Bible Study: Serving God
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Knowing God’s Plan
Knowing God’s Plan
In this Bible study we are looking at Biblical principles related to knowing and doing the will of God
Since it has been a few weeks, I want to give you a quick review of the main ideas.
1. It starts with recognizing that God has a plan for my life
God gives direction to his children
I can expect God to speak to me, and I can expect God to lead me
2. Following God’s plan means making good choices on a daily basis
God has given us the gift of wisdom so that we can make good choices.
3. Waiting is part of God’s plan
I have to recognize that God is doing something while I am waiting
4. Never give up on God’s plan
Sometimes you win the victory by choosing to stay when it would be easier to go.
Today I want to talk to you about the principle of serving.
The goal is in serving is to move from faith to action
We do the work of God according to the will of God
Jesus said that it was more important than natural food
ILLUSTRATION
In , we read the story of Jesus speaking to a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well. It is one of my favorite stories. It happens while the disciples have gone to buy food. When they return, they are trying to convince Jesus to eat something. He uses this moment to teach them about having the right priorities in our lives. In , we read his response.
The Work of God
The Work of God
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Jesús les dijo: Mi comida es que haga la voluntad del que me envió, y que acabe su obra.
Serving God | Sirviendo a Dios
Serving God | Sirviendo a Dios
In the plan of God for your life, God has something for you to do.
God has an assignment for your life
We
I love when people recognize that spiritual truth
That assignment may be something
So there is not one
When people come to me, “I have to be doing something”
It means they are acknowledging the plan of God
I don’t have the answer to the question, “What is God’s assignment for my life?”
But I do want to share with you some guidelines that can help you.
It is starts with who you are. Comienza con lo que eres.
It is starts with who you are. Comienza con lo que eres.
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Matthew
El que es el mayor de vosotros, sea vuestro siervo.
Matthew
Before you start serving, you must be a servant
You need the heart of a servant before you start serving
There is a difference between an internal and an external motivation.
Example 1: Children doing chores (External)
When I was a child I had to do chores in my home. I did not do them from a grateful heart. I did them because I was obligated. Sometimes, I wanted to be recognized for doing what I was told to do. This was an external motivation. Someone else was choosing for me.
Compare that to the way I work when my motivation is internal.
I did not do them from a grateful heart. I did them because I was obligated. Sometimes, I wanted to be recognized for doing what I was told to do.
Example 2: Labor of Love (Internal)
When the work you do is because you are pursuing a passion, then it becomes a labor of love. The work may be hard. There may difficulties, but your motivation is internal. It is in your heart to do it. To others your work may seem like a burden…something no one would want to do. But to you it is a joy and privilege.
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
That is the heart of a servant, and that comes first.
I cannot speak for everyone, but I can speak about the work of a preacher.
You have to prepare your heart before you prepare your sermon.
The same principle is true in any way that you are serving God.
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts
God has given every believer spiritual gifts
There is no such thing as a believer with no gift
And God never gave a gift that He does not intend to be used.
So we discover part of God’s plan for our lives when we discover our spiritual gifts
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Pero a cada uno le es dada la manifestación del Espíritu para provecho.
and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
Light of the World
Light of the World
God wants us to do good works in the church
God also expects us to do good works as the church…to serve out in the world
It is a way that we become a witness to the world around us
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras, y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que está en los cielos.