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Prayers for God's People: Equipped to Serve

Q: If you could do anything you wanted for God, what would you do to serve others?

Two parts of Passion:

serve - an activity or action

others - a particular group of people that mean something to you

Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Big Idea:

Because people are not all the same, and gifts are not all the same,

People will EQUIP differently,

depending on the needs of the community, and the vision of the church.

Equip in the English New Testament

Ephesians 4:11–12 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equiphis people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Equip in the Greek New Testament

ἄρτιος (artios), suitable, complete, capable, sound

καταρτίζω (katartizō), put in order, restore, make complete

καταρτισμός (katartismos), preparation, equipment

κατάρτισις (katartisis), being made complete, completion

προκαταρτίζω (prokatartizō), get ready, arrange in advance

ἐξαρτίζω (exartizō), finish, complete, equip, furnish

We serve in different ways because we are equipped differently

1.     Some Equippers start things from scratch

Hebrews 11:3 NIV

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

2.     Some Equippers build on something already there

1 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Ephesians 4:12 NIV

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

3.     Some Equippers rebuild people

Galatians 6:1 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

4.     Some Equippers create harmony out of conflict

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

5.     Some Equippers mend what is broken

Matthew 4:21 NIV

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing (mending) their nets. Jesus called them...

1 Peter 5:10 NIV

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

6.     Some Equippers anticipate future ministry

2 Corinthians 9:5 NIV

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

7.     Some Equippers bring things to a conclusion

Acts 21:5 NIV

When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

You are an Equipper!

•    What’s your life story?

•    What are your gifts?

•    Who are the people you are passionate about?

•    Where do your dreams take you?

•    What have been your big wins?

•    What do you enjoy?

Bible Word Study

LOVE

2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

Peter listed seven characteristics of the godly life, but we must not think of them as seven beads on a string or even seven stages of development. The word translated “add” really means “to supply generously.” In other words, we develop one quality as we exercise another quality. These graces relate to each other the way the branch relates to the trunk and the twigs to the branch. Like the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22–23), these qualities grow out of life and out of a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not enough for the Christian to “let go and let God,” as though spiritual growth were God’s work alone. Literally, Peter wrote, “Make every effort to bring alongside.” The Father and the child must work together.

But there is more to Christian growth than brotherly love; we must also have the sacrificial love that our Lord displayed when He went to the cross. The kind of love (“charity”) spoken of in 2 Peter 1:7 is agape love, the kind of love that God shows toward lost sinners. This is the love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13, the love that the Holy Spirit produces in our hearts as we walk in the Spirit (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22). When we have brotherly love, we love because of our likenesses to others; but with agape love, we love in spite of the differences we have.

It is impossible for fallen human nature to manufacture these seven qualities of Christian character. They must be produced by the Spirit of God. To be sure, there are unsaved people who possess amazing self-control and endurance, but these virtues point to them and not to the Lord. They get the glory. When God produces the beautiful nature of His Son in a Christian, it is God who receives the praise and glory.

Because we have the divine nature, we can grow spiritually and develop this kind of Christian character. It is through the power of God and the precious promises of God that this growth takes place. The divine “genetic structure” is already there: God wants us to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). The life within will reproduce that image if we but diligently cooperate with God and use the means He has lavishly given us.

And the amazing thing is this: as the image of Christ is reproduced in us, the process does not destroy our own personalities. We still remain uniquely ourselves!

Hebrew:

 אַהֲבָה, אַהֲבָה [ʾahabah /a·hab·aw/] n f. 40 occurrences; AV translates as “love” 40 times. 1 love. 1a human love for human object. 1a1 of man toward man. 1a2 of man toward himself. 1a3 between man and woman. 1a4 sexual desire. 2 God’s love to His people.

אַהֲבָה (ʾǎ·hǎḇā(h)): n.fem.;  love, i.e., a state or condition of strong affection for another based on relationship (Ge 29:20; 1Sa 20:17; 2Sa 1:26; 13:15; 1Ki 10:9; 11:2; Ps 109:4, 5; Pr 5:19; 10:12; 15:17; 17:9; 27:5; Ecc 9:1, 6; SS 2:4, 5, 7; 3:5, 10; 5:8; 7:7[EB 6]; 8:4, 6, 7; Isa 63:9; Jer 2:2, 33; 31:3; Hos 11:4; Zep 3:17+), note: this relationship can be familial, as a friend, properly romantic, or based in covenant.

