Beneficial Serving & Intentional Community

ADD

January 12th 2025

Series: 8 Habits of a Fully Devoted Christian

Topic Tags: Serving, Community

Sermon Title: Beneficial Serving & Intentional Community

Key Passages: Various

Sermon Blurb: In this message, we will learn how important it is for ALL of us to serve others with their benefit in mind and be in intentional community with others.

Preacher: Grace – Erik EBENEZER – Keith REDWOOD - Adam

Sermon

Hello Family Church!!!

Welcome to Family Church… whether you are in person or watching online…

Family Moment (Share something personal to help people get to know you and your family)

Celebrate salvation / re-dedications / baptisms last week.

We are so glad you are with us today.

As we start every year, we always look at Habits that are critical to being fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We do this annually because we believe it is important not to forget these things.

PAUSE

So, let me walk you through what you can expect this month.

Last week, we looked at the importance of reading our Bible and praying.

We also talked about how to study the Bible and how to pray.

If you missed that message, please go back and listen to it.

This week, week 2, we will examine the benefits of serving and being in the community.

Make sure you come back next week and we will learn about in week 3, how we can be transformed by becoming generous people and fasting.

We will wrap up the month in week 4 by looking at Jesus' call to be disciples who make disciples.

This month we will learn the 8 Habits of being a fully devoted Christian.

Our goal is for everyone at Family Church to be a healthy follower of Jesus.

We hope that you will walk away from church every week this month with some additional things you can put into practice right away.

PAUSE

Let’s start by defining what a habit is…

Write this down:

HABITS are ingrained actions that have become natural because of continued repetition.

Repeat

So, here is our Acronym for the series.

It’s an acronym for the word HABITS…and it shows us, in order, the topics we’re going to be discussing over these weeks.

On the screen AND in notes

H – Holy Bible A – Abundant Prayer B – Beneficial Serving I – Intentional Community T – Transformational Generosity S – Beneficial Fasting F – Fruitful Disciple-Making C – Continual Coaching

Do you see what we did there?

Habits at FC or Family Church!

PAUSE

Let’s jump into our message and talk about the HABIT of Beneficial Serving.

And we say beneficial serving because if it doesn’t actually help someone else there is NO POINT in doing it!

PAUSE

Let’s start with a question….

When you think of serving others, what comes to mind?

Maybe some of us think about the fine folks who greet you at the doors on our way into the church.

Or maybe what comes to mind are:

The wonderful volunteers who make your specialty drinks in the café!

Or the fantastic people invest in children’s ministry!

Or the wonderful people who get to church SUPER early all winter, shovel snow, and put down ice melt!

Or the incredible people who clean the buildings ...

We have so many AMAZING servants who serve 100% behind the scenes and want no credit for what they do!

And to all of you who serve here at Family Church…..I….we all so appreciate you and what you do!!!!

PAUSE

But, maybe your mind doesn’t go directly to church as mine does... maybe you think about other people like:

A server at a restaurant.

Or someone who bags groceries at the store.

Or the health care worker at your clinic.

Or one of your kid’s teachers at school.

Again, all of those are great examples of people who serve others.

PAUSE

Of course, there are many examples we could give of simple ways to serve others every day...

Small acts of kindness to help or bless those around us.

Write this down:

Beneficial service focuses on meeting another person's actual needs.

Repeat

Grab your Bible… open to the Book of Philippians 2

New Person Bible Connection:

If you do not have a Bible, that is ok!

After service, we will give you an AMAZING leather-bound study Bible!

Just go to ADD YOUR CAMPUS PLACE and get one for FREE!!

PAUSE

Philippians 2: 3-8 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

We can stop reading there……..

PAUSE

This passage teaches us that Jesus is God and that He chose to become like the things He created—He became a human.

But as amazing as that is….

I want us to focus on what it said about Jesus becoming a servant…

Jesus chose to become a servant to His creation!

Jesus did NOT have to do that.

Jesus CHOOSE to become a servant even though He is the master!

PAUSE

You see, Jesus wasn’t just a good guy who helped people out.

He wasn’t just a kind-hearted fellow who showed up early and stayed late to assist people.

He wasn’t just an example of a servant-hearted person that we are to emulate.

Jesus’ Beneficial service SERVED a greater purpose.

His Beneficial Service is what opened the door for our salvation!!!!

It COST Jesus…

It BENEFITED you and me!

Do you see it church?

We need to make sure our service is like Jesus…

That when you and I serve it is NOT about you and me!

I know so many people who serve at food pantries so people can applaud them for how great of a person they are.

