DCLM Higher Everyday 13 April 2024 — Special Qualities For Service
Topic: Special Qualities For Service
Text: Acts 6:1-7
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Key Verse: “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (Acts 6: 3).
Message
Isabella Lilias Trotter born in July 1853 was a British Artist and a missionary. Her paintings and other art works can still be found in the Asmolean Museum in Oxford, England. On her life of sacrifice and great commitment to the gospel, Paula Hemphill wrote, “In radical obedience, she left a promising artisitic career and the comforts of England for a life of missionary service in Algeria.” In Algeria, Trotter had to study Arabic for effectiveness in the gospel work. She spent time praying for the conversion of people by the power of the Holy Ghost, writing tracts, translating and editing the gospels of John and Luke into simple Arabic language for the ordinary people. Her life continues to inspire so many believers today. She died in 1928.
From our text of today and the life of Isabella, we can see some special qualities for Christian service. They are: commitment to Christ and passion for souls, being full of wisdom and the Holy Ghost, sacrifice, faithfulness, moral uprightness, and diligence. Do you possess these special qualities like Isabella, Stephen and Philip? Pray to possess them.
Quote: Pray to possess them
Challenge: Consecrate your life to serve God
Prayer for today: Oh God, give me these qualities, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
