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[0:00] Try that again. Good morning, everyone. Welcome here to the Sunday morning worship service. It is a beautiful day, and we have a full house.

[0:13] I had an interesting conversation earlier downstairs. God asked, what is the house of the Lord? And I said, well, it's this house. Like, no, God does not dwell in buildings made by man, but we know from Scripture that when we become believers, that the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us.

[0:36] And so the house of the Lord is each of us who are in Christ. I just thought that was so interesting, something to think about as we gather. As believers, we know that God is present with us here this morning.

[0:50] So let's bow in a word of prayer, and I'll call up the song leaders. Father, we come before you this morning. It's a beautiful day. Lord, we're so thankful for another day you've blessed us with.

[1:02] And Father, we're thankful that we were able to get up and gather together to worship before you as the body of Christ. Lord, we thank you for your presence with us. We know you are always with us.

[1:14] You never leave nor forsake us, and we just thank you for that. Father, as well as we take up offering this morning, we just pray that you bless that as well. And Father, may you bless the service, and may it be honoring unto you, Lord.

[1:29] Prepare each of our hearts to worship. We just pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Song leaders. Let's start by singing number 34, How Great Thou Art.

[2:01] O Lord my God, When I, in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds thy hands have made.

[2:32] I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe display.

[2:51] Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art, When through the woods and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

[3:48] When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and heal the gentle breeze.

[4:07] Then sings my soul, Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, And when I think, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, And when I think, That God, That God, his Son, Not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross,

[5:09] My burden gladly bearing, He bled and died, He bled and died, To take away my sin, Then sings my soul, Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee, Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, When Christ shall come, With shout of acclamation, And take me home, What joy shall fill my heart, How great thou art,

[6:11] How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, Then I shall bow, In humble adoration, And there proclaim, My God how great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art, How great thou art Then sings my soul My Savior God to thee How great thou art

[7:15] How great thou art For the next one, let's stand and sing When we all get to heaven, number 501.

[7:51] Sing the wondrous love of Jesus Sing his mercy and his grace In the mansions bright and blessed He'll prepare for us a place When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory While we walk the pilgrim's pathway Clouds will overspread the sky But when traveling days are over Not a shadow, not a sight When we all get to heaven

[8:55] What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory Let us then be true and faithful Trusting, serving every day Just one glimpse of him in glory Will the toils of life repay When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory Onward to the prize before us Soon his beauty will behold

[9:59] Soon the pearly gates will open We shall tread the streets of gold When we all get to heaven When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory Let's do one more When it is well with my soul Number 73 When peace like a river

[11:06] Attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well With my soul, with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet Though trials should come

[12:09] Let this blessed assurance control That Christ has regarded my helplessness And the helplessness day And has shed his own blood For my soul, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul With my soul, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, O the bliss of this world My sin, O the bliss of this world My sin, O the bliss of this world Is well with my soul And I bear it no more

[13:10] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord Praise the Lord, O my soul Praise the Lord, O my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be My faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as the scroll The trump shall resound

[14:12] And the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul Thank you for singing.

[14:48] Thank you for singing. Thank you for singing.

[15:13] Thank you for leading us. All right, let's go over some announcements. So for the first one, we are planning on having a missions evening here at the church this Wednesday, October 30th at 7pm.

[15:30] The speaker is Brian Cron from Mexico, working with orphanages. And also, Mission Aviation Fellowship representative will report as well.

[15:42] And because of this, the Life of Christ course will be postponed until November 6th. So if you have people that would maybe be interested in coming out to here, by all means, everyone is welcome to come out.

[15:57] For the next one, we will be doing the Operation Christmas shoeboxes again this year. The boxes are in the foyer. The shipping cost is $12 per box.

[16:10] Please bring your shoeboxes back to church by November 24th, or there will be a $50 late fee per box. Just kidding. Just kidding. There is actually one more announcement.

[16:24] Planning on playing some volleyball at the Heif Community Centre this afternoon. Everyone is welcome to come out at 2pm. Bring a snack to share and your indoor shoes.

[16:37] It was shared on the WhatsApp groups. If you are not part of the WhatsApp groups, we have a men's group and a ladies' group.

