Why We Serve

Sermon Notes January 29, 2017 James 1:22-27 Why should Christians serve? Questions 1. Read James 1:22-26 a. What lingers with you from the chapter? b. Note the repetition of warnings about being deceived: v16 “Do not be deceived,” v22 “delude themselves,” v26 “deceives his own heart” c. What deceptions about do you hear in Christian circles? 2. Why serve in situations where there’s no clear evangelistic opportunity? 3. Are you in danger of losing your salvation if you don’t serve others? If not, then why serve? 4. “Raker’s Romp” involved Ps 68:5, Ps 72:12-14, Ps 146:8-10, Is 1:16-17, 23, Mal 3:5 and Deut 26:12-13 in the OT which say, care for the widow, orphan, and foreigner. What are these texts saying about service? Are they valid if they’re from the OT? [One clue I’ve heard is if the principles are repeated in the NT, they’re still valid. So Chris listed Lk 14:12-14 – invite the poor, lame and blind. We are called to serve those who can’t repay.] 5. What are Pastor Raker’s 5 reasons to serve? Would you add any others? 6. What are some excuses not to serve? [Leave it to the pros; I’m too young, old, busy, needy.] 7. What did Chris mean by this statement: “100 percent of believers are born unhealthy”? 8. What images or points from the service are you left with? [For me, on the bike path giving away drinks for free: “Oh, so you’re like real Christians.” Dionysus, Bishop of Alexandria, around 260 AD. Christians stayed in town and served during the plague.] 9. In conversation after church, one person said this struck home, because he thought the U.S. evangelical church has grown inward and insulated. Agree? Close by brainstorming ways to serve, and pray for a heart like Christ’s which is a strong servant’s heart.