 אָהַב (ʾā·hǎḇ): v.; love, i.e., have an affection based on a close relationship, sometimes in comparison to other persons with a lesser relationship (Ge 22:2; 24:67; 25:28; Est 2:17), note: this relationship can be familial, proper romance, or attraction;) be loved (Dt 21:15,16; Ne 13:26; Hos 3:1+);  like, i.e., have a desire for an object based in desirability, with a focus on a preference of one thing over another (Ge 27:4).

LOVE = Unselfish, loyal, and benevolent intention and commitment toward another. The concept of the love of God is deeply rooted in the Bible. The Hebrew term chesed refers to covenant love. Jehovah is the God who remembers and keeps His covenants in spite of the treachery of people. His faithfulness in keeping His promises proves His love for Israel and all humanity.

Another word, ahavah, can be used of human love towards oneself, another person of the opposite sex, or another person in general. It is used of God’s love towards Jeremiah in Jer. 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love [ahavah]; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness [chesed]” (NASB).

LOYAL LOVE n. = An unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness, often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant.

Greek:

 φιλέω [phileo /fil·eh·o/] v. 25 occurrences; AV translates as “love” 22 times, and “kiss” three times. 1 to love. 1a to approve of. 1b to like. 1c sanction. 1d to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend. 2 to show signs of love. 2a to kiss. 3 to be fond of doing.

προσφιλής [prosphiles /pros·fee·lace/] adj. AV translates as “lovely” once. 1 acceptable, pleasing.

To causing pleasure or delight, pleasing, agreeable, lovely, amiable. Phil 4:8.

εὐ-φῐλής, ές, (φιλέω) well-loved.

II. act. loving well.

φιλήδονος (philēdonos), loving pleasure.

In NT times three words for love were used by the Greek-speaking world. The first is eros, referring to erotic or sexual love. This word is not used in the NT or in the Septuagint. It was commonly used in Greek literature of the time.

The word phileo (and its cognates) refers to tender affection, such as toward a friend or family member. It is very common in the NT and extrabiblical literature. It is used to express God the Father’s love for Jesus (John 5:20), God’s love for an individual believer (John 16:27), and of Jesus’ love for a disciple (John 20:2). The word phileo is never used for a person’s love toward God. In fact, the context of John 21:15–17 seems to suggest that Jesus desired a stronger love from Peter.

The word agapao (and its cognate agape) is rarely used in extrabiblical Greek. It was used by believers to denote the special unconditional love of God and is used interchangeably with phileo to designate God the Father’s love for Jesus (John 3:35), God the Father’s love for an individual believer (John 14:21), and of Christ’s love for a disciple (John 13:23).

Biblical love = has God as its object, true motivator, and source. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and is not directed toward the world or the things of the world (the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life—1 John 2:15–16). The ultimate example of God’s love is the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “I give you a new commandment: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another” (John 13:34 HCSB; cp. 15:12).

The definitive statement on love in Paul occurs in 1 Cor. 13. Rhetorical ability, preaching, knowledge, mountain-moving faith, charity towards the poor, or even martyrdom are nothing without agape.

      First Corinthians 13:4–8a lists several characteristics of this love. 

       First, it is long-suffering [makrothumia] (v. 4). This is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It refers to a quality that does not seek revenge but suffers wrong in order to act redemptively.

Second, love is kind (translated gracious, virtuous, useful, manageable, mild, pleasant, benevolent—the opposite of harsh, hard, sharp, or bitter). Third, love is not envious (covetous), does not jealously desire what it does not possess.

Fourth, love does not promote itself; it is not puffed up (1 Cor. 8:1). Paul says in Phil. 2:3, “In humility consider others as more important than yourselves” (HCSB).

Fifth, love does not behave itself in an unbecoming fashion. Believers are to avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).

Sixth, love does not seek its own things. Paul once sent Timothy because “I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 2:20–21 HCSB).

Seventh, love is not easily provoked (irritated, exasperated, or made angry). When Jesus was hit, He did not retaliate but said, “If I have spoken wrongly, … give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit Me?” (John 18:23 HCSB).

