The Purpose of The Church #4 Service
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Transcript of The Purpose of The Church #4 Service
The Purpose of
The Church #4
“Service”
The Purpose of
The Church #4
“Service”Jeffery Anselmi
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60622&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Service%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi
As we have looked at the question “What is the
Purpose of the Church,” thus far we have identified three areas that should be included in the purpose of
the church, worship, fellowship, discipleship.
Today I want to look at an area a lot of churches
struggle with. It is an area that if neglected will make the church and those who make up the congregation,
become self-centered.
As we have looked at the question “What is the
Purpose of the Church,” thus far we have identified three areas that should be included in the purpose of
the church, worship, fellowship, discipleship.
Today I want to look at an area a lot of churches
struggle with. It is an area that if neglected will make the church and those who make up the congregation,
become self-centered.
Today we are going to look at the next
purpose for the church,
that purpose is SERVICE.
One of the purposes of the church is to serve, to minister. We sometimes call
specific areas of service ministries.
The church is called to minister to
people. It is called to serve
people.
Today we are going to look at the next
purpose for the church,
that purpose is SERVICE.
One of the purposes of the church is to serve, to minister. We sometimes call
specific areas of service ministries.
The church is called to minister to
people. It is called to serve
people.
When we neglect this purpose we will end up just sitting
and soaking. We will learn a lot about
what we are called to do but spending
little or no time doing it.
When we forget we are called to
service, we then change our focus from “What does
God want us to do in order to carry out His mission”, to “I
want what I want.”
When we neglect this purpose we will end up just sitting
and soaking. We will learn a lot about
what we are called to do but spending
little or no time doing it.
When we forget we are called to
service, we then change our focus from “What does
God want us to do in order to carry out His mission”, to “I
want what I want.”
This is an area that many times we excuse
ourselves because we think that someone else
will do it.Matthew 20:28 NET 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."
Today I want to look at the purpose of service. I want to look at what we are to do to fulfill this purpose.
This is an area that many times we excuse
ourselves because we think that someone else
will do it.Matthew 20:28 NET 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."
Today I want to look at the purpose of service. I want to look at what we are to do to fulfill this purpose.
EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A SERVANT (MINISTER)
Matthew 20:26 NET It must not be this way among you!
Instead whoever wants to be great among you must
be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served but to serve, (MINISTER) and to give his life
as a ransom for many."
EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A SERVANT (MINISTER)
Matthew 20:26 NET It must not be this way among you!
Instead whoever wants to be great among you must
be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served but to serve, (MINISTER) and to give his life
as a ransom for many."
What is a “minister”?A minister is a servant.
The word that is translated “minister” is
also the same word that is translated “deacon”.Jesus came to serve.
We are called to serve God in some way because
of what He has done for us.
What is a “minister”?A minister is a servant.
The word that is translated “minister” is
also the same word that is translated “deacon”.Jesus came to serve.
We are called to serve God in some way because
of what He has done for us.
1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may
proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now
you are God's people. You were
shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may
proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now
you are God's people. You were
shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We are all called to serve God in some way.
Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some
as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God — a mature
person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full
stature.
We are all called to serve God in some way.
Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some
as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God — a mature
person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full
stature.
The church leaderships,
preacher, and teachers are the ones who help
prepare people for ministry.
This work of service can be translated work of ministry.
Ephesians 2:10 NET For we are his
workmanship, having been
created in Christ Jesus for good works that God
prepared beforehand so we
may do them.
The church leaderships,
preacher, and teachers are the ones who help
prepare people for ministry.
This work of service can be translated work of ministry.
Ephesians 2:10 NET For we are his
workmanship, having been
created in Christ Jesus for good works that God
prepared beforehand so we
may do them.
What ways are you serving Jesus?
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was
interviewed near the close of his life. This is what he
said: "God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater
plans, greater opportunities than I; but from the day I got a vision of what God could do, I made up my mind God would have all
there was of William Booth."
What ways are you serving Jesus?
