I Will...SERVE

(S1)

You can feel the tension in the room-cut it with a knife. The anxieties are high- a fight waiting to happen. How dare they send their mother to make such a request?

Matthew 20:24 (NLT)

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.

Why? It was only a simple request, from a concerned mother, that her sons would have a rightful place in God’s kingdom.

But, to the disciples it was an unwarranted demand, as jealousy fueled their heightened emotions. How dare she ask for these two most honorable positions for James and John. One to the right, a place of honor, the other to the left, position of good name, both would be seated next to Jesus in God’s kingdom.

What was her motive, or even more concerning; the intentions of James and John? You got to give her credit, she goes to the person who she believes can fill her request, one we would expect only a mother to make—an act of great faith.

Marge—Bicycle—Stood up for me

Isn’t that what mothers do? Stand in the gap for their children?

(S2)

But the motives of James and John and the unpleasant response of the disciples, is much different, revealing much about the human tendency towards a SELF—SERVING serving attitude. It, as well, uncovers an early problem among the first Christian believers—one that still exists in the church today—Serving with an, “I WANT attitude.”

How this series began; the story of Heather who became an unhappy church member through a gradual shift in her attitude about serving in the church. She did many things… yet somewhere along the way she lost her joy-often serving out of guilt, and usually preoccupied with her own interests.

“I became a part of the in-group, learning how to expect and demand things. The church became all about, me, my wants and needs.”

She became a Self-serving servant—serving for the wrong reasons and a wrong attitude. The words of a the pastors wife that opened her eyes

“Heather, maybe you’re looking at this all wrong, maybe you are asking what you can get out of the church, when you should be asking, how would God have you SERVE through the church? Instead of saying I want, maybe you should say I will.”

Those words bugged heather terribly that night. As she considered and prayed over what was said, her eyes were opened. The church had not changed; her attitude had shifted inwardly. She had lost an outward focus

Bible Study—Asthetic’s—Jesus

The early church, like Jesus, went out into the world to make an IMPACT in the lives of people who did not know of the saving grace of God.

(S3) — “If this church closed today, who in our community woiuld miss us and why? “

Series, “I Will SERVE”— What does a serving church look like? People who not only care deeply for each others, but who’s heart breaks for those outside the church...

Are we as the body of Christ…Offering Hope, Serving our Community, and Connecting People to Jesus

PRAY

(S4)

The best lesson about selfless serving we learned on a mission Trip

Pennsylvania—Deck/Steps

Our serving with an I Will attitude, left an eternal impact because it wasn’t motivated by our wants and needs, but by the needs of this woman.

Saying, I will serve with the right attitude is rarely ever easy. As an almost 40 year church member myself, I understand the potential of gradually shifting to a self-serving, serving attitude.

Ever been to a heated church meeting? Arguments about color of carpet…

In today’s biblical encounter, a self-serving attitude is what fueled this heated debate between the disciples. This wasn’t their only experience; recall when they argued over who should sit next to Jesus. Now James and John have the gall to seek the seats of honor in the kingdom!

How does Jesus respond? Jesus teaches them; first that self-serving, serving has no place in the church, because...

(S5)—SELFLESS Serving Serves a Greater Purpose!

Selfless serving, is about FINDING YOUR PLACE in God’s kingdom on earth

Serving others with the right attitude, reveals Christ in the most intimate and sometimes difficult places.

Church in Weird Places

Setting aside our own needs for that of another, it’s about saying I will serve—SELFLESS Serving Serves a GREATER Purpose!

(S6)

Matthew 20:21 (NLT)

“What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Jesus first met them by the sea….Two of first disciples, one might begin to get a sense of superiority, of importance over the latter disciples

Passions high— They had been with him for some time-He had called them friend — Jesus had just begun to speak of his coming death-in literal terms — Only days before the beginning of Jesus last hours with them

A mother’s request is appropriate...honor and shame societies, large division; rich/poor, gender, sickness, divorce, elderly, young—Value of place in society—Her hope; that they would have a place of honor in God’s kingdom, was not beyond expectation.

(S7)

Matthew 20:22 (NLT)

Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Even though her motives are pure, Jesus makes clear that she doesn’t understand the implications of her request—his suffering to come that to follow him, meant the same for her sons—Following Jesus meant taking up their own cross

Self-less Serving is Sacrificial

Jesus’ response—are you able?

(Dynamai)—do you have the power, by virtue of one's own ability and resources? Most importantly do you have of a right state of mind—The right attitude? The right motive?

The response of James and John is not surprising—confidence or arrogance

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Proving again, they really didn’t understand, and the rest of the disciple’s indigent response further makes Jesus’ point as well. In this intense moment: with a concerned mother at his feet, and the disciples ready to pounce; Jesus takes the opportunity to teach.

