So you get off the hook easy tonight. It's going to be a short message. We're going to finish this section on deacons, and there's not a whole lot more to cover. And rather than try to embark on something else and extend it, we're going to give you an easy night tonight. But 1 Timothy chapter 3 in your Bibles is where we're going to start, where we're going to pick up and wrap up, if you will, this section on the deacons, the deacons. So the pastor and the deacons, this is the section we've been working through. the two offices of the church, and we looked at the requirements of being saved spiritual, being sober, and being seasoned. We backed all those up with scripture, of course. The responsibilities of the deacon, the pastoral help, and the promotion of harmony are two very important things that the Bible talks about, not something I invented, and we reiterated some of those again because the Bible reiterates them under the results, and that's producing the principle, redeeming the people, Resolving the problems, there's our duplicate, and then revives the pastor in a variety of ways. And greatly appreciate the men that we have. We only have one here tonight, okay? So the other two I'm gonna have to have a talk with, no. Joe's out of town, and Steve is visiting family, so I'm aware of both of those. But just faithful men, appreciate the results that they bring, as it were, to the office of the deacon. That brings us to Roman numeral 4 tonight in your notes and brings us to 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 13. And our first fill-in is going to be the rewards. I kind of gave it to you last time as a way to kind of end where we ended. But the rewards, this is kind of where it gets good. You know, we talked a lot about the requirements and the qualifications and those things that we need to be looking for in a man. But those things shouldn't, shouldn't scare the man away when approached to serve in this capacity, because there are so many rewards that the Lord wants to instill and give upon this man that serves this way, that we have to recognize God's ability to be able to do that. And through that man, it's accomplished. So 1 Timothy 3, verse 13, the Bible says, for they have used the office of a deacon well purchased to themselves a good degree. and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." And here we see those that, well we'll qualify this, sometimes overlooked rewards, sometimes taken for granted, and that that ought not be. I think we need to take a special effort, especially through taking time to study here, to be able to appreciate this office and all that goes on with responsibility of it. So they diligently work, they diligently are in prayer, and diligently serve so God has not forgotten their faithfulness in what they do. Now he does qualify this, you'll notice there's a certain word, if they have used the office well. Do you see that? Use the office well. So God is expecting a certain quality, a certain amount of time, effort, and put into this office, and that there's some standard God is setting to call it what they would do well. And they don't sit on their hands. Well, it also speaks of a willingness, speaks of a good manneredness, that's really what the word is. And as a result, they gain something. What do they gain? They gain a good degree. A good degree. And so it's very important to be able to see why it is and what all is going on here. To be able to look at the fact that a good degree is something that, well, that's a good thing. And we're going to see that. That's our first feeling of a good degree. The Bible says, of course, again, We just looked at it. For they have used the office of a deacon well, purchased to themselves a good degree. A good degree. Now when we think of a degree, we think maybe of a diploma. We think of something that you would frame and hang on a wall and maybe you have one yourself. Of course have a Bible degree and a in theology and many countless hours, of course, that went in to earn this piece of paper. Well, there's more to it than that piece of paper, but we understand there are some things that were covered and things that were required in order to attain this degree. You might have one yourself. Maybe it's a secular degree of some sort. I have a doctrinal statement. That's not really a degree per se. I have my ordination certificate. That's another thing that I have to prove of this quality, you know, that and all that. I've handed out degrees in certain areas of study, and I've taught Bible Institute and other courses in the past. And usually those are framed. Usually those are kept, right, as remembrance. Not just remembrance, as evidence of diligence, of a qualification. You go into the eye doctor, you kind of want to see his diploma on the wall to make sure he's not, you know, just jumped off the ship somewhere and just showed up, right? You want to see that. I want to see your diploma. You may not see that, but you want to see that. But that's a reflection of a position. It's a quality or a qualification that the person brings to whatever field that is, and whether it's ministry or secular, those are degrees. But here, it's similar at best, but here is really a faithful representation, not so much of education or experience that way, but rather in the role, in the position, in the office. And so there are components that are evaluated. We went over a lot of those. Because we calculate these