God is good, as Eddie often points out to us. Some of the attributes of God. God speaks to humanity. God speaks to his children, the saints of God, through his written word, enabled empowered, enlightened by the third person of a triune Godhead, the Holy Spirit of God. Natural man cannot receive the things of God. They're foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them. They're spiritually discerned. It is imperative that we hear from God. It was that way in creation that man before the fall had to hear from God. And we close those thoughts with he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The churches being the saints of God, regardless of the condition they're in, the reaction of the church, God intends to speak to us today. He has a conversation prepared. He does. He has a topic ready for you to concern yourselves with. Not just listen to, but to concern yourselves with. We're talking out of 1 Timothy chapter 3. I'm speaking on behalf of God. Period. Ye shall be my witnesses, God says. I'm not here on my own, I don't have my own agenda, I don't have my own point, my own plan, etc. But we've been preaching on the order, which began last Sunday, of the transition of authority into church. How that it came from Christ to his disciples upon his departure. We've covered all that last Sunday. Those videos are available on YouTube or whatever we're on, Facebook. And what else are we on, Brandy? Something else. What? That's what I said. Sermonaudio.com. Used to be you had to buy cassettes to get these messages. Now they're free. But we're talking about the order of the church. Is that necessary, by the way? Well, let's think about that for a second. The necessity, although it may not be all prevailing with us as a congregation, but when we look around our so-called Christian society or our community, our churches, we find women in the pulpit preaching. We listen to them on the radio, they have their own little radio broadcast. And they preach. You call it what you want, call it women's conferences or whatever, they're preaching. You need some discernment, don't you? They're preaching. We've got homosexuals in pulpits. Serving as Sunday school teachers, nursery workers, et cetera, et cetera. Something's not right, do you think? Might I say all of this begins at the top? It begins with leadership. Where are the leaders in our churches? And they have to originate in the homes of our churches. You understand this? That's why we want dads to be dads, and moms to be moms, and husbands to be husbands, and wives to be wives, to be God's kind of people, because from God's kind of people is where we get leadership in our church. Period. We talked last week about the leadership in the church as appointed by the apostles. Now let me emphasize the significance of that. Since there are no more living apostles, and since there are not going to be any more apostles, this is the final word in the transition to the church. Because all the authority of the church came from Christ, Matthew 28, was passed on to the apostles upon his departure or ascension. And the apostles established and ordained government agencies in the church, or agents I should say. There have been two offices. One was the elders, 1 Timothy 3. Two was the deacons in the church. Not either or, but both. So last week we covered the subject of the elders as much as I wanted to. And this week, we're going to talk about the second office in the church, official office, of that being a deacon or being deacons, if you please, or establishing deacons. First of all, let's read, if we could, as soon as I find 1 Timothy, it's in here, and it's after the book of Genesis. I got that. Let me read one verse of scripture. I want to give you a purpose statement. Now, you guys that are students and want to teach the Word of God, this is significant. It's significant to any of us that study the book of 1 Timothy. Why? Because it is a pastoral epistle. There are three of these in the scriptures. By the way, the scriptures are written in or canonized in groups. Historical books, the Pentateuch, historical books, the prophetical book or whatever, and then church epistles. This is a pastoral epistle for one of three, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy, chronologically. But as we turn to 1 Timothy 3, we want to write a purpose statement for what we're doing. You can have no greater purpose in teaching or preaching than that of the Holy Spirit. Okay? He said everything he said inspired everything he inspired with a purpose in mind. There's no rhetoric here, there's no superficial teaching, there's no great illustrations. You know, Lassie's not going to lose her pups, and the dog's not going to run, Dish's not going to run with the spoon, all that. We're not going to hear all that stuff. You're not going to hear the Jim Bledsoe saga. You're just not going to hear it. It's not in here. So when we handle God's Word, we handle it with the purpose He has given. So Timothy, or Paul, writes to Timothy. Now, so far, it's necessary because, this is one of three of Paul's last, but it has a significant purpose when it comes to you pastoring or