Embracing Every Role: The Power of Service
Summary
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that we are all particular—special—members of the body of Christ. Each one of us, no matter our role, is essential to the health and effectiveness of the church. God is not interested in building an audience, but an army, and that means every member has a unique and vital part to play. Too often, we undervalue the so-called “little parts” of the body, thinking only the visible or upfront roles matter. But just as a truck cannot run at full power without every small part of its carburetor, the church cannot reach its full potential unless every member is functioning in their God-given place.
The ministry of helps is not a man-made idea, but a supernatural ministry set by God Himself in the church. Whether you serve as an usher, greeter, nursery worker, or in any other supportive role, you are operating in a ministry that is just as valid and anointed as that of a prophet or apostle. Rendering assistance, giving help to the weak and needy, is a work prompted by the Holy Spirit and carries infinite value in God’s eyes. The world may not always recognize or celebrate these roles, but heaven does.
Many people spend years searching for their place in the body of Christ, feeling frustrated or even strange because their passion is for serving rather than leading. But the truth is, God delights in every act of service, no matter how humble. The infinite value of the “humble gospel helpers” is that they enable the church to move forward in power and unity. When enough loving people are serving, revival and growth follow. There is nothing wrong with being excited about serving—God made you for it, and the mold is still in the Bible.
Key Takeaways
- Every member of the body of Christ is special and necessary, regardless of how visible or “important” their role may seem. Just as a truck needs every part of its carburetor, the church needs every member functioning properly to reach its full potential. Dismissing the value of any role weakens the whole body and limits what God can do through us. [02:35]
- The ministry of helps is a supernatural calling, established by God and not by man. Serving as an usher, greeter, or nursery worker is not just “filling a spot”—it is participating in a ministry that is just as anointed as preaching or prophesying. Expect the supernatural as you serve, because God moves through every act of help and assistance. [10:46]
- The prompting to render assistance or help the weak and needy is the Holy Spirit inviting you into a divine partnership. Too often, we overlook these promptings, thinking they are insignificant or even a distraction from “real ministry.” But every time you respond to that nudge, you are stepping into a supernatural ministry that brings God’s love to life. [12:32]
- The world may not always understand or appreciate those who serve in humble roles, sometimes even labeling them as “weird” or “different.” But God sees and values every act of service, and the mold for such servants is found in Scripture itself. There is nothing wrong with being passionate about serving; in fact, it is a reflection of Christ Himself. [27:15]
- The true strength and revival of the church come when a “platoon of fire-baptized helpers” surrounds and supports its leaders. The infinite value of humble gospel helpers is that they make the work of the church possible and effective. When enough loving people are serving, the church becomes a powerful force for God’s kingdom. [28:33]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to the Ministry of Helps
[00:58] - You Are a Special Member
[02:35] - The Importance of Every Part
[03:46] - The Carburetor Analogy
[07:39] - Why Churches Struggle Without Every Member
[08:36] - God’s Design for the Church
[10:46] - The Supernatural Nature of Helps
[12:06] - Definitions of the Ministry of Helps
[13:43] - Misunderstandings About Serving
[15:05] - The Infinite Value of Humble Helpers
[18:19] - Revival Through Helpers
[20:19] - Seeing Jesus in Every Servant
[22:44] - What is Helps? Having Enough Loving People Serving
[23:26] - Finding Your Place in the Body
[27:15] - You Are Not Weird—You Are Called
[28:33] - The Fire-Baptized Helpers
[29:10] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Ministry of Helps
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### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (ESV)
> Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, what kinds of roles does Paul say God has set in the church? Which role is mentioned right after “gifts of healing”?
