The Purpose of

The Church #4

“Service”

The Purpose of

The Church #4

“Service”Jeffery Anselmi

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60622&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Service%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi

As we have looked at the question “What is the

Purpose of the Church,” thus far we have identified three areas that should be included in the purpose of

the church, worship, fellowship, discipleship.

Today I want to look at an area a lot of churches

struggle with. It is an area that if neglected will make the church and those who make up the congregation,

become self-centered.

As we have looked at the question “What is the

Purpose of the Church,” thus far we have identified three areas that should be included in the purpose of

the church, worship, fellowship, discipleship.

Today I want to look at an area a lot of churches

struggle with. It is an area that if neglected will make the church and those who make up the congregation,

become self-centered.

Today we are going to look at the next

purpose for the church,

that purpose is SERVICE.

One of the purposes of the church is to serve, to minister. We sometimes call

specific areas of service ministries.

The church is called to minister to

people. It is called to serve

people.

Today we are going to look at the next

purpose for the church,

that purpose is SERVICE.

One of the purposes of the church is to serve, to minister. We sometimes call

specific areas of service ministries.

The church is called to minister to

people. It is called to serve

people.

When we neglect this purpose we will end up just sitting

and soaking. We will learn a lot about

what we are called to do but spending

little or no time doing it.

When we forget we are called to

service, we then change our focus from “What does

God want us to do in order to carry out His mission”, to “I

want what I want.”

When we neglect this purpose we will end up just sitting

and soaking. We will learn a lot about

what we are called to do but spending

little or no time doing it.

When we forget we are called to

service, we then change our focus from “What does

God want us to do in order to carry out His mission”, to “I

want what I want.”

This is an area that many times we excuse

ourselves because we think that someone else

will do it.Matthew 20:28 NET just as the

Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Today I want to look at the purpose of service. I want to look at what we are to do to fulfill this purpose.

This is an area that many times we excuse

ourselves because we think that someone else

will do it.Matthew 20:28 NET just as the

Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Today I want to look at the purpose of service. I want to look at what we are to do to fulfill this purpose.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A SERVANT (MINISTER)

Matthew 20:26 NET It must not be this way among you!

Instead whoever wants to be great among you must

be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be

served but to serve, (MINISTER) and to give his life

as a ransom for many."

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A SERVANT (MINISTER)

Matthew 20:26 NET It must not be this way among you!

Instead whoever wants to be great among you must

be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be

served but to serve, (MINISTER) and to give his life

as a ransom for many."

What is a “minister”?A minister is a servant.

The word that is translated “minister” is

also the same word that is translated “deacon”.Jesus came to serve.

We are called to serve God in some way because

of what He has done for us.

What is a “minister”?A minister is a servant.

The word that is translated “minister” is

also the same word that is translated “deacon”.Jesus came to serve.

We are called to serve God in some way because

of what He has done for us.

1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may

proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his

marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now

you are God's people. You were

shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may

proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his

marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now

you are God's people. You were

shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are all called to serve God in some way.

Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some

as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to

equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the

faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God — a mature

person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full

stature.

We are all called to serve God in some way.

Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some

as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to

equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the

faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God — a mature

person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full

stature.

The church leaderships,

preacher, and teachers are the ones who help

prepare people for ministry.

This work of service can be translated work of ministry.

Ephesians 2:10 NET For we are his

workmanship, having been

created in Christ Jesus for good works that God

prepared beforehand so we

may do them.

The church leaderships,

preacher, and teachers are the ones who help

prepare people for ministry.

This work of service can be translated work of ministry.

Ephesians 2:10 NET For we are his

workmanship, having been

created in Christ Jesus for good works that God

prepared beforehand so we

may do them.

What ways are you serving Jesus?

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was

interviewed near the close of his life. This is what he

said: "God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater

plans, greater opportunities than I; but from the day I got a vision of what God could do, I made up my mind God would have all

there was of William Booth."

What ways are you serving Jesus?