being a bishop or an elder in the church, he says. You'll find the purpose statement in verse 15 of this chapter. Paul writes to Timothy, he said, if I tarry long, and of course, background is that Paul wanted to visit with Timothy. that thou mayest know, here we go, how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of truth. That's the purpose statement, that you know how to handle yourself or behave yourself in the house of God. Now, why do we need a lesson on behavior in the house of God? Because we are sinful creatures. And because we have a creative ability to create the image of the church that we want to create. An image of God that we want to create. We're idolaters by heart. Millions of idols in your heart. Don't even go there this morning. I don't have time. You search your heart. Or have God search it. Why behave ourselves? Because we create our own standards. We even have a standard in the church of our own self-righteousness. Oh, come on. We look down upon others. We shun others. We receive others. If they're meeting our standards and so forth and so on, if they wear the latest and drive the greatest, they must be good people. They're blessed of God because they've got money or God's judging them because they don't have money. We're just idolaters by heart. So we bring that Corinthian mentality, even though we're saved, into the church. Now, where did the church of Corinth ever learn it was okay to commit fornication? Where'd they learn that? Where'd they learn to be tolerant of that? Where was that acceptable in the scriptures? It wasn't, but it was in the church. along with covetous and idolatry, etc., etc. And Dennis will tarry on that this evening, this afternoon rather. So we need to learn how to behave ourselves. Now what he did in this behavior of prospect is establish two official offices, 1 Timothy 3.1, and where we are in verse 8 today and he says likewise must the deacons be grave not double-toned and he gives the qualifications verse 12 let the deacons be husbands of one wives now watch this for they that have used the office of a deacon you hear this? the office this is not the typical deacon the typical deacon is you all God's people are servants one to another, serve tables with one another, we humble ourselves and help one another, walk with one another, commune with one another, et cetera. And there are three basic definitions in the New Testament, basic definitions, you'll find a variety. All three of them, they're divergent, but all three of them indicate that this individual, this deacon, whether he's a diakonai, or diakonos, or danakai, et cetera, are servants in some capacity. And sometimes it's often rather synonymous with the word servant, especially in the Gospels and the New Testament. So we find at one time it's in reference to policemen or government officers, Romans chapter 13. So we find that these guys are servants. But these guys that are servants, that handle the serving tables, or what are the serving, are official. They hold a position in the church. They're not the typical servants. They have expressed servitude all throughout their testimony, but they didn't become deacons, become servants, they were servants prior to receiving the position. I'll show you that in a few minutes. I want you to know that. So there's a process to that. Now, he gives all the qualifications, and I'm not going to, like I did last week, I'm not going to try to define them. By the way, in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus chapter 1, there are probably 25 characteristics or character qualities of officers in the church. So if you want to read those sometimes, of course, that would be helpful. But this individual is a man, listen, watch, and I want to tell the deacons this too, and we have some of the best deacons I've ever served with. They must be men of dignity. It's not a put-down position. Well, you know how the deacons are. It's not a committee. They're just men of dignity. They're men that live honorable lives. They're good stewards of their time and their resources. They're willing to serve in any capacity, in every capacity they can. There's not a criteria for duties of deacons in the scriptures, specifically. In other words, they didn't say, well, you know, deacons paint all the walls, or the deacons do all the visitation, or the deacons visit all the sick, and the deacons this and the deacons that. It's not in there. It's not in there. Because servitude never has boundaries. How far do you go? Where do you start? Where do you stop? You don't know, do you? You may get an opportunity to serve a cup of water today. Tomorrow, you may be pounding an ale for somebody. Who knows? Today, we're all here. Tomorrow, you may be at the hospital visiting someone. I mean, it's just, it's such a variety. There's no list of your job description, if you want to call it that. There's no list. But he does give these characteristics. He's a man of dignity. He's not double-tongued. He doesn't say one thing to one person. and something else to others, and I would admonish you to pay attention to that, some of you. Not addicted to wine. Not fond of assorted gain. He