Why do we Serve

Title:

Because our witness is on display

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, the question of the day is, Why do we serve? Why are you here? What made you join this ministry? Why do you serve in the manner in which you serve? And finally, are you still serving for those reasons?

These questions are not designed to shake you from serving but to remind you of the that moment when the passion to serve was at it highest. To remind you refocus on the reason were all here. The reason God has called us to this ministry.

These questions are not designed to shake you from serving but to remind you of that moment when the passion to help was at its highest. To suggest you refocus on the reason we're all here. The reason God has called us to this ministry.

What made you join this ministry?

The Christian is called to serve. We are called to be concerned about one another and to life up Jesus. God is calling us at this time to remember the passion of our calling. A view into this passion can be found In the book of John chapter 12:1-11 where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a dinner for Jesus. They were celebrating the “Passover” remembering what God had done for Israel when he “passed over” the homes marked with the blood and spared them of death ().  In this text passion for Christ is seen through the actions of Mary, Martha and Lazarus through their serving Jesus by way of using their gifts to cook. You also see this service by way in which the household honored Christ as their Shepard. Similarly, how we give reverence to our pastor.

Why is this important regarding us today. You see back in chapter 11 of John Lazarus was died but here in chapter 12, he’s alive. You see when Christ has done something amazing in your life then you need to celebrate him by sharing your gifts with someone else? Do I have a witness?

Why

The Christian is called to serve. We are called to be concerned about one another and to lift up the name of Jesus. God is calling us at this time to remember the passion of our calling. What might that passion look like? I am glad you asked. A view into this passion can be found in the book of John chapter 12:1-11 where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a dinner for Jesus. They were celebrating the "Passover" remembering what God had done for Israel when he "passed over" the homes marked with the blood and spared them of death (). In this text, passion for Christ is seen through the actions of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus through their serving Jesus by way of using their gifts to cook. You also see this service by how the household honored Christ as their Shepard, similarly, how we give reverence to our pastor. 

Why are you here?

Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Paul know why they were here. They knew the importance of living for Christ. They remembered the day they were called to ministry. They had an answer to the questions Why are you here?

Why is this important regarding us today? You see, back in chapter 11 of John's synoptic recording of the gospel, Lazarus died, but here in chapter 12, he's alive. You see, when Christ has done something amazing in your life, then you need to celebrate him by sharing your gifts with someone else? Do I have a witness?

Historical Context

Paul the might theologian reminds us of this mission as well. We read for your hearing today because it is a key reminder of the reason why we are hear. Prior to this segment of scripture Paul had just spent eleven chapters explaining the amazing grace of God in the gospel. And now the book of Romans transitions at chapter 12 () to more practical responses to the truths expressed earlier. says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” How are we to offer our bodies to God? By viewing and remembering these truths, “in view of God’s mercy.” When you remember and look at what God has done for you, you are then empowered to live differently in your present space.

Why do we serve? 

explains and instructs, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

explains and instructs, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Why are you here? Because of Gods calling on your life.

Why are you here? Because true believers are compelled to work for the Lord.

If the passion that lead you to this ministry then you need to pray for its restoration. Serving in this capacity with out passion is unexceptable to God and a dis-service to his people.

Brothers and sisters we don’t have the luxury to run the food line as if its a business. We can’t run the food line as if its a candy factory with workers standing in position waiting for the plate not needing to have compassion for those who will recieve the meal.

We can’t be afraid to take on new assingments so that we can grow the ministry. We can’t let a bad day emotionally ruin someones experience of coming to know who Christ is.

Lastly, we cannot be afraid to engage Gods people on a personal level if we are going to reach them on a spiritual level.

God is asking all of us. Why are you here? Why did you come to serve? Why do you continue to serve?

Let’s wrap up this discussion by connecting our text to our thoughts.

Verse 3 of our text is my first point. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. My first point is to remember; We are not better than the person we are serving

We have to humble ourselves and the way you do that is by serving other people. -Tim Tibow

Point 1 - We are not better than the people we are serving

Our text teaches us that its by the grace of God our situation is not like there’s. At any given moment we can be sitting at the dining table and not serving. The sober judgement that Paul is speaking about in the text is a reminder for us to all be clear in our thinking and understanding. The grace we have been given is to be used wisely not kingly. The measure in which God has given us this grace is by his chosen not because we are different. We have to change our thinking:

Everyone we serve is not homeless,

Everyone we serve is not homeless.

Everyone we serve is watching our actions, and many of them are not Christians.

Its by Gods grace our situation today is not like there’s.

Point 2 - Recognize that someone else has your gift

My second point for us to ponder on today is to “recognize that someone else has our gifts”.

This ministry thanks God for your gifts and wisdom. Its a true blessing to have such a talented body of believers serving in this ministry.

I thank God for granting me the wisdom to know about my gifts. I thank God for speaking to our pastors heart when it comes to helping me find ways to use my gift. But most importantly I thank God that he doesn’t rely on me being the only one with a specific gift. Why you might ask?

At times, Im broken, sick, not feeling well.

At times, I been known to drop the ball.

More over, if he only called Jarkeer to do the devotion then Jarkeer would not grow as a member of this great body of believers.

Feel free to insert your own name and condition in any of these spaces. Because God feels the same way about each and everyone here today.

Paul says, while we are one body we have many members. He then goes on to teach us that we are to use our many gifts. I ask how can we do that if we don’t try new things. How can we maintain our passion each week if were doing the same tasks over and over and refusing to step into a new space. Growing ministry requires a change in our assignment. We have to be concerned about the future of this ministry and that requires us to plant seeds for others to stand where we are currently standing.

