Finding Hope in the Spirit’s Gift of Serving

Outline

I. What Is the Gift of “Serving?”

A. Meaning of the term – “diakonia” (διακονία) – “rendering of specific assistance, aid, support, an administrative function, service as attendant, aide, or assistant.” (William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)

B. Many scholars understand that the gift of “helps” in 1 Corinthians 12:28 refers to the same gift

1 Corinthians 12:28 - And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

C. Examples

1. Acts 6:2-5 - So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

2. Acts 19:22 - Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

3. Philemon 10-13 - I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel…

4. I Corinthians 16:14-19 - Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

5. The gift of serving involves:

i. supporting others in the church to promote the effective accomplish the church’s mission

ii. an inclination to regularly meet various needs – often very tangible, physical needs

iii. a satisfaction to work behind the scenes without accolades and personal gain

1 Corinthians 12:22-25 - On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

6. All spiritual gifts are to be used in “serving” one another

1 Peter 4:10 - As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

II. What Power Transforms Us Into Servants? (Luke 22:15-29)

A. The resource of heaven, Jesus, creates a new community of servants (new covenant family)

B. The resource of heaven, Jesus, molds a new mindset of service (“my life for yours”)

C. The resource of heaven, Jesus, transforms the glory of service (God, Himself serves humanity)

“But I (who is greater and has come down from heaven) am among you as the one who serves (‘the choreography of heaven’)”

Faith Church family, I know you are not my priest to whom I confess.

But this morning I want to confess.

Growing up I was not a servant.

As a result, I missed out on some significant life lessons, and opportunities to fulfill God’s creation mandate of taking dominion over the earth for the purpose of harnessing God given resources and structuring them for the prospering of humanity.

I believe the area in which my lack of being a servant showed the most was in relationship to my Dad’s Pharmacy business.

August marks the 9^th year since my dad’s death.

Here are two pictures of my dad.

The first one is him answering never-ending phone calls at his Pharmacy taking prescription orders.

The second one is a picture of dad in his more seasoned years of life.

When I was 10 years, in 1978 in this very month of August Dad bought Earl Drug—a community fixture in Lawton, Oklahoma.

You can tell the picture on the left is quite old by the nature of the vehicles.

That building burnt down at one point and the building on the right took its place.

When I was preparing for my dad’s funeral and hearing from all those he served through Earl Drug, I realized how impactful my Dad had been on others.

And I realized, painfully, how I squandered many opportunities to serve my dad in his mission.

You see, the Gospel had been working in my dad to create a heart for taking care of people in need. Earl Drug had a reputation for great customer care.

Earl Drug also had a reputation for some of the best burgers and soda fountain drinks in town. However, Dad was not content in serving people burgers and the best cherry limeades.

Discouraged with what he observed among the patient care of ostomy and colostomy patients, he transformed Earl Drug into a leader in home health care products at that time.

Ostomy and Colostomy surgeries left individuals very vulnerable and almost hopeless with part of their intestines hanging out of their bodies. He wanted to help return some of their dignity. So, he transformed the back end of the store from a hamburger joint into a place where he could personally coach these patients in dealing with their conditions and provide them with needed products.

Earl Drug was the first of its kind in this area in Southwest, Oklahoma.

He also led the pharmaceutical stores in SW OK to implement computerized systems.

I can remember that first large washing machine size computer which DAD spent hours troubleshooting.

You think we have technology problems today!!!

Here is where my confession comes in.

I was my dad’s delivery boy and stock boy.

From the moment I could drive, I worked 5 days a week after school from about 3:00p – 7:00p and all-day Saturday.

I certainly was a faithful delivery and stock boy…but beyond that, asking my dad about how I could help with the computer system, how I could learn the health care business, how I could come alongside of him to learn all aspects of the business.

I confess I did not do.

After punching the clock, I was consumed with video games which served only myself.

Now, as I manage one of the church’s ministries, Faith Bible Seminary…I wish I had learned some finance, accounting, management, customer care, lessons much earlier.

Furthermore, managing FBS, I’m so thankful for the many volunteers that come alongside and simply serve to help accomplish the larger mission.

I think of James and Connie Thomas who manage all the seminary housing furnishing and cleaning…how important is that!

I cannot imagine adding that to my plate and I could not do it as well as them!

I have used the following quote before and I’m going to use it again this morning.

Thomas Howard in the book, The Night Far Spent states that the “choreography of heaven” is “My life for yours.”