things. And that's kind of the idea of what he... And we calculate faithfulness. And that's what he's trying to calculate. And we do it all the time. Listen, we calculate faithfulness all the time. You may not realize it, but faithfulness to work. Is that not calculated? Oh, it's calculated when they get to the end of the year and they're doing like we did tonight. And they're talking about Christmas bonuses. Well, they're going to calculate how faithful that worker was and what they've contributed to the company as an employer. to the employee and that's going to dictate the level of maybe. So that faithfulness is calculated. Our faithfulness is calculated to our spouse one way and the other. Faithfulness to friendships that we have and faithfulness to the church. Right? Right? Look around. You know who's not here. Right? Don't worry. They don't mind. They're not here. It's okay. But they have brought a degree, if you will, or lack thereof, in that observation this evening. You've brought a degree yourself because you're here, okay? And let me just repeat what I always have to repeat when I say things like that. Okay, I'm not talking about folks that cannot be here. I was talking to Faith this morning. I can't drive at night. We can pick you up. No, I'm gonna stay home watching. That's fine. We're not talking about that. So I don't want to make folks feel bad that are home right now going, well, I can't come. Is he talking about me? I'm not talking about you. I speak of those that can be here and then choose not to be here. There is a difference. Okay, let me just qualify that. But this good degree, this good degree that the Bible speaks of is also likened to the point brought out in Philippians chapter 3. So as I study this, you begin to see, okay, I see this kind of repeating itself. Well, here's a good example in Philippians 3 verse 13 that's going to maybe bring it in closer perspective for us. And here Paul writes, brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. We won't grasp the context of this, but I just want you to notice this word count. Again, count. And here count is to make a logical choice. A logical choice based on inventory. I used to work for a lumber company years ago and inventory time for me as the manager of the yard was a huge task. Why? I had to account for every stick of lumber in that lumber yard. That's a lot of work because this place was huge. So I'd have to go out there, basically, pen and paper. Sometimes you have another yard guy with me. I'm dictating. I'm doing calculations. Inventory. That's the idea here. And so I mentioned this word this morning, if you caught it, just in passing. But this word, count, is to calculate. It's audit. It's an accounting type of term. And ask any accountant, they'll tell you the numbers don't lie, right? And so the numbers tell the whole story and give those things. And that's the idea here. And we look at the budget quarterly as a church. And of course, we have our annual wrap-up coming up here shortly, a budget proposal. That's kind of proposing a projection, if you will, of what we may or may spend, right? That's prepared, that's presented, all of that. That's the idea here. There's a lot of counting that goes on to make that happen. And all of the expenses, all of the numbers, and the projections that we make associated to those. That's an auditing term. To count here is really the same thing. Not exactly, but the same thing. It's to run the numbers, to arrive at a conclusion based on the facts that we have. And really the very function, I haven't lost my way, of that office of the deacon, God is saying it can be calculated to a degree. And that's the calculating part of the determining of this great degree, this great degree. That next letter B is going to be greatly deemed a good degree, greatly deemed. I said great, good. Oh, great works too, but we're using greatly here, so we won't copy that, but greatly deemed. Acts 6 verse 5, and the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nachor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch. Okay, so now they've got this list. They've got, or we have this list, and this greatly deemed speaks of really this worthiness of this position that these men were brought into to serve in this capacity. And it's a respected and honored type of capacity or role. And they chose these men not just randomly. They say, all right, let's just find some, there's some blood coursing through their veins, they're at least willing to do the job, let's just bring them on. That's not what the Bible says. It says that these men were what? That they were faith-filled and they were spirit-filled men. Did you see that? And that these choices, notice this also, pleased the whole multitude. So they were not just selected to hold the title of the office, but more importantly, really the future tense of his service. What was to come is really what they're talking about here. Based on his performance of that office would be a reflection of those things as well. So there's a lot going on in the language of this. I don't want to get lost in the elements of it. But it's the result also that we could say, when something is carried out properly, we recognize that. When something isn't done right, we recognize that as well. We say, oh, that's not right. This looks good, but that doesn't look right. OK, that's really the idea. And the compliments that come from the people, and I'm not