[16:49] And you attend here regularly. Talk to somebody and we can get you added in. Birthdays.

[17:00] We have Jacob Claussen and Norbert Claussen, October 27th. We have George Suderman and Jan Koenig, October 29th. And we have Barb Dyke, November 2nd.

[17:11] Happy Birthday to all of you. Is there any other announcements? Okay. If not, then let's go over to our prayer reminders.

[17:26] So we'll pray for our missionary couple, Bill and Esther Kaler. They're doing the radio in Bolivia. As well, a praise item. Dave and Margaret Reimer had a baby boy this last week. Praise the Lord for that.

[17:38] We'll continue to pray for Israel. And we'll pray for world peace. We had to pray for Ukraine and Russia in there for a while. But, you know, there's a lot more wars than that.

[17:50] There's wars all over the world. And so, it's maybe more proper to just pray for world peace. We know according to scripture that it will only actually happen when Jesus comes to rule.

[18:04] But, nonetheless, we should be praying for it. We'll continue to pray for the Billy Graham crusade. As well, we'll pray for Peter Harms.

[18:15] He's in a pretty bad motorbike accident here the other day. And he's got some pretty major injuries. So we'll pray for him. And we'll also pray for John and Margaret Suderman and the family.

[18:31] As her mom passed away yesterday. We'll keep them in prayer as well. Also, we will pray for our church family, Nancy Unger. Is there any other prayer requests, praise items we want to bring before the Lord?

[18:50] He's praying for family doubt. He's scheduled for some early testing on his heart this week in Edmonton. So, are we going to pray for prayer? Doing some more testing.

[19:03] What's his name again? David Dirksen. David Dirksen. David Dirksen. We'll pray for David. Is there any others?

[19:18] Dan Ford? Dan Ford? Hip replacement. Okay. Yes, we can pray for him. Dan Ford.

[19:29] Dan Ford. Is there any others? Okay. If not, let's bow before the Lord. Father, we come before you once again this morning. Just again, thankful for the day. Thankful for you. Thank you for the day. Thank you for the day.

[19:40] Yes, thank you for the day that I Zuk Goodman has, than thank you until twenties will impact our Eve. Yes, it comes, Thいく Liquor parli. Oh, Lord, I do have a prayer of Adolfine. And on then, I thank you for the day, for them for past. If not, let's bow before the Lord. Father, we come before you once again this morning.

[19:54] Just, again, thankful for the day. Thankful for each one that's here this morning, Lord. It's such a blessing and a privilege to be able to gather together and just to worship you freely, Lord.

[20:06] It's a privilege that we sometimes overlook and we don't really take it for the value that it is. We take it for granted often, Lord, and we just thank you and praise you for it.

[20:20] Father, we praise you for missionaries as well, people that have committed their lives to serving you. Father, we thank you for Bill and Esther.

[20:31] Thank you for the ministry that you've called them to as well and their willingness to submit and to serve, Lord. Father, we just pray for wisdom and guidance for them as they continue to serve and as they reach the lost through the radio programs in Bolivia.

[20:51] Grant them vision and perseverance to continue even when times get tough. Sometimes things come up and it seems hopeless, and yet there is always a way through. Father, help them just to look to you for strength and to just trust that you are with them.

[21:11] Father, may you bless the family richly. Lord, we also thank you and praise you for new life. It is also such a blessing, Lord. Father, we thank you for Dave and Margaret Reimer and their baby boy that they had this last week.

[21:28] Lord, we just, there as well, just want to pray a special blessing on the family and as well for Margaret for healing, quick recovery. And we thank you that the baby is quite healthy, beautiful little boy.

[21:41] And Father, may you just, there as well, lead and guide and help them to adjust as their family situation is changing and has changed now.

[21:52] Father, we just commit them to you as well. Also, Lord, we want to continue to pray for Israel. Pray, Father, for wisdom, guidance for the leaders.

[22:04] And we pray for safety as well, for all those who are in the midst of it. And as well, Lord, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who are severely injured, we just pray that you would comfort their hearts as well.

[22:19] And Lord, most importantly, that the gospel of Jesus Christ would be spread throughout. We know it's your will that they should come to know who you are, Jesus. And Father, we just commit that to you.

