Reading: Deacon Attitude (Slides)

The Deacon “Diakonos” Attitude

Henry Reyenga

Diakonos

Definition: 

• One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, as a servant, attendant, minister.
• Appears 29 times in the New Testament. 
• Translated as deacon in the NAS version.
• Deacon(s) 3, Minister 7, Servant 10, Servant 9

Survey of Diakonos

I will use a variation of the word deacon or minister to survey a sampling of the uses of the word diakonos.

To Be Great You Must Be A Deacon

Matthew 20:26   It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant (diakonos).

The Greatest Among You Must Be Your Deacon

Matthew 23:11   But he who is greatest among you will be your servant (diakonos).

Hey Deacons, Do What He Says!

John 2:5   His mother said to the servants (diakonos), “Whatever he says to you, do it.” 

A Deacon Follows Jesus

John 12:26   If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant (diakonos) also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Christ is a Deacon of Circumcision

Romans 15:8   Now I say that Christ has been made a minister (diakonos) of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, 

Phoebe is a Woman Minister

Romans 16:1   I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a Deacon, servant, minister (diakonos) of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, 

Apollos and Paul are Deacons

1 Corinthians 3:5   Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants (diakonos) through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him? 

Deacons of a New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:5-6    not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;  who also made us sufficient as servants (diakonos) of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Commending Ourselves as Deacons of God by Actions

2 Corinthians 6:3-5   We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,  4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants (diakonos) of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,  5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 

Paul Was Made a Deacon

Ephesians 3:6-7   that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,  7 whereof I was made a servant (diakonos), according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.  8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ

Tychicus Was a Deacon Too

Ephesians 6:21   But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant (diakonos) in the Lord, will make known to you all things; 

Mentioned Five Times: Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12)

Elders and Servants (Deacons)

Philippians 1:1   Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons (diakonos) 

Epaphras is a Fellow Sevant and Deacon

Colossians 1:7   even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister (diakonos) of Christ on our behalf, 

Paul, Made A Deacon

Colossians 1:23   if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant (diakonos)

Colossians 1:25   of which I was made a servant (diakonos), according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, 

Qualifications of Ministers

1 Timothy 3:8   Deacons (Diakonos), in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; 

1 Timothy 3:12   Let deacons (diakonos) be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1Tim. 3:11   In the same way, the women (who are deacons or ministers) are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 

Timothy, a Good Deacon

1 Timothy 4:6   If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister (diakonos) of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 

Five Observations

1. The office or title or function of diakonos is a rich story in the New Testament.
2. Diakonos is a rich metaphor for ministers.
3. Diakonos includes men and women.
4. The deacons seem to be the doers of ministry.
5. Ministry training at its essence is deacon training.