God's Design for Servant-Leaders

Well, I want to encourage you to open up your Bibles, if you would please, to 1 Timothy chapter 3.

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

We're continuing our study from last week and picking it up halfway through there at verse 8.

! Last week covering the first seven verses about elders and now trying to begin to work on the subject of deacons beginning in verse 8.

If you're using the Pew Bible, I would encourage you to turn there with us. It's on page 992.

It would be beneficial for you to be able to follow along with us in your Bibles.

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, that's not my job? Anybody heard that phrase before?

I wish I could say I never used that phrase. And I wish I could say I've never heard that phrase.

But even in the home, you know how this works in a home setting.

Hey, will you please pick up the dishes from the table?

Well, that's not my job!

Or, hey, would you be willing to help collect the trash and put it in the bin outside, please?

Well, come on! That's just not my job!

Maybe you've heard that phrase before.

Maybe you've used that phrase before.

Maybe even here in the church setting, you're encouraged to be a part of the ministry that's here.

And, of course, there's lots of opportunities in children's ministry.

And like, hey, I don't have the gift of children.

I don't have the gift of those little rugrats.

Now, you may have one or two or three or four running around your house,

but for some reason, you don't have the gift of it here.

I get it.

Or maybe you don't have the spiritual gift of mowing a lawn, sitting on a tractor.

You do it every week when you're mowing your lawn at home.

But we find different reasons not to be able to fulfill service opportunities here at church.

And I get it, because there's lots to do.

There's work to be done.

But as we're going to see in the passage today, that God has called every single one of you

who is a follower of Jesus Christ, every single one of us that calls ourselves a disciple,

those who have bowed the knee before Christ in faith, asked forgiveness of our sins,

you are now a follower of Him.

You are a servant.

And the word for servant in the New Testament is the word deacon.

We're going to press into that a little bit more as we go.

Here are some examples that I found on the Internet of people not doing their job.

So this sign, illegally parked cars will be fine.

I love that one.

How many people did that have to get through in order for it to get hung up?

You know, the person who is writing the letters, the person who is editing the sign,

the person who is actually hanging it up and reading to themselves,

oh, I like this sign.

I can actually park here.

I'll be fine.

Or how about this?

A person who is trying to connect pipes and realizes a rock is in the way.

I don't know why that rock was so hard to move,

but they're going to route the pipe around the rock.

Or this next one.

If you can't see, that's a possum that's on the road.

And the people who are painting lines decided,

we don't move possums, we just paint lines.

So there you have it, a possum with some lines.

And then on the side of the road, there's some moss that is growing,

line that's going right through.

Final picture here.

This is a sidewalk, and if you can't tell,

you know, a bike lane and walking lane,

but for some reason, you're not going to get too far on this sidewalk.

The tree is right in the way.

And then finally, if you can't read this sign,

it says this is a surgical lounge,

and after hours, they are encouraged.

The visitors who are sitting in the lobby waiting for their turn are encouraged,

will you please answer the phone for us?

We need some help around here.

And it's easy to say, hey, time out, not my job.

The truth is that God has given us a job to do.

And it's not only a good job, a good work.

It is a way for us to point to the one to whom we follow.

It's a way for us as God's people to demonstrate that the work of Christ is happening in our life,

that the preeminent servant that we're going to just look at and remember throughout this entire passage today,

that the preeminent servant, Jesus Christ, has and should have done a work in our life

to make us servants, to make us deacons, as it were.

So if you're with me there, in 1 Timothy chapter 3,

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

there's a phrase that I put on your outline.

I want it to kind of guide our thinking today as we work through this passage.

And it's there on your outline.

It says this,

Elders serve by leading, and deacons lead by serving.

Elders serve by leading, and deacons lead by serving.

And we're going to fill this out and kind of develop this thought for us as we work our way through this passage.

So if you're there with me in 1 Timothy chapter 3,

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

let me read the passage for us, and we'll dig in.

It says in verse 8,

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine,

not greedy for dishonest gain.

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,

and let them also be tested first.

Then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers,

but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

Let deacons each be the husband of one wife,

managing their children and their own households well.

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves

and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

So similar to last week, I want to take this into sections.

First, I want us to see the ministry of servant leaders.

What is it that they do?

How do they benefit the church?

What is the role that they play?

And so as we dig into this,

I want us to recognize this first word likewise

demonstrates to us that there are some similarities,

but also some differences that they play.

A deacon's role is both similar but different.

