SERVING - Because He saved us
For the past few weeks, we have had a chance to check our hearts. Are we doing because we love the Lord and want to glorify Him? Last week we saw that where our treasure is, our hearts are also (Matthew 6:21). This was a check for us about where we spend our money and our time. But our offering does not stop there. Two weeks ago, Romans 12:1 challenged us to give our bodies- our whole lives- to Jesus as our worship of Him. Today, we see that these two disciplines: Worship and Giving really result in serving.
Doers Serve.
But be careful, friend!
First, if you are not, you might think that serving earns you favor and righteousness in Gods sight. Make no mistake. We do not earn our salvation. We cannot earn Gods favor and grace. He freely gives those things to us because of Jesus. We serve because we love God are grateful that He saved us. Jesus gave His life for us so we offer ours in return.
Second, if you are not careful, you might think that serving means busyness. You might find yourself always doing- finding anything and everything you can do to pitch in and help. God does not want you serving for servings sake. God wants you serving so you can be a vessel for His power and the Gospel. Through this, your life and the lives of others will be changed.
Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
We will see this week that God designed you as a vessel that is better suited for certain service. You have been given gifts, talents, and abilities that intentionally wire you for the good works God planned for you long ago.
Lastly friend, be careful because if you are not, you might think that serving is optional. You might leave it until you have time, until you or your kids are older, or until you are better equipped and trained to serve. A living sacrifice does not hop off the altar until it is ready. It is faithfully submitted and follows God daily, serving Him in each and every step along the way.
As a member of Christs body, you have been given a role that only you were made to fill. The body of Christ will limp along incomplete and unsupported if you choose not to fill your role.
This week, spend time seeking Gods plan for how you should serve. Then, do it - No excuses!
Doers Serve.
But be careful, friend!
First, if you are not, you might think that serving earns you favor and righteousness in Gods sight. Make no mistake. We do not earn our salvation. We cannot earn Gods favor and grace. He freely gives those things to us because of Jesus. We serve because we love God are grateful that He saved us. Jesus gave His life for us so we offer ours in return.
Second, if you are not careful, you might think that serving means busyness. You might find yourself always doing- finding anything and everything you can do to pitch in and help. God does not want you serving for servings sake. God wants you serving so you can be a vessel for His power and the Gospel. Through this, your life and the lives of others will be changed.
Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
We will see this week that God designed you as a vessel that is better suited for certain service. You have been given gifts, talents, and abilities that intentionally wire you for the good works God planned for you long ago.
Lastly friend, be careful because if you are not, you might think that serving is optional. You might leave it until you have time, until you or your kids are older, or until you are better equipped and trained to serve. A living sacrifice does not hop off the altar until it is ready. It is faithfully submitted and follows God daily, serving Him in each and every step along the way.
As a member of Christs body, you have been given a role that only you were made to fill. The body of Christ will limp along incomplete and unsupported if you choose not to fill your role.
This week, spend time seeking Gods plan for how you should serve. Then, do it - No excuses!
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 2:10 | For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
1 Samuel 12:24 | But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 | For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Romans 12:1 | And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
DISCUSSION
Ephesians 2:10 | For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
1 Samuel 12:24 | But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 | For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Romans 12:1 | And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
DISCUSSION
- What does it mean to serve God? What are some ways to serve Him?
- Why do we serve God?
- What excuses do people make about serving God? Are you guilty of making any of these yourself?
- Romans 12:1 tells us to live as sacrifices to God - this means each day we choose to live for Him. What might you have to sacrifice to serve God?
- Are you serving God right now? If not, why? If you are, in what ways?
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2021
January
NAMES OF JESUS: Light of the worldNAMES OF JESUS: KingESSENTIALS: Salvation motivates growthESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 1ESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 2ESSENTIALS: To live GodlyESSENTIALS: One who loves wisdomESSENTIALS: Not worldly philosophiesESSENTIALS: So your ready to shareBIBLE: Inspired(Authored) by GodBIBLE: Is Inerrant (Free from Error)BIBLE: Is Infallible (will not fail)BIBLE: Helps me growBIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt 1BIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt. 2BIBLE: Obeyed through actionGOD: The trinity (3 in 1)GOD: Is perfectGOD: Is loveGOD: Is creatorGOD: Is all powerfulGOD: Is all knowingGOD: Always presentGOD: JESUS - is GodGOD: JESUS - Son of GodGOD: JESUS - Operates in unity with trinityGOD: JESUS - Is sinlessGOD: JESUS - Our advocateGOD: JESUS - SalvationGOD: JESUS - Our exampleGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Operates in unity with trinity
February
GOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Given to Jesus followersGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Our helperGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - ConvictsGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Guides righteousnessGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Helps us growGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Works through usHEAVEN & HELL - What is heaven like?HEAVEN & HELL - Who goes to heaven?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - God is the judgeHEAVEN & HELL - Your choice!HEAVEN & HELL - God wants all to be saved!SATAN - His origin - Pt. 1SATAN - His origin - Pt. 2SATAN - Is craftySATAN - How he works (unbelievers)SATAN - How he works (believers)SATAN - Resisting himSATAN - The end of his storyMAN - Created in God's ImageMAN - Entrusted with God's creationMAN - Handcrafted by GodMAN - Loved by GodMAN - Created with a purposeMAN - Created to live for GodMAN - God's MessangersSIN - What is sin?