2. In the sermon, what analogy does Dr. Buddy Bell use to explain the importance of every member in the church? What happens to the truck when the “little parts” are missing? [[05:13]]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of “helps” ministries in the church? [[10:59]]
4. How does the world sometimes view people who serve in humble roles, according to the sermon? [[24:41]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul includes “helps” alongside roles like apostles and prophets in 1 Corinthians 12? What does this say about God’s view of different ministries? [[08:36]]
2. Dr. Buddy Bell says, “God is not interested in just building up an audience but building up an army.” What does he mean by this, and how does it relate to the ministry of helps? [[00:46]]
3. The sermon mentions that people sometimes feel “weird” or “different” for being passionate about serving. Why might someone feel this way, and what does the Bible say about it? [[27:15]]
4. According to the sermon, what is the supernatural aspect of the ministry of helps? How is serving in these roles more than just “filling a spot”? [[10:46]]
---
### Application Questions
1. Dr. Buddy Bell says, “We need every special member working and functioning properly in the body or the body just doesn’t run right.” Is there a way you have felt like a “little part” in the church? How did that affect your willingness to serve? [[02:35]]
2. Have you ever felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to help someone or serve in a certain way, but ignored it because it seemed insignificant? What would it look like to respond to those promptings this week? [[12:32]]
3. The world may not always recognize or celebrate humble acts of service, but heaven does. Can you share a time when you served in a “behind the scenes” way? How did it feel, and did you sense God’s pleasure in it? [[24:41]]
4. The sermon says, “There is nothing wrong with being excited about serving—God made you for it, and the mold is still in the Bible.” What is one area of service in the church that excites you, even if others don’t understand it? [[27:15]]
5. “Helps is having enough loving people serving.” Is there a ministry in our church that needs more loving people serving right now? What is one step you could take to help meet that need? [[22:44]]
6. Dr. Buddy Bell shares that he spent years searching for his place in the body of Christ and sometimes felt frustrated or strange. Have you ever struggled to find your place in the church? What helped you, or what could help you now? [[23:26]]
7. The sermon ends by saying that when enough loving people are serving, revival and growth follow. What is one practical way our group can encourage or support those who serve in “helps” ministries this month? [[28:33]]
---
Devotional
Day 1: Every Member is a Special Part of Christ’s Body
Each and every believer is a special, particular member of the body of Christ, not just a generic part but uniquely designed and needed for the body to function at its best. You may sometimes feel ordinary or unimportant, but God’s Word declares that you are special, and the church needs you operating in your God-given place for the full potential and power of the body to be realized. When you serve, no matter how visible or hidden your role, you are fulfilling a vital purpose that God Himself has set in motion. [01:32]
1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV)
"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
Reflection: In what ways have you doubted your importance in the church, and how can you begin to see yourself as a special, needed member of Christ’s body today?
Day 2: The Ministry of Helps is God-Ordained and Supernatural
The ministry of helps is not a man-made idea but is set by God Himself in the church, listed alongside apostles, prophets, and teachers. This ministry is supernatural and just as valid and anointed as any other, meaning that when you serve as an usher, greeter, nursery worker, or in any supportive role, you can expect God to move through you in powerful ways. Serving in helps is not just “filling a spot”—it is participating in God’s supernatural work in the world. [10:18]
1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV)
"And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues."
Reflection: Where are you currently serving, or where could you serve, with the expectation that God will work supernaturally through your acts of help?
Day 3: The Infinite Value of Humble Gospel Helpers
There is immeasurable worth in those who serve humbly—ushers, nursery workers, greeters, and all who render assistance to the weak and needy. These “humble gospel helpers” are the backbone of revival and the advancement of God’s work, even if they never stand in the spotlight. God sees and values every act of service, and the church moves forward powerfully when loving helpers surround and support its leaders and mission. [20:19]
Romans 12:10-11 (ESV)
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."
Reflection: Who is someone serving behind the scenes in your church that you can honor or encourage this week for their infinite value in God’s eyes?
Day 4: Serving is Responding to God’s Prompting, Not Just Filling a Need
When you feel prompted in your heart to render assistance or help the weak and needy, it is the Holy Spirit inviting you into the supernatural ministry of helps. Sometimes, people dismiss these promptings as unimportant or even as distractions, but God is calling you to step out and serve, both inside and outside the church walls. Your willingness to respond to these nudges is a direct response to God’s voice and a participation in His work. [12:32]
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Reflection: What is one prompting or opportunity to help someone that you have been ignoring or dismissing, and how can you act on it today?