doesn't do what he does to get money. Here's a key one. He holds the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. In other words, he knows in whom he believes. He knows what he believes, and that requires theology. It is. So deacons aren't second-class theologians. Matter of fact, they're first-class theologians. So they hold the mystery. They've been tried and tested. In other words, they've proven their servitude prior to being selected. They're beyond reproach. They have the husband and one wife. They're good managers of their children and their household. And then some of that overlaps with the qualifications or characteristics of an elder, as a matter of fact. And I want to remind you that these characteristics are conduct-oriented, that they all affect conduct. They're characteristics, they're character, but they affect your conduct. It's not your conduct affecting your character. Let's don't get that back. In other words, you don't start doing good and turn out good. Okay. You're good, righteous, because of him, of course, but you're righteous and you do righteously. And that's the point of that passage of scripture. Now, how did they get to this position? Well, it's only mentioned one other time. And I'm going to turn to Philippians chapter one in chapter Philippians, the book of Philippians, which was a prison epistle. Paul addresses the elders and the deacons there. And that's an implication that by this time, the transition that we started last week has flown or dropped down into the congregation in an official capacity, as official as any other official capacity. For instance, If the apostles established this, then it is official. Okay? So by the time we get to Philippians, there's some structure or organization taking place in the church there where they recognize Bishop and deacons. Am I reading that correctly, by the way? I think I am. I think I am. Go with me if you would, and I want you to turn to this one, to Acts chapter 6. I'm very familiar with you, but I want to show you how this happened. In Acts chapter 6, you're very familiar. As I say, and I don't want to bore you to death, and I don't have anything new to tell you, so how about that? You know, if I could have a bowl of pinto beans right now, although I've eaten before, I'd eat them again. But on this diet, we don't have pinto beans, so that's why I use that. Covet, covet, covet, lust, lust, lust. In Acts chapter 6, there's a problem in the church, God forbid. God forbid. There's a problem in the church. Now, why would you think there's a problem in the church? Well, one, it's embryonic. It's new, right? They're just getting started. 120 is the last count we had, disciples, that is. And now we'll get, or actually after two, three, and four, 3,000, it goes up to about 5,000 folks, not counting the women and children. So there's a problem in the church. And it shows itself through murmuring. God forbid. Murmuring is like a forest fire. One spark is all it takes. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration of daily things. And it was a legitimate problem, I might say. Murmuring wasn't legitimate, but the problem was legitimate. So this isn't something superficial. These folks that are murmuring, their lives depend upon that daily ministration and because their widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. In other words, they weren't getting provisions like others were, okay. And this wasn't a FEMA program, this was a legitimate program in the church, okay. So, then the 12, that's the apostles, called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, here we go, let's set a priority here in this process. He said, we're not going to forsake our daily or our commitment to leave the Word of God and serve tables or be deacons at tables. Now, they're going to establish some things here. These are not going to be official deacons. There is no church for there to be official deacons in that hadn't been established yet. So it's a transition. So he says, here's what I want you to do. I want you to look out among you seven men. Notice the masculinity here, by the way. Seven men out of the congregation, a congregation that was supposedly and scripturally and at least inferred that they were saved, truly saved. regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God. You hear this? Because they're among the congregation. You choose out men that are among you. Now these men, whoever they chose, had to be recognized prior to this decision. Why? Because they come right back and they bring the recommendation back to the apostles. Well, you don't just shake hands with somebody and say, I bet he'd be a good deacon. I bet he'd be a good deacon. No, no. These guys were serving, in all probability, serving that multitude to help as they could help. And they were recognized as such. They had to have some sort of a pre-testimony, if you know what I'm saying, prior to actually being officially invited to serve as deacons. He said, look ye out seven men, honest, listen to this, honest, of an honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Now I don't know about you, but that's a pretty high bar. So