Expect Service
Faith Expectations Part 9
07/06/08 PM
Text: Various
[This lesson and this series are drawn from the writings of Tom Allen in his book “What to expect now that you believe.”]
Faith Expectations
This lesson is another in the series titled Faith Expectations. This series purpose is to explore those things our faith brings to us as we strive to walk in the way of Jesus. It is probably fair to say for many of us, if not all, that when we obeyed the call of the gospel, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and been Baptized into Him there were some expectations of what our faith would do in us, for us, and through us. And we are justified in these expectations:
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
John 10:10b “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
As believers we should never lose the “great expectations” of our faith especially since the greatest expectation is yet to come, that being the return of our Lord and Savior. Until that day it remains for us to balance our expectations with the reality of living as sojourners in this world. And so let us consider a great expectation of our faith: Expect Service.
Introduction
Have you ever been in a situation where you expected service and your expectations were not met? Ever been in a Department store and found yourself invisible to everyone working there? Or have you ever paid big bucks to stay at a nice hotel or resort and been treated poorly by the staff? Here you are giving them your hard earned cash and they are acting like they are doing you a favor by taking it. How did that make you feel?
How about this one, you’ve volunteered your time to serve some cause, you name it, whatever it may be, and the “regulars” treat you like an outcast, a lower class citizen. Here you are giving of your time and talent and you are being given short shrift by the very people you are trying to help! How does that make you feel?
How do you think God feels when you do not use the time, talent, and treasure that He has given you towards the work He has prepared for us?
I.Gifts For Every Believer
A.Everyone has something.
1.1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
2.The body of Christ is as diverse as our physical bodies, as complex as any organism found in nature, with many parts which each serve their own purpose:
Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-19
3.And knowing that we all have some gift, or gifts, we must also know that God expects us to put them to use:
Romans 12:6-8 “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; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
B.The Purpose of Our Gifts
1.Romans 12:4-5 “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
2.1 Corinthians 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
3.1 Corinthians 14:12; 26 “So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
(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.”
4.Read Ephesians 4:7-8; 11-16
5.Consider the key phrases from these passages: “for the common good”, “done for edification”, “so the body may be built up”. It is clear that the purpose of our gifts is to serve the body of Christ.
[Christ asks us to follow His example…]
II.Christians Are To Serve
A.Jesus came to serve, not to be served
1.Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
2.His example of washing the Apostles feet
John 13:16-17 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
3.Jesus expects His followers to follow His example.
B.We are created to serve
1.Epesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
a.Saved to serve is as God intended it to be for His children but it seems many Christians do not “expect service” when they become believers.
b.Some fully embrace the “What’s in it for me?” philosophy and service is just that time they spend sitting in the pews listening to a teacher or a preacher.
c.Others espouse the opinion that Christian service is just for those that are called on a “full-time” basis and not for the rest of us.
ILL: Christians in the bleachers: Can you imagine going to a football game and seeing all the players, in full pads, helmets, and uniforms sitting in the bleachers cheering wildly for the coaches left alone on the field of play? “Go coach, Go! Win the game! We’re behind you all the way! We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve go spirit, how ‘bout you?” Do you suppose you would think there was something wrong with the player’s philosophy of the game? And yet as Christians many have no problem putting the Elders, Deacons, and preachers out there on the field by themselves while they cheer from the pews. “Go Pastor, Go! We’re behind you all the way! Win the Lost! Disciple the Saints! Teach our classes! Unlock the doors early and make sure the air conditioning is on!
d.Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:12 that gifts were given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” “The saints”, not some saints. Each and every one of us are equipped and called to serve.
2.James 2:26 James reminds us that faith without works is dead.
3.Titus 2:14 Paul says we are to be zealous for good works.
C.We need to show passion in our service
1.We need to make service to God our passion
Joshua’s Passion
Joshua 24:14 “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
David’s Passion
Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”
Paul’s Passion
Acts 20:24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”
Jesus’ Passion
John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.”
Conclusion: God has given us all that we have and he has given us gifts so that we may encourage, strengthen, and equip the body of Christ. So we may expect to serve.
Invitation
