SAVED TO SERVE: The final word 2-26-23
We are saved to serve.
We are trusted servants of God.
We are to serve in whatever we do.
We are called to serve all of our life.
We are called to serve others.
We are called to serve the world.
We are intended to share our lives with one another.
We serve others through relationships.
We are saved to serve.
I. WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE
The late great American poet, Charles Edwin Anson Markham (1852 - 1940), in his poem entitled, "The Day and The Work," wrote; and, I quote:
"There is waiting a work, where only your hands can avail; and, if you falter, a chord in the music will fail."
A. Saved to serve
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Hebrews 9:14 NIV
B. We are here for a reason
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
When we are out of control, God is in control. But, God is not selfish. He may desire to use you to help others, even to stop your own life from spinning out of control. Are you a victim or a volunteer? Would you be willing to say as did, Isaiah, "Here am I Lord, send me," (Isaiah 6:8) or would you say, "Here am I Lord, look at me."
Mother Teresa once said: "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."
And former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge said: "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
II. WAYS TO SERVE YOUR CHURCH FAMILY
"God has called us to serve, not to sit, soak and sour."
Unknown
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13 NIV
A. Physical tasks
1. Assistance
2. Giving
B. Spiritual tasks
1. Prayer
A certain family in a church down south had been inactive for years. The family simply never went to church any more and every effort to get them to attend had failed.
One day one of the sons, name John, was bitten by a rattlesnake. The father immediately sent for the pastor that he might come and pray for John.
The pastor went and this was his prayer:
“Oh wise and gracious Father, we thank You that You have in Your wisdom sent this rattlesnake to bite John in order to bring him to his senses. He has not been to church for years. It is doubtful if he has ever before in all his life felt the need of prayer. Now we pray that this will prove a valuable lesson for him, and that it will lead to his repentance.
“And we also pray, O father, that You would send another snake to bite Sam, and another to bite Jim, and another to bite the old man. We have been doing everything we could for many years, but all our efforts could not accomplish what this snake has done.
“We thus conclude that the only thing that will do this family any good is rattlesnakes. So, please, Lord, send them bigger and better rattlesnakes. Amen.”
2. Discipleship
3. Giving
C. Relational
1. Build relationships
2. Communicate
a. Cards
b. Text
c. Email
d. Phone call
e. Conversation
3. Support one another
D. Participate
1. Worship
2. Bible School
3. Prayer opportunities
4. Service events
5. Activities
6. Areas of need
7. Fill the empty chair
III. WAYS TO SERVE THOSE OUTSIDE YOUR CHURCH FAMILY
“What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God in heaven needs it not.”
Martin Luther
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
1 Peter 2:12 NIV
We serve Jesus by serving people. A wealthy American traveler visited a hospital in Southeast Asia. He walked in just as a young missionary nurse was cleaning the sores of a sick, dirty, elderly man who had been found lying in a gutter. The rich man said to the nurse, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” She answered quietly and firmly, “Neither would I.” Money couldn’t buy her extravagant devotion to Jesus. Her life was broken and spilled out for the love of Christ.
A. Benevolence
B. Community engagement
C. Light shining
D. Labor
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:42-44 NIV
CONCLUSION
Consider this statement from Paris Reidhead: "Lord Jesus, I’m going to obey you and love you and serve you and do what you want me to do as long as I live even if I go to hell at the end of the road because you are worthy to be loved, obeyed and served."
Do we love and serve God because he has promised us eternal life? Who would serve God if they weren’t going to heaven?
We are saved to serve. We must serve our church family. We must serve outside our church family.
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now. If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.
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