christians and service matthew 20:25-28 ephesians 4:11-13

Christians and Christians and ServiceService

Matthew 20:25-28Matthew 20:25-28

Ephesians 4:11-13Ephesians 4:11-13

A. Every Christian Is A. Every Christian Is Called To ServeCalled To Serve

Foundational issues for the Christian Foundational issues for the Christian life.life.

Serving is intrinsic to what it means Serving is intrinsic to what it means to be a follower of Christ.to be a follower of Christ.

Ephesians 2:10Ephesians 2:10

A. Every Christian Is A. Every Christian Is Called To ServeCalled To Serve

Paul has spoken of salvation in terms of:Paul has spoken of salvation in terms of:

A resurrection from the deadA resurrection from the dead Liberation from slaveryLiberation from slavery A rescue from condemnationA rescue from condemnation

Here, he speaks of it as a Here, he speaks of it as a NEW NEW CREATION!CREATION!

A. Every Christian Is A. Every Christian Is Called To ServeCalled To Serve

Poiema–Poiema– His work of art or masterpiece His work of art or masterpiece

KtisthentesKtisthentes– Created – Created

Salvation comes from God; We are Salvation comes from God; We are fashioned for a purpose—to do good fashioned for a purpose—to do good works.works.

John NicholsonJohn Nicholson

Samuel HillSamuel Hill

Will KnightsWill Knights

““We Shall Be Called We Shall Be Called Gideons”Gideons”

Traveling Christians.Traveling Christians.

Wanting to be better witnesses in Wanting to be better witnesses in hotels where they often stayed in their hotels where they often stayed in their travels.travels.

Eventually decided to put a Bible in Eventually decided to put a Bible in every hotel room.every hotel room.

A.A. Every Christian Is Every Christian Is Called To ServeCalled To Serve

1.1. God will use our service for His glory.God will use our service for His glory.

1 Timothy 1:121 Timothy 1:12

Ephesians 4:16Ephesians 4:16

2.2. God will use our service to mature us God will use our service to mature us (Eph. 4:12-13).(Eph. 4:12-13).

B. Every Church Is B. Every Church Is Supposed To EquipSupposed To Equip

Christ gave offices to His church to Christ gave offices to His church to equip His people.equip His people.

People have various lenses through People have various lenses through which they view the church.which they view the church.

Many of these lenses are unbiblical Many of these lenses are unbiblical or sub biblical.or sub biblical.

B. Every Church Is B. Every Church Is Supposed To EquipSupposed To Equip

1.1. Club—focused on rights, rules, and Club—focused on rights, rules, and the money given are like dues.the money given are like dues.

2.2. Family—pastor serves as family Family—pastor serves as family chaplain, focus on fellowship; there chaplain, focus on fellowship; there are family “patriarchs” and are family “patriarchs” and “matriarchs” who serve as “matriarchs” who serve as gatekeepers.gatekeepers.

B. Every Church Is B. Every Church Is Supposed To EquipSupposed To Equip

3.3. Self-help center– Church exists to Self-help center– Church exists to help me cope with life and to be help me cope with life and to be “successful”.“successful”.

The primary metaphor is the The primary metaphor is the BODY BODY OF CHRIST ON MISSION.OF CHRIST ON MISSION.

The primary role of the pastor is The primary role of the pastor is equipping.equipping.

C. Everyone Together Can C. Everyone Together Can Impact The WorldImpact The World

Ephesians 4:16Ephesians 4:16

Together we will be a growing body Together we will be a growing body impacting the world.impacting the world.