This may seem really obvious, but it's important for us to note.

To explore this word likewise

and to recognize that there are some similarities here.

And the fact that elders and deacons stand side by side in this passage

will help us to recognize that there is something that they do,

some distinction that they have in the church

that allows it to play out in a healthy way.

So, Paul introduces elders there in verse 1.

I'm going to just draw your attention to verse 1 for a moment.

It says,

So, the likewise that is here draws attention to several similarities.

I want to just draw your attention to them briefly.

First is they have a distinct function.

They have a distinct function.

The fact that elders qualifications and deacon qualifications are here

means that deacons, like elders, have a specific role to fill.

Second, they provide some leadership in some way.

Like elders, deacons provide a measure of leadership and service for the body.

Third, they are selected on the basis of their character.

Meaning, you're not just looking for competencies.

You're not just looking for somebody who can mow a straight line.

You're looking for somebody who has a character quality about him.

He's leading a team of individuals.

And you want to make sure that there is this spiritual maturity,

this quality about his character that has been tested

and it's demonstrated through his life.

But unlike elders, there are some differences.

First, they are not encouraged to aspire to the work.

It's fascinating to me how simple and abrupt the very beginning of verse 8 is.

Having provided an introduction for elders in verse 1,

to begin this section on deacons with just one word, likewise,

before spilling into the characteristics,

draws some attention and I just want to draw this out as an observation for us

that whatever a deacon is supposed to do,

he doesn't necessarily aspire to this role of deaconing.

Second, Paul does not mention a specific office like he does with elders.

Aspire to the office of overseer, we see in verse 1.

No such correlation is made here for us in this verse, verse 8.

Now, while they have a title and they have a role to play,

Paul does not designate necessarily in this spot an office.

And I think that's important for us to notice.

Third, while it's clear that deacons serve in some ways,

Paul does not indicate a specific work for them to do,

like he does with elders in verse 1.

He desires a noble task.

That is, the Greek words kalos ergon,

which is the two words good work.

Now, Paul could have talked about a work,

which he does in Ephesians chapter 4.

Ephesians 4 · chapter mention

Ephesians 4, 11 and 12, he talks about a work.

Notice with me.

And he gave the apostles, speaking of Christ,

the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

to equip the saints for the work, that's ergon,

of ministry, that is, diakonia,

to building up the body of Christ.

There is a ministry work, a deaconing, serving work to do,

but guess what?

Guess who is supposed to fill out the deaconing work

in a service-related way?

Every believer.

And elders are in place, pastors are in place,

to help equip the saints to do and carry out the function of serving,

which is really just kind of the basic word for service throughout the New Testament,

that we're all called to a measure of service,

and pastors, elders, overseers are intended,

they're put in place to help you serve better,

to help you do what God has called you to do.

It's clear that deacons are important for the welfare of the church.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be listed here side by side with an elder.

So let's develop this some more.

Let's kind of understand a little bit more about what a deacon is supposed to do.

And now I'm speaking more specifically about kind of this function of leadership,

this service kind of leader, this deacon.

We're going to look at their function in the early church from Acts chapter 6.

Acts 6 · chapter mention

If you've spent any time reading through the book of Acts,

you understand how the church has developed.

It's developed significantly from Acts chapter 2.

Acts 2 · chapter mention

There at the day of Pentecost,

where Peter is preaching his first sermon in front of the masses,

we find in Acts chapter 2, verse 41,

Acts 2:41

this incredible response.

It says,

So that those who received the word were baptized,

and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

Now, this church of 120 believers exploded overnight,

and then exploded to this church of 3,000 at least individuals.

And then as the church begins to interact with one another,

they're growing in a spiritual way.

We find in verse 47 of chapter 2 that the Lord was adding to their number each day

those who were being saved.

This multiplication, this gospel work, these open hearts,

the ministry of the Spirit and convicting hearts and drawing them to faith,

this multiplying work that's happening.

Well, in Acts chapter 3, Peter and John will go to the temple.

Acts 3 · chapter mention

They go there to pray, and there at the temple, they meet a lame man,

and they heal this lame man.

They walk into the temple.

People recognize him and see the work of God in healing him,

and they all are celebrating,

and Peter capitalizes on the opportunity and preaches another message.

And then in Acts chapter 4, we find that 5,000 more are added to the number.

Acts 4 · chapter mention

So now we're at least at 8,000 plus.

