Depart to Serve

Scriptural Text:

Now that we have an understanding of how to enter to worship, let’s look at departing to serve.

Let Us Go and Preach

One day St. Francis of Assisi said to one of the young monks at the Portiuncula, “Let us go down to the town and preach!” The novice, delighted at being singled out to be the companion of Francis, obeyed with alacrity. They passed through the principal streets, turned down many of the byways and alleys, made their way into the suburbs, and at great length returned by a circuitous route to the monastery gate. As they approached it, the younger man reminded Francis of his original intention.

“You have forgotten, Father, that we went to the town to preach!”

“My son,” Francis replied, “we have preached. We were preaching while we were walking. We have been seen by many; our behavior has been closely watched; it was thus that we preached our morning sermon. It is of no use, my son, to walk anywhere to preach unless we preach everywhere as we walk.”*

Definition of Serve

"SERVE (-ed, -eth, -ing.)

1.δουλεύω, to serve as a slave, to be in the position of a δοῦλος, (see “servant,” No. 1) and to act accordingly, i.e. both to be subject, and to serve in subjection, used of actions which are directed by others.

2.λατρεύω, to serve, esp. for hire, but also of service with or without pay. To render service to God, esp. with reference to sacrifice; hence, to worship.

3.διακονέω, to serve, render service, wait upon, (a department of No. 1) to do any one a service, to help, to minister to any one in anything.

4.ὑπηρετέω, to do the service of an ὑπηρέτης, (see “servant,” No. 5); hence, to act in subservience to another’s will, to subserve, (occ. ; .)"

How can we lay hold of such a new and living faith—lay hold of the living God in our lives? This great passage tells us we have four duties as a believer:

1.  Let us draw near God (v.22).

2.  Let us hold fast our profession of faith (v.23).

3.  Let us stir up one another: to love and to do good works (v.24).

4.  Let us not forsake worshipping together (v.25).

Our first duty is “let us draw near God (v.22)-; ; , 145:18

We are so wrapped up in the world we forget to “draw near God."It is our duty, a duty that is absolutely necessary: "Let us draw near with a true [sincere, genuine, honest] heart."We must not have divided loyalties. Our full assurance of faith must be in Jesus Christ, he only one can bring us in the presence of God and present us to God. The following cannot are unacceptable:

because they are good persons and do a great deal of good works.

because they belong to and attend church.

            because they have been baptized and confirmed.

because they have been baptized and confirmed

                                      because they have never done anything considered really bad.

because they have never done anything considered really bad.

We must have hearts and bodies perfectly cleansed and washed. This is a picture of the High Priest cleansing and washing himself before he entered God's presence in the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctuary of the Jewish tabernacle.

The point is this: before we approach God, we must be cleansed of sin and its guilt—cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" ().

"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" ().

"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" ().

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works" ().

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth" ().

The second duty is "Let us hold fast our profession of faith (v.23)"- ; , ; ; ; Rev.3:3

When a person professes Christ to be his Savior and Lord, he is to hold his profession fast and he is to do it without wavering. ⇒  The believer is not to listen to the voices of the world and return to worldliness and materialism. ⇒  The believer is not to doubt that Jesus Christ died for him. ⇒  The believer is not to doubt that Jesus Christ arose for him. ⇒  The believer is not to listen to the voices of doubt and false teaching. ⇒  The believer is not to let circumstances, trials, or temptations shake his faith in Christ. Note: there is one strong reason for holding our profession fast. What is it? ⇒  "God is faithful that promised."

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" ().

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" ().

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" ().

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" ().

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" ().

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" ().

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" ().

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness" ().

"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee" ().

Our third duty, “Let us stir up one another: to love and to do good works (v.24)- ; , ; ; Tim. 6:18

It means to give attention to; to fix our attention upon; to give continuous care; to watch over. This simply means... •  that we are considerate of one another. •  that we show concern for one another. •  that we meet one another's needs. •  that we strengthen one another's weaknesses. •  that we help one another through every trial and temptation. It means that we love—love in act and not in word—that we... •  feed the poor •  visit the sick and shut-ins •  look after the orphans and the children of broken homes and single parents •  become a friend to the lonely •  give direction to the empty and those without purpose.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" ().

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" ().

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" ().

"Let love be without dissimulation [hypocrisy]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" ().

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" ().

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" ().

"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" ).

"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity" ().

Our fourth duty, “Let us not forsake worshipping together (v.25)- , , , , ,,; Psalm 122:1

Believers are to assemble together...

•  for worship

•  for prayer

•  for the study of God's Word

•  for ministry and witnessing

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the lord for ever" ().

"lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth" ().

"One thing have I desired of the lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord, and to enquire in his temple" ().

"Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple" ().

"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God....Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee" (, ).

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" ().

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the lord" ().