'diakonos' = servant [NO authority]
{dee-ak'-on-os} AV - minister (20?) - servant (7?) - deacon (3?) [30?] I) one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master; a servant, attendant, minister. 1) the servant of a king. 2) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the local church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use. 3) a waiter, one who serves food and drink. ----------------------------------------'doulos' = bond slave (e.g. Paul)
{doo'-los} AV - servant (118?) - bond (6?) - bondman (1?) [125?] 1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition 1a) a slave 1b) metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another's will; those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests 2) a servant, attendant --------------------'oiketes' = household servant
{oy-ket'-ace} AV - servant (3?) - household servant (1?) [4?] 1) one who lives in the same house as another, spoken of all who are under the authority of one and the same householder; a servant, a domestic ----------------------------------------------------------------'huperetes' = subordinate (servant)
{hoop-ay-ret'-ace} AV - officer (11?) - minister (5?) - servant (4?) [20?] 1) servant 1a) an underrower, subordinate rower 1b) any one who serves with hands: a servant; in the New Testament of the officers and attendants of magistrates as--of the officer who executes penalties; of the attendants of a king, servants, retinue, the soldiers of a king, of the attendant of a synagogue; of any one ministering or rendering service 1c) any one who aids another in any work; an assistant; of the preacher of the gospel ----------A deacon has NO authority to run a church.
A pastor NEEDS to know the situation well if he is taking over an already planted church.
"(1)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.
(2)Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." (Acts 6:1-2)"serve tables" -- Is there a NEED?
One needs Honest men to serve tables.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
The pastor NEEDS to keep the right to reject any deacon chosen.
Be gracious with a limited rotating deacon board.
Suggest a 3 member deacon board. Establish it by election.
weakest member - gets 1 year
middle - gets 2 years
strongest - gets 3 yearsStart the deacon board at a later date than 3 years.
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East Grand Forks, MN Church had 75 men as trustees; this included 7 work committees.
"(5)And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
(6)Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
(7)And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
(8)And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." (Acts 6:5-8)Stephen, a deacon, preached.
NEVER in the New Testament is a deacon running a church.
Money, power[, and women] corrupt pastors.
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:" (Romans 16:1).
"servant" means what in the Greek here?
The Greek uses the word 'diakonos' which is elsewhere translated 'deacon', but here is translated "servant".
feminine deacon(ess?) --> Phebe
"(1)Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
(2)I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
(3)And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." (Philippians 4:1-3)Women are NOT to usurp authority of men.
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Deacon and deacon boards are such an overworked doctrine.
"(1)This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(2)A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3)Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
(4)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(5)(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(6)Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
(7)Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
(8)Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
(9)Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
(10)And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
(11)Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
(12)Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
(13)For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(14)These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
(15)But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (I Timothy 3:1-15)A deacon may NOT be a divorced man.
"(9)In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
(11)Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
(12)But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." (I Timothy 2:9,11-12)"(33)For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(34)Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
(35)And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." (I Corinthians 14:33- 35)"speak"--prophesying, leading at home
A man oozes authority.
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Biblical Discipline (root is disciple)
The least practiced doctrine.
You cannot teach anyone anything unless you can discipline them.
"(15)Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(16)But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Matthew 18:15-16)Verse 15 - step 1; Verse 16 - step 2.
'paideia' = instruct (root is discipline)
{pahee-di'-ah} AV - chastening (3?) - nurture (1?) - instruction (1?) - chastisement (1?) [6?] 1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment). It also includes the training and care of the body. 2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. 2a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue 2b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment) ----------------You want to establish what has been said. In modern times a tape recorder is acceptable. However, inform the individual in advance.
"And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (Matthew 18:17)
Verse 17 - step 3.
Put him out if real, real bad.
Keep the church role pure to attain the Holy Spirit's power. You cannot look the other way when SIN is involved.
I. Reasons for Church Discipline:
#1. Immorality
"(1)It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
(2)And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
(3)For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
(4)In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
(5)To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
(6)Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
(7)Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
(9)I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
(10)Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
(11)But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(12)For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
(13)But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." (I Corinthians 5:1-7,9-13)Specifically, church fornicators are to be "put away".
fornication ('porneia')
{por-ni'-ah} AV - fornication (26?) 1a) illicit sexual intercourse; (from I Corinthians 6:12, we learn how leniently converts among the heathen regarded this vice and how lightly they indulged in it). 1b) metaph. the worship of idols; of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols. ------------------------------------------#2. False Doctrine.
"(1)I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
(2)Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(3)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4)And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:1-4)"(1)Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
(2)And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
(3)If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
(4)He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
(5)Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (I Timothy 6:1-5)"withdraw thyself"
God hates discord.
#3. Disorderly Walk - brings reproach to God and His church
"(6)Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7)For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8)Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
(9)Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(10)For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11)For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (II Thessalonians 3:6-11)God does NOT call a lazy man to preach; he calls him ONLY to get to work FIRST.
#4. Division
"(12)For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(13)For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(14)For the body is not one member, but many.
(15)If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
(16)And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
(17)If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
(18)But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
(19)And if they were all one member, where were the body?
(20)But now are they many members, yet but one body.
(21)And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(22)Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
(23)And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
(24)For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
(25)That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
(26)And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
(27)Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:12-27)Verses 25-27: one NEEDS to resolve divisions.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16:17)
If there are doctrine problems then "mark them".
"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;" (Titus 3:10).
"reject" hereticks
"hereticks" - heretos = schismatic
Note: hairetikos {hahee-ret-ee-kos'}
AV - that is a heretic (1) 1) fitted or able to take or choose a thing 2) schismatic, factious, a follower of a false doctrine 3) heretic -------"Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." (Proverbs 22:10)
Read about the man Korah.
"(1)Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
(2)And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
(3)And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
(4)And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
(5)And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
(6)This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
(7)And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
(8)And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
(9)Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
(10)And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
(11)For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
(12)And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
(13)Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
(14)Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
(15)And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
(16)And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:" (Numbers 16:1-16).Preach the truth in love.
pit = sheol
"(27)For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
(28)Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
(29)For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(30)Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:27-30)Insiders even go haywire. A bad apple will spoil the WHOLE bunch.
"(16)These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
(17)A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
(18)An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
(19)A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)'The Tale Bearer' - a sermon once preached by Brother Silcox.
Don White - former pastor of the Alaska church.
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II. One Needs the Right Attitudes with Discipline.
#1. Humility
"meekness" (spiritual)
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"restore" - Greek medical term = set in joint
Put back in place
"ye which are spiritual" -- consider "thyself"
#2. Uncompromising Stand Against Sin
"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;" (Titus 1:13).
"rebuke them sharply"
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (John 13:17)
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." (I Timothy 5:20)
"Because sentence against an evil work is not excuted speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
#3. Show Love for the Brethren
"(3:14)We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
(4:11)Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (I John 3:14, 4:11)"Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." (II Thessalonians 3:15)
#4. Forgiveness
"(3)Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
(4)And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4)Keep on forgiving. Have faith that people will get it right eventually.
Maybe we did NOT teach them enough so that they did NOT learn it yet.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)