[22:33] And as well, for the rest of the world, there's so much unrest, so many wars, and so much hurt and damage. And Father, we just pray for each country that is dealing with these things, that you would give wisdom and guidance to the leaders and peace.

[22:52] And Lord, we just, we pray for world peace. Father, we also just want to continue to pray for the Billy Graham Crusade scheduled here for November 8th and 9th.

[23:03] Lord, we thank you for people that are willing to come out and to offer these nights. Lord, we pray that you would prepare their hearts, each one involved.

[23:15] You would give them wisdom, courage to just preach the gospel, just the simple truth of the gospel. And Father, we pray that you would prepare the hearts of each of those that will be coming out.

[23:30] May you draw many to yourself, Lord. We just pray that you bless that. Also, Lord, we bring before you Peter Harms. He was in a motorbike accident here the other day, and he's quite injured.

[23:45] Lord, we thank you for protecting him. Could have been so much worse. We just pray now, Father, for a quick recovery and that you strengthen him as well.

[23:57] And just, may you just use it to draw him ever closer to yourself as well, Lord. May you just bless and keep him. Father, also we think of John and Margaret Suderman and family.

[24:10] As Margaret's mom passed away, that sting is so deep, I'm certain. And Father, you know exactly what the whole family is going through.

[24:22] You know the hurts. And we know, Father, that you can comfort their hearts as well. And we just pray that you would draw them closer to yourself as well, the whole family through this.

[24:34] And may you undertake for all of their needs, Lord, as they're dealing with this tough time. And as well for families as they travel. Lord, may you just keep them safe also.

[24:48] Father, also we just pray for Nancy Unger as well. We thank you for her. And Father, we just pray for wisdom and guidance for her. And pray that you would continue to draw her closer to yourself, help her to grow in her walk with you, Lord.

[25:05] And as well as times are tough, work is sometimes not the best. And Lord, we just pray there that you would undertake for all of her needs and give her strength and courage just to continue to work for you and just to be joyful in the Lord.

[25:27] Father, we thank you for her and just pray a special blessing on her as well. Also, Lord, we pray for David Dirksen. He needs to be doing some more tests.

[25:39] Father, we pray for wisdom and guidance for the doctors there as well and just for strength for David and for his wife and the family and that you would comfort their hearts as well and draw them ever closer to yourself, Lord.

[25:55] Father, we also just want to pray for Dan Ford. He has a hip replacement surgery coming up, quite an invasive surgery, Lord. And we just pray for wisdom and guidance there for the doctors as well and for strength for Dan to get through that surgery and to make a quick recovery as well, Lord.

[26:14] We just commit that to you. Father, as well, we just want to pray for Pastor Wayne as he brings the message this morning. May you bless him with courage and clarity of mind as well to bring forth the message.

[26:32] And Father, it's a special service and we just want to pray for Julius and Agonita as well. And as they will be sharing here this morning, Father, we just pray for strength and courage for them as well that you may be honored and glorified.

[26:48] Father, once again, just thank you for this morning and for the service and we just commit it to you. In Jesus' name, amen. All right.

[26:59] For scripture reading, I will call up Brother Aidan. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning.

[27:17] Today's scripture reading will be from Acts 6, verses 1 to 6. Now, in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

[27:37] Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

[27:54] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude, with that I call Pastor Wayne.

[28:17] Thank you. Good morning.

[28:41] Good morning. It is well with my soul. Amen? It is well with my soul.

[28:56] Can we say that from the depths of our hearts? Why don't we say it together? It is well with my soul.

[29:08] and that that wellness comes only as we have peace with God and as we go through through life and the things that come our way we can rejoice and say it is well and then we can sing when we all get to heaven what a day that will be and so beautiful songs that we had this morning a very special service as we do a commissioning service for Julius and Agonita Clausen as our addition to our deacon couple or our deacon ministry and so looking forward to that the message this morning is titled Chosen to Serve

[30:10] Chosen to Serve how many of us have been chosen to serve let's do that again I'm not satisfied if you feel God has chosen you to serve raise your hand that is much much better and so the word deacon means servant to serve and so God has chosen all of his people to serve all of us in one way or another as he has gifted and so there are there's none left out this morning as we have this service