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was
interviewed near the close of his life. This is what he
said: "God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater
plans, greater opportunities than I; but from the day I got a vision of what God could do, I made up my mind God would have all
there was of William Booth."
Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve
Him and the needs of
others.2 Corinthians 5:10 NET
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or
evil.
Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve
Him and the needs of
others.2 Corinthians 5:10 NET
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or
evil.
EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT
1 Corinthians 12:15 NET If the foot says, "Since I am not a
hand, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 16 And if the ear says, "Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in
the body because of that.
EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT
1 Corinthians 12:15 NET If the foot says, "Since I am not a
hand, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 16 And if the ear says, "Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in
the body because of that.
17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the
hearing? If the whole were an ear,
what part would exercise the sense of smell? 18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the
body just as he decided.
17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the
hearing? If the whole were an ear,
what part would exercise the sense of smell? 18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the
body just as he decided.
19 If they were all the same member,
where would the body be? 20 So now
there are many members, but one body. 21 The eye
cannot say to the hand, "I do not need
you," nor in turn can the head say to the foot, "I do not
need you." 22 On the contrary, those
members that seem to be weaker are
essential,
19 If they were all the same member,
where would the body be? 20 So now
there are many members, but one body. 21 The eye
cannot say to the hand, "I do not need
you," nor in turn can the head say to the foot, "I do not
need you." 22 On the contrary, those
members that seem to be weaker are
essential,
God places the members as He
wants. If God placed you,
then you are important.
All parts of the body are important
If one quits working then the others
have to work hard to compensate.
God places the members as He
wants. If God placed you,
then you are important.
All parts of the body are important
If one quits working then the others
have to work hard to compensate.
The size of the ministry
is not important. What is the most
important light in the house? The little night light that keeps you from
killing yourself in the middle of the night when you
head for the toilet or refrigerator.
The size of the ministry
is not important. What is the most
important light in the house? The little night light that keeps you from
killing yourself in the middle of the night when you
head for the toilet or refrigerator.
Romans 12:3 NET For by the grace given to me I say to every one of
you not to think more highly of
yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober
discernment, as God has distributed
to each of you a measure of faith. 4 For just as in one
body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same
function,
Romans 12:3 NET For by the grace given to me I say to every one of
you not to think more highly of
yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober
discernment, as God has distributed
to each of you a measure of faith. 4 For just as in one
body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same
function,
5 so we who are many are one body
in Christ, and individually we are
members who belong to one
another. 6 And we have different gifts
according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion
to his faith.
5 so we who are many are one body
in Christ, and individually we are
members who belong to one
another. 6 And we have different gifts
according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion
to his faith.
7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must
teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he
must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is
leadership, he must do so with
diligence; if it is showing mercy, he
must do so with cheerfulness.
This passage shows us that it is
important for each of us to use our
gifts in service to Jesus.
7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must
teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he
must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is
leadership, he must do so with
diligence; if it is showing mercy, he
must do so with cheerfulness.
This passage shows us that it is
important for each of us to use our
gifts in service to Jesus.
No matter which function your part
of the Body of Christ is to perform,
it is crucial. Be it the job of an Elder watching over the
flock, a Deacon taking care of the material needs, a
class teacher, playing the piano,
leading the singing, a prayer warrior, or
one who shows Jesus in the work
place or out in the world.
Your job is critical!
No matter which function your part
of the Body of Christ is to perform,
it is crucial. Be it the job of an Elder watching over the
flock, a Deacon taking care of the material needs, a
class teacher, playing the piano,
leading the singing, a prayer warrior, or
one who shows Jesus in the work
place or out in the world.
Your job is critical!
EACH MINISTRY IS DEPENDANT
ON THE OTHERS Romans 12:4 NET For just as in one body we
have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we
who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who
belong to one another.
EACH MINISTRY IS DEPENDANT
ON THE OTHERS Romans 12:4 NET For just as in one body we
have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we
who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who
belong to one another.
