Discipleship- Service in the body
Notes
Transcript
Handout
One body, many parts
One body, many parts
Many parts are needed for the church to function as God intended. Tonight we will look at areas of service that the parts can do collectively for the whole.
First, a few reminders in case you missed a part of this series of things we covered.
Body of Christ, has many members to make one body (1Cor12:12-14)
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Body of Christ members do not all have the same function (Rom12:4-6)
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
Every part is crucial for the body to function properly (1Cor12:21-22; Eph4:15-16)
the eye, the hand, the head and the feet are all needed (ref: 1Cor12)
We are all held together by what every part supplies, and we grow up together in love (ref: Eph4:15-16)
Challenges we can face in service to the body.
Be aware
Be aware of our differences and the different ways a disciple can serve the body.
Be encouraging
To be encouraging of each other as disciples learn to develop their function within the body
Be ready
Be ready to help, provide direction for development and for opportunities for the disciple to serve within the body with the function God has gifted them with to do.
(Transition) - as noted in previous messages there are several general areas of service in the body.
In public worship
In edification
In evangelism
In benevolence
There are the areas we will touch on and look at some examples of too. So let’s pray together as we get ready to look at this lesson tonight.
Service in Public Worship
Service in Public Worship
We are called to minister (serve) the Lord. One of the ways, places we serve is in public worship. May we consider a few things in this area.
We are commanded (Heb10:24-25)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
We serve one another by exhorting one another
We serve one another by stirring up one another to love and good works.
other words used in (v.24) are to spur, to motivate, to provoke, to encourage, to promote and to help one another to love and good works
There are other commands within public worship too
To celebrate Lords Supper (1Cor11:20-34)
We do not find this command to do it alone, but when we come together to celebrate together.
20 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,
‘and drop down a few verses
33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
(expand) be careful when doing it.
To lay by in store as we have been prospered (1Cor16:1-2)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave directions about it to the churches of Galatia, so you do also. 2 On the first day of the week, each one of you put aside something, saving up to whatever extent he has prospered, in order that whenever I come, at that time collections do not take place.
(expand) special collection, following a pattern already set for the first day of the week.
We have guidelines (1Cor14:26; 1Cor14:40)
For edification (1Cor14:26)
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
(expand) when we come together; all things are to be done for edification
Be done decently and in order (1Cor14:40)
40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
We know God is not the God of confusion (1Cor14:33) and our assembly, service in our assembly should be done in an orderly manner.
(Transition) we have talked about commands, we have talked about examples, and we have talked about guidelines, now may we press on to samples?
Some Sample “roles” in minister (serving) in public worship
(Insert sample Men’s role PowerPoint)
Announcements
leading singing/ prayers
Scripture reading
Lord’s supper talk, serving
Doing a devotional
Preaching or teaching mixed company
(Insert sample Rolles not just for Men Power Point)
Such things as Greeters
Preparing Lord’s Supper
Taking attendance
Working with media
These do not require a man to do but help in expediting public worship.
(Transition) It think you can get the point here, the lists are not extensive at all. I think there are many tasks, areas of service for many with varying abilities, now that is just in service in the area of public worship, may we press on now to the area of edification?
Service in Edification
Service in Edification
This series, or portion of the discipleship series, regarding equipping has centered around (Eph4:11-16) and we now return there regarding edification.
Edification is the an area of service for the body of Christ, for the church not just the person, but is applicable collectively.
Serving by Edification is a major work, function, service, ministry of the church (Eph4:11-16)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
I think we can agree from Heb10:24-25, from Eph4:11-16 that edification is a major reason that we come together in the assembly, but that is not the only place.
(Insert Edification Samples PowerPoint slide here)
There is in bible classes (mixed, men’s, women’s, young married, young adults, youth, children’s)
Small groups
Personal one on one bible studies
Doing church bulletin
Hospital and shut in visits
Prayer team, Call team
Child care
There is also the qualified offices of elders and deacons both of which are people that part of the office is edification.