Let that sink in for a moment…the principle of heaven is “My life for yours.”

The overall disposition of Heaven where God dwells is marshalling the resources of heavens …to serve humanity…

You may say…I’m not sure I buy this Brent… that Heaven exists to serve mankind…. (in one sense yes).

In my teen years, I certainly did not understand the choreography of heaven….I manifested the choreography of Hell…my life for me…and my video games….and living that way leads you lonely, isolated, at the top of your kingdom of one.

“My pleasures” “I am my own.” Lead to aloneness where there is no community to serve….and give your life to….there is no greater purpose or mission than you.

Hell will be filled with lonely people who lived by the maximum “My life for me, I am my own”

If in my teen years, I would have offered more of my life for the sake of my dad….being a servant, I could have help him achieved possibly even greater things than he did for the benefit of mankind.

With that in mind, please turn to Romans 12:1-8 which is on page 126 in the back section of the bible in the chair in front of you.

This summer have been talking about Hope for Fruitful Service…

The first part of the summer we have focused on fruitful character from 2 Peter 1:5-7…

Now we’ve pivoted in the second half of the summer to a discussion of the spiritual gifts…

This morning we are discussing Finding Hope in the Spirit’s Gift of Serving

Romans 12

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (NOT JUST SAVED FROM SOMETHING BUT SAVE TO SOMETHING)

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6 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;

7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

We will be responding to two questions in the message today, “What is the Gift of Serving” and “What Transforms Us into Servants?

Let’s start with the first question:

I. What is the Gift of “Serving?”

Meaning of the term—“diakonia” (διακονία)-- rendering of specific assistance, aid, support, an administrative function, service as attendant, aide, or assistant. (William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature)

“Diakonia” –What term does that sound like Faith church?

“Deacon”

You are precisely right!

The office of deacon is one built upon the concept of serving—rendering specific assistance to others, namely the body of Christ.

By way of additional insight into scriptures

Many scholars understand that the gift of “helps” in 1 Cor 12:28 refers to the same gift

1 Cor 12:28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues

In a moment, Faith Church family, I’m going to address the broad notion that all believers are to be servants.

However, there are specific examples of places in scriptures where it would seem that certain individuals are simply in an overarching regular disposition of coming along side others….

Let’s consider Scriptural Examples.

1. Examples

1. Acts 6:2-5 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

This passage is where the office of “deacon”/ “servants” finds its origin. Men who render assistance to the body of Christ.

Another example is

1. Acts 19:22 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

Timothy and Erastus…through out the Scriptures seem to be Paul’s assistants through whom Paul can count on and trust to render aid to the body of Christ.

A third example is

1. Philemon 10-13 10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;

The slave Onesimus…who ran way from his owner Philemon encountered the apostle Paul in prison and was saved. Onesimus, trained as a slave/servant for his master, may have been imparted that spiritual gift of service to now employ in for a greater purpose…useful to Paul’s apostolic ministry.

1. I Cor 16:14-19 14Let all that you do be done in love. 15Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Notice that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came along side of Paul when there is a need and provided refreshment.

Also note Paul’s exhortation about those serving and meeting needs—Paul’s says, “acknowledge such” folks.

Let’s make a few observations here…

1. The gift of serving involves:

1. supporting others in the church to promote the effective accomplish the church’s mission

1. an inclination to regularly meet various needs —often very tangible, physical needs

1. a satisfaction to work behind the scenes without accolades and personal gain

As you think about the Faith Church body, do certain people come to mind who fit this description?

Like me, I’m sure you can think of all sorts of individuals.

Now here is the question: “Are you acknowledging them…giving honor to whom honor is due?”

But you say, “They are just serving behind the scenes!”

Yes…

And because they often are unnoticed, how much more significant is it when you take the time to notice them…?

1 Cor 12: 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Why? to accomplish the mission that God has given us….

How are you doing at acknowledging those who serve?

Now, the word “diakonia”, service, serving, deacon is a general word.

Certainly, there is a group of believers who are specially prone to our description

However, this same word is used for the entire body of Christ in their gifting…..

1. All spiritual gifts are to be used in “serving” one another. 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

So, you cannot say, I don’t have the gift of serving so this sermon doesn’t apply to me….

Not at all

Every believer that God has gifted….and who is that? Everyone!

Every believer that God has gifted is to engage in using their gifts for others…

If you are born again from heaven…then you should dance the choreography of heaven…my life//my giftedness for you…

You say but Pastor Aucoin, that is not natural..

