Acts 20:1-12 | Everyone a Deacon

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Slides:

Theme: Every person in the church has a calling to serve a heaping helping of encouragement to your brothers and sisters.

How can we serve and encourage one another?

• Work through your differences.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 

For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

How can we serve and encourage one another?

• In person is always better.

Romans 1:11-12 

For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

How can we serve and encourage one another?

• Be generous.

Romans 15:26-27 

For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased [to do so,] and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

Why do we worship on Sunday?

Matthew 28:1, 6

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. ... 6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

Mark 16:2 

Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

Luke 24:1

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

John 20:1 

Now on the first [day] of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone [already] taken away from the tomb.

Why do we worship on Sunday?

• To be continually reminded of and encouraged by the Resurrection!

Ephesians 4:29-32

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

John 14:16 

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

Hebrews 3:12-13

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is [still] called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another;] and all the more as you see the day drawing near.