Elders, Deacons (consider 1Pt5:1-2, 1Tim3:1-7, 8-13)
In 1Pt5, Peter as an elder exhorts the elders he is writing to to shepherd the flock in their care
The qualifications of these elder is found 1Tim3:1-7; and for the deacons in (vv.8-13) We have looked at those when we looked at 1Timothy together on Sunday mornings.
(Transition) From Edification to some sample “roles” now
(Insert Sample Roles edification PowerPoint here)
Teach
Adult mixed, men’s, women’s, Young married, Young adult, youth, children
Conduct, lead, participate in home bible study for new converts
Offer child care during a in home bible study
well, and yes that is a part of what an Elder/Deacon are to do too.
(Transition) now moving on to the next area, that being evangelism.
Service in Evangelism
Service in Evangelism
Evangelism is not just for the evangelist it is for the body of Christ. This is another important function of the body.
Evangelism commanded prior to birth of church (Mt28:18-20; Mk16:15-16)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Evangelism purposed in early church (1Pt2:9-10)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(expand on (v.9) - so may proclaim (evangelize))
Evangelism is effective (Col1:3-7)
I was thinking just summarizing scripture but I think we have time to read it, for the Word is the important thing.
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
(expand) Their faith was known, why because of evangelism, because of the gospel, the gospel which is bearing fruit not just in Colossi but in all the known world
Evangelism is active participation (Php1:3-5)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
(Expand) they participated in the gospel (evangelism) from the beginning, first day.
So, in summary
sharing the good news (evangelism) goes back to before the birth of the church.
It is an important part of the church, the body of believers
It is personal but it is also as the body and it will impact when we are active in it.
(Transition) - how about some sample “roles” again in serving through evangelism?
(Insert: Sample roles Evangelism PowerPoint here)
Write letters or cards to guests, wayward members
Do in home visits or invite out to coffee or desert guests, wayward members
Mail out tracts, correspondence courses etc. to guests, wayward members
Conduct in home bible study for salvation, restoration
Invite friends, family, neighbors to church, or even to events that promote unity and opportunities
Be willing to assist with baptisms, sometimes they happen at really off times.
Offer to provide childcare for an in home bible study leading to salvation can be done
Support our domestic mission efforts, and foreign if we get involved in that one day..
(Transition) - We have covered areas of service in worship, edification and in evangelism now we still have one more area for this evening - benevolence
Service in Benevolence
Service in Benevolence
Many of the things we have looked at are collective for the body of Christ. In this section there is lots of personal, one disciple helping another person or another disciple that impact the body of Christ.
Benevolence is seeing a need and meeting it, exampled in early church (Act2:44-45, 4:32-35)
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
and add to that
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Benevolence is seeing need in other places and meeting that need (Act11:27-30, Rom15:25-26)
In Act11 there was a famine coming and there was a need in Judea and they were going to send relief.
This is further evidenced in Romans
25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Benevolence on congregation level is very limited, even biblically limitations was on for the body (i.e. widows as noted 1Tim5:3-16)
Benevolence individually we are to be benevolent to believers and unbelievers (Gal6:10; Jm1:27; 1Jn3:17)
10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
And James discusses this too
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Oh, can’t leave out John
17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
(Transition) I think when it comes to ministering/serving in benevolence it can be narrowed down to a few key words
(Insert Roles for benevolence PowerPoint here)
These are things, charitable, hospitable things we can do within the body and for outside the body too.
Visit
Visit and care for the hospitalized, convalescent and shut-ins
Even if cannot go, call and visit by phone.
Prepare
Clothing, food, shelter, childcare, transportation for the needed
Prepare meals for sick and the bereaved, new parents etc.
Prepare sending of cards, flowers for bereavement or sickness
Whew, service, what opportunities we have as a body, as a person within the body.
This series has been about discipleship, equipping the saints and i hope that this has been encouraging and challenging.
(Invitation) (Song) (Prayer)