making compliments like, wow, you look really good today. I mean a compliment in the sense of, that people are pleased, that there is a unity and a joy that came from, and in the hearts of the people, there's a reflection of that. What do I mean? There's a sense of gratitude, right? We have men that serve in that office of this church, and we appreciate that. And maybe next year we'll hand out checks for them. No, but the idea is it's not a paid position, but it's a position of servanthood. And so they don't do it for the applause of men. They're not looking for compliments, but they do it for His glory. That's why He needs to be Spirit-filled. That's why He needs to be a man that follows God closely, because otherwise the focus can be back on Him. Remember when we just talked about this recently, or the Bible talked about it, He must increase, but I must decrease. And I believe the deacon needs to recite that verse every day when he wakes up in the morning. I believe every believer needs to recite that verse every morning when they wake up and they look in the mirror. Try that on a regular basis. Look in the mirror in the morning and say, He must increase, but I must decrease. He must increase, but I must decrease. That would be a good exercise for any of us. Me included. So, good advice there from John the Baptist. But he doesn't do it for the applause of men. He does it for his glory. And so, I'll tell you, one of the godliest men I ever met, especially in my young years of being saved, was a deacon. Was a deacon. A man that I respected spiritually. You could say a spiritual hero of sorts on an earthly level, right? But a man that I respected, that I recognized, really walked closely with God, and I could go to him for advice, for counsel, or we could just go out and, you know, Have fun, too. He was a real person, and I appreciated that about him. And so that certainly spoke volumes for me, especially as a young believer. And so one of the rewards, if you will, is that the deacon would be greatly deemed, greatly deemed, greatly deemed by who? By the people, that they were pleased and they were all on board. So a good degree, greatly deemed. Next for letter C, I want you to notice tonight, godly direction. Godly direction. I think this is the best one out of the whole list. Godly direction. I mean, if you could have a godly direction in your life, and I hope you do. I hope to some degree you recognize God's hand in your life, and you desire to have godly direction in your life. Listen, you can't be rebellious and then have God's direction in your life at the same time. You can't say, I'm going to do this. I don't care what my authorities in my life say, and then still have God's blessing upon you. They don't work together. Okay, so I want God's blessing, God's direction in your life. And so, You have everything you need to succeed for him when you recognize this and you follow him. Godly direction. This is the best one. And we can all reap the benefits of this reward as believers. It's not just reserved for the deacon. Of course, we're talking about the deacon. But I speak specifically, of course, in this course of study for him, but this is applicable for all of us. And there's really nothing better that we could strive for. I think a lot of people strive for, especially young people, I see some young people out here, What am I going to do with my life? Well, I could make money. I could do this. I could do that. And really, we get our focus sometimes on the wrong things, whether it be a career or be this or that. And if I could just have God's direction in my life, if I could have God's perfect will for my life, it doesn't matter what else I do. Now, it helps to do something that you love. I believe everybody's job should be something that they genuinely love. It shouldn't be drudgery to go to work. Well, it shouldn't be anyways, but you ought to be doing something that you genuinely love. That helps too. And so that's important to know. And so I speak, of course, of the deacon, but this is applicable across the board, okay? We'll go right to D. Godly direction is a good one. Let's go to Acts, I'm sorry, Acts chapter 6 verse 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. Okay, so we will pause here and kind of take inventory here. There is sort of an inside track for this direction. That's what this verse has given us. And this man has the ability now to see that direction for his own life, for his family, for his church, certainly within the church because he's part of that whole decision making and servant's attitude. So that's a pretty good reward. That's a pretty good reward. And we should all again strive to emulate these qualities. And so we have to ask ourselves, I guess at the end of the day, are we willing to be used of God? Are we willing to be used of God? Or do I want what I want? He must increase, but I must decrease. Yeah, but I want, He must increase, but I must decrease. Do you see the difference? Big difference. And so we get to the judgment seat. Will there be a reward there waiting for us? Is there definite God guided direction that's clear in your life? Do you represent that with how you talk? Are those things clear? That's a good question to ask. Ask it to yourself, though. Don't look around. Say, how am I doing in this area? And so, that's important things to ask ourselves. And I can't think of anything greater on this list of rewards spoken of by the Lord to