So that when the church is now in the process of laying down their possessions,

selling their possessions, sharing with one another,

we find from Acts chapter 5, verse 14,

Acts 5:14

that more than ever, believers were added to the Lord,

multitudes of both men and women.

The church is exploding in a very good way.

Numbers of people are being added.

And then we turn our attention to Acts chapter 6.

Acts 6 · chapter mention

We find this in verse 1.

It says,

Now, in the days when the disciples were increasing in number,

a complaint among the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews

because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

And that's the diakonia.

That's the ministry of service that we find throughout the New Testament.

So now we've come to a crisis moment.

Now we've come to a point of decision.

There's ministry to do, but there aren't enough people to go around.

And a decision has to be made.

What are the apostles going to do in terms of fulfilling the call to ministry that they've been given?

Well, so they devise a plan.

The plan shows up in verse 2.

It says,

And that's our verbal form of deacon, this diakoneo.

And so they recognized that the ministry that was in front of them was a significant work.

But the ministry that they've been called to was also a significant work.

It wasn't that the apostles had to make a decision between the more important ministry and the less important ministry

and to prioritize that, but to say,

No, both ministries need to happen in this crisis moment of the church.

And so we need to distribute the load of ministry to other qualified men to help lead in this effort

so all the ministry within the church can happen.

Which, by the way, is really shocking to me that here we are,

a church of 15,000, 20,000 or more,

and now finally the apostles are recognizing,

This is too big a load for us to handle.

We need to draw in some other people to help us with this.

And so that's what they do.

This word to serve that we find in verse 2 is the verbal form of deacon.

So the apostles are not going to oversee this ministry anymore.

They're going to entrust this delegated ministry to a group of faithful men.

That's what we find in verse 3.

Therefore, it says,

Brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,

full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,

whom we will appoint to this duty.

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry,

that's important, diakonia of the word.

There is a ministry to do.

There is a ministry of the word.

There is a ministry to these Hellenistic widows.

Both ministries are vital for the health and progress of the church.

And so raising up leaders to help fulfill that ministry was essential

to ensure that God's work was being done.

These two ministries taking place here, both important,

both by qualified men to fulfill.

But I want to draw your attention to this phrase here at the beginning of verse 3,

Pick out from among you.

And I think that's significant for us.

It means that these men have already shown a heart to serve.

It means that these men are already doing the work.

It means that these men have already demonstrated their proven character,

their dependability, their leadership, their spiritual maturity.

They are vested.

They are trusted.

They are engaged.

They are active.

They are dependable.

In a very real way,

they've already established themselves as servant kind of leaders.

The title of deacon wasn't going to change anything about the way

that they engaged the people, these Hellenistic widows.

It was only going to activate the work that they were already doing

and help to enhance it in some way

so that the widows knew who to look to for this kind of help and leadership.

It was to ensure that that work was going to continue.

It was going to be done.

It wasn't that the title of deacon was going to change anything about that work,

but just recognize the work that was already taking place.

All this process was meant to identify these servant leaders

who were already engaged.

And notice the primary purpose of their ministry.

There in the verse 4,

we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

It was a compatibility between elders and deacons

to allow the ministry of teaching and praying to continue.

That focus that the apostles had to continue to be enhanced.

So overseeing this ministry,

the apostles was to free them up, as it were,

to preach and to pray.

We find this throughout the New Testament,

these kinds of examples of faithful men

who were willing to fill this kind of responsibility

and serving in this kind of way.

But it does beg the question,

then who is a deacon?

And the scripture is clear about this too.

So the goal for every believer

is serving the body.

Who is a deacon?

And I want to confuse the subject,

but I want to just suggest

that everybody who is a follower of Jesus

is a servant,

and thus, in a very technical sense,

is a deacon in that God has called them

to servant kind of leadership.

Of course, we find this preeminently

in our Savior Jesus.

You remember when the disciples,

they're on this road,

and they're arguing about who is first

and who is the greatest,

and Jesus turns his attention to them,

and he confronts them,

and he says,

he sits down,

he calls the disciples

in Mark 9, verse 35,

Mark 9:35

if anyone would be first,

he must be last of all

and servant diakonos of all.

God calls his people to be servants.

And by the way,

service is the building block of Christianity.

Service is at the foundation

and at the heart of spiritual maturity.

It's what God has called every one of us to do

because it is preeminently

a picture of Christ,

as we find in Mark 10, 45,

where Jesus says of himself,

for even the Son of Man

came not to be served

diakono,

but to serve diakono

and to give his life a ransom for many.

You want to be like Christ?

