THE WORD “SERVE”

1. A story is told about a man who was an artist.

2. One day this painter decided to create a sad picture.

3. He envisioned a woman who was destitute and poorly clothed.

4. He imagined this woman clutching a child against her body as she wandered through the streets.

5. In his mind he could see her needing help on a dark night and a deserted street.

6. Little by little the picture began to take shape

7. After a lot of progress had been made, the artist threw down his brush and quit.

HE SAID, “INSTEAD OF MERELY PAINTING THE LOST, I WILL GO OUT AND PERSONALLY SAVE THEM.” THIS FELLOW PACKED UP HIS BELONGINGS AND HEADED TO AFRICA TO DO MISSION WORK.

A. The painter reached a time in his life when he wanted to serve.

B. Tonight’s lesson is about service.

C. The text comes from Acts 6.

D. In previous weeks we have examined different parts of the opening verses.

2. As the congregation Jerusalem increased in size, a complain arose.

3. The gripe was based upon benevolence.

4. The apostle had their attention on evangelism so they enlisted the help of others.

5. This information is found in verse 2 – READ.

6. We want to study a single word from this verse. This is the term serve.

A. This term is important for anyone interested in Christianity.

B. We live in a time when serving others is not always popular.

C. American culture often tells us we should expect others to serve us.

7. God says the Christian is to serve others.

8. One of the ways He communicates this point is by the word used in Acts 6:2.

9. Tonight I want us to take a close look at this single word.

A. This term first appears in Mt. 4:11, though this passage will not be read.

B. In Mt. 4 we read about Jesus’ wilderness experiences with the devil.

C. He was tempted and tested but He did not accept Satan’s temptations.

D. After the temptations angels came and “ministered” (same word) to the Lord.

10. In the past angels have worked as servants.

11. At the present time we are lower than angels so there should be no question about our serving.

12. In other words, if creatures superior to man serve, surely we should expect to be servants.

13. A basis for our servanthood is found in Mt. 8.

A. Mt. 8:15 is the second place this term occurs in the New Testament.

B. This is one of the places where we learn Peter was married.

C. Peter’s mother-in-law was sick; she was extremely ill.

D. Jesus healed her at the request of others and this woman immediately “served” people.

14. This woman’s response to God’s kindness was service to others.

15. A similar thing should be true for each one of us.

16. Each person who is old enough to know right from wrong is sick.

17. Sin is like a terrible disease.

18. If we have been cured (forgiven), we have some responsibilities.

19. We should be eager and ready to serve God, just like Peter’s mother-in-law.

A. The third time this term occurs in the New Testament is Mt. 20:28.

B. Here the word is applied to Jesus.

C. The Lord said He did not come to have people serve Him.

D. He came to minister.

E. The text then adds, “and give His life a ransom for many.”

20. As we consider the passages that have been given, we find the heart of a true Christian.

A. There are people in the world who refuse to serve.

B. These individuals do not serve because in their eyes they are:

C. Too good to serve, too important to serve, or too busy to serve.

D. When someone reasons in one of these ways they have problems.

E. Angels—creatures higher than men—have involved themselves with service.

F. A godly person who was helped by God (the mother-in-law) is portrayed as immediately serving.

G. The Son of God humbled Himself to serve humanity and die on our behalf.

21. In light of these three examples, who can say they are too good or too important to serve?

22. The examples in the New Testament reveal that each person has a duty to serve.

23. The apostles were serving and they were at their maximum capacity.

24. They therefore asked for others to help serve in a special way.

IF THIS INFORMATION PROVIDES A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICE RECORDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

A. Our next citation comes from a very well known passage.

B. This is Mt. 25.

C. The background of Mt. 25 is the final Day of Judgment.

D. The Lord pictures the unsaved as being turned away from heaven.

2. After Jesus condemns the unsaved those who are lost ask some questions.

3. The question important to us this evening is in verse 44 – READ.

A. Notice the word “minister.”

B. This is the same term used in Acts 6.

C. Here the word is associated with a variety of acts.

D. We can “minister” (serve) by visiting with people and helping people.

4. Verse 44 says that those who refuse to serve will be condemned when they stand before God.

5. This condemnation will be absolutely fair; consider the passages I introduced earlier:

6. Jesus served. Angels have served. Other godly people have served, often “immediately.”

7. Those who refuse to serve do not display an important quality of godliness.

8. This will thus result in condemnation and it will be fair.

9. A true Christian serves and wants to serve.

10. This is a basic part of the Christian life.

A. The last time this term occurs in the book of Matthew is Mt. 27:55.

B. Matthew says women were somewhere in the area of the crucifixion.

C. These women had “ministered” to the Lord at a prior time.

11. These woman had helped care for the Lord before Calvary and stayed with Him towards the end.

12. These woman helped Jesus for as long as they could.

13. When we think about ministering and serving, this is a great example to follow.

A. A passage which encourages us to do this very thing is Jn. 12:26.

B. John uses the same word Luke used in Acts 6:2.

C. John’s point is similar to Mt. 25:44 only it is worded in a positive way.

D. John states exciting promise; here is what the verse says – READ Jn. 12:26

14. As human beings we can be honored by different people and in different ways.

15. Imagine being “honored” by God the Father.

16. Jesus said this is possible if we comply with the terms in scripture.

17. What is required for us to be honored by the Father?

18. We must “serve” (same word as in Acts 6:2) the Lord.

A. Being a faithful Christian means serving Jesus to the best of our ability.

B. The Lord says if we do this we will be both saved and honored.

19. We can look at the men in Acts 6 and reason were chosen for a special task.

20. This is true, but let’s not forget that similar opportunities exist for us.

21. No matter who we are, we can still find special ways to serve God.

22. When we do God is pleased with us.

23. As an example of service I want to introduce 2 Tim. 1.

A. This chapter has the same word we are examining and it has a specific example.

B. Towards the end of the first chapter a lot of hardships are described.

24. Paul said “all in Asia” had “turned away from him.”

25. There were Christian who were not only failed to serve, they left the faith.

26. There was, however, a bright spot or two.

27. Let’s start with verse 16 and read through verse 18 – READ.

A. In these verses the word we are looking at is in verse 18 – “ministered.”

B. Paul had some difficult times and a friend tried to serve him (offer help).

28. This man “refreshed” Paul (showed him basic courtesies).

29. This brother was “not ashamed” of Paul’s confinement.

30. He searched for Paul (verse 17) so he could help him.

31. We can serve others, and when we do so, we bless other lives and God is pleased.

32. This is hinted at in the passages that have been given.

33. The Hebrew writer, however, came right out and made this point directly in Heb. 6:10.

34. This reference is my final passage.

35. Heb. 6:10 – READ.

A. We can “minister” to fellow saints (same word).

B. This is the example we find in the book of Acts (the 6^th chapter).

C. Helping others (serving) is classified as a “work.”

D. God says He does not “forget” our times of service.

E. This verse also says our service is a demonstration of “love.”

36. It is an act of love “towards His name.”

37. We can look at some of the most visible people in a congregation.

38. There is the preacher. He should help people. This is right.

39. There are deacons. They should serve. This is also right.

40. There are elders here and elsewhere. They should serve. Yes they should.

41. Preachers, deacons, and elders can and do serve in some special ways.

42. The New Testament also says that every Christian is to be a servant.

43. When we do we can know that God is pleased with us.

44. Are we a dedicated servant of God?

45. Do we look for ways to aid and assist people on a regular basis?

46. We can never serve too much.

47. We start the process of service by becoming a Christian.