[31:13] I'm going to present a shorter message and we'll discuss the purpose for the position of deacon the qualifications for deacons and then and then we're going to hear from Julius their life journey a little bit and I'm not sure if Agonita is going to add a few words but just to hear from them how God has been working in their life and then after that we're going to have a few questions for them to answer and and then we're going to lay on hands and pray pray over them and so with that the passage in Acts introduces us to the concept of the position of deacon and so which means servant and the the the context here in Acts 6 the church is very young this is shortly after

[32:19] Pentecost where God added the first day 3,000 to the church and then a little bit later a few more thousand to the number grew to 5,000 and there the persecution has started from especially from the Jewish aspect the Roman persecution has not yet begun but from the Jewish leadership it's started to come and it's quite intense in chapter 4 of Acts we have Peter and James taken into custody and and threatened if you speak the name of Jesus we will punish you worse will come upon you and what do they do they go back to the church the young young church and they report what's happened and they pray

[33:19] Lord give us boldness that we may speak your word and the place they were filled gathered was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit chapter 5 all 12 are put in jail I'm not going to read read those but just recapping Acts 5 the chief priests and elders put all 12 disciples in jail for preaching the name of Jesus and the next morning they convene with their leadership group their Sanhedrin and they call the 12 to come out of jail and the jail is empty and we love that story and where do they find them help me out they're in the temple preaching and they've been put in jail the night before and so the leadership knows there's things going on here that are out of our control and so in that context the church instead of diminishing is growing in the face of persecution and so it brings us to chapter 6 and as there's growth there arises a complaint among the

[34:48] Hellenists and those are Greek speaking Jews likely visiting Jews or have moved to Jerusalem from other areas as their tongue is Greek and not Hebrew and they're complaining that their widows are being neglected from the daily service and so very obvious there's poverty there's perhaps famine and the widows are being neglected from having what they need to live food and it's brought to the attention of the twelve and so the church is so young that there are no there's no church leadership yet outside of the twelve disciples or the apostles at this time they appoint elders later and so the twelve the twelve receive this problem and say we need help we cannot do all of this and the concept of a servant position deacon is introduced we and so they answer the congregation choose excuse me choose amongst yourselves seven men and we will appoint them over this business of the widows and so the need was presented and the and the apostles responded with a solution how do we meet the needs in the church now since then and even till today the needs in local churches vary but they need to be identified and if it's beyond what the elders can do we need to assign it to those that can do the work

[37:12] God wants those needs met as we as we look out for one another as the family of God and and so hence today at Mountview we've identified needs as well and as the church is growing physically as well in numbers there's there's a greater workload and in an area of need that has come up time and time again is that myself and Pastor Henry are unable to keep up with visitations it is just physically impossible for us to be in every home every year we would love to but it's just not possible and so our plan or our thoughts are this is a need that we would like some help with that we have some deacons helping with visitations and as we look at that you know we encourage all of us to visit each other it's very healthy and we see a lot of that keep on doing that there's still there's still an aspect of of having someone appointed to kind of oversee see and identify are there needs within our midst that are lacking we do have a few widows in our midst and elderly and so on that we can reach out to but are there other spiritual needs and so in order for us to know about these things it's good to be in the homes and to identify with you how many of us like it when someone comes over for a visit of encouragement and when they leave they have a word of prayer for you we do do we not

[39:27] I do as well it is it is so blessed to have that and so we want to present that as one of the main duties of our deacons to help in that area it's Hebrews 13 verse 17 speaks of the role of elders to oversee the souls we're to the church is to hold them in esteem for they look out for your souls well part of that is visitations to be with you and so we want to encourage the congregation that if you receive a visit from Julius and Agonita or from Ben and Annie and they ask about your spiritual well-being it is ordained from the leadership that that is their role and that you accept it as that you have received a visitation from ministerial and and and when they ask questions how are you doing spiritually are there needs are there physical needs that that we're open with them and and so that we can serve you better together and and so that is the office of deacon the purpose for that and and so we're we're seeing a continual trend here that that people are coming into into this group of of worship and and so the ministry expands the needs expand as well we just want to recognize that