Eighth, love believes the best about people; it “thinketh no evil” (KJV), “does not keep a record of wrongs” (HCSB). In other words, love overlooks insult or wrong (Prov. 17:9; 19:11; cp. Eph. 5:11).

Yes, love indeed is light from heaven,

A spark of that immortal fire

With angels shared, by God given,

To lift from earth our low desire.

Devotion wafts the mind above,

But heaven itself descends in love;

A feeling from the Godhead caught,

To wean from self each sordid thought;

A ray of him who formed the whole;

A glory circling round the soul!

BIBLE WORD STUDY

godliness

2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 

A God-honouring manner of life, issuing from a true knowledge of God and his grace in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16; 4:7–10; 2 Tim. 3:10–12; Tit. 1:1; 2:11–12).

εὐλάβεια, ας, ἡ(eulabeia) the primary meaning. relates to exercise of caution; in dealing with the transcendent realm one must be especially cautious about giving offense to deities, hence ‘reverence, piety’, and in our literature probably only of reverent awe in the presence of God, awe, fear of God

Godliness:  Likeness to God in moral and spiritual character.

godliness, godly, a life or attribute that is pleasing to God. Almost all references to “godliness” in the Bible occur in the Pastoral Letters and in 2 Peter (1 Tim. 2:2; 4:7–8; 6:3, 5–6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11). The term translates a Greek word (eusebeia; also used in Acts 3:12, nrsv: “piety”) that was commonly used in the Roman world to describe respect for the Greek and Roman gods and for the orders of society. This may explain why it is not more common in the lxx or in the nt; biblical writers generally prefer such words as “righteousness,” “faith,” “steadfastness,” or “holiness” to describe a faith and life pleasing to God. As an adjective, the related term “godly” (Gk. eusebōs), however, is used in the lxx (where it translates Hebrew khasid):

Greek usage:

εὐσέβειαb, ας f:( eusebeía) behavior reflecting correct religious beliefs and attitudes—‘piety, godliness.’ ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι ‘that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in entire godliness and with modesty’ 1 Tm 2:2. In a number of languages εὐσέβεια in 1 Tm 2:2 may be appropriately translated as ‘to live as God would have us live’ or ‘to live as God has told us we should live.’

Κατά + θεός, οῦ (kata+ theos) according to God

εὐσεβής, ές; (eusebōs) εὐσεβῶς; θεοσεβής, ές; ἱεροπρεπής, ές; θρησκός, όν: pertaining to being devoted to a proper expression of religious beliefs—‘devout, pious, religious.

Worshiper:

John 9:31 (NIV) — 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 

θεοσεβής (theosebēs), God-fearing; devout. A compound of θεός and σέβω. 

God-fearing; 1Clement 17.3; Moreover concerning Job also it is thus written; And Job was righteous and unblameable, one that was true and honoured God and abstained from all evil.

The humility therefore and the submissiveness of so many and so great men, who have thus obtained a good report, hath through obedience made better not only us but also the generations which were before us, even them that received His oracles in fear and truth. 2Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return unto the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. 3Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His creatures.

Heb. equiv. fr. LXX: אֱלֹהִים 

Hebrew usage:

אֱלוֹהַּ and אֱלֹהִים: I אֵל. (khasid )God-fearing devout

a. rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power. b. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels.

Habakkuk 1:11 (NIV) —Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty people, whose own strength is their god.” 

Malachi 2:15 (NIV) — Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. 

The goal of true spiritual endeavor, correspondence to the characteristics of God Himself; 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) —  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Holiness of Christians

1. In their calling:

Elected to…Rom. 8:29

Called to…1 Thess. 4:7

Created in…Eph. 4:24

Possessed by…1 Cor. 3:16, 17

1. In their lives:

Bodies…Rom. 8:29

Manner of life…1 Pet. 1:15

Fruitfulness…John 15:8

1. Reason for:

God’s holiness…1 Pet 1:15, 16

God’s mercies…Rom. 12:1, 2

Christ’s love…2 Cor.5:14, 15

World’s end…2 Pet. 3:11

Inheritance in kingdom…Eph. 5:5

1. God’s means of:

Word…John 17:17

Chastisement…Heb. 12:10

Grace…Titus 2:3, 11, 12

Sanctification – growing in holiness:

        A. Produced by:

God…1 Thess. 5:23

Christ…1 Thess. 5:23

Holy Spirit…1 Pet. 1:2

Truth…John 17:17, 19

Christ’s blood…Heb. 9:14

Prayer…1 Tim. 4:4, 5

FAITH

A Greeting

2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 

2 Peter 1:5; For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.

We need to fully explain a words meaning by its usage.

