Scripture Reading: Romans 6:15-23

Saved to Serve

Intro.

1. Rom. 6:15-23: Having once served sin, we have been saved to serve righteousness (which is serving God, 6:18-19, 22).

2. Servant (doulos): “enslaved, enthralled, subservient...one pledged or bound to serve” (Analytical Greek Lexicon, Moulton, 106).

a. Serve: “to work for…carry out the duties of…to be used by…function…” (Webster).

b. We are commanded as servants to work for others (God, righteousness, neighbors, brethren, and the lost).

3. Service to God and to others is exemplified many times in NT; Service is personified in Jesus Christ (Jno. 6:38; 9:4).

4. “There is much to do, there’s work on every hand!”

I. THE EXTENT OF OUR SERVICE AS CHRISTIANS.

A. Our Service Extends to Everyone:

1. To God, Rom. 6:22; 1 Cor. 7:22.

2. To one another, Gal. 5:13.

3. To all men, Lk. 10:27, 29-37 (Gal. 6:10).

B. Characteristics we need to be Genuine Servants:

1. Faithfulness, 1 Cor. 4:2 (trustworthy).

2. Devotion, Matt. 6:24.

3. Diligent obedience, Lk. 17:7-10.

4. Humility, 1 Pet. 5:5.

5. Sacrifice, Phil. 2:5-8 (Time, comfort, effort, money, our life!).

II. ROLES OF SERVICE IN THE CHURCH, 1 Pet. 4:10-11.

A. Service for Men (cf. Eph. 4:11-12):

1. Elder, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3.

a. With diligence, Rom. 12:8 (labor, 1 Tim. 5:17).

b. Oversee souls, feed, tend, protect souls (Heb. 13:17).

c. Desire this good work and qualify yourself (1 Tim. 3:1-7).

2. Deacon, 1 Tim. 3:8-13.

a. Attend to the needs of the brethren under the direction of the elders, cf. Acts 6:1-6.

b. Commendation for their work of service, 3:13.

3. Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4:1-5.

a. Command and teach to help save, 1 Tim. 4:11, 16.

b. Train others to teach, 2 Tim. 2:2.

4. Teachers and exhorters, Tit. 2:2, 6-8.

B. Service for Women:

1. Teachers and exhorters of women, Tit. 2:3-5.

2. Good works and charitable deeds, Acts 9:36.

3. Wives of leaders, 1 Tim. 3:11-12, 4-5.

C. Ways Every Christian can Serve:

1. Examples of holiness, Matt. 5:16.

2. Teach the lost, Heb. 5:12.

3. Train the saved, Matt. 28:20.

4. Encourage your brethren through your faithfulness to the Lord, Heb. 10:24-25.

5. Help restore the fallen, Gal. 6:1.

III. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS A PLACE OF SERVICE, Eph. 4:16 (“every part does its share”).

A. Every Christian has Ability to Serve in the Church.

-Eph. 4:16: Every part of body has a work/function (no “vestigial” Christians!).

B. Every Christian is Expected to Serve according to His or Her Ability, Heb. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:1, 13.

-Use rewarded, not using punished, Matt. 25:20-21, 24-30.

C. Every Christian can Grow in His or Her Ability (Capacity) to Serve, 1 Pet. 2:2 (Heb. 5:12).

Conclusion

1. Matt. 20:25-28: Faithful servants…

a. Are great in the kingdom.

b. Follow the example of Christ.

2. Look for work to be done, qualify yourself to do it, and then diligently do the work. (Jno. 9:4)