SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:1-16 (Page 1392); Nehemiah 8:1-18  (Page 587)
SERMON: Equipped for Service							 25 March 2001

INTRODUCTION: UZZAH’S UNDOING (see 2Sam.6:6,7; 1Chr.15:13; Num.4:15; see Prov.11:14)

  I. THE PASTOR’S CALLING (see 1Tm.4:11-16; Ezra 7:10; e.g., Neh.8; Lk.4:16f)

A. PRESCRIPTION VS. PREFERENCE (1Tm.4:11-16; imperatives)

B. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR   SELF (1Tm.4:16a,12; see 3:1f; 2Tm.2:21f; Tt.1:5f; Ps.101:6; Mt.15:4; see Ezra 7:10)

C. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR   TEACHING (1Tm.4:16b,13f,11; see Ezra 7:10)

D. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION FOR THE    CONSEQUENCES  (1Tm.4:16c; Jms.3:1f; Ezk.33:6,4f; Mt.3:14,15; see 2Tm.3:14-17)

II. THE PEOPLE’S CALLING

A. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR PASTOR (1Th.5:12 with 1Tm.5:17; see 1Tm.4:16)
1. to what he does (1Tm.4:12,16; 3:1f; see 1Cor.11:1; 4:16,17; Phil.3:17,12f; see 1Th.5:12,13&25; Heb.13:17,18)

2. to what he teaches & preaches (1Tm.4:16,13f; Acts 2:42; see Rom.10:17,16f; 2Tm.3:14-17)

B. TO BE EQUIPPED (Eph.4:12,13; 2Tm.3:17)
1. direct: the gifts of God (1Tm.4:14; Eph.4:7,8,11; 1Cor.12:11)

2. indirect: receiving through fellowship (Eph.4:16; 1Cor.12:7,; see Jn.3:34; 1Cor.12:7)

3. means: word, with sacraments, and prayer, all in fellowship (1Tm.4:16; 2Tm.3:16; 2:21; see Acts 2:42)

4. baptism as “ordination” (1Tm.4:14; see Lk.3:22; 4:18; Mt.28:18-20; Acts 2:38; 1Cor.12:13; see 1Sam.10:1,6,10; 16:13; Num.27:18f; Acts 6:3,5)

C. TO SERVE (Eph.4:12,13; 1Cor.12:7,25; 13:1f; 14:3,12,17,26; see Gal.5:13)
1. the gifts & calling of God (Rom.11:29; 1Tm.4:14)

2. in the church: body (Eph.4:16; 1Cor.12:7,28)

3. in the world: salt and light (Mt.5:10-16,17f,43f; Jer.29:4-7(Ezra 10:10f; 1Cor.7:39; 2Cor.6:14f))

4. stewardship of time, abilities, opportunities, other gifts (Mt.25:14f; 31f; Lk.12:42f,48b)

5. by this time (Heb.5:11-14; Phil.2:20,21; 4f)

III. GET EQUIPPED & GO SERVE!!! (Eph.4:12,13; 2Tim.3;16,17; Acts 2:42)

Some Christians are tempted to serve when they are not equipped.  That does not seem to be our temptation.  Our temptation seems to be that we are equipped but neglect to serve.  I do not want to provoke you to do more than you should, but everyone should serve in the church and in the world in some way.  No Christian should be doing nothing in the church and nothing in the world for the good of others.  No one can do everything but everyone should do something.  What needs to be done in your church and in your community that you are able to do without compromising the priorities of your health, family and employment?  Surely there is something, however seemingly small.  

I must not serve on the school board largely because I am “devoted to instruction” by the ordination of God and “cannot come down” (Neh.6:3).  But I am “devoted to instruction” so that you would be equipped by God to serve in His church and in His world.  Therefore, in summary, and pointedly for the sake of clarity, I must not serve on school board so that you will be equipped to serve… on the school board; I must not, so that you can; I must not, so you must!  Who will go for us? (see Is.6:8)  Who will serve?  Whom can I send like Paul sent Timothy?  Or are you like most of those whom Paul was devoted to equip, namely living in self-indulgence not self-sacrifice; living in selfishness not service?  (Phil.2:20,21; 4f).  Many of you are fully taken up with employment and/or family matters and/or serving in the church as officers and/or serving in the community.  But are there any of you who ought to be serving in the church and in the community and are not?  Is your salt still in the shaker and your light hidden under a bushel?  Repent!  Get equipped and go serve!  If you are serving, I praise God, commend you and urge you to persevere.

In practical terms, it would seem hardly to matter if I cancelled the Bible study and devoted one and a half days a week to serve on the school board.  Few people would notice the difference.  But that’s not the point.  The point is the command of God to me, and every pastor: “give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and to teaching.  Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you… take pains with these things; be absorbed in them…. pay close attention to yourself and your teaching… equip the saints so that they will serve… preach the word, when people want to hear and also when they don’t; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction” (1Tm.4:11-16; 2Tm.4:20).  This is because it is the teaching and preaching of the word that God uses to save His people and to make them ready, willing and able for every good work (1Tm.4:16; 2Tm.3:16,17).

I intend to persevere in the teaching and preaching of the word and not to let even good and necessary things distract me from my assignment from God.  But please understand that you are under an equally heavy obligation to make use of my work to be equipped and, having been equipped, you are under an equally heavy obligation to go and serve in the church and in the world according to God’s gifts and calling to you.  Examine yourselves; repent of your laziness where you find it, persevere in faithful service where you find that, come to the Lord’s Supper tonight for help with both of these things and then go serve in the church and in the world to the glory of God and to the good of your neighbors.  May each and every one of hear the doorbell chimes of heaven, “Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.  Enter into the joy of your Master.”  (Mt.25:21=23)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

A. HOW DO YOU EQUIP YOURSELF FOR SERVICE?

1. Why do you come/not come to:
a. The Bible study?  When and how do you study the Bible?

b. Evening worship?  When do you pray?

c. The Lord’s Supper?

d. What does it mean to you, as a believer, when you see someone baptized?

e. Fellowship activities like the St. Patrick Day’s dinner?

2. What is the significance of church membership?

3. What have been the most important and/or effective means in equipping you for service?  Why was/is this so?

4. What equipping do you need that you’re not getting?  What do you think should be done to meet this need?

B. HOW DO YOU SERVE?

1. In the church?

2. In the community?

3. How would you like to serve in either/both of these areas?

4. What are some noteworthy examples of Christians serving in the world? (community, state, nation, world)