DEACON CHARGE You are, for example, to keep within the lines of dignity, sincerity,
Eric Farkas: September 13, 2009 honesty, self-control, and biblically informed orthodoxy
TEXT: 2 Timothy 2:3–7
Join in suffering hardship: until Christ returns, kingdom of God is
kingdom at war (“church militant”) – follows that those who labor
for this kingdom (including deacons) will be constantly confronted
with hardships of warfare (suffering) – Paul says, “Join in!”
Three models show us how to succeed in this hard kingdom work:
will specifically apply these to kingdom work of deaconing . . .
A. A Model of Dedicated Work: The Soldier
Soldier doesn’t run off base anytime he pleases to enjoy luxuries of
civilian life; his life dedicated, consecrated (set apart) to objectives
set by his superiors – this is not miserable, it is an honor (enlisted);
but does mean frequently saying “no” to things good in themselves
in order to discharge what he has been enlisted to do
Jesus Christ has enlisted you as a deacon in His church: this means
you have work to do that will necessarily trump other things – will
often have to choose between doing duty as a dedicated (set apart)
officer in Christ’s church, and doing other things you may prefer –
there will even be times when dedication to this service will begin
to crowd other callings (e.g., family): great wisdom will be needed
to know, do what pleases Him who called you (to both!) – I charge
you never to swerve from dedication to your King and His calling,
even above personal wishes and interests; keep your priorities clear
and firm (pleasing your King); let nothing distract or entangle you
B. A Model of Regulated Work: The Athlete
Relativism has always had quite frosty reception in athletics: entire
structure of athletic competition depends upon firm rules! – it is no
different in the sphere of church office: there are ethical standards
(regulations) to which you will be firmly held, for Christ’s honor
Embrace the rules that govern your office: know them well, rejoice
in them, adhere scrupulously to them; give not even an appearance
of laxity in obedience – as kingdom resources are entrusted to you,
go an extra mile to be above reproach, providing what is honorable
not only in God’s sight but also in man’s sight
I charge you never to swerve from “playing by the rules,” from the
precepts of righteousness, the dictates of honor and good faith: and
remember that one who runs by the rules may expect the crown
C. A Model of Motivated Work: The Farmer
Why does the farmer get up at 4:00 AM to get out on his fields in
the springtime? Why does he plow and disk and plant late into the
night for weeks on end? Why does he endure the beating sun, the
dust in his mouth and eyes, and lonely communion with the earth?
Because he who so toils will rejoice in time of harvest!
You, my brother, are called by the Lord of the church to bear with
Him the burdens of His people: to answer their calls and emails, to
visit them in afflictions, to struggle with them through decisions, to
open to them the wisdom of the scriptures, to call them to repent of
their sins. You are called to steward the resources of the kingdom,
and to dispense these resources to the needy inside and outside the
church in such a way that they experience the compassion of Jesus
Himself. There will be days when you will strain under this yoke;
but you will press forward with courage and joy, because a day is
coming in which you will stand before Jesus Christ to give account
of your deaconship – and this One who called you will say, “Well
done, my good and faithful deacon; inasmuch as you have done it
to the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me”
I charge you never to swerve from your toil because it is hard, but
to refresh and motivate yourself constantly in the sure hope that he
who sows in tears will reap in joy – “Think over what I say . . .”