Serve
- Dr. Bob Harrington
- Feb 4, 2007
- Series: Acts
Serve
Jerusalem were trying to do it all and it was too much. The apostles met with the church and asked the church to appoint seven men, “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” The apostles wanted this “administrative” help because they needed to focus upon “prayer” and the “ministry of the word,” rather than passing out food.
Acts 6:1-6; Matthew 20: 25-28; Romans 12:3-8
Dr. Bob Harrington
4 Teachings for Service
Mindset . . . . it is just what we do as followers of Jesus
Gifts . . . . we serve as gifted by God for personal effectiveness
Roles . . . . we serve in different roles for maximum kingdom impact
Funding . . . there are great financial needs and the 10-10-80 principle provides for them
Mindset . . . . it is just what we do . . .
Matthew 20: 25-28 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
· The motive for service is love for God and others.
· The purpose of service is the glory of God.
· The measure of service is lives impacted.· The result of service is growth in Christ-likeness.
· The authority of service is submission.
· The tools of service are the example of Jesus and prayer.
· The foundation of service is Christlike character.
Gifts. . . . we serve as gifted by God for personal effectiveness
From the book of Romans we learn that a very simple overview of the human body is the key to an understanding of these gifts. Our physical bodies are made up of many parts (organs) and each part has a different function, or role. In other words, we understand that our ears are not very good at picking things up, and our hands are not very good at listening for sounds. Body organs are designed to do their part and when they do it, the whole body functions well. The Bible says that the Body of Christ (the church) operates exactly the same way.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Romans 12:4-8).
Each Christian is a member of the body with special gifts and abilities which should be utilized in the church to perform particular functions, just as the ear or the hand does for the human body. Furthermore, all Christians are a part of the body, so in this sense, all Christians are gifted to serve each other. God himself is the one who organized the Body of Christ in this fashion. Each of us has a potential area of service within the church ordained by God, according to the gifts and abilities which God has given to each one of us.
1) Explore: what are my gifts? At this stage, personal prayer is a must. Ask yourself: What type of things am I good at? How do I help people? What has God led me to do in the past?
2) Heart: what calls me? We are to match the gifts that God has given us with our feelings in such a way that, if we really have an ability, we will feel good about using it in a ministry of the church.
3) Do it. The next step is to jump in. Once you have an idea of your gifts, your desires, and the needs of the church, then serve. The key here is to gain further understanding of your gifts in the church through experience.
4) Results. Bear in mind that the "results" may just be that someone's day was brightened by your visit. At other times you may see many lives impacted and people helped in big ways. When you see results, then you know that you are on the right track.
5) Confirmation. If you are ministering effectively, others will notice. If others speak of your effectiveness you are affirmed, or you may come to understand your effectiveness in ways that you previously did not.
6) Make a difference. This is the last and most rewarding step. This is the stage of joyful Christian service. Who could possibly want to miss out?
Roles. . . . we serve in different roles for maximum kingdom impact
The word “deacon” (diakonos in Greek) is a broad word which means “servant” or “administrators” and applies to all kinds of roles. Deacons typically are appointed by the church to administrate various programs and ministries. The background for the type of work they do is provided by Acts 6: 1-7. At this time in the history of the church there were a large number of widows who were being helped with the distribution of food through the church. The apostles in
Funding . . . there are great financial needs and the 10-10-80 principle provides for them
Jesus’s community must meet needs and complete his ministry. This requires money. The Bible teaches that we are to support those who minister the Word to us and spiritually guide us (1 Corinthians 9:13-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Churches require offices, supplies, support staff, buildings, and money to support the ministry of the church and to help members in need.
We tithe when we give 10% of our income back to God. Tithing is “a tenth part” (Genesis 14 18-20; Hebrews 7:2-4). First-fruits are the “first-part.” In the Bible, God’s people give the first part, the first 10% to God. We live on that which was left. To give the first 10% is a test of faith; it is a test to rely on God for a wonderful promise. Proverbs 3:9-10 states the promise succinctly: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” God promises to give even greater blessings to those who learn to tithe.
The second 10%, as wise counselors teach us, should go to savings. Proverbs 6:6-8 describe this principle well: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Small Group Questions
Opening: where did you go to elementary school and what were you good at then?
Bible Study: Review Acts 6:1-6 and Romans 12:3-8
- What specific gifts are described in this passage? Review each of them and discuss how they would each function in the church and how they can help others.
- Of all the gifts described in this passage, which is likely your biggest strength and your biggest weakness? How have you help people in the church or in your small group by your gifts?
- If you were completely free, what would you do, according to your gifts, to make the biggest difference for the cause of Christ?
- Spend some time pointing out and discussing what each person in your group is good at and how they have helped others. Do not be bashful in your praise, everyone needs encouragement.
Close: Go around the group and answer the question: “how can we pray for you this coming week?”