[41:19] Acts chapter 3 as we go on to the qualifications also starts to expound on that in verse 3 in Acts 6 I think I said Acts 3 before Acts 6 verse 3 it says seek out among you seven men of good reputation full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business seek out seven men with good of a good reputation now what does that mean a good reputation that means they are above reproach meaning that nobody can come with an accusation that there's sin in their life they're dealing with sin as they're made aware of it there's nothing outstanding are they perfect no but of good reputation they are striving to follow

[42:36] God and as they're aware of things they need to grow they are embracing it and growing that's what that means of good reputation they have a reputation whether they go to a business downtown they have a reputation within this circle of a good rapport also they're full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom and it's evident that that they are yielding to the Spirit of God and allowing the Spirit to lead them and it's showing in their actions in their life in the way that they are serving and so these are these are the qualifications that that the apostles gave to the church look for seven men that meet this and bring them forward and then we will lay on hands and commission them to that work and so let's turn to 1st

[43:39] Timothy 3 and just read a few further thoughts on qualifications 1st Timothy 3 verse 8 through 13 verses 8 through 13 and 1st Timothy 3 likewise deacons must be reverent not double tongued not given too much wine Julius just a sip here and there not greedy for money holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience but let these also first be tested then let them serve as deacons being found blameless likewise their wives must be reverent not slanderers temperate faithful in all things let deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their houses well further qualifications as listed in this in this passage now why does the Bible have qualifications for leadership any answers from the floor as examples are they suggestions or are they are they set in place as qualifications that must be met how do we see that any thoughts why is it important

[46:09] God wants them to lead by example and if they're not qualified what kind of example will it be right okay yeah very very good Nigel yeah that is bang on yeah so God wants his church to be led by men that meet these qualifications that that they don't go off on their own agenda not greedy for money not looking for a reputation but rather out to have a heart of service for the Lord it's very very key and it's because they're to lead by example and so we have things like they must be reverent have a deep reverence for

[47:16] God and for his word not double tongued be consistent in what they stand for in truth and not not if I'm at work I speak one way and when I'm in church I speak another way but they're consistent and their faith comes out all the time they're not double tongued not given too much wine so they're not caught up with that not greedy for money it's not my goal in life here on earth to get wealthy to provide for my family yes to bless God yes but not to store up treasures here on earth that is not my goal and if God blesses me with lots of resources to be steward over that's his decision that's not my goal that's that's what that means not greedy for money holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience the word of

[48:39] God is alive and and and we're caught up in God's vision what God's program is here on earth with the word of God we've caught that and it's alive and well and I'm holding that with a clear conscience I believe in it I live for it my heart's desire is for it and so that's that's a qualification here even in the deacon position so holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience let them first be tested then let them serve being found blameless and so just a period of time where we get to know them where they're already serving and we find out what their heart is like and once found blameless let them serve there's further qualifications here for their wives so the deacon's wife must also be reverent to have that that deep reverence for

[49:56] God she cannot be a slanderer or a gossip and as as they do visitations and you share you open up to them you don't want to open up to a gossip do you if that happens only once you won't trust them again it's very very important that that when people share in confidence that we we can pray with them but we don't spread it abroad there's a reason why that qualification is in here and it seems like from scripture that ladies tend to be more tempted with this not that guys cannot do gossip as well but maybe it's because of higher state of emotions but regardless it's here not slanderers not gossips they're to be temperate not to go off on the deep end on things but to be moderate in their life and to have adjusted their life in that manner faithful in all things and having demonstrated their faithfulness to their husbands to their families to the word of

[51:30] God and so on faithful in all things and the final qualifications let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and households well and it's similar to that of elders that they're supposed to be able to manage home well in order to show leadership in a church setting now how do we get there how do we get to the point that we qualify does anyone have a short answer how do we get there go to the source spend time with God absolutely you know the words that the

[52:38] Lord loves to hear yes Lord or here am I yes Lord and and to to submit to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit using this book to mold us it doesn't happen overnight not even in three nights not even in three years and I find that at my age I am getting molded day by day the Lord is teaching me and I'm growing in faith and in character and many of the hard things that come our way serve to grow us as the

[53:40] Lord tests our response so it doesn't come overnight so if you're sitting back there today saying I don't qualify and there well may be many of you this morning does your heart say but I would like to does your heart say I would like to would you dare pray that to God Lord I would like to qualify as well because if you pray that you're saying Lord here am I I will follow you and he will prepare you with time so the leadership classes that we've started again on

