SERVICE

For seven weeks we have been studying Spiritual Disciplines. There are three categories of Disciplines– Inward Disciplines, Outward Disciplines, and Corporate Disciplines. Four weeks ago, we finished up the first category of Inward Disciplines.

This week we finish up the Outward Disciplines. First, we have talked of the Outward disciplines of Simplicity. We covered 9 ways to simplify but the one to remember was whatever distracts you from first seeking the Kingdom of God – next we looked at the outward discipline of Solitude about the importance of silence, holding our tongue and only verbalizing what is necessary to be said and looking for moments to just be with the Lord, alone with the Lord.

This week we discuss the most misunderstood and abused discipled of all of the them – the discipline of submission. We talked about submission not being self-hating or depreciating and the importance of letting things go and concluded with the 7 types of Submission most importantly being God, Scripture and Family as the top three.

As we being to close out the Inward Disciplines the final inward discipline is that of service. Jesus’ whole ministry centered around the disciple of service. The cross on which he died is the ultimate sign of submission, submitting to the will of the Father even submitting to death on the cross. His towel is the sign of service.

So, as we begin Let us Pray!

I. Why Service?

Isaiah 58:10 – If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

Proverbs 11:25 – Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

God’s economy is upside down – the last shall be first and the first shall be last

There is a constant battle to be #1 – the greatest

Even with Jesus right there – on more than one occasion –

· Matthew 18:1 – At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

· Matthew 20:20-21 – Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”

· Mark 10:35-37 – And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

But what does Jesus and say and do – Jesus ALWAYS lead by example – He never asks us to do something that He would not do!

John 13:12-14 – When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

(Talk about the meal – tradition said the feet must be washed before eating – feet describe (manure, mud) the disciples knew it needed to be done – but no one was willing)

v15 – For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

God’s upside-down economy –

v16-17 – Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

When we serve – there is great liberty – when we truly serve there is no hierarchy no pecking order

What I hear constantly from people who fully submit to the disciple of service –

“I feel more blessed than those I served – it doesn’t make sense”

The final why Service?

Jesus calls us to it –

Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

II. What is Biblical Service?

Again, we being with what Service is not

· Not a list of things to do

· Not a code of ethics

· Not a Rule book

It is discovering what God wants us to do

It is a Way of Living – should become our lifestyle

Biblical service does not seek attention or rewards

It is radical self-denial –

Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Count the needs of others as more important that your wants or needs – does not pick and choose who to serve – obeys the Holy Spirit

Philippians 2:8 – And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

His want to not experience the pain and agony of scourging and crucifixion saw our need to be reconciled to God as more important and the only way was to give His life for ours

Biblical service is not housed in emotions or want to serve but serves at the will of the Holy Spirit

Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Romans 12:11 – Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Biblical Service is not temporary but a lifestyle

Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Matthew 23:11 – The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Biblical Service is not self-serving nor does it keep score, do it for gain or only the BIG projects that get noticed – Biblical service is genuine, not inward but outward focused – where is the need and how can I help?

Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Galatians 6:10a – So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,

III. How do I Submit in Service?

Understand the difference in choosing to serve and being a servant –

Choosing to serve – we are in control – and we choose - may ask “What if they take advantage of me?”

Choosing to be a servant – God is in control – God where am I to serve today? – may ask, “What do they need?”

a. Hidden

Matthew 6:3 – But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

b. Small Things – Dorcas

Acts 9:36 – Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

– RAK

c. Guarding the Reputation of Others –

Titus 3:2 – to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Peter 2:12 – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

d. Being Served – Peter at the last supper

John 13:6 – He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

v8 – Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

e. Common Courtesy – becoming extinct – holding doors, please and thank you, yes please and no thank you, responding to an RSVP so others can plan

f. Hospitality – Paul required it of others – desperate need for this

Titus 1:8 – But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Romans 12:13 – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Hebrews 13:2 – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

1 Peter 4:9 – Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

g. Listening – listening to understand not respond – Active Listening – quiets the mind and takes the pressure off

James 1:19 – Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

h. Bearing the Burdens of Others – Galatians 6:2 –

Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 15:1 – We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

i. Sharing the Word of Life – no individual can know all that God has to say except Jesus, so, when we receive a Word from God, share it –

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 1:8 – Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Easter Egg Hunt –

Deacons Offering

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