REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on June 12, 2014. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Overseers”
1 Timothy 3:8-13
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] 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.
As we looked at yesterday, Paul is continuing his qualifications for leaders. The passage turns from “overseers” – who are considered the senior leaders or pastors – to “deacons,” which means servants. All Christians are called to serve one another, and this especially applies to those in leadership positions. Here is what one pastor writes about these verses:
“Here Paul explains the function of the deacon, and two things will result when the service of a deacon is done correctly. First, it will create a great sense of appreciation on the part of the congregation–deacons will have excellent standing for themselves. Their own ministry will be widely received and appreciated. We ought to be careful to be aware of all those who are serving a congregation, and, every now and then, there ought to be some way of recognizing them. It is right that we should give thanks and not take for granted those who so diligently and faithfully serve week after week. They are not being paid, and they are not hired to do this work; they are volunteering it in the name of Christ. That should earn for them a great sense of appreciation on the part of the congregation.” -Ray Stedman
This pastor’s commentary reminded me of how thankful we should be for the people who serve in our ministries. There are many in our churches that give countless number of hours and enormous amount of energy serving others, and ultimately, serving Jesus. Take some time to lift up in prayer the leaders in your various ministries, and thank the Lord for them and their dedication.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the leaders and volunteers in each of our churches. May we never take them for granted and may you encourage those who serve you. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 49
Lunch Break Study
Read Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Questions to Consider
- Why is Paul thanking God in these verses?
- What does it show us about gospel partnerships?
- Are we thankful for the gospel relationships we have in our lives?
Notes
- Paul begins his letter by thanking God for gospel relationships. From the very start of his ministry in Philippi,
- It seems that Paul’s special relationship with the church there was inevitable. What caused Paul the deepest satisfaction was the Philippians’ “partnership in the gospel.” He was grateful and filled with joy over the frequent evidences of the Philippians’ sharing in the work of the gospel. These had been shown to him “from the first day” he had preached the gospel in Philippi, which was about ten years before.
- Personal response
Evening Reflection
We have been thanking the Lord today for leaders and partners in the gospel. Let’s always be reminded of these gospel relationships and always praise God for them.