[54:41] Saturdays do just that as they mold us and identify character and what God is looking for and so again we've just started those classes if there are people here this morning that would like to join in and this is your prayer please come and join us we're just starting into it so you could still come now I want to use an illustration and I'm going to end the service or this part of it with this but as Jesus was training the twelve and preparing the disciples to minister after he would go back to heaven and he had chosen them he spent approximately two and a half years with them possibly three and and if I was to pick one word that he was trying to teach them it would be humility humbleness because they were going to take over as the physical leaders here on earth and shortly before

[55:58] Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the last time where he's going to die only a few months before Peter asks Jesus what's in it for us we have left all and followed you and Jesus replies and it's in Matthew 19 he replies that when I will be in the regeneration when I sit on my throne in the coming kingdom the twelve of you will sit on twelve thrones with me and you will judge Israel that's what's in it for you Peter that's what your reward is going to be okay that sounds pretty good eh that's that's lord wow we're going to rule with you in the coming kingdom but Peter had no idea what would happen from then till that actually took place he's still waiting for the throne by the way it'll come in the kingdom but in the very next chapter in chapter 20

[57:14] James and John the sons of Zebedee send their mother to Jesus asking for a special request can you believe this Jesus has just promised them twelve thrones you're going to rule with me mom comes and says Jesus can you do me a favor what what is that Jesus says what can I do for you could you elevate my two sons above the other ten one on the left hand and one on your right hand that would be a place of honor for me to have my son sitting there I marvel you know in human leadership we would be tempted to get angry and upset with them have you not learned anything yet

[58:18] Jesus is patient with them and he tells them a story and he teaches them first he brings the little children to his lap and says the kingdom of God is like these little children you need to humble yourself as a little child and then he brings in the illustration that if you want to be first in my kingdom you need to be servant of all you know we reverse a worldly concept of leadership the world promotes if you want to be a leader you strive to get to the top you want to be up there everybody underneath you Jesus says if you want to be first get to the bottom and have everybody above you and serve them and then what does he do only a little short while after in

[59:30] John 13 he takes off his robes and he girds himself with a towel and he stoops down and he says to the twelve come here I'm going to wash your dirty feet and he was doing this to teach them humility servants with humility and he washed their feet and in that country their feet weren't clean it's different than here and it was leading by example true servanthood is humbleness you consider everyone else above you and you're willing to serve them this was the lesson the core lesson

[60:36] Jesus had for the twelve you know what and when he washed their feet four days later or five days later he hung on the cross his time with them was done you know when we read the book of acts and the writings of the apostles the letters in the bible did they learn their lesson did they they they led well not without without some issues maybe but they led well overall as they gave of themselves sacrificially and and Peter when they wanted to crucify him he said crucify me upside down he was humbled to the core I'm not worthy of what my father or my savior did

[61:40] I think they learned it quite well and so that is why all of us we we need to subject ourselves to teaching and training in our characters so with that let's not be afraid to pray to God and say take me and mold me in that we can fulfill together the commission on the church to go and make disciples as we allow ourselves to become men and women of God people of character of integrity I'm going to close and then I'll ask Julius and Agonita to come up and share Father thank you for the examples in your word thank you Lord

[62:40] Jesus for the example that you are who you were and Lord just for giving us these guidelines and putting in place church leadership as we move on to have this service of commissioning for the Claussons Lord may you bless them may you give them words as they share and Lord may we stand behind them as well as a congregation we just commit them to you and just ask Lord for your strength in the next part of this service in Jesus name amen Julius if you would come good morning everyone it's good to see you

[64:14] I can serve as well and so there's many things that go on in a person's life as you all know so from the beginning to now it's kind of hard to put everything into words but daily I fail Christ daily I fail I fail I fail my co-workers I fail daily but Jesus always pulls through he's always faithful when I fail and then I think this relationship cannot be restored then he restores it and then I marvel and I praise him for it because I thought on my own will that relationship couldn't even be restored I wrecked that one that guy's never going to be my friend again and then he is and I marvel Jesus is always faithful and so I just want to share verses that encourage me what has made me thankful and what has made me want to serve even more and then