There are so many people that do not serve with an agenda that is 100% focused on the OTHER person with NO strings attached!

A FULLY Devoted follower of Jesus is not serving to get credit.

Not serving to get noticed.

Not serving to have others applaud them.

Not serving to make themselves feel good.

A FULLY Devoted follower of Jesus is serving to be like Jesus to others 100% for the benefit of the other person…

PAUSE

Jesus was a servant...and when we live like Him we will naturally serve others….

We will reflect the heart of Jesus to others.

Others will get a glimpse of Jesus when they see us serve!

When we serve people the way Jesus served people,

not only are we following Jesus,

but we are also reflecting Jesus to others in a way that draws them closer to Jesus!

It's a win-win!

PAUSE

There is an excellent passage in Matthew 5 about this…

Flip there in your Bible and let’s start reading at verse 15.

Matthew 5:15-16 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,

And check out what it says next in the Bible….

It says what we have been talking about!

that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Write this down: I serve in the Name of Jesus so that my service brings fame to Jesus!

Repeat

This is a crucial point of discovery for newer Christians... but it is an excellent reminder for all of us!

When I serve like Jesus, for Jesus, and in Jesus’ Name, it can eternally influence others!

The result of service that is rooted in love for Jesus, WILL point people to Jesus, and not to us.

PAUSE

Now, let’s unpack another Biblical idea here…..and we have said this before…… But write this down:

Saved People serve people so that served people will become Saved People.

Repeat

Let me ask you something….

Would the people closest to you say you’re a servant to others? Why or why not?

Take a second…..

Really think about that….

How do others view you?

What do you think your co-workers would say?

What about your classmates?

What about your best friends?

Do the people around you KNOW you love them and you will serve them FREELY…..

Look at Ephesians 2, it says...

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You were created on purpose, with a purpose, for a purpose.

What purpose do you think God has in mind for you?

What are you doing to learn more about your God-given purpose?

Who is someone you could help?

PAUSE

Saved People serve people so that served people will become Saved People.

We are not just serving to serve.

We are doing it with purpose. We are not just doing church for the sake of doing church.

We are doing this for a reason.

We do not just do kids ministry to do kids ministry. We do not just do teen ministry to do teen ministry.

We are not just going to do things because we always have…. We are going to do things that have a purpose and a reason.

And if that purpose or reason is not to lead people closer to Jesus; we are not going to focus on that.

PAUSE

Let’s bring this into your personal life….I want to return to a powerful illustration I have used before.

Imagine your boss is God, and you work for God.

Imagine if tomorrow you walked into your place of work and your boss, who is now God, said, “Doing good works is now part of your job.”…..

Would your life look different?

If God said to you……part of your JOB is serving others….

Would your life look different?

If God said, “I want you to give the BEST of your time, talent, and your treasure to God,” which he did, by the way…

If God said, “Your yearly performance review will be based on how you invest your time, talent, and treasure.”

Would that change what you did in 2025????

PAUSE

Because God said this in Colossians 3:23

Colossians 3:23, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

There are some key mental shifts some of us need to make based on this verse.

What is the first word in this passage?

WHATEVER

That means everything you do…..

At Home

At Work

At School

At Youth Group

At Church

On the Basketball court, volleyball court, baseball field, track field and so on…

Everything you do….God says you are to be the best…..No

God says you have to be the captain…..NO

God says you have to be a starter…NO

God says you have to get all A’s…NO

God says you have to be the boss…NO

God does not say any of that….he simply says to give it your all. To do it with all your heart.

And the reason is important…..you do not do that for your coach, your parent or your boss. You do it for God. You do it to reflect God!

PAUSE

You should look like a reflection of Jesus….. remember it because Jesus gave it all for you and me!

PAUSE

So, if you want to take a step today and jump onto a serving team….

It is SUPER SIMPLE…

Grab the connection card in the seat in front of you…

It looks like the picture on the screen…

Fill it out….

Flip it over to the back side and check off a team or two that sounds interesting to you.

Then we will reach out to you soon and help you find a team that would be a GREAT fit for you!!!!

Just drop your card in the offering box as you exit today…

PAUSE

With our time left today, let's talk about the importance of ALL of us being in Intentional Community.

And we use the word “intentional” because the reality is that we are all in community with people.

BUT not all of us are intentional about WHO we are in community with…

And yes…you cannot choose all your co-workers…

You cannot choose all your classmates…

But you CAN choose who you do life with outside school and work…

American businessman and motivational speaker,

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Someone else once said,

“Show me your friends, and I will tell you your future.”

And it’s true, who we spend time with...

Who we do life with…..

