5,19,19 Shaped For Serving

Look at this wonderful truth-

We are God’s “workmanship”-we were made to make a contribution, not just to consume.

Look at this wonderful truth-we are God’s “workmanship”-we were made to make a contribution, not just to consume. God made us to make a difference. It’s not about how long we live, but how we live; not the duration of life, but the donation of life. We were created to do “good works”. “Thine hands made me and fashioned me together round about”()

God made us to make a difference.

It’s not about how long we live, but how we live.

not the duration of life, but the donation of life. We were created to do “good works”. “Thine hands made me and fashioned me together round about”()

Our uniqueness is not for our benefit. NLT God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. All that we are is not for us, but for God and others.

We are to Serve God by serving Others.

The Bible has a word for this—MINISTRY!

As worship, fellowship and discipleship, this is also a misunderstood word. When ministry is spoken, you often think of pastor and staff. But the Bible says every believer is a minister. To minister is to use your SHAPE to help someone else in the name of Jesus.

Ministry and service are the same word in the Bible; also Servant and minister is the same word. So, if you are saved, you are a minister.

God gave us a perfect example in Jesus of what ministry should be. KJV Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. We must give ourselves away for Christ to others.

LEARNING TO SERVE LIKE JESUS

1) Serving like Jesus means being Available-Mt 20:30-32

Note the word “stopped”- if we are to be used by Jesus, we must be willing to be interrupted. Think about the many interruptions in Jesus life. He stopped for healing of Bartimaeus, leper, and many other times. NLT If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you." We must step out of our comfort zone and say “God, what do You want me to do?”

Three barriers often prohibit this in our lives:

1)Self-centeredness

-KJV Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. When you see a need, God is giving you and opportunity to practice serving. The number one enemy of compassion is busyness. We often have a sign on our hearts, “Do Not Disturb”

2) Perfectionism

- NLT If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Real servants do the best they can with what they have. It doesn’t have to be perfect to bless God. God doesn’t just use perfect people because none of us are perfect.

3)Materialism

-KJV No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Note the word “cannot”- it is impossible. You have to come to the place where you answer this question, “Do I want to be rich or blessed?” We often get too busy to care for people. Will you be a kingdom builder or a wealth builder?

2) Serving Like Jesus means being GRATEFUL

-John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always:

Grateful that we have the opportunity to serve! Lazarus had died, some people thought about the funeral, but Jesus had a different plan. He went to do ministry! Jesus was grateful at this occasion, but also when he was criticized, when things were not easy in the ministry. Ministry and miracles always happen in the attitude of gratefulness. KJV Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Why do we serve the Lord with gratefulness? What do you have to be grateful for? He saved us!

There are some barriers to being grateful:

a) Comparing and criticizing-

NLT Who are you to condemn God's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord's power will help them do as they should.

This can get in the way of our being grateful. We are all His servants. Competition with each other does not make sense. We are on the same team. Whether you have the best seat here, best SS room, we should all be grateful. We need to be grateful for all God has done for us and seek His approval.

b) Wrong motivations

-KJV Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. {alms: or, righteousness) . Wrong motivation is showing off. Self-promotion and servanthood do not mix. We should not serve to get others to like us or to be admired. When we lose a sense of gratitude, we are serving from wrong motivations.

3) Serving Like Jesus means being FAITHFUL

-KJV I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

It means that we don’t give up. You don’t quit in the middle of your assignment.

Jesus completed His work! If we are to be like Jesus, we will serve as long as we are alive.

What is it that we keep us going? KJV Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. How do we do that?

I believe we should be faithful based on our gratitude for the past and on the faith for the future. We should know that we are doing what really matters. When we are serving Jesus, everything is important! There is never little service when we do it in Jesus name.

Nothing is insignificant when it is done for Jesus.

There is a place for all to serve---How will God use you?

Where are your investments being made today? The best investment we will ever make will be on things that will last for eternity.

Will you serve Jesus today? How?__________________________________

Will you serve others today? How?__________________________________

or will you keep the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your heart?