this opportunity to serve is not some secondary opportunity. It has dignity to it. Why? They're full of the Holy Ghost, which means they're permeated with the Word of God and the wisdom of God. And it's evident that they are. And they're of honest report. In other words, they're not violating anything to serve like they're serving. These men are men of dignity. They're not to be second place or put down say, well, the pastor first and then the deacons. That's not even the thought here in the scriptures. The thought is, let's get things in order, 1 Timothy 3.15, that we may be able to behave ourselves in the household of God, which is the church of God. So he says, I want you to know this. So these priorities, he said, it's not reasonable or agreeable among us that we're going to leave the word of God and serve tables, he says. Well, or minister at the tables. Now, why? I'm going to tell you why in a second. So let's get a procedure going here. And the congregation is inclusive in the process. This is not something that the deacon board meets and fits a little clique together. You know what I'm saying? We're good buddies and therefore he'd be a good deacon. He and his wife had dinner with us the other day. We just had a wonderful time. Boy, I bet he'd be a good deacon. If he's not already a good deacon, he wouldn't be a good deacon. You hear me? Did you hear that? So they're picking these guys out that are already established you pick these guys out, the congregation selects them, he says, okay? He said, I want you to select them according to these standards, is where I'm trying to head, according to these standards. Now, but we, the elders, will give, our apostles, will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word. In other words, being a deacon, in servitude like we were before, or like you should be, he says it's going to distract us from our primary responsibility, that is the ministry of the Word of God in prayer. So these deacons at this point in time, or these individuals, are coming alongside in the church to help two things. One, to help the congregation that's being neglected, Number two, to free up these guys to give themselves to the Word of God. Two-fold purpose. Everybody is served in that capacity, period. Now, the deacons aren't pastors, ushers. They're not pastors, butlers. They're not pastors, this, et cetera, et cetera. They're here to serve in some capacity or any capacity or every capacity that God would avail or allow them to be a servant in. Now, some things some deacons can't serve in. You understand this? They're not qualified to do everything. I mean, they're good guys, but come on. They're not qualified to do everything. You know, some of them may not be an electrician. We may need an electrician here sometime. By the way, let me say this. There's a lot goes on behind the scenes here at this church that I'm sure many people or several people never give a thought to. OK, music. I don't play. Now, I read Mark's email about what's going to be sung or brought forth in the worship, but I don't know. So don't ask me to play the piano, Bronnie. Stop it. Okay? I'm not qualified. Not only am I not qualified, I don't have the ability. How about that? So I couldn't possibly serve as a pianist. Possibly. So, well, you sit down at a regatta and they, no, he won't. I've tried that. He didn't. What about the lawn? What about who's out in the foyer today? What about the ushers? What about Brandy? I hate mentioning that one. I mean, there's just so much going on. Who did your bulletin? Who took your money, you that gave? You that didn't give, don't worry about it. Don't even worry about it. But the point being, who does all this? Deacons. And more. And more. And more and more and more. I can't tell you the last time I picked up a paintbrush at this church. Unless it was laying in the floor. I can't tell you the last time I swept the carpet in the foyer. Or swept the carpet in the heater. Or put things back like they were when you found them. Or turn off the lights or go lock a door. I can't tell you. And all this little stuff that I don't have to do anymore, which I've done before, frees me up for what? For prayer and the preaching of the word of God. Period. And that's what it's about. Whether you like it or not, that's what it's about. So the guys said, hey, we don't think it's profitable that we get up from what we're studying here to serve bread to widows. Not that they didn't want the widows to have the bread, because now we're going to solve the problem. And solving the problem is servitude. And we need some official servants. So pick out seven men. Now the whole congregation has to recognize these individuals being full of the Holy Ghost, a good report, etc., and wisdom. They have to recognize that. And what I'm trying to say is listen to this position and how well God has put the church together that it would be completed through servitude. Now don't, don't just mark off, don't, I was going to say dismember, but don't disregard Jesus Christ in Philippians chapter 3. humbled himself and became a servant. He didn't come here to be ministered to, he came here to minister