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Sermon Notes

Serving

Happy are the serving...

We’re talking about serving this morning.


Part 1-Inner serving… to the body


Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”


Shared in the context of a farewell to the Ephesian elders... and Paul’s reminder of his work in the church with them


Blessed = content, happy, fortunate... to serve/give is to be Makarios (GR)


Acts 20:19... I served the Lord with great humility and tears


Love your neighbor as yourself. Self-care and self-giving. Mark 12:30-31


Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.


Here are some scientific facts first appearing in the Bible 2000-3500 years prior to human discovery:

Cosmology (the study of the physical universe)

  • The universe is precisely balanced for the existence of intelligent life (Gen 1; Jer 10:12; 51:15).
  • The universe is stretched out (Job 9:8; Ps 104:2; Isa 40:22; 42:5; 44:24).
  • The earth is a sphere (Job 26:10; Prov 8:27; Isa 40:22).
  • The earth hangs upon nothing (Job 26:7).
  • The stars are too numerous to be numbered (Jer 33:22).
  • The sun has an orbit of its own around the center of the Milky Way galaxy (Ps 19:4–6).

Geoscience (the study of earth)

  • The universe exists in a mature state (Gen 1). 
  • Billions of dead things are buried in layers of rock laid down by water all over the world (Gen 6–9; 2 Pet 3:5–6).
  • The discoveries of currents in the sea and oceanography came when Matthew Fontaine Maury (1800’s) investigated Psalm 8 read (Ps 8:8).
  • Fresh water springs release in the seas (Job 38:16).
  • Lightning has a natural path and is the cause of thunder (Job 38:25; Jer 10:13; 51:16).
  • Wind has weight and a regular course (Job 28:25; Eccl 1:6).
  • Water and the hydration cycle (Job 36:27–28; Eccl 1:7; Amos 9:6).

Biology (the study of life)

  • Biology exists in an advanced developed state (Gen 1; Mark 10:6).
  • Life only comes from life, and one genus only comes from its own genus. Louis Pasteur established the Law of Biogenesis affirming that life only comes from life and life of its own kind (Gen 1:11, 12, 21, 24; cf. 30:30–43).
  • The complex order of life is far greater than human design, and whatever is more complex than design is also designed (Gen 1; Heb 3:4).
  • Blood is essential to the life of the flesh of man and animals (Lev 17:11–14; cf. Gen 9:4–6).
  • Humanity is fearfully and wonderfully made (Gen 1:26; Ps 139:14).

Anthropology (the study of humanness)

  • Humanity is distinct with a moral conscience and recognizing natural moral laws (Gen 1:26–27; Rom 2:14–15).
  • Humanity has a universal agreement that fairness exists and expects agreement for justice based on objective moral values (Rom 2:14–15).
  • Human beings rely upon reason and unchanging laws of logic (1 Tim 6:20).

Medical

  • The Bible describes infections for diagnosis (Lev 13:24–25).
  • The biblical diagnosis of skin diseases prevents the spread of disease such as smallpox (Lev 13).
  • Quarantining helps stop the spread of certain diseases (Lev 13:45–46; Num 5:1–4).
  • People should avoid the uncleanness of dead bodies and become clean by washing with water containing antiseptic, antibacterial soap described in a recipe of ashes from cedar, hyssop, and scarlet (Num 19).
  • The ideal time for surgery of an infant boy is on the eighth day after his birth (Lev 12:3).

Applied Physics

  • The ideal ratio for a seaworthy barge is the instructions for the ark (Gen 6:15)

Psychology/Mental Health

·      True happiness does not come from an introspective self-absorbed life. The idea that life is all about me

·      In 2020, psychologists Adam Waytz of Northwestern University and Wilhelm Hofmann of the University of Cologne in Germany set out to answer a question: Do I get happier when I focus on my own desires, or when I focus on doing something for others, instead?

o   adopting more of an outward focus on life—observing the world and caring for other people without making so much of life about yourself—is one of the best ways to increase your own well-being

o   With knowledge and practice, an outward focus on life brings major happiness rewards

o   Jesus’s teaching that “anyone who wishes to follow me must deny himself” is usually interpreted as focusing on God and other people, but doing so also requires a greater emphasis on seeing the world around us, but research says it results in exponential human benefits... creativity, happiness, health and meaning

·      Brooks, Arthur C.; Winfrey, Oprah. Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier (p. 73). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.


Conclusion

One or two facts may be interesting or even a coincidence, but the number of facts predating the times of recognized discovery compounds probability. How could the writers of the Bible continue to know such things about the world without advanced technology to observe such things? The book of God revealed these things to the people of God. The biblical writers claim God as their source. No other ancient book claims God’s guidance and presents such foreknowledge to scientific discovery and this includes abundant teaching on what brings us true happiness, contentment, meaningfulness.


Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Ephesians 4:16... the body grows as each part does its share



Part 2 Serving beyond the body:

What is the result of serving the body? It leads to service outside the body.

In the Lords Prayer Jesus reveals Gods deepest desire 


Luke 11: 1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation


Jesus models a prayer that begins by ensuring we have a proper view of God, Father = intimacy / hallowed = otherness Paradox of who God is - so close and intimate while existing in unapproachable light. The different ways we serve in the church all help us remember that.


Before Jesus asks for a need or our desires his first plead is “your kingdom come” - goal is for Gods will to be done on Earth. His reign to be seen and felt here.

His "kingdom come" reveals that Jesus’ desire is that after we focus on the inner life of the body we are drawn out into the world around us. What happens when we lose sight of that?


Luke 11:37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.


When people loose sight of Gods will they replacing “his kingdom come” with, my will be done. Our inner self becomes filled with greed and wickedness.

Are there times we prioritize our desires over Gods? Are there times we don't take the time to seek Gods will? Maybe Jesus’ accusation remains true today. So whats the solutions? v41


If we want to be righteous = be generous to the poor. The category of poor included all kinds of people, sick, widows, women, disabled, the neglected and the downtrodden and outcast. God always expects his people to see those suffering and love them. 


Isaiah 58:1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.


What kind of fasting does God desire? Loose chains of injustice, untie and break the yoke, to set the oppressed free, share your food with the hungry, to shelter the wanderer, clothe the naked, spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and oppressed!

It's Impossible to know God in private prayer without the public participation with God in public service. We begin learning what it means to serve in the church, why we serve and who we serve for. This is where we get the power that enables God's people to be a blessing to all. Jesus begins his ministry in Luke 4 by referencing this very verse


Luke 4: 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”


To look outside ourselves begins by figuring out how we will serve God as a church, which leads us to look beyond the walls of the church and as we pray for Gods kingdom - we become active participants in the answer to that prayer. The way we participate may look different for each of us.



Part 3 Serving and gifts:


1 Peter 4:8-11 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


The need is to grow in each area...


The challenge is to appreciate one another’s giftings and not judge by each other’s apparent lack, but bring out the best in each other



Part 4 Next Steps:

Important for the church as we transition.

  1. Visits the tables and learn of all the serving going on. It may spark an idea or it's an encouragement to those serving.
  2. See the opportunities there are to serve.
  3. Pray about how God wants you to use your gifts and what gifts is he calling you to grow in.
  4. Sign up