2020
September
SERIES OVERVIEW- No ExcusesNO EXCUSES - True followers of Jesus are doers - NO EXCUSES - Doers love God -NO EXCUSES - Doers share the gospel & make disciplesNO EXCUSES - But First...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Desiring the world...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being young...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being weak...IS NO EXCUSE!GOSPEL — Salvation is through faithGOSPEL - Works are evidence of true salvation (faith)GOSPEL - Believe and confess equals faith & worksGOSPEL - Faith leads to Jesus as Lord (of our works)GOSPEL - Knowledge does not saveGOSPEL - Faith and works modeled by the early churchGOSPEL - Doers (true disciples) are known by their fruitBAPTISM - What is it?BAPTISM - Why we do itBAPTISM - When we do itBAPTISM - Is sharing the gospelBAPTISM - Is a symbolBAPTISM - Is part of maturingBAPTISM - What is next?BIBLE - The Bible is foreverBIBLE - The Bible show us JesusBIBLE - The Bible gives lifeBIBLE - The Bible guides my life
October
BIBLE - The Bible changes me from the inside outBIBLE - The Bible corrects and teaches meBIBLE - The Bible helps me growPRAYER - How to prayPRAYER - PRAISE - Remembering God is in controlPRAYER - REPENT - When you need help doing what is rightPRAYER - ASK - pray for the work of the gospelPRAYER - YIELD - Pray for Gods willPRAYER - Keep praying...be persistent in prayer!PRAYER - Do not pray like this!FELLOWSHIP - Love one anotherFELLOWSHIP - Encourages maturityFELLOWSHIP - Stronger togetherFELLOWSHIP - Pursues unity & is others focusedFELLOWSHIP - Helps those strugglingFELLOWSHIP - What does it look like?FELLOWSHIP - Avoid fellowship with unbelieversWORSHIP - Worship is living with Jesus as LordWORSHIP - We were made to worshipWORSHIP - Changes our perspectiveWORSHIP GOD - For who He isWORSHIP GOD - For what he has doneWORSHIP GOD - To point others to himWORSHIP - Can only come from a pure heartGIVING - Is part of our worshipGIVING - To God because it is HisGIVING - We are commanded to giveGIVING - Give cheerfullyGIVING - God Blesses those who giveGIVING - God moves powerfully through givingGIVING - Heart Check!
November
SERVING - Because He saved usSERVING - Like Jesus servedSERVING - Equipped by GodSERVING - Through our GiftsSERVING - Serve God by serving othersSERVING - Points others to JesusServing - Requires sacrificeFASTING - Seeking God above all elseFASTING - As you wait on the LordFASTING - As part of repentanceFASTING - As you petition the LordFASTING - On behalf of othersFASTING - With right motivesFASTING - Jesus satisfiesCOMMUNION - As a regularly practiced disciplineCOMMUNION - The passover part 1COMMUNION - The passover part 2COMMUNION - A look backward to remember God’s giftCOMMUNION - A look inward for examinationCOMMUNION - Looking outward to proclaim the gospelCOMMUNION - Looking forward to Christ’s returnNO EXCUSES RECAP - Faith and WorksNO EXCUSES RECAP - FruitNO EXCUSES RECAP - Keep growing to stay on guardNO EXCUSES RECAP - Stay FocusedNO EXCUSES RECAP - Share the GospelNO EXCUSES RECAP - BE BOLD!NO EXCUSES RECAP - PassionFAMILY TREE - The family of JesusFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - Abraham
December
FAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - IsraelFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - JudahFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - DavidFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - RahabFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - John the BaptistON THE MOVE - Journey of a young JesusON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 1ON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 2ON THE MOVE - Jesus in EgyptON THE MOVE - Jesus in NazarethON THE MOVE - Jesus in GalileeON THE MOVE - Jesus, Rescuer in JerusalemMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 1MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 2MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Virgin BirthMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Visited by ShepherdsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Gifts from KingsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Mourning the innocentMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Rejected by his ownPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ZechariahPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to MaryPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to JosephPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ShepherdsPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to SimeonChristmas Day Devotion - Needle in a HaystackPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to AbrahamNAMES OF JESUS: Price of PeaceNAMES OF JESUS: Immanuel - God with usNAMES OF JESUS: Rescuer and SalvationNAMES OF JESUS: Our RighteousnessNAMES OF JESUS: Savior