Four ways that Serving Serves a Greater Purpose!

(S8)

1. Self-less Serving …HUMBLES the best of us!

Maybe you ever served in a place that overwhelmed you? Where your eyes were opened and your heart was exposed to true injustice. It has a way of quickly humbling even the self-serving church member.

(Kimberly) Poor, lost lonely afraid, do we really know what it means?

Jesus again attempts to open the eyes of the disciples….

Matthew 20:23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

Speaking of their suffering to come, for they would themselves would be humbled and experience injustice… Their place was not to be of personal gain in this world, but to serve SELFLESSLY the least of these.

Jesus himself was faced with the temptation to gain status and place in the world—Confronted by Satan in the wilderness

(S9)

Luke 4:9 I will give it all to you, just kneel and worship me. 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only”

...Joshua’s story—Choose this day…whom you shall serve!

Serving while experiencing injustice in the world, humbles even the best church member! Opening our eyes, that it’s not all about us, but about choosing ever day who we will serve?

(S10)

2. Self-less Serving…LEVELS the Playing Field

Jesus proceeds to make a contrast between; the way of the world, and the way they are to be in it.

Matthew 20:“25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

Officials who flaunt their authority over those under them. To wield power over another for the gain of self at the expense of someone else.

In ancient days- A misuse of a power in government, over the church, people’s homes- over taxed and even controlling everyday activities- applying demands that would inhibit the success of others.

(S11)

Tiberius- the roman emperor—holding a scepter —In more recent times- we have seen others rise in power; so that others would be subservient to them...

In Gods kingdom, all people are valued; there is no higher or lower of status or power, no special place for the haves and the have nots.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Followers of Jesus are called to be different—Not to raise ourselves at the expense of lowering another, but only to kneel at the feet of another and serve.

The mother- leveled the playing field when she humbly knelt at the feet of Jesus! Serving with the right attitude…levels the playing field, because to God, all people matter; and they should for us as well. All people have the potential for honor in his kingdom.

(S12)

3. Self-less Serving…it is the WAY of the follower of Jesus

Serving other is meant to be a way of life…for the one who chooses to follow jesus

But among you it will be different

If you want to stick with me, you can’t act this way anymore; the way the world is! Jesus tells them how…the way of life for the Christian.

26 Whoever wants (has in mind) to be a leader (to be great)among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.

Everything about this way of life, is a focus on first serving each other—then serving the others we encounter. This will gain you great honor—Serve in my name-serve each other and you will be a servant in the world.

Lexham Theological Wordbook (δοῦλος)

A servant (doulos) is someone who obeys the commands of his or her master. For example, in Matt 8:9 the centurion claims that he says to his servant (doulos), “Do this,” and he does it. Paul often refers to himself as the servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:11; Gal 1:10). The idea that he is a slave to Christ carries the sense of belonging to him—Christ has bought him, and owns him.

What’s a selfless servant look like? Jesus became the example

(S13)

Matthew 20:28 (NLT)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Serving serves a purpose; it humbles us, levels the playing field and shows the WAY of the Christian life…and leading others to Jesus is that purpose

(14)

Mission Statement

What if we could unleash so much joy in this church, that the evidence is visible outside of this church? Are you willing to make a greater commitment to serving within so that our influence is great outside these walls, so this town can’t help but notice? What if we started a serving revolution, what if it began right here, right now , today?

(S15)

How to create a serving revolution-

1. The 90-day test- commitments from members

—to ask nothing from the church and to not complain in anyway. Commit to serve and be other focused in your conversations and your actions.

2. Commit to two hours a week serving someone somwhere

—Letters, visit homebound, local mission, open a door, offer to carry groceries, clean the church-yard, p/u trash in the community, help with the nursery, school, library

20 people committed to two hours per week- 40 hours of serving

3. The one-year service challenge

—commit to one hour per week for an entire year. 40 members X 52 hours=2080 hours toward serving others. no age restriction, track it, and watch it change the culture of this church, its affect would be a positive attitude of its members, joy in serving,

4. Serving through small groups—put small groups and serving together.

3 aspects of Evangelism

What if every group served together once per month outside the church?

—Adopting a family, school, project

3. From I want to I will, to I Will Serve

— Your serving great! Are you serving in the right place? how is your attitude?

(S16)— Be a Self-LESS serving servant

Only three words- change the whole meaning of self-serving to self-less serving

Less of me and more of you….less of my wants, needs and more of your needs-Self-less serving….has a greater purpose to lead people to Christ.

I become less someone else becomes more!

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

Conclusion

It is time

—Time for a change

—Time for a serve revolution

—Time to say, “I will serve!”

I Will GO…I Will SERVE

Extra

Jesus revolution—What if our selfless serving started a serving revolution here at OUMC?

Yoiu never to old to serve!

Mr. Tom’s Heart