“Service”


Kennard Friends Church

May 27, 2012

Bob Lines



This is Memorial Day. Let me share some history about this national holiday.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. It originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

This holiday honors those who serve our country around the world. The Bible has much to say about serving God AND this world too. We are to serve OTHERS. We are to serve FELLOW CHRISTIANS. We are to serve GOD.





We Serve Others

Matthew 20:28

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:27-29 (in Context) Matthew 20 (Whole Chapter)

I don’t want to single people out this morning or cause them to be embarrassed. But there are several among us that I know for a fact do this very well. They mow someone else’s yard. They take care of an aging parent day after day, month after month. They always eat last at the family dinner they spent hours preparing. They check on their neighbor daily. They take rearrange their schedule to take family to the doctor or a friend to the grocery store. On and on and on…

This congregation, as a whole is good to serve others. Consider all the times you have reached out to the community and given a gift in time of a need. Or provided a meal and an opportunity for “community” for folks in Kennard. You give financially to missions as a way to serve others. And this summer the church is sponsoring Kylie who will be going in person to Haiti on a mission trip. Both Kylie and the church are living out this verse.



We Serve Fellow Christians

Galatians 5:13

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b]

Galatians 5:12-14 (in Context) Galatians 5 (Whole Chapter)

First of all, and this could be a completely separate message, our freedom in Christ is not a license to sin. Even though we have God’s grace and mercy available to us, we should want to live, and strive to live without sin. And only through the power of the Holy Spirit in us can we do that.

But the point about service here is to serve other Christians specifically. And the Bible specifically says this service should be done in love. How do we serve in love? Well, again the Bible says love is patient; love is kind, love does not hold grudges. Read the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians for the complete list.



We Serve God

While service to others is important, serving God is written throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Let me share just a few.

Genesis 17:1

[ Abram Is Named Abraham ] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.

Genesis 17:1-3 (in Context) Genesis 17 (Whole Chapter)

Exodus 23:25

“You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. 26 There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives.

Exodus 23:24-26 (in Context) Exodus 23 (Whole Chapter)

Deuteronomy 10:12

[ A Call to Love and Obedience ] “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.

Deuteronomy 10:11-13 (in Context) Deuteronomy 10 (Whole Chapter)

John 12:26

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:25-27 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter)



In conclusion, if we want to be like Jesus; if we want to follow him; if we want to know WWJD… the one word answer is SERVE!

Now watch for the Lord to give you opportunities to serve today, this week and for days to come.