Sermons
Serving God
SERVING GOD
The idea for this lesson came from a small sign that my wife bought during the holidays from a Christian Bookstore. It simply says: “God Has You Exactly Where He Wants You”. As I considered this phrase and thought about the new year we just started, it reminded me of new year’s resolutions.
I recently read that approximately 65% of us make new year’s resolutions but only about 8% keep those resolutions. I have to admit that I am not big on making new year’s resolutions but I find myself at the end of each year, thinking, how can I do a better job serving God in the upcoming year?
I would like to talk to you today about serving God. We will review several passages that provide insight into serving God but before we do, I want to talk again about the phrase I mentioned. In my opinion, there are different interpretations we can make of this phrase but let’s look at today as we consider serving God.
Many of us tell ourselves that if something was different in our lives, we could do a better job of serving God. Like:
- If I had a different job that was not so demanding of my time I could have more time to serve God (or)
- If I was able to retire, I would be able to better serve God (or)
- If I had more money (or)
- If I had different friends or a different spouse (or)
- Even a different personality
- Our lists go on and on
So getting back to the phrase, let’s determine (in this new year and going forward) to serve God right where we are instead of wishing for other situations or making excuses for not serving God.
As Christians we are called to God’s service
1. 1 Thessalonians 1:9 – says “for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
2. Each of us is obligated to fulfill our individual service to God
1. In scripture, we see various designations used to describe Christians:
a. “Branch” (Jn. 15:1-8) that bears fruit – Read John 15: vs 1 -8
b. In (2 Cor. 9:6) we are described as a “Farmer” that plants –
this passage says: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously”.
c. Christians are also described as a “Soldier” as we see in 2nd Timothy Ch 2 verses 3 and 4 which says: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” – and we all know who are commanding officer is.
d. In 1st Corinthians Ch 9, we are referred to athletes or runners. Read (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
e. Let’s look at a passage in Romans which provides additional instructions to us as Christians on using our individual talents as members of the body. Read (Rom. 12:3-8)
2. The scriptures are full of guidelines for us as Christians.
a. We will start with Matthew Ch 13, verses 1 through 9 which talks about our fruitfulness. Read (Mt. 13:1-9)
Also, Colossians 1:10 says “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”
I like how this passage clearly tells us to bear fruit in EVERY GOOD WORK. It does not limit our service to spreading the gospel (which is important) but there are many ways to serve God and do good work for his kingdom.
b. 2nd Timothy Ch 2, verses 20 and 21 reminds of our usefulness. This passage says: “In a large house there are articles not only of gold or silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
This passage stresses to us as Christians that we need to be focused on noble purposes or serving God.
d. In all this we should see that Christians are a part of a kingdom of activity
3. A Christian’s aim should be to do God’s will
a. Notice Jesus’ attitude — John 6:38 – which says: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. Is this true of us?
b. Doing God’s will pleases God- as we see in 2 Corinthians 5:9 which says: “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
c. The importance of serving God and doing his will is seen clearly in the words of Jesus found in – Matthew 7:21. Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”.
d. We find an important lesson on using the opportunities and abilities we have in Isaiah, Chapter 5. Read – Isaiah 5:1-7
e. We are responsible for doing what we can. This is illustrated by the words of Jesus found in Mark 14:8 which says: “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial”.
B. WE ARE ALSO REMINDED IN SCRIPTURE THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE WORKERS
1. Christians are identified as:
a. “Workers”
1) 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says: “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”.
2) Also in 2 Timothy 2:15 which says: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”.
3) as we see in Matthew 9:37-38 which says: “Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field”.
2) In John 6:27 Jesus says: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval”.
2. A Christian’s activity must consist of
a. “Work for the Lord”- 1 Corinthians 15:58 – This passage says: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”.
b. Also, our activity must consist of “Good works”
1) We see this in Matthew 5:16 where Jesus says: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”.
2) In Acts 10:38 we see that Jesus went about “doing good”. This passage says:”how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him”.
4) We know from scripture that God is able to equip us as we see in Hebrews 13:vs 20 & 21 which says: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”.