unto. So that's our example. This feeling of the Holy Ghost and wisdom means that they know how to use the truth. They know how to use the scriptures, the wisdom is. Wisdom is pulling knowledge off the page and applying it in life. And that's what these guys had to be able to do. So they're not ignorant in the scriptures. Now I've been in churches where, honestly, I don't know if they even carried a Bible at times. Sorry. Now if you're not carrying one, okay. Not okay, okay, but okay. But we're going to appoint them, as the apostles say, whom we may appoint. Now watch this. Deacons were chosen out of the congregation. Now watch this. And they are approved by the elders. You got this? Deacons don't vote in deacons. Congregations don't vote in deacons. Uh-oh. You get on that vote thing at a Baptist church and you're in trouble. Let me stay on it then. You don't vote on deacons. You chose out of this congregation men that you would like to see serve or already are seen serving as though they are a deacon. We're going to appoint another deacon, you bring him to us. You got this? For our approval. And by the way, deacons, in our church anyway, serve as a team. There's no independent deacon, no autonomous deacon, they're a team. That they work together to see to it that this congregation is served in such a way that they can come and worship God without being hindered. That's pretty marvelous, isn't it? You know how many churches I know are fighting today over these kind of things? Who's in charge? So the deacons start a committee. That's a wonderful thing to do in a church, have a committee. If you're gonna have a committee here, have it out on the lawn, okay? We're not voting, okay? I've been here 30 years, I don't know that we've ever voted on anything. Now we have either approved or disapproved, okay? But we didn't count numbers and have a quorum do this and we didn't do that, why? I don't find it in the scriptures. Uh-oh, man, I'm in trouble already, I love you guys. You need to get on your face before God and thank God for this dumb preacher that takes God at his word. If that's dumb, just let me die ignorant. Leave me alone. I'm happy being dumb. Now watch this. You pick these guys out. You bring them to us. Look at verse five. And the same pleased the whole congregation. Boy, I wish that I could say that this morning. I'm not teasing. And they chose these fellows out and they named them, et cetera, and I'm not going to go through all that. And they brought them and set them before the apostles. There you go. Pretty simple. Buck stops here in the position of the apostles. Right? So far? Okay. And the word of God increased. Oh, I want to go back to verse 6. When they sat before the apostles, the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. And all of us know that laying on the hands is a signet of approval. So they approved of the seven men that these folks brought forth. And these men began to serve in the capacity of an official deacon. They were not official deacons, but they're setting the transition toward that in the church. It's gonna have to continue. Because the church, number one, is gonna always have problems. Number two, all these people that have these problems have needs that need to be met and served in some capacity, some form, some fashion. I feel sorry for the person, the believer, who says he's part of the church and doesn't understand this. Okay? Doesn't understand this. We're gonna give attendance. Go with me back to Timothy. I hope you see that by the way. Go with me back to Timothy just for a few moments. In chapter three. There's a quiet spirit in the church this morning. Watch this, in verse 13, the dignity that's established, as I mentioned earlier, for deacons. Deacons establish a high standing, and that is they have an elevated stand among the congregation. Now, not to be arrogant or proud, etc. but they are to be esteemed for their spiritual walk with God. That's it. Got that? Well, you say, wait a minute. Well, James said, humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. Peter said, humble yourself therefore in the mighty hand of God and He may exalt you in due time. First Thessalonians, Paul said, and we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you. or over in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly, and love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves." These are men of dignity that set a high standard here among the congregation as far as servitude is related. Now watch this, because it goes on in verse 13, for they that have used the office of a deacon will purchase to themselves a good degree, a good report. I'm not ashamed to be a deacon. I'm not ashamed of our deacons. I'm not backward about naming our deacons. Are they perfect? Nope. Just like me. We're not perfect. We're not as quick as you want us to be. You know, but Larry, they didn't have to come sweep all this carpet this week either. So maybe Larry didn't have the opportunity that you had. I don't know. That's between he and God and you. No, we're not perfect. Sometimes we get messages that are hearsay. We don't know how to respond to them. How about