[65:24] I want to share some verses what gives me excitement to be able to serve and so we're just going to read some verses if you want to read those with me we'll go to John chapter 1 these are verses that make me want to serve the things that Jesus did for us the privilege that we now have is just like the song that we sing sang this morning that cannot grasp it John chapter 1 verse 12 and to 13 but as many as received him to them he gave the right to become children of God to those who believe in his name who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of

[66:26] God so the first time I was born was the will of the flesh but the second time was God doing it and how amazing is that and then chapter 3 John chapter 3 the privilege that we have that we can even see the kingdom chapter 3 verse 3 Jesus answered and said to him most assuredly I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God few verses later in verse 5 Jesus answered most assuredly I say to you unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God so these things are an amazing privilege that we have that when we get small glimpses of the kingdom it just it takes us over does it not we see such a small glimpse but then we know it is real

[67:28] I wasn't just thinking or dreaming yesterday in our weaknesses right and last Sunday was such an amazing the opening was and the sermon was and the songs were about being set free whom the son sets free he is free indeed and the freedom that we have is amazing and it's in abundance I know Jesus said the narrow way and the broad way and we learn this in Bible study as well the broad way what is the broad way because we think the broad way has lots the narrow way has little but it's actually not true it's the opposite because the broad way is everyone does it his own way I do it my way you do it your way there's many different ways to God that's the broad way but the narrow way is only by

[68:28] Jesus but in that is not limitations it's actually an abundance the peace is abundant the grace is abundant the mercy is abundant the narrow way has way more than the broad way because the broad way is I'm in the broad way I'm just doing it my way there's nothing good there but the narrow way actually has way more so we often don't understand that or I don't or I can't grasp it but the narrow way has an abundance of all good things so those are all reasons why I want to serve and serving amongst you also encourages me to want to serve even more which is very encouraging but one more in Romans chapter 5 is a verse that I often read just to try and wrap my head around what

[69:34] Jesus did for us that while I was in the mire he already died long before I ever made up my mind to follow him Romans chapter 5 verse 8 but God demonstrates his own love toward us and that while we were still sinners Christ died for us so he died for us before we ever made the decision I cannot grasp it but it makes me want to serve him that much more so those are verses that always encourage and strengthen me and I marvel at what he did let's look at a few verses why I am honored to serve for the last year I was fighting with myself I thought I want to serve but who am I I fail all the time and so the last year

[70:34] I wrestled with that but then I started reading about Moses well he stammered too and said the same words to God who am I and so he did great things right so if we are just faithful we won't do great things but God will do great things through us which is the same with Moses right and so we came to the decision we want to serve and in Acts chapter nine verse five and one then Saul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogue of from him to the synagogue of

[71:39] Damascus so that if he found any who were of the way whether men or women he might bring them bound to Jerusalem and as he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven then he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him Saul Saul Saul why are you persecuting me then he said who are you Lord then the Lord said I am Jesus whom you are persecuting it is hard for you to kick against the goads so when we serve one another whom do we serve we serve Christ directly because he did all these things everyone here that serves you are serving Christ in whatever way we do if we serve we are serving Christ what an honor is that not because if he was here I often think man if I could see Christ face to face

[72:39] I would try and say the best words and do the best things but yet all of us who are in him it is him just like Ben said this morning we are the house of God and so this is why I find it a great honor to be able to serve amongst you guys because it is serving Christ and how much worth are we in Acts chapter 20 just think of just a small illustration if we were to buy a new pickup and the dealership would call us up and say new pickups here all we need is payment come on over okay we would be excited to go buy a new pickup the price is you got to give your life the price is a little bit steep I think we would all not want the pickup but yet that because that's we couldn't give anything more than our life but how much worth is the church in

[73:41] Acts 20 verse verse 28 therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood so we're that much we have that much worth in his sight and so when we understand that then all of a sudden we start putting the pressure on ourselves but that didn't help me either I had to get over that because I always failed everyone around me how would I not fail the church but then Jesus is always faithful and when he comes back he will be called faithful and true and so I just lean fully on him that as I fail he will be faithful and those are the things that encouraged me and that led us to want to take this position because we served already amongst you before just as soon as it was supposed to be a position or an office then we start thinking now we can't fail anymore so