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was

interviewed near the close of his life. This is what he

said: "God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater

plans, greater opportunities than I; but from the day I got a vision of what God could do, I made up my mind God would have all

there was of William Booth."

Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve

Him and the needs of

others.2 Corinthians 5:10 NET

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of

Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or

evil.

Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve

Him and the needs of

others.2 Corinthians 5:10 NET

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of

Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or

evil.

EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT

1 Corinthians 12:15 NET If the foot says, "Since I am not a

hand, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 16 And if the ear says, "Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in

the body because of that.

EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT

1 Corinthians 12:15 NET If the foot says, "Since I am not a

hand, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 16 And if the ear says, "Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body," it does not lose its membership in

the body because of that.

17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the

hearing? If the whole were an ear,

what part would exercise the sense of smell? 18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the

body just as he decided.

17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the

hearing? If the whole were an ear,

what part would exercise the sense of smell? 18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the

body just as he decided.

19 If they were all the same member,

where would the body be? 20 So now

there are many members, but one body. 21 The eye

cannot say to the hand, "I do not need

you," nor in turn can the head say to the foot, "I do not

need you." 22 On the contrary, those

members that seem to be weaker are

essential,

19 If they were all the same member,

where would the body be? 20 So now

there are many members, but one body. 21 The eye

cannot say to the hand, "I do not need

you," nor in turn can the head say to the foot, "I do not

need you." 22 On the contrary, those

members that seem to be weaker are

essential,

God places the members as He

wants. If God placed you,

then you are important.

All parts of the body are important

If one quits working then the others

have to work hard to compensate.

God places the members as He

wants. If God placed you,

then you are important.

All parts of the body are important

If one quits working then the others

have to work hard to compensate.

The size of the ministry

is not important. What is the most

important light in the house? The little night light that keeps you from

killing yourself in the middle of the night when you

head for the toilet or refrigerator.

The size of the ministry

is not important. What is the most

important light in the house? The little night light that keeps you from

killing yourself in the middle of the night when you

head for the toilet or refrigerator.

Romans 12:3 NET For by the grace given to me I say to every one of

you not to think more highly of

yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober

discernment, as God has distributed

to each of you a measure of faith. 4 For just as in one

body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same

function,

Romans 12:3 NET For by the grace given to me I say to every one of

you not to think more highly of

yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober

discernment, as God has distributed

to each of you a measure of faith. 4 For just as in one

body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same

function,

5 so we who are many are one body

in Christ, and individually we are

members who belong to one

another. 6 And we have different gifts

according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion

to his faith.

5 so we who are many are one body

in Christ, and individually we are

members who belong to one

another. 6 And we have different gifts

according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion

to his faith.

7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must

teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he

must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is

leadership, he must do so with

diligence; if it is showing mercy, he

must do so with cheerfulness.

This passage shows us that it is

important for each of us to use our

gifts in service to Jesus.

7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must

teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he

must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is

leadership, he must do so with

diligence; if it is showing mercy, he

must do so with cheerfulness.

This passage shows us that it is

important for each of us to use our

gifts in service to Jesus.

No matter which function your part

of the Body of Christ is to perform,

it is crucial. Be it the job of an Elder watching over the

flock, a Deacon taking care of the material needs, a

class teacher, playing the piano,

leading the singing, a prayer warrior, or

one who shows Jesus in the work

place or out in the world.

Your job is critical!

No matter which function your part

of the Body of Christ is to perform,

it is crucial. Be it the job of an Elder watching over the

flock, a Deacon taking care of the material needs, a

class teacher, playing the piano,

leading the singing, a prayer warrior, or

one who shows Jesus in the work

place or out in the world.

Your job is critical!

EACH MINISTRY IS DEPENDANT

ON THE OTHERS Romans 12:4 NET For just as in one body we

have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we

who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who

belong to one another.

EACH MINISTRY IS DEPENDANT

ON THE OTHERS Romans 12:4 NET For just as in one body we

have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we

who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who

belong to one another.

