For many, Labor Day marks the official end of summer. It is the conclusion of a summer of relaxation and the beginning of a new school year. It is a free day off from work! But Labor Day was originally intended to celebrate the achievements of the American worker. Labor Day was intended to capture the hearts and collective imagination of our nation, to cause us to marvel at the extraordinary good that comes as we band together for a common purpose. Because of the sacrifices of the American worker, we live in the greatest nation on earth. This is a time for us to pat ourselves on the back and be proud. You’ve earned it! In fact, I want you to take a moment and thank the people around you for the work they do.
How can we improve our service to the Lord?
This Labor Day is the perfect time for us to think about improving our service. To accomplish this, we're going to break out of our traditional Sunday morning format. As you recollect your composure, I want to stir the collective imagination of this congregation concerning the work God has created for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) says, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." There is such extraordinary potential for good that can be realized. But this can only happen as we each get on the same page, doing the good works God has prepared for us.
Biblical examples of true servants.
One way God draws out our best is by giving us a picture of what he is looking for. Take the book of Philippians as an example. Paul wanted to inspire the Christians at Philippi to complete the good works God prepared for them to do. So Paul paints a picture of what is going on in his own life. He was in prison, in stocks and chains, suffering for the gospel. Yet he was doing the work God gave him. In the face of death he says in Philippians 1:21-22 (NIV), "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me..." What a snapshot of Paul's heart! For Paul, life was first and foremost about fruitful labor for Christ.
But Paul continues with his own snapshot of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) he writes, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Paul goes on to mention Timothy. In Philippians 2:21-22 (NIV) he writes, "For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel."
In Philippians 3:25-30 he mentions Epaphroditus, "my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me."
When Paul mentioned Jesus Christ, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, the light bulbs came on. The Christians at Philippi said, "So that’s what you're talking about! We can do that!" This morning I have asked a few men to come forward and share their perspectives on what it means to do the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do. Let me briefly introduce each of them. Denny Tackett, Norm Smith, and Tom Frydenger. Let's dig right in.
An interview with three faithful Lakeside servants.
What are some needs that exist in our community that God has shown you guys?
Denny: Elderly people are afraid of getting help and are unable to help themselves.
Norm: People are overcome by debt. Money problems lead to fifty percent of marriage failures. The average family has eight thousand dollars in credit card debt.
Tom: Emotional pain keeps people from functioning. Biblical truth is unapplied. The nuclear family is breaking down.
For the congregation, does a particular person or face come to your mind when these fellows speak?
How are each of you making a difference in the community?
Denny: I am a volunteer with Interfaith Caregivers. We help elderly people with home repairs, shopping, trips to the doctor, etc.
Norm: I work with Crown Financial Ministries- conducting budgeting seminars and being a budget counselor. Tom: I do formal, Christian-based counseling through our church and through my business.
A while back, a family connected to our church was in crisis. I tried to help them in every way that I knew how. I prayed. I gave counsel. I gave encouragement. At one point the father pulled me aside and said, "Jon, tell me why do you care so much? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything. But why do you care?"
Why do you guys care about these needs?
Denny: I had a neighbor, Tom, who was an alcoholic and lost his driver's license. Our minister was driving him to work every day so that he could continue to make a living. Pam and I thought that we would help him out by giving him part of a freezer beef that we had just received. He would not accept the beef, probably because of pride. Later, he became a Christian and apologized to us for denying us the blessing of giving to him.
Norm: Finances were a common theme in meeting with people when I was guidance counselor in school. I saw a need for providing ethical financial services. I asked God to reveal what need he had for me to do. I felt directed by God to meet this need.
Tom: I believe you can change the world one person at a time.
What motivated you to begin actively serving others?
Denny: I had a life transition in retirement. I needed to stay busy. It was my time to give.
Norm: I had friend in Macomb who was an example to me. About the same time, I read a book by Larry Burkett and attended a Money Matters Seminar. This inspired me to get off my duff and start working.
Tom: I got saved, felt worthless in the light of what Jesus had done for me and I wanted to return something back to him. I got a purpose in life.
What are the costs of doing this type of ministry? What are the rewards?
Denny: The major cost is time. I give up a lot of my own time. Just seeing the need is an emotional cost. The reward is the blessing of helping people and the thanks that I get from them.
Norm: The biggest cost is the time in the actual doing of the tasks, but there is also time involved in preparation. If you don't spend that time, you are not fully doing your task to the full ability. The joy is in seeing person take control of a financial situation and to see them gain hope.
Tom: The time is the biggest cost, but the heartbreak of what you are seeing is also a huge cost. The reward is the joy that you see in someone's life when they have conquered their problems.
Why do you keep doing what you are doing?
Denny: Gladys Gaddy. She was a neighbor of ours in Monticello who helped Pam a lot when I was on the road. She invited Pam over for coffee, took care of the kids in an emergency, and was a tremendous support to Pam when I was on the road several days a week. She was a fine Christian woman who helped our family in practical ways. I've never forgotten that!
Tom: I can’t do anything else, because I am called to do this.
Norm: It is a way that I can use my gifts and talents to practically help other people.
How have your spiritual gifts and experiences prepared you for this?
Denny: I have the gift of service. So it is natural for me to serve other people.
Norm: I have the gift of teaching people. When helping with finances, practical teaching is a must!
Tom: My gift is to be an encourager and prophet. Counseling fits right into this.
Is there a scripture verse that comes to mind when you think about serving?
The men identified Ephesians 6:7, 1 Peter 4:10, and Galatians 5:13. Ephesians 6:7 (NIV) says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." Galatians 5:13(NIV) says, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
How can a person get in on the action, doing the good works God’s prepared for him? Use the example provided by these godly men, or ask them for practical suggestions.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 7:00 PM, SERVE FEST. Put your gifts and talents to work. This is a service opportunity provided by our church.