Series: The Importance of…
The Importance of Helpers
INTRO: Continuing with our series – “The Importance of…” Today I want to look at “The Importance of Helpers.” There are so many things that are just plainly helpful in life. I quickly think of the MICROWAVE, AUTOMOBILE, COMPUTER, PHONE, and the list could easily go on and on. But today, I want to look at HELPERS, not HELPFUL THINGS.
Let’s just start at the Beginning.
Genesis 2:18(KJV) 18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Genesis 2:18(NKJV) 18And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
Furthering the human race
Companionship (he was alone)
Fidelity and devotion - Gen. 2:24
Some would point to this as man’s greater role, but it appears to point to an equality of the sexes. It is in this we see…
Helpfulness that increases not take away
Agreeableness that complements not controls
Example of Moses
Exodus 17:8 - 13 8Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”
10So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Matthew 18:20(KJV) 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Inner-circle (Peter, James, and John)
The seventy
Luke
10:1-2(NKJV) 1After these things the Lord appointed seventy others
also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where
He Himself was about to go.
2Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the
laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest.
Himself
John 14:6(KJV) 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:26(NKJV) 26But the Helper[Comforter], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:26(NKJV) 26“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John 16:7(NKJV) 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Matthias chosen to replace Judas Iscariot – Acts 1:26
Peter and John working together (early on)
Getting it all done (with His help)
Appointing of seven deacons to help the widows – Acts 6
Diakonos - meaning servant
“One commonly promulgated speculation as to its etymology is that it literally means 'through the dust', referring to the dust raised by the busy servant or messenger.”
Barnabus willing to help Saul of Tarsus at Jerusalem – Acts 9:26-27
Acts 9:26-27(KJV) 26And
when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples:
but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and
declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken
to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Sending of Barnabas to the believers
Acts
11:22-26(NKJV) 22Then news of these things came to the ears of the
church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and
encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the
Lord.
24For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a
great many people were added to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was
that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many
people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Barnabas was known as the "son of consolation" or "son of encouragement".
Acts
9:23-25(KJV) 23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took
counsel to kill him:
24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the
gates day and night to kill him.
25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by
the wall in a basket.
Acts
13:2-5(NKJV) 2As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy
Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them.”
3Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them
away.
4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia,
and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
5And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in
the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
His working with Silas
Acts
15:36-41(NKJV) 36Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us
now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the
word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who
had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one
another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren
to the grace of God.
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
So, there are more instances where we can see the importance of helpers in the Early Church. Let us instead look at some other items…
Strengthen each other
Embolden each other
Guard against discouragement
Guard against burnout
Bring effectiveness to their work
Accomplish things they cannot without each other
Ecclesiastes
4:9-12(NKJV) 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a
good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who
is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can
one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Luke 10:2(NKJV) 2Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
God will bless our work if we ask and step up
We can rescue those in great peril with each other’s help
Psalms 73:26(NKJV) 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalms 105:4(NKJV) 4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 041110am