1 Corinthians 12:22 NET On the contrary, those members that seem

to be weaker are essential, 23 and

those members we consider less

honorable we clothe with greater honor,

and our unpresentable members are

clothed with dignity, 24 but our

presentable members do not

need this. Instead,

1 Corinthians 12:22 NET On the contrary, those members that seem

to be weaker are essential, 23 and

those members we consider less

honorable we clothe with greater honor,

and our unpresentable members are

clothed with dignity, 24 but our

presentable members do not

need this. Instead,

God has blended together the body,

giving greater honor to the lesser

member, 25 so that there may be no

division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers

with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.

God has blended together the body,

giving greater honor to the lesser

member, 25 so that there may be no

division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers

with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.

What if those who are gifted in

evangelism bring in a lot of people, but

then we do not have people who

are gifted in teaching or

hospitality? After a while, we will either lose the new people or they will not grow

in Christ.

What if those who are gifted in

evangelism bring in a lot of people, but

then we do not have people who

are gifted in teaching or

hospitality? After a while, we will either lose the new people or they will not grow

in Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 NET Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that

God supplies, so that in everything God will be

glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.

Amen. When one part does not

function, the rest of the body is affected.

1 Peter 4:10 NET Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that

God supplies, so that in everything God will be

glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.

Amen. When one part does not

function, the rest of the body is affected.

OUR “SHAPE” SHOULD DETERMINE OUR MINISTRY.

Romans 12:6 NET And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must

use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if

it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he

must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with

diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with

cheerfulness.

OUR “SHAPE” SHOULD DETERMINE OUR MINISTRY.

Romans 12:6 NET And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must

use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if

it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he

must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with

diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with

cheerfulness.

Do you wonder why God did not make us all the same?

Why didn’t God give us all the same

abilities?Psalms 139:13 NET Certainly you made my mind

and heart; you wove me together

in my mother's womb. 14 I will give you thanks because

your deeds are awesome and

amazing. You knew me thoroughly; 15

my bones were not hidden from you,

Do you wonder why God did not make us all the same?

Why didn’t God give us all the same

abilities?Psalms 139:13 NET Certainly you made my mind

and heart; you wove me together

in my mother's womb. 14 I will give you thanks because

your deeds are awesome and

amazing. You knew me thoroughly; 15

my bones were not hidden from you,

when I was made in secret and sewed

together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded

in your scroll before one of them came

into existence.God knows that each one of us is unique. There are also many

different jobs that need to be done in order for the work of the kingdom to

get done.

when I was made in secret and sewed

together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded

in your scroll before one of them came

into existence.God knows that each one of us is unique. There are also many

different jobs that need to be done in order for the work of the kingdom to

get done.

One of the greatest frustrations a

person can have in trying to serve God is to be pushed into an area of service

that we feel that we cannot do. Now I do not want people to

use this for an excuse for not reaching out to

people or trying to stretch themselves.

We are to all witness to people, although we will all

do it a little differently.

One of the greatest frustrations a

person can have in trying to serve God is to be pushed into an area of service

that we feel that we cannot do. Now I do not want people to

use this for an excuse for not reaching out to

people or trying to stretch themselves.

We are to all witness to people, although we will all

do it a little differently.

As you look around us, you will notice that each of us has a different shape. Did you know that your ministry or area a service

should be determined by your

SHAPE.

As you look around us, you will notice that each of us has a different shape. Did you know that your ministry or area a service

should be determined by your

SHAPE.

Rick Warren uses the word

SHAPE as an acronym for:

Spiritual Gifts (How God has gifted me?)Heart (passion) What do I love to do?Abilities (What natural talents do I have?)Personality (Where does my personality best suit me to serve?)Experience (What experiences have I had?)

Rick Warren uses the word

SHAPE as an acronym for:

Spiritual Gifts (How God has gifted me?)Heart (passion) What do I love to do?Abilities (What natural talents do I have?)Personality (Where does my personality best suit me to serve?)Experience (What experiences have I had?)