You want to pattern your life

so that it looks like Jesus?

Wear the robe of service.

Choose to be,

for lack of a better word,

a deacon.

Choose to serve

in a deacon kind of way.

Expend yourself like Jesus.

Serve to the end

like Jesus.

Grow in service

like Jesus.

That's what we're all called to.

We see examples

throughout the New Testament.

We don't have time

for this this morning,

but Timothy

is referred to

in 2 Timothy 4, 5,

he's referred to

as a deacon.

His ministry

is deacon-like.

Stephanas

and his family

was referred to

in 1 Corinthians chapter 16.

1 Corinthians 16 · chapter mention

It was a deaconing

kind of ministry.

The apostle Paul

actually referred to himself

in 1 Timothy 1, 12

as he's filling out

his own credentials.

He speaks of himself.

His service

was the deaconing

kind of service

because foundationally

every single believer

is a servant.

Deacon.

You are a deacon

in that

you are called

to serve

the body.

You are called

to look

like Jesus,

to serve

in that way.

We find this

in the church.

We saw this verse already,

but I want to

bring it back up.

Ephesians chapter 4

Ephesians 4:11

verses 11 and 12.

He gave

the apostles,

the prophets,

the evangelists,

the shepherds,

and teachers

why?

Well,

to equip the saints

for the work

of ministry,

diakonia,

for the building

up the body of Christ.

So,

we as pastors,

elders,

overseers,

are preeminently

called

to equip you

to serve

like a deacon.

We're called

to help build out

in your life

a heart

and affection

for serving others.

In 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 9:12

chapter 9,

verse 12,

Paul,

in speaking about

the gift

that was given

by the church

of Corinth

to the church

in Jerusalem,

says this,

for this ministry,

diakonia,

of this service,

leturgia,

which is another

word for service,

is not only

supplying the needs

of the saints,

but also is overflowing

in many thanksgivings

to God.

This expression

of ministry

and service

and pouring out

and spending self

for the sake

of serving the body.

in 1 Peter

1 Peter 4:10

chapter 4,

verses 10 and 11,

we find this,

as each has received

a gift,

and how many

of us

have received

a gift?

Every one

of you

in this room

who has

the Holy Spirit,

who has asked

forgiveness for sin,

has confessed

your faith

in God,

you have the Spirit,

so you have

a spiritual gift.

So,

this applies

to everybody

in this room

who has

the Holy Spirit,

okay?

So,

as you have

received a gift,

use it to serve

diakanao,

one another,

as a good steward

of God's

varied grace.

Whoever speaks

is one who speaks

the oracles of God.

Whoever serves

diakanao

as one who serves

by the strength

that God supplies.

And here's

the glorious

privilege

of our service.

It's this,

in order that,

in everything,

God may be

glorified

through Jesus Christ.

To Him

belong glory

and dominion

forever and ever.

Amen.

When we put

the spiritual gifts

that God

has given to us,

when we put them

to work,

we glorify God.

Which,

I think we can

make the correlation

without being

in jeopardy

or danger

that if we choose

to shelf

our gift,

if we choose

to push it

to the side,

if we choose

to just let it

languish,

then at least

as it relates

to service

and being a good

steward,

we are not

bringing glory

to God.

What a privilege,

what a responsibility.

We are servants.

The joy

of that entrustment,

the joy

of that stewardship

to put to work,

the gift

to serve

as a deacon

as it were.

The church,

serving the church

but especially

and preeminently

serving Christ.

Maybe you're listening

and you're like,

okay,

thank you Andrew,

I get all that

but I still don't know

who this deacon is

here in

1 Timothy chapter 3

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

and I don't know

what this deacon

is supposed to do.

So let's try

to build that out

a little bit more.

We're going to see

that deacons

are there

to multiply

the work of pastors.

A deacon

multiplies

the work

of pastors.

The Bible says,

by the way,

almost nothing

about deacons.

We find no job description.

We find no roles

and responsibilities.

We only get

a glimpse

of the prototype

of deacons

from Acts chapter 6

Acts 6 · chapter mention

and we only have

these qualifications

for deacons

in one place

in 1 Timothy chapter 3

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

and we only get

a glimpse

of maybe

what they do

through the use

of the word

servant.

Diaconess

is servant

and so

it's still

a little fuzzy

as it were.

What is it

specifically

that a deacon

is meant to do?

I think the best

way to answer

this question

is to

understand

that we've

just begun

chapter 3

in a discussion

about elders.

