Why We Do It - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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Why We Do It

A Life of Christian Service

1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

Intro: The New Testament especially emphasizes service:

·       Minister/ministry = about 120 occurrences combined.

·       Labour/laborers/labouring = about 60.

·       Serve/serving God and others = about 100.

·       Edify/edification = about 25.

·       Work/workman/fellowlabourer = dozens more.

In the New Testament alone, there are likely 300–500 direct references to Christian service and ministry.

Four reasons why I am preaching this message tonight:

              A. To Recognize the workers for their labor

              B. To Remind myself and you of why we serve

              C. To Rehearse to the doubters why we do it

              D. To Recruit new workers to get involved

So, why would a person devote their entire live to serving God and serving others?

I imagine I could come up with a pretty lengthy list, but here are three reasons.

I. An Admiration of the Faithful Examples

A fascinating observation is that the word "servant" appears roughly 900 times in the Bible, making it one of the most common descriptions of God's people.

A fair estimate to serving God would be between 350–500 direct references.

That alone shows how central service is to the biblical narrative.

·       Moses was called the servant of the Lord.

·       Joshua was the servant of the Lord.

·       David was the servant of the Lord.

·       Paul called himself a servant of Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, believers are repeatedly described as servants of God.

I have always been inspired and motivated to serve God and serve others just from the examples of those that have spent their life doing it.

Many preachers, pastors, missionaries, biographies I’ve read, many still living and serving today.

II. An Aspiration for the Fulfillment Experienced

Over and over again, God’s people have been promised blessings from God for serving Him.

The joy of serving Jesus is real; the fulfillment is real.

Many people spend their lives asking, "What can I get?"

God teaches us to ask, "How can I serve?"

The paradox of the Christian life is that the more we pour ourselves out for Christ and others, the more fulfilled we become ourselves.

The Christian who serves faithfully discovers what countless saints before him have learned: there is no greater fulfillment than being used by God.

·       Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive.

God promises satisfaction to those who serve Him.

The world promises fulfillment but leaves people empty. Christ promises fulfillment and delivers it.

·       John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

There is a joy that comes from seeing God use your life to make an eternal difference. Nothing compares to knowing that God has used you to help someone grow, be saved, or be encouraged.

·       Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

God is not a debtor to any man.

Mark this down – God pays His workers!!

He never asks us to sacrifice for Him without giving back far more than we surrender.

God rewards faithful service with joy.

·       John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Notice that Jesus did not merely promise joy, but full joy.

The happiest people in a church are usually not the spectators; they are the participants.

They are involved, invested, and serving.

·       1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

Paul's fulfillment was found in the people he had served.

Ministry can be exhausting, but it is also deeply rewarding.

God gives purpose through service.

·       Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We were not just saved from something; we were saved for something.

God has a purpose for every believer, and fulfillment comes when we discover and embrace that purpose.

Life makes the most sense when it is lived for the One who created it.

·       Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

III. An Anticipation of the Fruit Expected

One of the great motivations for Christian ministry is the expectation that God will produce fruit through our labor.

We do not serve aimlessly.

We sow with the anticipation that God will bring a harvest.

Paul was not just interested in activity and barren busyness; he was interested in fruit.

·       Romans 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you... that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Notice how Paul referred to these people in our text:

·       1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia,

Achaia was a province in southern Greece.

It included some of the most important cities in the New Testament, such as Corinth, Athens and Cenchrea.

When Paul says that the household of Stephanas was the "firstfruits of Achaia," he means they were among the first converts to Christ in that region.

Paul likely baptized Stephanas personally.

·       1 Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas...

Stephanas and his family were among the earliest believers in Greece, and their conversion became the beginning of a much larger harvest throughout Achaia.

Paul desired to visit Rome because he expected God to use him to produce spiritual fruit.

His goal was not simply to preach a sermon or make an appearance; he wanted to leave behind changed lives.

·       Colossians 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you...

The Gospel is never intended to just be believed and accepted; it is intended to be productive.

Wherever the Gospel takes root, fruit should follow.

Paul rejoiced because he saw evidence that the Gospel was working in the lives of the Colossian believers.

A tree is known by its fruit, and a genuine work of God will eventually produce visible evidence.

·       John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

God is not glorified just by our profession, but by our production.

The servant of God lives with a constant harvest mentality.

Farmers plant because they expect a harvest.

·       Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

No farmer digs up his seed every week to see if it is growing.

He trusts the process and continues his labor.

Likewise, the servant of God teaches a Sunday School class, drives a bus route, disciples a new believer, witnesses to a neighbor, preaches a sermon, or raises a child for Christ believing that someday there will be fruit.

The anticipation of fruit keeps us faithful when immediate results are not visible.

Some fruit is seen now; some fruit is seen later.

One of the challenges of ministry is that fruit does not always appear immediately.

Paul often labored for years before seeing results.

·       1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Our responsibility is faithfulness. God's responsibility is increase.

Sometimes we see fruit quickly.

Other times we may not see the harvest until eternity.

Many faithful servants have gone to Heaven without fully realizing the impact of their ministry.

Every tract distributed, every lesson taught, every prayer offered, every missionary supported, and every soul influenced for Christ has the potential to bear fruit long after we are gone.

Fruit produces eternal rewards.

·       Philippians 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Paul viewed the Philippians' missionary giving as an eternal investment.

The church gave money, but God credited fruit to their account.

Every soul reached through a missionary they supported became fruit that abounded to them.

This reminds us that not all fruit is directly produced.

Some fruit is shared fruit – some plant, some water.

When we support the work of God, encourage others in ministry, or invest in missions, we become partners in the harvest.

Some may ask:

·       "Why keep teaching that class?" Because fruit is coming!

·       "Why keep witnessing?" Because fruit is coming!

·       "Why keep supporting missions?" Because fruit is coming!

·       "Why keep serving when nobody seems to notice?" Because fruit is coming!

The world measures success by immediate results.

God measures success by faithful fruitfulness.

The faithful servant understands that every act of obedience is a seed planted in God's field, and one day the Lord of the harvest will reveal what His grace produced through our labor.

·       Psalm 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The anticipation of future fruit tomorrow gives strength for faithfulness today.