Our SHAPE could be dependant on 5 aspects of our life.

1) Education (What type of service did

your education prepare you for?)2) Vocational (Does your job

experience point you towards an area of

service?)3) Spiritual (Spiritual gifts, maturity,

may determine your area service.)4) Ministry (How you served in the

past could influence your service

today.)5) Painful (What problems, hurts

and trials have you learned from?)

Our SHAPE could be dependant on 5 aspects of our life.

1) Education (What type of service did

your education prepare you for?)2) Vocational (Does your job

experience point you towards an area of

service?)3) Spiritual (Spiritual gifts, maturity,

may determine your area service.)4) Ministry (How you served in the

past could influence your service

today.)5) Painful (What problems, hurts

and trials have you learned from?)

Isaiah 64:8 NET Yet, LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all

the product of your labor.

We are all different because

God made us that way.

Your personality will affect

how you use your spiritual gifts;

your passion will affect

what you place as important.

Isaiah 64:8 NET Yet, LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all

the product of your labor.

We are all different because

God made us that way.

Your personality will affect

how you use your spiritual gifts;

your passion will affect

what you place as important.

Too many times we go about things

backwards. We feel that since we do not know what we are

gifted in, we do nothing. We think that we can take a

test to find out what our SHAPE really is.The best way to find

out where your gifts, talents and

heart is, is to serve in many different

areas and from that you will

settle into what you are good

at.

Too many times we go about things

backwards. We feel that since we do not know what we are

gifted in, we do nothing. We think that we can take a

test to find out what our SHAPE really is.The best way to find

out where your gifts, talents and

heart is, is to serve in many different

areas and from that you will

settle into what you are good

at.

If the church is not a church that focuses on serving others,

then what will happen to us is we

will become friendly to ourselves, we will

take care of ourselves, and we

will focus our resources on

ourselves.If, as a collective

body of believers, we are not each

focused on serving or some area of

ministry, the whole body will be hurt.

If the church is not a church that focuses on serving others,

then what will happen to us is we

will become friendly to ourselves, we will

take care of ourselves, and we

will focus our resources on

ourselves.If, as a collective

body of believers, we are not each

focused on serving or some area of

ministry, the whole body will be hurt.

If I have areas of ability that I will not use for the

body of Christ at the Lindley Christian Church,

then I am hurting the body of Christ here. For this body to function, we need each and every part

of it to be functioning.God did not call us to sit

on the bench, but He called us to find a position

on the field and be involved in the activity.

If I have areas of ability that I will not use for the

body of Christ at the Lindley Christian Church,

then I am hurting the body of Christ here. For this body to function, we need each and every part

of it to be functioning.God did not call us to sit

on the bench, but He called us to find a position

on the field and be involved in the activity.

What happens on a team when part of the team decides not to do its job?

It is my prayer that each and every member of this

congregation is an active part of the

body, that each one of us is serving the

body of Christ in some way.

What happens on a team when part of the team decides not to do its job?

It is my prayer that each and every member of this

congregation is an active part of the

body, that each one of us is serving the

body of Christ in some way.

Too many times we sit back and want to be served and then we complain about

the service. Too many times we feel sorry for ourselves. The best way to get

out of that is to serve others.

Remember, we are to be like Jesus, Jesus came to

serve, He came to seek and save

those who are lost.

Too many times we sit back and want to be served and then we complain about

the service. Too many times we feel sorry for ourselves. The best way to get

out of that is to serve others.

Remember, we are to be like Jesus, Jesus came to

serve, He came to seek and save

those who are lost.

At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United

States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered

the Finnish language. In Finland, to “Hoover” means to be kind, to help.

If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be?

Would it signify character? Helpfulness? Cheerfulness?

Or would it be some mean and ugly word?

At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United

States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered

the Finnish language. In Finland, to “Hoover” means to be kind, to help.

If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be?

Would it signify character? Helpfulness? Cheerfulness?

Or would it be some mean and ugly word?