Serve in the Church
Rusty Wirt   -   January 25, 2026

Sermon 3: Serve in the Church

Main Verse: (Romans 12:1-21)

 

Key Thought: As a part of the church, you are called to personally serve and avoid person to person retaliation.

 

Today we will discuss the importance of all members/attenders serving inside the Church in some way. We will provide some easy next steps for anyone who is ready to take on this command.

But we are not just asking individuals to serve. Collectively, Concord will be serving our community through our Do Good Campaign.

 

Into the Text

  1. We are to give our bodies over to God in an act of worship (Upward, Rom. 12:1-2)

The Worship through Sacrifice in the Ancient World:

  • Often included a blood sacrifice (or something of value)
  • Was used to communicate to the gods
  • The communication was almost always a petition
  • The religious act was disconnected from the person’s thoughts, feelings or disposition.

Paul erases the gap between a religious ceremony and our personal lives.

 Key Question:

What do you do with your body?

(That is potentially an act of worship.)

  1. We are to use our gift inside the community (Inward, Rom. 12:3-8)
    1. Humility is important
    2. We are different, yet together
    3. Key point- know your spot
  2. We are to care for others (Outward, Rom. 12:9-21)
    1. KEY INSIGHT: Much conflict and disunity existed in this culture and inside the church. If this is true, then these words are critical and timely for us.
    2. Here is genuine love for the Church body (each of these are action oriented)
    3. Hate evil
    4. Cling to what is good
    5. Care for one another like family
    6. Lead one another on with honor
    7. Don’t be lazy (be ardent in spirit- serve)
    8. Rejoice in Hope
    9. Remain firm in action
    10. Be stubbornly devoted to prayer
    11. Share what you have
    12. Be very open to stranger
  3. Here is how we treat on the outside (none of these are retaliatory)
    • Bless them (even when they persecute you)
    • Show empathy
    • Humility is still important
    • Seek the common good
      1. The phrase “If it is possible” means, in effect, “If God’s good and perfect will allow you to do it.” Christians are to do what they can to find approval with non-Christians and to live at peace with them (c.f., v. 18). But they must never seek approval with the world at the expense of God’s moral demands; this means that harmonious relationships with unbelievers will not always lie in our power to achieve (Douglas Moo, NIV Commentary on Romans

    •  Try as best as you can to live at peace with all humans.

    • Allow room for God’s wrath. This can happen in three primary ways:

      1. The Law of the Land (Rom 13:1-5)
      2. The Law of Sowing and Reaping (Gal 6:7-8)
      3. The Law of God’s Sovereignty (Deut. 32:35)\
      4. Instead of seeking vengeance- give them sandwich

This person is not fearful of outsiders but is genuinely concerned about their life. At the same time this believer wants to seek common good in their community. And when things don’t go my way, I will allow room for God’s vengeance.

 Application:

 

Are you a consumer of Church or are you a contributor to Church?

Consider serving:

  • Nursery
  • Children
  • Youth
  • Tech
  • Worship
  • Van Driver
  • Safety Team