And so I think

we can say

with a fair amount

of certainty

and without

any

pushback

that a deacon

is not

an elder.

Would you agree?

I think that's

pretty clear

from the text.

A deacon

is not an elder.

It's a separate

category,

a separate function.

So just to review

from last week

in understanding

what elders

are meant to do,

we come to

realize

that elders

are there

to exercise

spiritual oversight.

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 5 · chapter mention

chapter 5.

They're there

to preach

and to teach.

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 5 · chapter mention

chapter 5.

They are tasked

with equipping

the saints

for ministry.

Ephesians

Ephesians 4 · chapter mention

chapter 4.

They are to

guard the flock

from false teachers

in Acts

Acts 20 · chapter mention

chapter 20.

They're to

shepherd the flock

by providing

some measure

of spiritual

oversight

in 1 Peter

1 Peter 5 · chapter mention

chapter 5.

They're to

hold firm

the trustworthy

word in order

to give instruction

and rebuke

those who

contradict.

Titus

Titus 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1.

We understand

from 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1

that leaders

and spiritual

pastors

are there

to charge

some

if they teach

no other

doctrine.

They're also

to set an

example for

the believers.

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 4:12

chapter 4

verse 12.

They're to

have nothing

to do with

foolish controversies

or quarrels

but to be

kind,

enduring evil,

correcting opponents

with gentleness.

2 Timothy

2 Timothy 2:23

chapter 2

verse 23

and 24.

That is the

function and

role of a

pastor,

leader,

overseer.

It is not

the role

of a deacon.

But

the function

that deacons

have,

although different

from an elder,

is compatible

with an elder.

and so

they are

side by

side in

this passage

for a

significant

reason

because

pastors

and elders

need the

support

and the

help

in ministry

of others.

There are times

when ministry

gets to be

unwieldy

and they need

the supportive

help and

service of

other gifted

and qualified

men to come

alongside them.

It is

then with

the discretion

of the

elders

then to

determine

how the

deacons

will be

put to

work.

As I

have said

in the

opening,

elders

will serve

by leading

and deacons

will lead

by serving.

Deacon

multiplies

the work

of pastors

by carrying

various

ministry

burdens

so that the

church can

remain healthy

and pastors

can continue

to devote

themselves

to the

primary

work

of

equipping

and

discipling

and teaching

and preaching.

It's not

that every

pastor,

especially,

it's not

that any

pastor

will be

independent

of service

because

at the

foundational

level,

since we're

all called

to service

kind of

ministry,

you would

expect your

pastors to

serve as

well.

But the

deacons come

alongside to

help support

that effort.

We don't have

time this

morning to

build out

this next

point,

the life

of a servant

leader.

We find in

verses 8 to

13,

we're going to

turn our

attention to

that a little

bit more

next week,

but I just

want to

kind of give

you a preview

of what we're

talking about.

The life of a

servant leader.

Let me read

this passage

one more time

and then I'll

show you a

couple of

tables that

demonstrate the

similarities and

the differences

between an

elder and a

deacon so

you can see

that for

yourself and

then like I

said we'll

explain it

more next

week.

It says

deacons likewise

must be

dignified,

not double

tongue,

not addicted

to much

wine,

not greedy

for dishonest

gain.

They must

hold the

mystery of

the faith

with a clear

conscience and

let them also

first be tested

then let them

serve as

deacons.

If they prove

themselves

blameless,

their wives

likewise must be

dignified,

not slanderers,

but sober-minded,

faithful in

all things,

let the deacons

each be the

husband of one

wife, managing

their children and

their households

well.

For those who

serve well as

deacons gain a

good standing for

themselves and

also great

confidence in the

faith that is in

Christ Jesus.

There are 15

qualifications for

elder, there are

nine qualifications

that are given to

us here for

deacons and

there are five

qualifications that

find really good

comparison and

overlap with one

another.

There are things

that are similar.

What is the same?

And here's a table

that will demonstrate

several of those

things that are the

same.

They are above

reproach.

They have the kind

of character that

is not guilty of

blame.

They're blameless.

There is this

essence of their

character that you

can't attach blame

to.

These are individuals

who are faithful to

their wife.

They're a one woman

man.

We talked about that

last week.

There is this

faithfulness to their

partner.

There is a desire of

their heart to make

sure that they're

guarding their eye as

Job says in his

book.

He guards his eye.

He has a single

mind and a single

heart for the woman

that God gave to

him.

He's not given to

much wine.