that? We don't know. Sometimes we get requests that are illegitimate. And I'll mention benevolences sometimes are illegitimate. We can't respond to those in a positive way, an affirmative way. Sometimes we get activities suggested to us. Wait a minute. That's not what we're about. You know, if you need money, have a hot dog sale. Now, I would be your first customer, but we're not having hot dog sales, okay? We think that God's people in the congregation should support the church financially, because that's what's taught in the scriptures. That goes for all of you, young or old, it doesn't matter. Where your treasure is is where your heart is, okay? Now, that's not a law, that's grace. These deacons exalt their faith in Jesus Christ. Why? By receiving the position that they're willing to serve at their expense of time, energy, and effort. So they're exalting their faith in Jesus Christ through the sphere of Christian truth. We're not going to ask them to do something that violates the Word of God. We're not going to do it. We're not going to put that on them. They should never have to make a decision about right and wrong as far as serving in the church. And you can do wrong a lot easier sometimes than you can do right. They're not going to set a precedence here that we have to abide by forever. They bring, according to verse 13, confidence and assurance to the body of Christ. You know, sometimes there's no purpose for you to come to Dennis or me or Eddie. Sometimes it has to do with your commonalities among yourselves. Sometimes It would distract us from our priorities. Sometimes somebody else is more capable of settling this problem or helping you with this problem quicker than we would. Now I want to say this about deacons. Although it sounds as though they have menial tasks, and they do, but they are spiritually oriented. You hear this? To be this kind of servant, you have to be full of the Holy Ghost. You have to have a good testimony. You have to be well known among the congregation to have this kind of testimony. No facade. This is really, really what they are. No mask, no Phariseeism, no legalism, just compassion upon one another. They're the ones out here on a given Saturday morning at eight o'clock They're the ones that we're meeting with off to the side and trying to keep posted with things. They're the ones. So they give of themselves to the congregation. And when they give to themselves, it is in the sphere of Christian truth, of the one-anothering, of compassion and concern. That ought to bring great confidence. to you as a congregation. To know that you've got these kind of men leading this congregation. Why? Because we're just as susceptible as any other congregation. Because any other congregation is filled with, if they're saved, saved sinners too. So it would be not just uncharacteristic, but it would be unbiblical to have a woman preach in our church. Someone asked John MacArthur, have you ever considered letting your wife preach? And once he quit laughing, which I kind of thought was humorous. I could just imagine him doing it right. He said, you know, it's never crossed my mind. And I thought, I'm going to ask Edna if she wants to bring Sunday's message. No way, Jose, I hear it at the house. You don't need to hear it. They bring confidence in what God's doing. When I read about deacons firing pastors, where'd they get that authority? When I get the news that deacons are choosing pastors, where'd they get that authority? Where did that come from? Now, I know this is what we're exposed to. I understand that. I'm trying to explain to you what God expects. Where does it come from? Deacons, they're forming subcommittees. Deacons, they're controlling the finances of the church. Deacons who determine programs for the church. Where in the world is all that coming from? Might I say the world? Now I know you don't like it because some of you have done this, some of you have done that in your past maybe. It's okay. Paul said forgetting those things that are behind, get rid of it. Church is structured. God gave us pastors, elders, bishops, and deacons. that we may be governed or know how to behave ourselves in the house of God or the household of God. I think that's very gracious of God. You see, he didn't say, you know, I'm upon this rock, I'll build my church and engage in hill prayer and go back to heaven and forget about the church. He took the keys to the church or the kingdom and gave them to the apostles. The apostles passed them on to elders and bishops, et cetera. The deacons, as they grow in this, verse 13, they create a great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus, which tells me number one, they're saved, they're in Christ Jesus. Number two, they can speak with authority when it comes to the things of God, in the house of God. And they can tell you real quick probably that's not a legitimate need in that household, you know. They can tell you it is a legitimate need once they've discussed it. But I want you to remember three points from this passage about deacons. Deacons, number one, are to be respectable and respected. That's all one thing, by the way. They are