1 Corinthians 12:22 NET On the contrary, those members that seem
to be weaker are essential, 23 and
those members we consider less
honorable we clothe with greater honor,
and our unpresentable members are
clothed with dignity, 24 but our
presentable members do not
need this. Instead,
1 Corinthians 12:22 NET On the contrary, those members that seem
to be weaker are essential, 23 and
those members we consider less
honorable we clothe with greater honor,
and our unpresentable members are
clothed with dignity, 24 but our
presentable members do not
need this. Instead,
God has blended together the body,
giving greater honor to the lesser
member, 25 so that there may be no
division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers
with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.
God has blended together the body,
giving greater honor to the lesser
member, 25 so that there may be no
division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers
with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.
What if those who are gifted in
evangelism bring in a lot of people, but
then we do not have people who
are gifted in teaching or
hospitality? After a while, we will either lose the new people or they will not grow
in Christ.
What if those who are gifted in
evangelism bring in a lot of people, but
then we do not have people who
are gifted in teaching or
hospitality? After a while, we will either lose the new people or they will not grow
in Christ.
1 Peter 4:10 NET Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that
God supplies, so that in everything God will be
glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.
Amen. When one part does not
function, the rest of the body is affected.
1 Peter 4:10 NET Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that
God supplies, so that in everything God will be
glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.
Amen. When one part does not
function, the rest of the body is affected.
OUR “SHAPE” SHOULD DETERMINE OUR MINISTRY.
Romans 12:6 NET And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must
use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if
it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he
must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with
diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with
cheerfulness.
OUR “SHAPE” SHOULD DETERMINE OUR MINISTRY.
Romans 12:6 NET And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must
use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if
it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he
must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with
diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with
cheerfulness.
Do you wonder why God did not make us all the same?
Why didn’t God give us all the same
abilities?Psalms 139:13 NET Certainly you made my mind
and heart; you wove me together
in my mother's womb. 14 I will give you thanks because
your deeds are awesome and
amazing. You knew me thoroughly; 15
my bones were not hidden from you,
Do you wonder why God did not make us all the same?
Why didn’t God give us all the same
abilities?Psalms 139:13 NET Certainly you made my mind
and heart; you wove me together
in my mother's womb. 14 I will give you thanks because
your deeds are awesome and
amazing. You knew me thoroughly; 15
my bones were not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret and sewed
together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded
in your scroll before one of them came
into existence.God knows that each one of us is unique. There are also many
different jobs that need to be done in order for the work of the kingdom to
get done.
when I was made in secret and sewed
together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded
in your scroll before one of them came
into existence.God knows that each one of us is unique. There are also many
different jobs that need to be done in order for the work of the kingdom to
get done.
One of the greatest frustrations a
person can have in trying to serve God is to be pushed into an area of service
that we feel that we cannot do. Now I do not want people to
use this for an excuse for not reaching out to
people or trying to stretch themselves.
We are to all witness to people, although we will all
do it a little differently.
One of the greatest frustrations a
person can have in trying to serve God is to be pushed into an area of service
that we feel that we cannot do. Now I do not want people to
use this for an excuse for not reaching out to
people or trying to stretch themselves.
We are to all witness to people, although we will all
do it a little differently.
As you look around us, you will notice that each of us has a different shape. Did you know that your ministry or area a service
should be determined by your
SHAPE.
As you look around us, you will notice that each of us has a different shape. Did you know that your ministry or area a service
should be determined by your
SHAPE.
Rick Warren uses the word
SHAPE as an acronym for:
Spiritual Gifts (How God has gifted me?)Heart (passion) What do I love to do?Abilities (What natural talents do I have?)Personality (Where does my personality best suit me to serve?)Experience (What experiences have I had?)
Rick Warren uses the word
SHAPE as an acronym for:
Spiritual Gifts (How God has gifted me?)Heart (passion) What do I love to do?Abilities (What natural talents do I have?)Personality (Where does my personality best suit me to serve?)Experience (What experiences have I had?)
