Sermon-10/8/06-E:Every Member a Minister
Turn to John 13
Intro-Insurance Claim-A man injured on the job filed an insurance claim. The insurance company requested more information, so the man wrote the insurance company the following letter of explanation:
Dear Sirs:
I am writing in response to your request concerning clarification of the information I supplied in block #11 on the insurance form, which asked for the cause of the injury. I answered, “Trying to do the job alone.” I trust that the following explanation will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the injury, I was working alone, laying brick around the top of a three-story building. When I finished the job, I had about five hundred pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to put them into a barrel and lower them by a pulley that was fastened to the top of the building.
I secured the end of the rope at ground level, went back up to the top of the building, loaded the bricks into the barrel, and pushed it over the side. I then went back down to the ground and untied the rope, holding it securely to insure the slow descent of the barrel. As you will note in block #6 of the insurance form, I weigh 145 pounds. At the shock of being jerked off the ground so swiftly by the five hundred pounds of bricks in the barrel, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope.
Between the second and third floors I met the barrel. This accounts for the bruises and lacerations on my upper body. Fortunately, I retained enough presence of mind to maintain my tight hold on the rope and proceeded rapidly up the side of the building, not stopping until my right hand was jammed in the pulley. This accounts for my broken thumb (see block #4). Despite the pain, I continued to hold tightly to the rope. Unfortunately, at approximately the same time, the barrel hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed about fifty pounds. I again refer you to block #6, where my weight is listed. I began a rapid descent.
In the vicinity of the second floor, I met the barrel coming up. This explains the injury to my legs and lower body. Slowed only slightly, I continued my descent, landing on the pile of bricks. Fortunately, my back was only sprained. I am sorry to report, however, that at this point I again lost my presence of mind—and let go of the rope
I trust that this answers your concern. Please note that I am finished trying to do the job alone.
(Taken from Hot Illustrations by Youth Specialties)
When it comes to the ministry of the church we were never meant to do the job alone. Every member of the body is to be involved in the ministry using their gifts to serve the body.
E:Every member a minister
I. Yes, you can be a minister
Wrong impression of what it means to be a minister. Not only those who teach/upfront.
What is a minister? Anyone who serves.
That is the definition of ministry=service.
Everyone can minister, what’s more everyone has been commanded by God to minister, because we all are called to be servants.
John 13:1-17
When the disciples arrived for the Last supper X wanted to teach them a lesson about serving/being a servant of others.
-dinner to be served/feet needed to be washed
-no one sat down to do it. They all walked by the wash basin.
-But it was X who assumed the role of a servant and with that one act of humility redefined greatness.
-That is our calling each of us to be servants to serve the other, to be ministers.
& God doesn’t call us to do something w/out providing us with the ability/strength.
God has gifted you for service (I Peter 4:10)
I Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (ESV)
Each and every one of us has a gift from God, a spiritual gift that we have been given. Why– to serve each other. If you don’t use your gift’s to serve the body, you are robbing the body of what God has put you here for. You are wasting the gift that God gave you, you are being a poor steward of what God gave you.
Every believer has a spiritual gift (I Cor. 12:7,11)
12:7 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” (NLT)
12:11 “It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” (NLT)
Lists of gifts in Romans 12:4-8, I Cor. 12:48-10, eph. 4:11-
Service
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Evangelism
Helps
Administration
Pastor/Shepherd
Probably not an exhaustive list, (intercession, worship leading, etc.) the point there are a number of gifts, you have one, find a place to serve where God has gifted you. Get involved
2. these gifts are given to build up the body (I Cor. 12:7,
Eph. 4:11,12)“And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
B. God has given you a passion for an area of ministry (scripture?/examples)
Ps. 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Your heart/ your passions what excites you, those come from God-do you enjoy working with kids, teens, adults-Do you enjoy numbers/accounting/taxes (Terry G.)-do you enjoy music, technology, people-Do you desire to see people come to faith in Christ, grow in their faith in Him, strong families, Those desire, passions come from God and are a part of how he has gifted you for ministry. Minister in the areas that you are passionate & excited about.
C. You have natural abilities that God wants you to use in ministry.
-teaching/speaking, musical ability, singing.
-accounting skill, administrative skill, typing, graphic arts, video ability,
Sports-(softball in CA/WA)
Interior Decorator/web design
things you learn/aquire over time/were born with
D. Your personality will impact how you serve in ministry
Introvert/extrovert
Big picture/detail oriented
Facts/Feelings
Independent/Dependant on others
Spontaneous/Dertermined
E. The experiences of your life will allow you to minister in ways that no one else can. (scripture/examples)
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
-Hardest times in my life, caused the most growth, able to relate to others going through similar experiences.
-use my past YM experience to allow me someday to work with someone getting in to YM and train them.
-Difficulties and hard times that you have been through will allow you to understand and minister to others going through similar circumstances.
Jessica M.-difficult childhood/relationship w/ dad, going into social work, heart of compassion for kids coming out of difficult home life.
II. All these combine to give you a unique S.H.A.P.E. for ministry
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experiences
III. Discovering your S.H.A.P.E.
the Churches role
Train –Eph. 4:11,12 –to equip the saints. Train and equip you to serve.
2. Provide opportunities-places of ministry, opportunities for you to use your gifts, discover your shape.
B . The Individuals role
Find where you fit. Get involved.
-Heroes unmasked
-ministry opportunities handout
-find a place and get involved, if you don’t fit there, we will help you find your spot.
Close w/ Acts 2:42-47
All, everyone, together
That’s what we need to be successful as a church. Not 20/80, Every member a minister, everyone who is a part of the body here at Lifegate serving in the way that God has designed you to serve Him.
