Called to Serve

Intro: Seed, water, and sunlight

Even though God is the One who ultimately does the work of salvation, we are called to action. Called to do. God desires to use us.

God uses the humble servant. We are Called to Serve.

We are Called to Serve.

God uses means to accomplish His Will

A Humble Servant...

Prepares for God to move.

a servant is not in the spotlight, but works to give the spotlight to another. statement about servant… like a servant who prepares the theater for the main act. a servant sets the stage.

Think about the plant.

preparing for God to cause the growth for our work

Illustration: planting a seed or watering a plant is a work of faith. By faith you believe that the sun will come up in the coming days. It is as if you are praying for a plant to grow when the seed hasn't been planted

you can pray for God to save, but if you are not sharing the gospel. .... like praying for wind when you haven't lifted the sail. It's like praying for your neighbor, but not being willing to lift your hand. Preparing the scene for God to move.

A church member this week… prayerfully gave their lost neighbor a Bible, praying over the Bible asking God to do His work. By the time this person reads the Bible, God will have already softened her heart through the kindness and consistent witness of her believing neighbors.

Appreciates the work of others. (Quick Point)

v. 5b

v. 7

v. 10 you want all your contractors to be looking at the same house plan.

Appreciating the various roles that are involved in Kingdom work.

Many giftings in our church, many roles: Nursery, KidsChurch, Student Ministry Volunteers, Building and Grounds, Finance Teams, Sound Team, Choir, Orchestra,

One Purpose: Because the humble servant recognizes that God ultimately does redemptive work, they are not hungry for the attention; Therefore instead of competing with others in ministry for the spotlight, they are content to appreciate and work alongside other people while God gets the spotlight.

Looks to the Reward

v 12-15.

He recognizes that there is a day in which all will be disclosed and revealed by fire.

So he takes care in how He builds his life now.

We learned that from the 3 little pigs right, except

The church is built on the foundation of the gospel, and it only stands as it holds to the gospel, it can’t be then built by the philosophies of men. the psychology of men.

not satisfied with just looking impressive.

All contractors need to be looking at the same plan. to be

Some things will stand in judgement. Other things will be lost.

For the unbeliever:

Some will face loss, their lives have been built with things that don’t matter. The may have accomplished much, but it amounted to little in light of eternity.

If unrepentant sinners should view their most brilliant accomplishments in the light of eternity, they would find them to be as lasting and as valuable as bursting bubbles.

bubbles

For the believer:

Only One Life…twill soon be past, Only what is done for Christ will last.

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Escape through fire...

As a church, we must build only on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Success

If unrepentant sinners should view their most brilliant accomplishments in the light of eternity, they would find them to be as lasting and as valuable as bursting bubbles.

Conclusion: House Fire