Point 3 - Each one, must reach one

My last point as I prepare to close. Pauls says, in verse 4 and 5 say, “ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” my last point before I take my seat is, “each one, must reach one”.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

Everyone here is responsible for growing this ministry. Everyone here should take it upon themselves to invite someone to serve. Come to this place and stand in the spot i was standing in last visit and help serve Gods people.

5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another

Closing

Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Paul know why they were here. They knew the importance of living for Christ. They remembered the day they were called to ministry. They had an answer to the question. Why are you here? 

Our witness is on display. Every-time we stand in the kitchen to prepare food, our witness is on display. Every-time we load the bus to head down, our witness is on display. When we are preparing the table, singing a songs, preaching and serving, our witness is on display.

Historical Context

Paul, the mighty theologian, reminds us of this mission as well. We read 

How do we continue to embrace that first moment we joined the ministry? How do we remember to embrace that answer to why I joined this ministry? How do do we remain mindful that our witness is on display.

Never forget that its by Gods grace that stand in the space we stand in

 for your hearing today because it is a critical reminder of the reason why we all here. Prior to this segment of scripture Paul had just spent eleven chapters explaining the amazing grace of God in the gospel. And now, the book of Romans transitions in chapter 12 () to more practical responses to the truths expressed earlier.  says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." How are we to offer our bodies to God? By viewing and remembering these truths, "in view of God's mercy." When you recognize and look at what God has done for you, you are then empowered and reminded to live differently in your present space.

Why do we serve? Because of Gods calling on your life.

Never forget that just as Jesus feed the 5000, we are called to feed the 300, because our witness is on display.

Never forget that God has blessed us to be part of this ministry for over 22 years. And he expects this group of people to ensure that it last for another 22, because our witness is on display.

Why do we serve? Because true believers are compelled to work for the Lord. 

How do we do it? How do we grow the ministry and stretch our thinking. Tim Tibow, former Quarterback, longtime Christian, once said “we have to humble ourselves and the way you do that is by serving other people.”

If the passion that led you to this ministry has gone, then you need to pray for its restoration. Serving in this capacity without passion is unacceptable to God and a disservice to his people.

Love God and Serve People! Amen

Brothers and sisters, we don't have the luxury to run the food line as if its a business. We can't run the food line as if it's a candy factory with workers standing in position waiting for the plate, with no compassion for those who will receive the meal. 

We can't be afraid to take on new assignments so that we can grow the ministry. We can't let a bad day for us emotionally ruin someone's experience of coming to know who Christ is. 

Lastly, we cannot be afraid to engage God's people on a personal level if we are going to reach them on a spiritual level. 

God is asking all of us. Why are you here? Why did you come to serve? Why do you continue to serve?

Let's wrap up this discussion by connecting our text to our thoughts.

Point 1 - We are not better than the people we are serving

My first point is we are not better than the people we are serving. Our text teaches us that it's by the grace of God; our situation is not like the people we are serving. At any given moment, we can be sitting at the dining table and not serving those who have come to eat. The sober judgment that Paul is speaking about in the text is a reminder for us to all be clear in our thinking and understanding. The grace we have been given is to be used wisely, not kingly. The measure in which God has given us this grace is by His chosen not because we are different. We have to change our thinking:

Everyone we serve is not homeless.

Everyone we serve is watching our actions, and many of them are not Christians.

It's by God's grace our situation today is not like there's.

Point 2 - Recognize that someone else has your gift.

My second point for us to ponder on today is to "recognize that someone else has our gifts." 

This ministry thanks God for your gifts and wisdom. It's a real blessing to have such an able body of believers serving in this ministry. 

I thank God for granting me the wisdom to know about my gifts. I thank God for speaking to our pastor's heart when it comes to helping me find ways to use my gift. But most importantly, I thank God that he doesn't rely on me being the only one with a specific gift. Why might you ask? 

At times, I'm broken, sick, not feeling well. 

At times, I have been known to drop the ball. 

Moreover, if he only called Jarkeer to do the devotion, then Jarkeer would not grow as a member of this vast body of believers. 

Feel free to insert your name and condition in any of these spaces because God feels the same way about each and everyone here today.

Paul says while we are one body, we have many members. He then goes on to teach us that we are to use our many gifts. I ask how can we do that if we don't try new things. How can we maintain our passion each week if we're doing the same tasks over and over and refusing to step into a new space? Growing a ministry requires a change in our current assignment. We have to be concerned about the future of this ministry, and not our familiarity with an assignment. This change will require us to plant seeds for others to stand where we are currently standing.

Point 3 - Each one must reach one.

My last point as I prepare to close. Pauls says, in verse 4 and 5 say, "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." my last point before I take my seat is, "each one, must reach one."

Everyone here is responsible for growing this ministry. Everyone here should take it upon themselves to invite someone to serve. More importantly, to come to this place and stand in the spot, I was standing in the last time we visit and help serve God's people.

Closing

Our witness is on display. Every-time we stand in the kitchen to prepare food; our witness is on display. Every-time we load the bus to head down; our witness is on display. When we are making the table, singing songs, preaching and serving, our witness is on display.

How do we continue to embrace that first moment we joined this ministry? How do we remember to embrace that answer to why I joined this ministry? How do we remain mindful that our witness is on display?

Never forget that it's by God's grace that we are standing in the space we stand-in.

Never forget that just as Jesus fed the 5000, we are called to feed the 300, because our witness is on display.

Never forget that God has blessed us to be part of this ministry for over 22 years. And he expects this group of people to ensure that it lasts for another 22 years because our witness is on display.

How do we do it? How do we grow the ministry and stretch our thinking? Tim Tebow, former Quarterback, longtime Christian, once said: "We have to humble ourselves and the way you do that is by serving other people."

Why do we serve? Because God called each and every one of us to do so.

Love God and Serve People! Amen