First let us look at some dictionary meanings.

The “gospel” content of the word “faith”.

“The content of what is (and should be) believed about the good news of Jesus’ way of salvation.”

Faith

A central theological concept representing the correct relationship to God. Heb. ʾmn and Gk. pisteúein demand a variety of renderings besides belief, faith, and trust, especially faithfulness. They may be used for God or human beings. A continuing question involves distinguishing personal faith with which a person believes and “the faith” with an objective content, something to be believed.

faith, explicit; Faith in that of which one has knowledge. Thus the term may be understood as referring to what one professes to believe because of what is known.

faith, gift of; The recognition that faith comes as unmerited benevolence from God’s Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8–9) and not as a result of human efforts (Eph. 2:8–9).

faith, habit (disposition) of;  The God-given capacity for humans to have faith and be incorporated into Jesus Christ in a new relationship of salvation. It is given by the Holy Spirit.

disposition

■ noun

         1: a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character.

         ▶an inclination or tendency.

         2: the way in which something is placed or arranged.

         ▶(dispositions) the stationing of troops ready for military action.

         3: Law the transfer of property or money to someone, in particular by bequest.

         4: the power to deal with something as one pleases.

         ▶archaic the determination of events by divine power.

The concept of faith is significant for the ot, but it becomes even more important in the nt. Where, the idea of faith is expressed most often with the Greek word πίστις (pistis, “faith”) and closely related to the concept of hope (ἐλπίς, elpis). The ntcommunicates some of its most important theological concepts with pistis: the faithfulness (pistis) of God (e.g., Rom 3:3); the faithfulness (pistis) of Jesus the Messiah (e.g., Gal 2:16); and human faith (pistis) 

in God and/or Jesus as the Messiah (e.g. Rom 10:9).

Faith is one of the most theologically charged concepts in the nt. Where the most common word used to express this concept is πίστις (pistis, “faith”), which can express two different aspects of the concept of faith: “trust, belief” and “faithfulness.” It is important to Jesus that people have faith. When the disciples are faithless in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus characteristically calls them “ones of little faith” (ὀλιγόπιστος, oligopistos; e.g., Matt 6:30). Moreover, Jesus makes the famous statement, “All things are possible for the one who believes (πιστεύω, pisteuō; Mark 9:23).” While the whole nt emphasizes the concept of faith, Romans 10:9 is particularly significant: “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe (pisteuō) in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Faith in Jesus is inextricably bound up with salvation. Hebrews 11:1 ties together the concepts of faith and hope: “Now, faith (pistis) is the substance of things hoped for (ἐλπίζω, elpizō), the evidence of things that are not seen.” Faith is the assurance confirming that the things hoped for by this faith are well-founded and trustworthy. The subsequent passage (Heb 11:1–12:1) lays out the importance of faith by giving examples of faithful people from Old Testament history.

The word “faith” occurs in a variety of expressions: “in good faith” (Heb. be˓emeṯ; Judg. 9:15–16, 19), a “breach of faith” (ma˓al; Lev. 6:2 [MT 5:21]), “full of faith” (Acts 6:5; 11:24), “of little faith,” i.e., without confidence that God would provide for the basic human needs (Matt. 6:30; cf. 14:31; 16:8 for the small degree of trust the disciples placed in Jesus’ power), a “door of faith” (Acts 14:27), the “word of faith” (Rom. 10:8), the “spirit of faith” (2 Cor. 4:13), the “shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16), and the “breastplate of faith” (1 Thess. 5:8). The Old Testament also portrays faith as undergirding human relationships (e.g., Judg. 9:15). Basically, however, both the Old and the New Testament view faith as mankind’s trust in God.

Believing God takes faith (Genesis 15:6)

Only a small amount of faith is needed (Luke 17:6)

Faith is needed for salvation (Romans 3:28)

Faith puts us in a right relationship with God (Romans 5:1)

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17)

Accept the person who has weak faith (Romans 14:1)

Christianity is the only true faith (Ephesians 4:5)

Faith is hoping in what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith accompanies obedience to God (Hebrews 11:7–12)