Those people will make a massive impact on our lives...

And they can impact our lives for GOOD or BAD!

ADD A SHORT EXAMPLE FROM YOUR LIFE OF A FRIEND OR PERSON THAT INFLUENCED YOU FOR GOOD…..

PAUSE

Listen to what the Word of God says about this important topic...

Proverbs 12:26, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm!”

That’s powerful stuff!!

The Bible says who we spend time with (our community) will transform us!!!!

God says….. your closest friends will either help you grow and mature as disciples of Jesus

OR

Your closest friends will lead you down the wrong path away from Jesus!

PAUSE

Now I know I just shared a good example of people leading to good places…..

Let me be transparent…..

That has not always been the case in my life….

ADD A SHORT EXAMPLE HERE IN YOUR LIFE OF A FRIEND OR PERSON THAT INFLUENCED YOU FOR BAD…..

Here is the point church…. Write this down…

You will be transformed by those you spend time with.

Repeat

Proverbs 13:20…. Look back at it… “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion (or friend) of a fool suffers harm.”

In other words, if we spend time with wise, Godly people, we will grow in wisdom and Godliness.

But, spending time with foolish, worldly folks will make us more like them.

We all know people who are in “toxic” relationships…..or have been….

And EVERYONE outside the relationship sees it and says to themselves….….

Don’t do it.

Leave him or her!

Get out!

Don’t spend time in a godless community!

It will only bring you harm!

God loves you so much that He warns you to avoid toxic or Godless people.

This REALLY makes who you choose to marry of SUPER import.

Did anybody marry a fool?

Don’t raise your hand….

LAUGH!!!!

Teens… Young Adults…

This makes your choice of friends of utmost importance.

That is why your parents are trying to guide you to good friends.

Teens… Young Adults… Adults… Listen to me…

It also means that what music you choose to listen to...

What TV shows do you choose to watch...

What podcasts do you listen to,

What books do you choose to read,

Even what church you attend REALLY matters!

ALL those things will influence and shape who you become.

PAUSE

God created mankind to share in loving fellowship with Himself.

That was the original intent in the Garden.

God wanted from the very start to be IN community with us!

Genesis 3:8, “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the Garden in the cool of the day…”.

God met Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, walking and talking (communing) with them.

Adam and Eve were in community with God.

Can you imagine how unique that kind of community would be?

Can you imagine walking with God personally?

PAUSE

And church…..

Who knows how that amazing community was broken?

Yes…..in the SAME Garden, Adam and Eve disobeyed God…

They CHOOSE to enter into a community with Satan and to listen to Satan….

And Satan led them astray, and sin entered the world, and that perfect community was broken….

Adam & Eve covered up and hid from God.

And when God questioned them about eating the fruit, the “blame game” ensued.

Adam blamed Eve…..

Eve blamed the Serpent…..

PAUSE

But…… the GOOD NEWS is that the story doesn’t end there.

God did something to restore it!

God sent Jesus to restore our community!

2 Corinthians 5:18, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”

Which means this….write this down…

Jesus saved us, we need to help others enter into intentional Godly communities and help them see their need for salvation.

Repeat

Spiritual transformation continues as we connect with God’s people.

Repeat

Listen to the way the first church related to one another and the powerful affect that had on their spiritual growth…

Acts 2: 42-47, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Look at the new life these new believers shared together…

Devoted to the Bible & prayer…like we talked about last week!

Eating together,

Praising God together,

Sharing their stuff,

Meeting needs,

ALL The stuff we are talking about this week!!!!

And DAILY, new friends are coming into their midst!!

PAUSE

If you want to take a step to getting in intentional community today….

It is SUPER SIMPLE…

Grab the connection card in the seat in front of you…

It looks like the picture on the screen…

Please fill it out….

Check off the box for get into a small group…

Then we will reach out to you soon and help you find a team that would be a GREAT fit for you!!!!

Just drop your card in the offering box as you exit today…

PAUSE

Let’s wrap things up today with our life application.

If you are new, or newer, to Family Church we LOVE to end our messages with something for you to talk about with someone else.

Something to help you apply the message to your life.

So here is this week’s Life Application…

Life Application: Commitment today: · Serve others MORE than you have in the past. · Surround yourself with Godly people in consistent transformational community.

As a result of today’s message, I Will __________________Make sure to do a salvation call!

Offering:

Thank you all for being here today!

If you would like to continue your worship through giving, there are offering boxes by the doors as you exit, or behind me on the screens. You can also see other ways to give here at Family Church.

You can also place any connection cards you filled out in there.

***Each week we want to highlight a different way to give.