Building The Church By Serving Each Other Series

Introduction

Video Ill.: Meet the Sanders - Serving Heathens — The Skit Guys

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling || their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And || the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2, NIV1984)

While the word serve is no where in Acts 2:42-47, the idea is written all over the actions of the early church.

Jesus taught us that service is the best expression of His love. Remember when He was facing His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated tangible service to His disciples. In John 13, we read the story:

1 It was almost time for the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end.

2 Jesus and his followers were at the evening || meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to turn against Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over everything and that he had come from God and was going back to God. 4 So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer || clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

|| 7 Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter said, “No, you will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.”

|| 9 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head, too!”

10 Jesus said, “After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not all of you.” || 11 Jesus knew who would turn against him, and that is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again. He asked, “Do you understand what I have just done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ || and you are right, because that is what I am. 14 If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. 15 I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not || greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13, NCV)

Serving others was central to Jesus’ mission. Serving others was central to the early church.

This morning, we are continuing our study Devoted Together, where we are discovering why church is more than a building—it's a family, a support system, and a vital part of our spiritual journey.

We began by seeing how corporate worship prepares us to live lives of daily worship. Worship has an impact not only on us, but on those around us when we gather together to worship together.

Then, we saw the importance of gathering together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and the witness that we share when we partake each Sunday. We are proclaiming a message of hope and love when we come together to remember Jesus’ death in our place.

Next, we found that we find encouragement when we gather together. We all have a need for encouragement.

Last week, we studied that the early church’s devotion to fellowship brought them together. They were a true community together. Fellowship was a vital part of that thriving Christian community.

This morning, service was an important part of the devotion that the early church had to each other. They were devoted together to serving one another within the church and within their community.

Let’s look at how we can serve each other, and learn that service is not just a duty, but a manifestation of God’s love and a source of unity.