Virtues of a Helper

Introduction

Body working well vs. bad

Scripture Introduction

Connection: In the body of Christ we are called to work together as a unit to accomplish God’s mission.

Take Home: We must actively contribute to advancing the body of Christ to be a blessing and not a hindrance.

Message Focus: Four virtues we see in the life of Ornan that make him a good example of the ideal helper.

Steadfast in Adversity v. 20

1992 Men’s 400M semi-final; Derek Redmond hamstring injury

1 Chronicles 21:20 “Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves.”

2 Samuel 23:11–12 “And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.”

Change in Mindset

You are responding to what you tell yourself about your circumstance

Take it one step at a time (changing a light bulb you can’t reach)

Envision results

Focus on things praiseworthy

Submissive to Authority v. 21

Can’t lift my leg with a herniated disc

1 Chronicles 21:21 “As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground.”

Worker who always had a better idea for how to do things

To make forward progress, someone must be make the final decisions

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

One Another

Outside of Christ, who is the head, we don’t have one individual or a board that we only submit to. Depending on the situation, the one to submit to will vary.

How do we know when? Spiritual gifting.

Active in the Work vv. 22-23

Potential threat- All your senses are active

1 Chronicles 21:23 “Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.””

“Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group." It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? When you are asked to help this year, remember - we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.”

Tim Rouch’s I’ll pray about it. Assume the answer is to serve.

Proverbs 16:1 “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”

Willingness to Sacrifice v. 24

Conditioning: The best technique and the most ability won’t help you win if you are too tired to use them. Share pain will enable you to get closer as a team.

1 Chronicles 21:24 “But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.””

2 Samuel 6:2–3 “And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart,”

When to serve and when to coach?

When helping hurts: shame, inferiority, powerlessness, humiliation, fear, isolation, ect.

Coaching someone in their walk with God and allowing them to experience Him firsthand will go further than any teaching, service, or relief we can give them.

Can they do it at lease 70% as good as you? Is this something that only you can do ?

When it is essential and no one else is willing

Summary

To be a true blessing to the body of Christ rather than a hindrance, we must actively engage in efforts that support and advance the mission and growth of the Church. By doing so, we contribute to the spiritual health and vitality of the body of Christ.

Steadfast in Adversity

Acknowledge that your responses are shaped by what you tell yourself about your situation.

Submissive to Authority

We do not have a single individual or board to whom we solely submit. Instead, we submit to each other.

Active in the Work

When praying about an opportunity to serve, assume the answer is yes unless the Holy Spirit directs you otherwise.

Willingness to Sacrifice

People need to experience God, and this comes through personal involvement.

Potential Impact

We all want to hear “Well done good and faithful servant” when we stand before the throne of God. If we can get that on earth with those whom we serve beside, then it is likely we will hear it in heaven.

A Possible Next Step

Let us know where you would like to serve.