This is not the way the world works.

And I say…you are right but being born from heaven means you are no longer of this world…

So the second question….

II. What Power Transforms Us Into Servants? Luke 22:15-29

Turn to a second passage this morning…Luke 22:15-29

That is on page 66 of the back section of the bible in the chair in front of you.

This passage of Scripture occurs on the night before Jesus’ death.

Two years ago we studied a corresponding passage, John 13, where Jesus washes the disciples feet.

In this passage, the term servant/serving/our word “diakonia” occurs three times…..

Luke 22:15And He (Jesus) said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (The resources of heaven given for the disciples—"My life for you”) 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (Note, the Passover meal was to be eaten in family units…this is rather different that Jesus Christ would pull the disciples away from the families for this….We have no record of any of their spouses or children were present…think about what that means.)

21 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. 22“For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. 24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest (My life for me). 25And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ (A “benefactor” is someone who benefits you right? However, that term was used of those in high positions like prince and tyrants in an ironic sense…the elite should be there to provide benefit for the people…but they actually exists to oppress the people and serve themselves….this is indeed the way of the world. But Christ say….) 26“But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

27“For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? (Worlds answer is, “of course” the one who is reclining at the table and being served is greater)…Christ acknowledges this way of things) “Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I (who is greater and come down from heaven) am among you as the one who serves. (the heavenly way) 28“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; 29and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Three ways that the resource of heaven, Jesus, has become the servant of mankind in order to transforming us into servants in accomplishing the mission of God for the glory of God.

The resource of heaven, Jesus, creates a new community of servants (new covenant family)

I pointed out to you that the Passover meal was to be eaten in the family unit.

I pointed out to you as I read the text also, that there is no mention of spouses or children in the Passover meal with Jesus and his disciples.

Significance?

When Jesus said,

“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover meal with you.”

And,

“This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood”

And, “I have granted that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom”

What is all this indicating?

Christ is creating a new family

He is setting up a new type of people

He is setting up a counter cultural way of living and existing.

And it started that night and what was about to happen the next day when Christ would be slaughtered.

Imagine for just a moment being invited into the most glorious family of all time.

Many of us can never imagine being invited to the white house.

Many of could have thought nothing about being invited into the Royal family to be part of majesty at Buckingham palace…but if an invitation was sent...you would probably say, they must have the wrong person….Royalty, Majesty, does not come and invite the lowly into the family.

The “Benefactors” lord it over the peasants….They don’t invite them to dine at the family meal. They require the servants to serve the family meal…..

But here…Heaven came down to earth….and with these 12 uneducated and untrained disciples, the Creator of the universe said, you are my family now. Dine with me.

What?????

Furthermore, when you are part of the family…you tend to take on the characteristics of the family….

When this heavenly resource, Jesus, is understood and comes into your life…in the way that he does…and gives you a unique experience compared to the way the world operates….if you understand what he has done, has experienced it…then you are different and that difference places you into a unique family that shares that bond.

What is that bond that creates the family, the shared bond…a new mindset…….

The resource of heaven, Jesus, molds a new mindset of service (“my life for yours”)

Question for you…the Passover meal in Jewish history always featured the Passover lamb that had been sacrificed as the main course as a memorial for when the Jewish folks had to sacrifice a lamb in order for the death angels to “pass over them” and not kill them.

If you wanted to be saved on that night, Egyptian or Jew, you had to take shelter under the blood of the Passover lamb.

You can read about the Passover in the book of Exodus.

Jesus mentioned the bread…Jesus mentioned the wine…

Question…where is the lamb? Where is the main course?

Standing right in front of them.

Reaching for the bread he breaks it… and says,

“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Then the cup of wine…

This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

In order to make you into this family, a new community that will have a different way of life….

I have to be first….

“My life for you.”

And in that I have come along side of you to serve you and to meet your greatest need…

And to fulfill God’s greatest mission—To glorify himself….

I am your servant….

And doing that…..

The resource of heaven, Jesus, transforms the glory of service (God, Himself serves humanity)

“But I (who is greater and have come down from heaven) am among you as the one who serves (the choreography of heaven)

What is the glory of God…

• His majestic, brilliant splendor?

• His wisdom to know all things

• His power to control all things

• His ability to spin galaxy’s in his hands?

