The Duties of Deacons
St. Polycarp's sermon emphasizes the essential qualities and responsibilities of deacons and the importance of living a blameless life in faith.
St. Polycarp of Smyrna emphasizes the importance of living a life worthy of God's commandments and glory, calling deacons to be blameless servants of God and Christ, free from slander, greed, and deceit, but instead showing compassion and diligence. He reminds believers that by pleasing God in this world, they will receive the promise of the future world and reign with Him if they live worthily. Polycarp also instructs young men to maintain purity and avoid all forms of evil, as those who indulge in lustful desires will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked," we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ, and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, compassionate, industrious, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant of all. If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, "we shall also reign together with Him,"
provided only we believe.
In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since "every lust warreth against the spirit; " and "neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God," nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the role of deacons - Importance of being blameless - Servants of God and Christ
- II points: - Qualities of a deacon - Avoiding slander and double-tongued speech - Temperance and compassion
- III points: - The promise of eternal life - Living worthily for future rewards - Faith as a condition for reigning with Christ
- IV points: - The call for young men to be blameless - Preserving purity and avoiding evil - The consequences of lust
- V points: - The role of virgins in maintaining purity - Submission to church authority - Collective responsibility in the faith
Key Quotes
“If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world.” — St. Polycarp of Smyrna
“Every lust warreth against the spirit.” — St. Polycarp of Smyrna
“The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.” — St. Polycarp of Smyrna
Application Points
- Strive to embody the qualities of a deacon in your daily life.
- Commit to purity and integrity in all your actions.
- Encourage others in your community to uphold the standards of faith.