Our SHAPE could be dependant on 5 aspects of our life.
1) Education (What type of service did
your education prepare you for?)2) Vocational (Does your job
experience point you towards an area of
service?)3) Spiritual (Spiritual gifts, maturity,
may determine your area service.)4) Ministry (How you served in the
past could influence your service
today.)5) Painful (What problems, hurts
and trials have you learned from?)
Our SHAPE could be dependant on 5 aspects of our life.
1) Education (What type of service did
your education prepare you for?)2) Vocational (Does your job
experience point you towards an area of
service?)3) Spiritual (Spiritual gifts, maturity,
may determine your area service.)4) Ministry (How you served in the
past could influence your service
today.)5) Painful (What problems, hurts
and trials have you learned from?)
Isaiah 64:8 NET Yet, LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all
the product of your labor.
We are all different because
God made us that way.
Your personality will affect
how you use your spiritual gifts;
your passion will affect
what you place as important.
Isaiah 64:8 NET Yet, LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all
the product of your labor.
We are all different because
God made us that way.
Your personality will affect
how you use your spiritual gifts;
your passion will affect
what you place as important.
Too many times we go about things
backwards. We feel that since we do not know what we are
gifted in, we do nothing. We think that we can take a
test to find out what our SHAPE really is.The best way to find
out where your gifts, talents and
heart is, is to serve in many different
areas and from that you will
settle into what you are good
at.
Too many times we go about things
backwards. We feel that since we do not know what we are
gifted in, we do nothing. We think that we can take a
test to find out what our SHAPE really is.The best way to find
out where your gifts, talents and
heart is, is to serve in many different
areas and from that you will
settle into what you are good
at.
If the church is not a church that focuses on serving others,
then what will happen to us is we
will become friendly to ourselves, we will
take care of ourselves, and we
will focus our resources on
ourselves.If, as a collective
body of believers, we are not each
focused on serving or some area of
ministry, the whole body will be hurt.
If the church is not a church that focuses on serving others,
then what will happen to us is we
will become friendly to ourselves, we will
take care of ourselves, and we
will focus our resources on
ourselves.If, as a collective
body of believers, we are not each
focused on serving or some area of
ministry, the whole body will be hurt.
If I have areas of ability that I will not use for the
body of Christ at the Lindley Christian Church,
then I am hurting the body of Christ here. For this body to function, we need each and every part
of it to be functioning.God did not call us to sit
on the bench, but He called us to find a position
on the field and be involved in the activity.
If I have areas of ability that I will not use for the
body of Christ at the Lindley Christian Church,
then I am hurting the body of Christ here. For this body to function, we need each and every part
of it to be functioning.God did not call us to sit
on the bench, but He called us to find a position
on the field and be involved in the activity.
What happens on a team when part of the team decides not to do its job?
It is my prayer that each and every member of this
congregation is an active part of the
body, that each one of us is serving the
body of Christ in some way.
What happens on a team when part of the team decides not to do its job?
It is my prayer that each and every member of this
congregation is an active part of the
body, that each one of us is serving the
body of Christ in some way.
Too many times we sit back and want to be served and then we complain about
the service. Too many times we feel sorry for ourselves. The best way to get
out of that is to serve others.
Remember, we are to be like Jesus, Jesus came to
serve, He came to seek and save
those who are lost.
Too many times we sit back and want to be served and then we complain about
the service. Too many times we feel sorry for ourselves. The best way to get
out of that is to serve others.
Remember, we are to be like Jesus, Jesus came to
serve, He came to seek and save
those who are lost.
At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United
States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered
the Finnish language. In Finland, to “Hoover” means to be kind, to help.
If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be?
Would it signify character? Helpfulness? Cheerfulness?
Or would it be some mean and ugly word?
At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United
States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered
the Finnish language. In Finland, to “Hoover” means to be kind, to help.
If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be?
Would it signify character? Helpfulness? Cheerfulness?
Or would it be some mean and ugly word?