us than this godly direction. That's just paramount. It's the best one. And so, that takes us to, if that's not godly direction, that takes us to D. And this will actually wrap us up. Genuine determination. Genuine determination. And the Bible says again in 1 Timothy 3 verse 13, we didn't have to go far tonight. For they have used the office of the deacon well, purchased to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." So we see this great boldness. You see that? This great boldness and this kind of acquired confidence to deal with great responsibility. Let me say that again. It is an acquired confidence to now be able to deal with a great responsibility. Not a confidence that elevates the man. Not a confidence that says, look at me, or I'm looking down at you. No, no, no, that's the wrong idea. But great boldness in what? In faith. In the faith. The proclamation to be able to counsel biblically. To share the gospel maybe when the need arises. To aid in people that have a need. These types of things. To be able to settle disputes. That was of course one of the original things in the book of Acts why this office came along. All these things and more. And that boldness gives or fuels that genuine determination. And confidence is the key, but I want to kind of qualify this, not necessarily theologically, right? Those man-assigned and rewarded degrees of learning are not really what we're looking for here. Those can help, I suppose. That can be a good thing. But there's no degree of theology that he must present, okay, to have this reward in the promise of the deacon. But rather I speak of, or the Bible speaks of, God's sensitive closeness to God. God's more concerned about that. And that's head and shoulders above any degree or any diploma of any type. Let me say that again. That's head and shoulders above any degree or diploma of any type. Now, there are some that would disagree, some that would claim that it's all about the degree, and how much schooling someone has had, and how many letters follow the man's name when he signs it on a piece of paper. But I'll tell you what, you give me a man that loves his Lord, you give me a man that knows the Word of God, and is a genuine servant of God, and I'll take him a hundredfold over some theological teacher of the presbytery. Every time. I won't even go there, I'll digress before I get started. But listen, what greater reward can any believer want than that? Those are pretty good too. That's pretty good too. And so, there we saw the requirements and we looked at those things that lead to his character. We saw the responsibility that he has, those things that he carries. The results that are produced based on the reality of those things that he does, and then the rewards. The rewards for carrying them out faithfully. And listen, those are priceless. You can't put a price tag, you certainly can't qualify it with some degree of what the world says. And this really concludes our portion of these two offices. So let us always regard the deacon in light of God's Word, of light of God's Word. I told you last time and I'll share it with you now. We have a Deacon Appreciation Sunday on our calendar for 2025. It's going to be Sunday, March 23rd. So ladies, start baking your cakes now and all that. But we're going to have a Deacon Appreciation Sunday. And we're going to make much of it. And we're going to have some good fellowship that goes along with it. But this is an opportunity for us. Why? For they 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. Thank you, Lord, for this privilege, this honor tonight to be able to wrap up this section of our study as we learn some things about the deacon. Lord, as even you've pointed into our own hearts and we've learned some things about ourselves and maybe just reminded some things that we needed to hear. I don't know what the need was, but God, you know. And Lord, if our heart is open, we know. Lord, but if our heart is closed, if we are distracted, if we are calloused, we've heard nothing. Oh, let that not be the case. Allow the Spirit of God to move in a unique way so that we can leave this place realizing there's always something I can improve. There's always something more I can do for the Lord. There's always a better way to serve Him and to be genuine about it. Lord, if that's all of our heartbeats tonight, Lord, what a testimony we could have. Not just today, but in the days to come, the years to come, if you tarry, you're coming. And Lord, we thank you for these servants of God that we've even applauded tonight, but for each and every believer in the midst, both here physically and others that cannot be here, maybe visiting digitally. Lord, but we appreciate each and every one and their faithfulness as well. Thank you for these deacons Thank you for men that are willing to serve that understand the role the responsibility that they have within that and the influence and the friendship that they are to me personally as the pastor and And Lord, we just thank you for all you're going to do as we depart now. Lord, be with us. Give us safety on the roads that we may come back together. We may spend time with family, of course, this week as we reflect upon the goodness and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some that will be able to come back on Tuesday and have a special Christmas Eve service fellowship together and help us to just be found faithful. And we'll thank you in Jesus.