We’re Looking For A Few Good Men
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSermon on Service
SUBJECT: Worship, Service
TITLE: We’re Looking For A Few Good Men
PROPOSITION: To teach the biblical expectations for men who lead in worship.
OBJECTIVE: That the hearer might ask himself if he meets those standards and if not to reform his life.
INTRODUCTION:
1. This sermon is done by request from the men who meet in our business meeting.
2. The concern is that there are some that we should not be scheduling to lead in worship because it may be that:
1) they don’t seem to take their obligations to attend worship seriously.
2) their behavior does not meet a reasonable standard.
3) their dress doesn’t promote godliness.
4) they are not sober.
5) they are not sound in the faith.
6) Keep in mind that some of these are things that I have observed in time past and doesn’t necessarily mean that I have seen or know of these things here.
3. So, the men are exploring the question.
1) What does the Bible say about the qualifications or qualities of the men that serve?
2) Should we use the privilege of service as incentive in hopes that the men chosen will someday improve?
3) Should we not say anything so that no one will be offended?
4. The Bible doesn’t explicitly speak to the question of qualifications. It does give us guidance to help make a decision.
DISCUSSION:
I. LOOK YE OUT AMONG YOU, ACTS 6:1-6
1. The Job – Serve tables, v. 2.
1) Not evangelist
2) Not elder
3) Not teacher
4) Not missionary
5) Certainly not apostle or prophet.
6) Serving tables.
2. The qualifications, v. 3.
1) Of honest report
a. Cornelius, Acts 10:22
b. Timothy, Acts 16:1-2
c. Ananias, Acts 22:12
d. Demetrius, 3 John 12
2) Full of the Holy Ghost
a. Peter, Acts 4:8
b. Their own company, Acts 4:23, 31
c. Barnabas, Acts 11:24
d. Paul, Acts 13:9
e. Disciples, Acts 13:52
f. Compare Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18 Full of the Holy Ghost does not necessarily mean spiritual gifts (Judas, Mark 6:7)
g. They knew the word of God by whatever means that God gave it to them, they preached it boldly to the best of their ability and lived what they preached.
3) Full of wisdom. In every endeavor we see those with wisdom compared to those without.
a. The new preacher who has to have everything to his liking right now compared with the experienced one who knows things take time and patience. New preachers sometimes have to move a lot.
b. Some new preachers like to impress people with big words and lots of Greek. One should rather draw pictures with words that a child can understand.
c. The military officer who won’t give an order that he knows won’t be followed.
d. The parent who doesn’t harshly discipline his toddler for acting up at the end of a long day.
e. In every job there are things that matter and things that are busy work or they matter less. 80/20 principle. Those that master their jobs master the things that result in the 80%.
f. Wisdom is a mixture of knowledge, experience and ability.
3. Stephen highlighted, vv. 5-10
1) Full of faith and the Holy Ghost, v. 5
2) Full of faith and power, v. 8
3) Full of wisdom, v. 10
4) Willing to speak God’s indictment to the Sanhedrin, Mark 13:9-11.
5) This is the kind of man chosen to wait tables.
4. No, you don’t have to be a Stephen to serve, he’s a best case example. But you do have to do your best, 1 Pet. 4:11; Matt. 25:14-30.
5. Can you imagine Stephen…
1) Staying up late Saturday night?
2) Not being at the men’s meeting?
3) Snoring in the pew?
4) Not being in worship?
II. WHY ARE WE CONCERNED?
1. We think it may be a symptom of what’s really happening in your spiritual life. We can’t see strong Christians emerging from it. Using service to shield our view.
2. Some might think that we approve.
3. Using the service to fool yourself.
4. From the pool of those serving come future elders, teachers, preachers, deacons, missionaries, Christian authors. The picture looks bleak.
III. THE BIBLE HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF YOUTH.
1. Don’t give anyone reason to disregard you, 1 Tim. 4:12
2. Flee youthful lusts, follow righteousness, 2 Tim. 2:22
3. Model of good works, Tit. 2:6-8
4. Have overcome the wicked one, 1 John 2:13-14.
IV. EFFECTS OF THIS SERMON.
1. There is a chance that some will be embarrassed or angry and they will get worse instead of better.
1) This will be the result of a hard heart getting harder.
2) There is always an effect when the truth is preached and one possibility is hardening of the heart.
2. There is another possibility, though.
1) Hearts can be softened.
2) Some that finally see their true condition will make the decision to be of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom.
CONCLUSION:
1. Our leadership is looking for a few good men.
2. They’re serious about it.
3. If you are one of the ones they are concerned with you might expect to be left off of the “men to serve” list.
4. Then again you might make a change.