No, God’s glory is Jesus Christ who serves…

Jesus Christ who is heaven’s resource that has come down to man to assist man in his greatest problem….alienation from God because of His sin.

And Jesus’ Christ did not simply come and say you are pardoned….you can go on your way know.

Jesus’s Christ service, provided the basis for you to have His righteousness and say…you can come into my family..

And the basis of that is my life for yours,

Your sin for my righteousness.

My humiliation for your exaltation

My aloneness on the cross for you to be part of a community to be never alone….

My being crushed so that you could be made whole

My being a man of sorrows so that you could have eternal Joy

Because I have done this you are healed..

And when we get this…and experience this…it binds us into a community of “My life for yours….

And creates a counter-cultural community that brings hope to this world….

I could preach more in describing the gift of service or the way that we could all be manifesting “My life for you mentality.”

However, let’s simply incarnate this.

I have asked Mike and Kim Stefanik to give their testimony.

Please watch this video.

Video Testimony—Mike and Kim Stefanik

Good morning,

Psalms 100:2a - says to serve the Lord with gladness.

(Mike) I am Mike Stefanik

(Kim) and I am Kim Stefanik.

We want to share with you this morning about our passion for serving others.

I (Mike) serve as a Deacon and lead the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Cooking Team when Men of Faith takes place at the Northend Community Center

I (Kim) serve in the mentor ministry and the nursery

(Kim) Together we serve at hospitality dinner’s at the Viars (which is part dinner for us too at the Viars). We also serve as the Faith West VBS Coordinators, Living Nativity Servant refreshment team, and in Children’s Sunday School (9:30am).

A lot of what we do is serving behind the scenes to facilitate the overarching ministry goals of the church’s evangelism and discipleship goals.

(Mike) For example, cooking for the Men of Faith breakfasts enables me to make sure that the men have a full stomach so that they can then settle in for the greater spiritual feast of learning how to be God’s kind of man

(Kim) As another example, for many of the frontline servants to share the Gospel with the kids during VBS, someone has to do all the behind-the-scenes coordination. We enjoy doing that.

(Mike) When we help with hospitality dinners at the Viars, we serve with the preparation and cleanup of the meals in hopes that others may focus on building significant relationships.

(Mike) We are okay (most of the time 😊 ) serving without being noticed, but Pastor Aucoin noticed us and he has now asked us to be in the spotlight 😊 speaking to you about the gift of “service”

(Kim) On the day that each of us came to know Christ, God did not send us down from heave a spiritual birth-certificate with our names on it and a label that said Kim and Mike have the spiritual gift of “serving.”

The more we heard, studied God’s Word and attempted to grow in Christ likeness, we simply gravitated to more and more service out of obedience. James 1:22 - says Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says.

(Mike) Before Christ I was always more interested in what others could do for me. I was definitely serving – but only myself. This heart attitude can still happen, so we need to stay on guard.

I (Kim) was an only child and by nature very self-centered. I need to be super mindful that all gifts come from God and I am to steward them for His glory not mine

(Mike) As we began serving it was wherever there was a need. We especially enjoy serving together as husband and wife; it helps us grow together in Christ.

Together as we face the needs, we seek to rely on God and, together, our trust in Him grows. The many service opportunities drive us to spend time in prayer together asking how we can better meet needs. And there are always so many opportunities to praise the Lord and together, we seek to be thankful for the fruit we see. This brings our heart closer to Him.

[Kim} Even though we serve a lot behind the scenes, serving helps build community. We make friends and get to know folks we may not get an opportunity to otherwise. It is an honor, privilege, and humbling to see GOD’s people come together. We are just two of many servants and we have always appreciated that about Faith – something not to take for granted.

[Mike]As we serve, we learn to put others first and Love through actions – not just words. This is the way that Christ has modeled. Serving helps us grow in love, humility, and faithfulness in the Spirit. It brings great joy to our lives and hopefully that is reflected in how we serve.

[Kim] We have come to know the heart of Christ better as we serve the needs of others. Adopting His mindset—the least shall be the greatest, the greatest of you shall be your servant. And John 3:30 says HE must increase, I must decrease. Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give HIS life as a ransom for many. Jesus’ service cost HIS life – I believe I’m getting off easy. Doing His will, for His glory brings a great satisfaction of knowing it pleases Him.

Close with Dad story….My life for yours Dad…would have helped him to achieve his mission in a greater way…

Imagine a family of servants—my life for you—and how that would transform our communities and accomplish the mission of Glorifying God.