety well a number of reasons the most basic I think is very obvious...

19:57 - 21:27 Read in full sermon

The point: The church must take the necessary time to honestly scrutinize a man's life against the biblical standards for deacons before appointing him.

The story of Judas's feigned concern for the poor when the alabaster box was broken is used to emphasize the necessity of deacons being free from greed, as they handle church funds.

and if ever there's an opportunity to have a Judas it's in the diaconate remember when Judas was supposedly wanting to save some money for the poor remember when the alabaster box of ointment was broken and poured over our Lord he said why this waste?

27:12 - 27:30 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He addresses 1 Timothy 3:11 (deacons' wives/female assistants) and 1 Timothy 3:12, requiring deacons to be 'husbands of one wife' and to 'rule their children and their own houses…

Martin humorously extends the concept of 'ruling one's house well' to include even one's dog, emphasizing that order and good bearing should characterize the entire household of a servant of God.

Ruling their own children and whatever else is under their roof must be ruled well. And I kid people when they come and they comment about the lady's obedience. And I say, well, I believe when it says rule well your own house, it means your dog, too. And I do believe that, really.

37:08 - 37:25 Read in full sermon

The point: The church should aim for a plurality of deacons, and be flexible in their number as needs increase, rather than being bound by an arbitrary constitutional number.

Martin quotes Charles Spurgeon's autobiography, where Spurgeon recounts establishing elders at New Park Street Church, illustrating the historical and practical need for both offices and their distinct functions.

And it's very interesting that he has two chapters that he titles Deacons and Elders, Pastors and Teachers. Now, listen to what happened in Spurgeon's case. When he came to the New Park Street pulpit, he's now writing in the first person, when I came to the New Park Street pulpit, the church had no deacons, had deacons but no elders. And I thought, from my study of the New Testament, there should be both orders of officers.

44:00 - 44:25 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He discusses the number of deacons, suggesting a plurality without a fixed number, and transitions to how deacons and elders are recognized, citing Spurgeon's experience with…

Spurgeon's anecdote about an elder giving money to a poor woman and then seeking reimbursement from a deacon, only to be reminded of the deacon's specific financial role, beautifully illustrates the distinct spheres of responsibility and mutual respect between elders and deacons.

My elders have been a great blessing to me. They are invaluable in looking after the spiritual interest of the church. The deacons have charge of the finance. But if the elders meet with cases of poverty needing relief, we tell them to give some small sum and then bring the case before the deacons.

46:26 - 46:43 Read in full sermon

Driving home: All of the keys of church authority are put in the hands of the local assembly.

Martin uses the analogy of people cleaning their homes and threatening their children when Peter is coming for supper to explain why the apostles asked the congregation to choose the seven men in Acts 6 – people show their 'best foot forward' to leaders, but the congregation knows each other's true character better.

People always or generally have their best foot forward when they're around the apostles. Peter's coming to home for supper, clean the house up, take the magazines that you're not too sure ought to be around and stick them in the basement. Pull the plug out of the TV. Take the kids in the room and threaten them real good.

49:08 - 49:26 Read in full sermon