Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their
children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The men in our text were KNOWN to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom…not something the church hoped some day they would see in the men, but the evidence was already
there, already given to the church’s worship and fellowship, wholeheartedly!
Jesus said he came not to be served but to serve, and he tells His own that they are to be like Him. And even when he was suffering on that Roman cross, when no one
would have blamed him to be focused on himself, and yet hanging there, suffering there, still his concern is for those He came to serve.
Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. And then to John, he says to the beloved disciple that he must care for Mary…Jesus is dying and not just
dying but bearing the sins of man, and still loving his dear mother.
That is the example for every one of us in this room, but it is imperative that we see it in those who lead us. We are to love what God loves and hate what he hates
and we don’t have to always be talking about it, because it is so evident in our lives and we follow only those men who are taking us to those happy realities.
I will conclude with the words of a long-time pastor and author, Craig Barnes and these words for all of us;
What parishioners really want are leaders who know what it means to struggle against temptation and despair, like they do. They want to be led by men who have also stayed up all night fretting over choices, regrets, and fear, but who then found the quiet
grace to start over the next morning.
They want to see the Gospel incarnated in a human life that is still far from complete but has become more interesting because the human drama is now sacred. In other
words, they want leaders who know what it means to be them, but them in communion with God. Innocence is precious, but it’s the glimpses of redemption that truly compel. (Craig Barnes)
In the upper room, in the night our Savior was betrayed, just hours before his crucifixion Jesus sat down with his disciples, those men upon whom the church would be
built. And the King of Kings, the incarnate Son of God, took off his outer garment and wrapped it around his waist and got on his knees and washed the feet of his disciples.
I know that you know the story, but you need to feel the story…you have to see yourself IN the story. Why do you think Peter
put up such a fuss about this, telling the Lord, You are going to wash MY feet???
Because this isn’t the way things are done. The master is served by the servants, HIS feet are washed by those under Him, but not so in the Kingdom of God.
And Jesus told them, as I have done for you, you shall do for others. You are the leaders…you are the pillars and you therefore, shall wash feet. Jesus washed them…and
Jesus took bread and broke and said this is my body given for you…he then took wine and told them this is my blood poured out for you.
Then they went out and a few hours later they watched what he meant…These words are not a cliché nor words to be bantered around lightly as they are today. The disciples
witnessed what He meant…when they watched Him hang on a Roman cross bearing the sins of the world. And then, they too became servants to the world, their lives given up in imitation of their Lord.
Are you able to say with the disciples: I so deeply identify with the man on the cross that His mission is now mine, his life is now to be seen in me for I am a servant
to the world…you look around and you are saying to these people in this room…my life for yours. In this way, we are all simply diakonoi, servants…servants of the King of the Kings.
Prayer: Father, why do I hide from You? Why do I rationalize my fears, thoughts and behavior instead of humbly coming to You? You are seeking me and I, like my first
parents, think to hide from You because I am naked and ashamed. Lord, I know when you come, it is with the covering of Christ Jesus, help me to rise up and bring my broken self into the light, the light of mercy…the light of grace…the light of love that does
not cast off, but brings near, clothes and rejoices! Help me Father, this day, to live in the light of Your kindness that continues to bring me to repentance, through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.
Hymn: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go