More or Less: Faithful in Service
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Faithful in service
Faithful in service
Megan always taking picture
What would people say that you are always doing?
working
on your phone
talking about Jesus
reading
helping other
gossiping
Over 1/2 of American teens want to be a celebrity
Jesus said
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Over 1/2 of American teens want to be a celebrity
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
A servant is not what we do but who we are
As Christians we are servants of Jesus
by serving others we serve Jesus
What are you always doing?
There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
What was she always doing?
gave clothing to those struggling
helped widows
God must have thought that what she did was important because when she died God used Peter to raise her from the dead
revival broke out
Not a great pastor or evangelist
didn’t have a great following
BUT
b/c she was always doing good
servant of Jesus
How do we become a faithful servant?
it’s not about making clothes
it’s not about having a specific skill
IT’S ABOUT SERVING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
3 stories to help us see
King David was a war hero
started after he killed Goliath
women stand in streets and sing songs about him
“here comes David, he is so strong and great”
like Megan does for me when I come home
Why was he so great?
some say because he won a battle
I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE HE BROUGHT A LUNCH
all throughout his life was promoted because he had a servants heart
Older brothers were off fighting the enemy as soldiers
David was out in the field taking care of sheep
one day his father asked him to do something that seemed small but was big in God’s eyes
And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”
seemingly insignificant
won’t be noticed by others
feel like behind the scenes
promotion in God’s Kingdom does not come by self promotion but by being a servant
by doing the small, unnoticed things that will serve and encourage those around you
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Bring a lunch
2.
553 years before it took place
Zechariah prophesied that the king would ride in on a donkey
not customary
President won’t come visit driving an old beat up Ford that we can hear turn off of Georgesville but will come in his fancy ride… that’s the expectation
Jesus tells the disciples to go and get Him a donkey so that He can ride into Jerusalem on it
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”
not everyone in that time would have had a donkey because they were expensive
we don’t know this persons name
we don’t have any other details about this guy
HE DIDN’T
set a price or specific arrangement
tell them which one that they could use
HE DID
let it be used for the Lord’s purpose
He was willing to offer what he had because he was a servant
He provided a way for Jesus to come into town
we can learn to give what we have for the purpose of Jesus
Sometimes by helping others we can do greater things than we could do on our own
bring a lunch
offer a ride
3.
Jesus was meeting with the disciples for dinner just before the passover
Thursday night
Jesus knows that He is about to give His life for the sins of the world
wanting to talk with them
Disciples sit down and begin to argue
who is the greatest?
right before Jesus has a big talk with them
John:
It will be me
I am the one that Jesus loves
he wrote about himself in 2nd person
& called himself the one that Jesus loves
Peter:
no, John, it is me because do you remember when we were all out in the boat and Jesus called me out on the water
He chose me 1st
Others: yeah but remember you only took 3 steps before you sank!
Peter: but He came and got me
Bartholomule:
Who is the greatest....
Jesus is sitting there knowing that He did not come to be served but to serve others
looks and sees proud hearts
So Jesus
rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
everyone is saying “no you can’t do this” and definitely not to me
if you come to my house I would offer to take your coat & get you a drink
custom
In that time they would wash feet when you came in
but never the host
the servant would do it
Jesus looks around and sees proud hearts & dirty feet
puts on a servant apron
grabs towel
washed their feet
who is Jesus
perfect Son of God
King of kings
Lord of Lords
Alpha & Omega
Our rock
redeemer
YET
He humbled himself and washed the feet of others
He didn’t come to be served but to serve others
Sometimes we must humble ourselves and serve others doing what some may think is beneath us
Bring a lunch
Offer a Ride
Wash their feet
Jesus later teaches that one day He will separate the sheep from the GOATS
say to the goats
sorry we don’t know each other
Say to sheep
welcome to the Kingdom that I have prepared for you
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
they will look shocked
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-38
How do you become great?
become less about you and more about Him
less self more others
SERVING JESUS BY SERVING OTHERS
well done my good and faithful SERVANT
I can’t do anything “BIG”
In God’s Kingdom the little things are the big things
Examples of servants at BCC
worship team is volunteer
kids ministry volunteers
BCG leaders
Fred- nursery, pulled weeds
WHAT ARE YOU ALWAYS DOING?
He/She is always serving
greatness is not about self promotion
great in the Kingdom of God are those who serve
encourage a teenager
Jesus may say thanks for being there for me when I was 15
help the elderly
when I wasn’t able to shovel my driveway you did it for me and thought that I didn’t even know
LET US BE ON CALL FOR JESUS
anytime
anywhere
any way
AS LONG AS IT POINTS OTHERS TO HIM
ALWAYS SERVING
ALWAYS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
ALWAYS CARING FOR OTHERS
NOT JUST TALKS ABOUT JESUS BUT LIVE LIKE HIM
ONE DAY WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM HE WILL SAY
what you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me
well done my good & faithful servant
serving is not what we do but who we are
BAND
If you are aware that you are living for yourself
this is normal
we are selfish and sinful by nature
Jesus desires to save you from yourself
that’s why He came to earth and laid His life down
not just to save us but to change us
If God has not changed you, He has not saved you
if you want Him for salvation lift up your hand
Heavenly Father,
I need you in my life
I am a sinner & you are my Savior
forgive me of my sins & make me new
I give myself completely to you
my life is not my own, I give it to you
help me to serve you
fill me with your HS
in Jesus Name I pray
Amen