1. Practising what we preach – Non-speaking Ecclesial Duties Laindon Bible Class 23rd February 2011 Bro. Simon

2. ‘Practising what we preach’ What is the word for someone who does not practise what they preach? A hypocrite NT: 5273 u(pokrith/$ hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace'); from NT:5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"): KJV - hypocrite. (Strong) NT: 5273 The hypocrisy of the adversaries consists in the jarring contradiction between what they say and what they do, between the outward appearance and the inward lack of righteousness: ou%tw$ kaiu(mei=$ e&cwqen me fai/nesqe toi=$ a)nqrw/poi$ di/kaioi, e&swqen de/ e)ste mestoiu(pokri/sew$ kaia)nomi/a$, v. 28, Their hypocrisy is, therefore, sin; failure to do God's will is concealed behind the pious appearance of outward conduct. (TDNT)

3. What do we mean by Non-speaking Ecclesial Duties? Doorkeeper / server President Table keeper Host Organist less prominent role but much rests on these activities timeliness is important (first to arrive?) duties—to welcome, to record visitors, to serve, to collect, ‘to guard the threshold’ ministering role, example of Christ need for vigilance(as with President) e.g. the giving of the emblems to people being alert to any special requirements that may exist (e.g. parents in the back room) the world is locked out (and the community thereby kept separate) a responsible position, to oversee constant vigilance demanded preparation beforehand key choice of readings/hymns significant very visible role – president’s appearance, posture and tone visitors to table of our absent Lord should be welcomed president dictates the flow of the meeting minds of the audience should be directed to the ‘focal point’ the format of the meeting should be maintained (to preserve good order) responsibility to monitor all activities during the meeting sets the stage for the meeting with introductory and concluding choice of recital helps to join the community together in an act of collective worship volume and tempo adopted help to set the right mood for the music if required, can provide guidance to the president on an appropriate choice of hymn/anthem ensures that the emblems are present and correct to allow the breaking of bread to be conducted without let or hindrance orders the rest of the table so that the president can complete his duties (e.g. collections) attends to the ‘small matters’ (such as cleaning the linen) that nevertheless show a desire to give God of the best welcomes the visiting speaker (and his family ) ensures that he/they are looked after and that their bodily needs are provided for at lunch if circumstances allow, provides accommodation or an evening meal – allowing time for the visiting speaker (and family) to rest/recuperate, perhaps after a long journey Is this the extent of our study?

4. What do we mean by Non-speaking Ecclesial Duties? Doorkeeper / server President Table keeper Host Organist Doorkeeper / server President Table keeper Host Organist Recording brother Advertising brother Finance brother Registrar Librarian Sunday school superintendent Recording brother Advertising brother Finance brother Registrar Librarian Sunday school superintendent Sunday school teacher Welfare sister Advertising committee member Arranging brother Hall keeper Sunday school teacher Welfare sister Advertising committee member Arranging brother Hall keeper Singer Reader Tea maker Washer / hooverer Prayer Care taker Singer Reader Tea maker Washer / hooverer Prayer Care taker

5. A much broader thought... This is not just about formal Sunday duties or duties that involve a vote in to ecclesial office... 1 Corinthians 12 v 18-23 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.”

6. Many parts, one body 206 bones 22 internal organs Co-operation Each part is important because the whole would be diminished without it 100 trillion cells 600 muscles

7. What marks out acceptability? A key note verse: 1 Corinthians 14 v 40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” “Decently” Gk. euschemonos = decorously/honestly/in a seemly manner. Has to do with a true/right appearance, as in Romans 13v13 and 1 Thessalonians 4v12 (only other appearances) “In order” Gk. taxis = regular arrangement/fixed succession/official dignity. Has to do with propriety of structure, appears 10 times in New Testament, 8 referring to the priesthood

8. Setting out some principles for all of our Duties Giving glory to God in all things Service as if to Christ Servants not masters No place for self The importance of love motivation Not going through the motions Small things, potentially big impact Receiving service, as well as giving it Diligent not business-like The peace of unity “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18v20

9. 1. Giving glory to God in all things “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10 v 31) Am I giving God the glory?

10. 2. Service as if to Christ “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25 v 37-40) Am I serving my brothers and sisters as if Christ?

11. 3. Servants not masters “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13 v 13-15) Am I acting as a servant to all?

12. 4. No place for self “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2 v 3-4) Am I putting others before my self?

13. 5. The importance of love motivation “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13 v 8-10) Am I making my motivating force love?

14. 6. Not going through the motions “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” (Mark 7 v 6-8) Am I ensuring I don’t just act through habit?

15. 7. Small things, potentially big impact “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matthew 10 v 42) Am I attending to small as well as big things?

16. 8. Receiving service, as well as giving it “Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13 v 6-8) Am I letting other people serve me too?

17. 9. Diligent not business-like “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12 v 8) Am I applying diligence, avoiding cold formalism?

18. 10. The peace of unity “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3 v 15) Am I encouraging unity through promoting peace?

19. What gets in the way? What hinders us from practising what we preach...? Forgetfulness Self Hypocrisy Distractions Pride

20. How to apply these principles Questions we have asked ourselves... Am I giving God the glory? Am I serving my brothers and sisters as if Christ? Am I acting as a servant to all? Am I putting others before my self? Am I making my motivating force love? Am I ensuring I don’t just act through habit? Am I attending to small as well as big things? Am I letting other people serve me too? Am I applying diligence, avoiding cold formalism? Am I encouraging unity through promoting peace?

21. How will we work to improve our service further? Doorkeeper / server President Table keeper Host Organist Recording brother Advertising brother Finance brother Registrar Librarian Sunday school superintendent Sunday school teacher Welfare sister Advertising committee member Arranging brother Hall keeper Singer Reader Tea maker Washer / hooverer Prayer Care taker

22. “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14 v 19)