[75:03] I hope you'll just hold us up in prayer that when we do fail that Christ will restore and we thank him for all of you thank you for trusting him as well that that he will hold us up thank you thank you Julius we have a few questions that we ask of Julius and then a few of the congregation as well and so in this charge first of three do you believe the scriptures of the old and new testaments to be the inspired word of

[76:05] God and that they are the infallible rule of faith and practice I do believe that okay and secondly do you accept the teachings and practices of Mount View Bible Fellowship as being in harmony with the teachings of scripture and do you promise to work in harmony and unity in the local church giving your support and counsel as God gives you insight I accept that and thirdly do you accept the ministry of deacon in this congregation and do you promise before God in this congregation that by God's enabling grace you will seek to faithfully perform the duties of this ministry seeking to build the church of Christ in this location I do accept that as well okay thank you and then to the congregation at large do you as members of this local church acknowledge and receive this brother and sister as your deacon couple and do you promise to give them your support and encouragement as they endeavor to fulfill the office of deacon and will you answer by please rising as a congregation the church is behind you with this thank you you may be seated and with that

[77:39] I'd like Ben and Annie to come up and Sadie and and Henry and Tammy as well and we're going to to just have them kneel in the front here and we're going to lay on hands and pray so maybe move to the front there bow with us as we pray father I bring this couple before you we have observed them we have tested them and we found them Lord that you have been molding their hearts in a desire to serve and so we thank you that you have brought them to this point to commission them as a deacon couple at

[78:49] Mount View Bible Fellowship and so father with that we want to commit them to the duties before them Lord that you would continually fill them with wisdom with knowledge with desire to fulfill the duties that they will have and Lord may it be to your honor and glory from this day forward as they do this to build your church as you see fit Lord may the congregation continue to stand behind in their prayers in support and Lord in words of encouragement as well and so father again we are so overjoyed that you do provide just praying your blessing on this couple in Jesus name heavenly father

[79:52] I too bow before you and just thank you for for Julius and Agnetha and their willingness and their desire to serve here locally Lord we have seen you working in their lives preparing them for this and the honor and the glory goes to you for that Lord we thank you that you know all things and that you know the needs that are here locally the needs of your church and Lord you are faithful in raising up servants to step forward and to give of their time and their effort to fulfill these needs so Lord we just bring Julius and Agnetha before you Lord give them strength and wisdom and courage and a desire a continued desire to serve you here locally at Mountview and to just to be a blessing to the congregation and the congregation to receive them in this capacity as well and just to uphold them in their prayers and to continue building good relationships and just being a blessing to one another and glorifying you in that in

[81:21] Jesus name Lord I just thank you for Julius and Agnetha and their desire to serve you in this manner thank you for their children as well as they are part of the family and it will affect them as well and I just want to pray especially for Agnetha as she is there to help and stand by Julius as he serves this way and she is serving in this way as well may you lead her and guide her and help her as well to know how to help and how to be an encouragement first of all to her husband and then in ministry as well how to be encouragement to others may you just fill her with much joy as she does this as well just thank you in your name and father with that we commission this couple into the oversight of a deacon couple and just place this work on them in

[82:36] Jesus name we pray amen yes so yes amen Thank you.

[83:24] So you can greet them as well and just show your support as well. So with that, we're going to close this service with a closing song.

[83:34] Mark, if you would come. And then Ben will lead the closing. Let's all stand and sing the solid rock.

[84:02] Thank you.

[84:32] Dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand.

[84:48] All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[85:00] When darkness fills His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.

[85:11] In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

[85:23] On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[85:35] All other ground is sinking sand. His oath is covenant.

[85:45] His blood support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way.

[85:58] Even is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand.

[86:11] All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[86:23] When He shall come with trumpet sound. Oh, may I then in Him be found.

[86:35] Dressed in His righteousness alone. Faultless to stand. Faultless to stand before the throne.

[86:47] On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[87:23] All right. Thank you for leading us once again in worship. Thank you, Pastor Wayne, for the message.

[87:35] And great service. In closing, I'll just share out of Jude. Last couple verses. It says, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy to God, our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.

[88:01]  Amen. The grace of our Lord be with each and every one of you. Go in peace.