Day 5: Seeing Jesus in Every Act of Service
When you look at those who serve—whether they are changing diapers, passing buckets, or cleaning the church—choose to see Jesus in them and in yourself as you serve. Every act of loving service is a reflection of Christ, and God is just as excited about nursery workers and ushers as He is about apostles and prophets. Serving with this perspective brings joy, dignity, and purpose to every task, no matter how small it may seem. [20:09]
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Reflection: How can you intentionally see Jesus in those you serve alongside, and in the people you serve, this week?
Quotes
There is more to church than just driving to a building, sitting in a room, smiling at their pastor, and going home. You know, God's not interested in just building up an audience but he's in the business of building up an army. [00:00:39]
Each and every one of us that are born again are special members in the body of Christ. Now when I say the word special, you know, a lot of people say, "Well now brother buddy, I don't know if I'd say I'm special." [00:01:35]
We need every special member working and functioning properly in the body or the body just doesn't run right. Oh, it'll run, but we won't get the full potential, the full power out of the body if we don't have all the special members working and functioning properly. [00:02:52]
He was spending more time with the little parts of that carburetor than he was with the bigger parts of that carburetor. Tell you the truth, on a lot of the little parts, he would go over, get into a book and read about them for a few minutes before he would mess with them. [00:05:48]
He said, "Oh no buddy, we've got to have all the parts of this carburetor, big and small, and we've got to have them all adjusted properly," he says, "or this truck won't run right." He says, "Oh, it'll run," he said, "but we won't get the full potential, the full power out of this engine if we don't have all the parts of this carburetor, big and small, and have them all adjusted properly." [00:06:37]
A lot of churches run that way. You know, we jump in there first, yeah, yeah, yeah, after a while everything floods out. So we let everything settle for a while and then we jump back in there again, yeah, yeah, yeah, and after a while everything floods out again. [00:07:45]
In some Churches, we develop this attitude that all we need is just the big parts, the pastor only, that we don't need the so-called little parts, that we don't need to get into the manual and learn about every member and every part and how to finally tune and how to finally adjust every member and every part. [00:08:09]
The ministry of helps is a Supernatural Ministry. It's a Ministry just as valid, just as anointed as if God had asked you to be a prophet. [00:10:44]
Wherever I'm at serving in the ministry of helps, I can expect the supernatural. When I'm serving as an usher, I can expect the supernatural. When I'm serving as a greeter, I can expect the supernatural. When I'm cleaning the church, I can expect the supernatural. [00:11:01]
If you're rendering assistance, if you're giving help to the weak and the needy, ye, my brother and sister, you are operating in this Supernatural Ministry, the ministry of helps. [00:12:11]
If you've ever been prompted in your heart to render assistance, if you've ever been prompted in your heart to give help to the weak, the needy, ye, my brother and sister, you were being prompted by the Holy Spirit to operate in this Supernatural Ministry, the ministry of helps. [00:12:56]
People who render assistance, people who give help to the weak and the needy. He starts off with the word "oh." And it's not "oh, that's how a lot of people respond to rendering assistance, giving help to the weak and the needy." [00:15:20]
When I look at a nursery worker, I don't see a nursery worker, I see Jesus. When I look at an usher, I don't see an usher, I see Jesus. When I look at a prophet, I don't see a prophet, I see Jesus. [00:19:59]
You can have an usher that's worth a $100,000 to your church just by the way they serve someone that comes walking into the sanctuary. You could have a nursery worker that's worth another 10, 15, 25 acres of prime property just by the way they minister and take care of a little one in the nursery. [00:20:31]
Helps is spelled H-L-P-S, which stands for this: H, having; E, enough; L, loving; P, people; S, serving. What is helps? It's having enough loving people serving. What's missing in our churches today? We don't have enough loving people serving. [00:22:31]
I found out there was nothing wrong with me because I wanted to serve in the nursery with my wife so another family could come out and hear the word of God as we have heard the word of God from our pastor. I found out there was nothing wrong with me because I wanted to serve God and there's nothing wrong with you. [00:27:10]
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