He's not greedy for

gain.

He manages his house

well.

You can see the

quality of leadership

and service that

echoes itself through

his family.

You can recognize

that their needs are

met, that they're

cared for, that

dad has paid

attention to them.

There's a measure of

stability and respect

in the home.

But there are some

things that are

different.

What is different?

And this next table

will help show some

comparisons.

While elders have

some qualifications

regarding their

tongue at not being

quarrelsome, deacons

are told not to be

double-tongued.

They're not to be

hypocrites in the way

they speak.

Speaking one way to

one person a different

way to a different

person.

For elders, they're

not violent but

gentle.

And for deacons, they

hold the mystery of

the faith.

And we'll talk about

that some more next

week, especially in

light of the mission

that God has called us

as a church to be on.

They're not a recent

convert.

And for deacons,

there's not a

qualification for how

soon they can become

a deacon because

essentially, we're all

to be deacons the

moment we become

Christians in

following after Jesus.

But of course, we're

building and growing

through that process

of doing it better.

But they do need to

be tested.

We find this

qualification, it's

actually in verse 11,

for their wives.

And we'll develop that

some more next week

as well.

But there's nothing

about hospitality.

There's nothing about

a good reputation.

Not that those things

don't matter.

And again, as we come

back to this next week,

we'll see the

significance of the

way Paul describes

their function.

But I do want to end

with this.

There is a reward.

What is the reward?

And the reward is

found for us in

verse 13.

Those who serve well

as deacons gain a

good standing for

themselves and also

great confidence in

the faith that is in

Christ Jesus.

They gain a good

standing for

themselves.

One commentator

says, this linear

aspect of this verb

to gain or to

inquire helps us

understand this

ongoing process.

There is this

process of growing

and developing and

being sanctified

through serving

others.

And as people

watch and evaluate

their life, they're

going to see this

growing concern for

individuals, this

growing heart to

spend themselves for

others, this desire

to be useful to

Jesus and especially

to point to his

perfect service.

And as they are

moving and growing

in this good

standing, they're

growing in confidence

and faith as well.

And the reason for

that is because as

they see the Lord

working in their life

and helping them to

grow in their

expression of service

for others, they're

recognizing that the

process of Philippians

Philippians 1:6

chapter 1 verse 6 is

playing out.

That he who began a

good work in them has

been faithful to

complete it, is being

faithful to complete

it.

This growing process of

God sanctifying their

life helps to confirm

the fact that they

have the fruit of the

spirit, they're loving

God's people, and

they're growing in

service for others.

But as we turn our

attention now to the

preeminent servant to

Jesus, we remember

what Jesus demonstrates

to us again from Mark

Mark 10:45

chapter 10 verse 45.

Even the Son of Man

came not to be served,

but to serve and to

give his life a ransom

for many.

Jesus has demonstrated

for us the foundational

level of growing in

spiritual maturity.

it begins with

recognizing who Jesus

is, and begins with

recognizing what we

really deserve in light

of judgment, and the

privilege that we have

of now being united in

Christ, and being able to

serve Christ's body.

Do you realize, as you

look around, you'll be

the people who are

sitting with you on your

pew.

the people who are

sitting before you and

behind you.

That they are part of

God's family.

So when you serve the

family of God, when you

serve God's children, you

are serving God.

What an incredible

privilege.

What an incredible

responsibility.

And so as we do this, as

we grow in service for

others, we have the joy

through service of

pointing to Christ.

Because let me tell you,

our world does not

serve.

They don't serve by

their own desire.

They don't choose to

serve.

But when we follow in

the footsteps of Christ,

when we choose to do the

things that really we

don't get attention for,

we don't get promoted

for, we demonstrate that

there is a work of God in

our lives, and we point

to Christ, the gospel

through our service.

I'm going to pray for

us.

I'm going to invite the

men to come forward.

We'll commemorate and

remember this work of

Christ, of drawing us

into himself.

And then we'll close our

time together.

Father, thank you for

sending Jesus.

Thank you for overcoming

our sin.

Thank you for making a

way of forgiveness, in

salvation, in cleansing,

and relationship with

you.

Thank you that that new

relationship, that new

position that we enjoy

because of Jesus, has not

only drawn us in to this

rich union with God, but

has drawn us in to

fellowship with one

another.

And the distinct joy that

we have because of the

work of the Spirit in our

life to serve those around

us and to point to

Christ.

Oh God, may we grow in

this service.

And may all glory and

praise redound to you

because of it.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you.