to be respectable and respected. Number two, deacons are ministers for relief during difficulties. Ministers of relief. Number three, deacons are rewarded by the grace of God. I would be remiss not to say that. The grace of God is upon the office of a deacon and the man who serves as that deacon. So I think knowing our congregation somewhat, we have no difficulty putting this to practice here at the church. I didn't say anything today probably the deacons weren't already aware of and have heard numerous times, or you. But it's so we behave ourselves in the house of God. Now those who don't among us who would not recognize any of the leadership of the church as mavericks, they're headed for destruction. Period. God's not going to turn you loose to create what you want. And I even know a church is number one who don't have an official pastor, and number two don't have any official deacons. Not a church. Not a church. You can't have an itinerant pastor forever. You know what I'm saying? Somewhere along the line, God's going to bring a pastor to his people. Look at the churches in Revelation with the difficulties they had all through there. And every message was written to the messenger and unto the angel of the church of Ephesus right. That wasn't an angelic being. There's no history of angels visiting the churches. So why in Revelation all of a sudden there's a heavenly being called an angel who brings a message to the church? No, no, no. It'll be consistent with what God's taught in the transition. So that messenger in Revelation is the preacher, the pastor, the elder, the bishop, et cetera. Obviously. The early church began with prayer. The early church began with prayer and preaching, as Peter. And Peter preached Christ. Him crucified, buried, resurrected, and coming again. Peter preached the Word of God. Then they began to establish. Here's the transition. You don't need a term, but back in Acts chapter 6, and the numbers multiplied. Because they set things in order. They set things in order. Now the challenge is, God keep me in order. That's the challenge. I've learned some things studying this again, but hey, the challenge is, Lord, put me in order. Keep me in prayer and ministry of the word of God. If you ever heard my confessions, you would know that that's part of it. The failure to pray, and I met with the two elders this morning for prayer, and I said, do you ever feel just prayerless, although you've tried to pray? Maybe I'm not as experienced as I should be, I don't know. But then I just concluded it don't depend on us or our works, it depends on God, his word, and the Holy Spirit of God. But leadership, we don't boast of anything save the cross. I'm not bragging about things. It took five years for me to convince the former administrations of plurality of elders. I got a hold of it, I began to teach it in meetings with them particularly. We began to study together and concluded, this is right. We're not bragging, it took work by the grace of God. It takes work in selection of deacons. Why? We have a team that works very well together. Very well. And we're not going to let just anybody interrupt it. So the hearts of God's people have to be unified. You hear this? It has to be unified. And so that's what Paul's trying to teach Timothy. Because there's murmuring, there's false doctrine, Timothy, that you need to be aware of. Some of these guys gotta go. Period. Here we go. And here's how you govern the church. You recognize elders and you recognize deacons and you certainly don't bypass the congregation. Okay, so you're part of it. I'm finished. He said, yeah, I know. Sounds like you are. I'm finished. I want to go to lunch, as I know you do as well. But you know, man will not live by bread alone. I love the word of God. And when you get to talking about the church, you're mashing my button. If you talk about it to me, talk about it good. If you have anything bad to say, don't say it to this guy, because I get real carnal real quick. Said, that's not right, I know. I'm not excusing, I'm just saying, it's my life. It's my life, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, it's my life. Love the church like Christ loves the church. That's the challenge. Father, and how I thank you, oh God, I lift my hands to thee in worship, adoration, Admiration. Lord, I thank you for the hope that you put within the body of Christ that we don't have to live chaotic. We don't have to demonstrate sinfulness in our congregation. We don't have to just run rampant with every fad that sweeps in our communities. But we have the written word of God purposely written that we may know how to behave ourselves in the house of God. Bless, I pray, O God, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you so much. Mark. Please turn to 152. Stand with me as we sing. We'll just sing the verse one without the refrain. 152. Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of wonder. Mark, hit number 152. I am finding out the greatness of my loving heart. Thou hast made me gaze upon thee, and thy beauty fills my soul. For by thy transforming power, thou hast made Father, how thankful we are to be your people.