Improve Your Serve: week 3

“Finding Your Unique Serve”

Last week . . .

Slide #1:

Review:

The #1 obstacle for serving

Emotional bandwidth

The story of two sisters

Today . . .

Finding our place of serving

Jesus calling His first disciples

How does Jesus approach us?

Why did Jesus choose these men?

Slide #2:

The key to finding our place is hearing the voice of Jesus.

Jesus speaks to us

“My sheep will know My voice”

The disciples responded to the voice of the Master

It was the Master’s voice that drew them to their calling

How do we begin discovering our specific place for serving?

Matthew 4:18–22 LEB

Now as he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew, throwing a casting net into the sea (for they were fishermen). And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. And immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Opening Observations . . .

Jesus was looking:

Jesus is still looking today

Jesus said: “the harvest is ready, but the workers are few.”

What is Jesus looking for?

Availability more than ability

Willingness and receptivity

Someone who will hear and respond to His voice.

In order for us to respond to Christ’s voice, we must develop an understanding as to how He approaches us.

How does Jesus approach us?

Daily activity:

The disciples were engaged in normal/daily activity.

This would suggest that Jesus is looking for us in our current location

He calls to us in our current context

We don’t need to leave where we are in order to hear His voice

Jesus connects with our daily activity with His invitation

Jesus said He would make them, “fishers of men.”

Jesus connects with their current reality to shape their spiritual calling.

Their spiritual calling will be shaped as they “follow Him.”

I become like the One I follow

The experience of “becoming” is shaped through personal encounter

If/when I fail to follow, I will forfeit the process of becoming who Jesus is calling me to become for the sake of His Kingdom.

Response:

“Immediately, they left their nets”

Jesus looks for the responsive heart

What does a responsive heart look like?

“Yes” in the midst of fear and uncertainty

“Yes” before knowing where they are going.

“Yes” when tension and stress come in

“Yes” when opposition takes place

“Yes” when there are problems to solve and blessings to receive

We must be willing to “leave our nets” in order to follow Jesus.

Some interpret this as leaving their current occupation.

Calling: Kingdom assignment

Vocation: pay the bills

Others view this as leaving family, friends, and country (Missionaries)

We are all called to be “missional”

Not everyone is called to be a “missionary”

What can our “net” represent?

Attitude and perspective

Fear and frustrations

Comfort and what is familiar

Previous methodology

Family traditions

“And followed Him”

Jesus joins Himself with those who answer His invitation

He “never leaves us nor forsakes us.”

He “intercedes for us to the Father.”

He empowers us with the Holy Spirit

Following Jesus

We must always remember who we are following

The longer we follow, the more familiar we become with His voice

Familiarity with His voice will continue to lead us forward

So, how does Jesus approach us?

He approaches us in our daily activity

He approaches us through an invitation to follow Him

Why did Jesus choose these men?

Why He didn’t:

Wasn’t because of their status

Wasn’t because of their skills

Wasn’t because of their schooling

Jesus invited them to belong before they believed.

How do we belong before we believe?

Jesus invited the disciples to serve as they were learning.

The disciples made mistakes.

Jesus used the mistakes as opportunities to provide on-the-job training.

Jesus led by example and modeled what it looks like to be servants in God’s Kingdom

When Jesus asked the brothers to follow Him, he placed His ownership on them.

Jesus asked them to be “His disciples”

Serving ultimately comes down to ownership

Ownership is based on control

Control is determined by who is Lord of my life.

In order to find our serve, we must settle where and to whom we belong.

Where I belong determines my place:

I will never find my place as long as I am wanting someone else’s place

Finding my place is learning to receive and rest in God’s design

My place is often associated with my weaknesses as much as my strengths.

“In my weakness, His strength is made perfect.”

To whom I belong determines my priorities:

My values determine my priorities

If/when I haven’t identified my values, I will struggle with priorities

The Holy Spirit will help us to grow in “Kingdom values” that are in alignment with the Father’s heart

So, why did Jesus choose these men?

He chose them because they were willing to belong before they believed.

He chose them because they were willing to surrender control of their life.

He chose them because they were willing to become like the One who invited them.

Key takeaways . . .

I’ll never find my serve as long as I choose to stay with the boat.

There is only one person who can prevent me from finding my serve . . . me.

Finding my serve will lead me into new situations as I follow Jesus.

The reward of finding my serve is walking with Jesus.

Next week: “Sustaining a Lifestyle of Serving’

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for your invitation. I hear Your voice, and I say “yes.”

I ask that You would help me to fully engage even in the times I don’t understand, become frustrated, face challenges, and just don’t know what to expect next.

Give me the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Help me learn how to walk in faith, trust, and obedience as You provide me with on-the-job training.

Jesus, I choose to believe that as I receive Your invitation, leave the boat, and follow You, I will accomplish the specific purpose and plan You have for me.

I know that You are both “the Author and Finisher” of my faith. Not only do You start Your work in me, but You also see it to completion.

I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen!

Transition: TBD