3. We need to be honest with ourselves, and asks questions concerning our abilities and opportunities
a. Let’s consider some questions regarding our abilities that may help us in serving God:
- In what ways am I especially blessed by God?
I truly believe that each of us is blessed in some way that allows us to effectively serve God.
- What do I posses that might be used in the Lord’s work?
Maybe there is a skill we have that we are not using to serve God.Something to think about.
- What do I derive fulfillment from doing?
You may have heard the saying: “Find what you love to do or have a passion for and make that your work” – I believe each of us feel fulfilled when we are doing God’s work.
- What do I enjoy doing?
5) What comes naturally for me?
6) What might I learn to do?
As Christians, we should continually look for ways to go beyond our comfort zones. Maybe there is something you have wanted to do to serve God in the past but did not have the courage. Remember, our efforts are to serve God. What could be more important than taking a chance while serving God?
b. In addition to our abilities, we want to consider some questions regarding our opportunities.
1) What needs to be done in the Lord’s work?
I am sure that if we just look around and keep our eyes open, opportunities to serve God will be available daily.
2) What other factors may limit my opportunity?
Is there something in your life that you need to change that would allow you to improve your service to God?
- If you are anything like me, you may ask yourself on a regular basis: What am I doing that is not adequate or effective in serving God?
- Are there problems in your life that need to be solved?
6) What are others doing that I need to help do?
As I look across our church family, several individuals and families come to mind that clearly serve God very effectively. Consider what you see others do and strive to do better in your service.
4. We need to develop certain attitudes concerning serving God:
- In 1st Timothy 1:12 Paul says: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
- We should always be positive as we see in — Philippians 2:14 which says: “Do everything without complaining or arguing”.
d. We need to be persistent as we see in Galatians 6:9 which says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”.
C. WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE SERVANTS
Jesus reminds us of this in Luke 17:10 which says: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty”.
2. What does being a servant mean?
a. Servanthood is a shift in focus away from self – it is seen in action in Matthew 22:37-40 – Read passage
b. Being a servant is to be a way of life – not just an occasional good deed
- It is to be a vocation
2) It involves an entire frame of mind as we see in
Philippians 2:4-7 Read passage
- Being a servant is an investment in people, rather than things
- Servanthood is a sacrifice – it costs
- Inconvenience is nearly always a part of the cost — We see this in 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Read passage
- Yielding our rights to others is the very essence of servanthood- as we see in 1 Corinthians 9:19 which says: “Though I am free and belong to no man I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible”.
- Servanthood is also a privilege
- Helping others should never be a burden to us
2) We need the attitude of Paul as we serve as we see in
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 which says: “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was NOT without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me”.
3. As Christians we all face hindrances to Servanthood
As we see in Matthew 6:24 which says: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money”.
b. We can be limited in our service to God if we focus too much on other things.
c. Hebrews 6:11-12 reminds us not to be negligent in our service to God. This passage says: “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”.
d. To effectively serve God we need to avoid Pride and self-centeredness
4. The greatness of Servanthood is seen in the action of Jesus in Matthew 20:28 which says: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.
b. True greatness consists in serving others as we see Matthew 20:25-27 which says: “Jesus called them together and said “You know that the rules of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be first must be your slave”.
2) Serving God opens doors for the gospel as we see in 2 Corinthians 4:5 which says: “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants”.
- As Christians we should always be at God’s disposal – willing to serve him through serving others
- Our work or service to God is a part of the joy we have of being Christians
- Proverbs 11:verses 23 - 25 says: “The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”.
So ask yourself this question today, “Are you one who refreshes others?” If not, what can you do to change that going forward.
2. As servants we must:
1. Plan, set goals for our work and service
2. Ecclesiastes 10:10 reminds us of the need to be prepared. It says: “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
- We must constantly engage ourselves in activity
And make sure that we finish what we start
E. Hebrews 10:24 says: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
It is important to keep in mind that we as a church family are in this journey together with the same goal. What can each of us do to influence one another to want to be active in our service to God.
Several years ago there was a very popular saying: “What would Jesus do?” – If you recall, many people wore bracelets with WWJD on them.
So as we consider serving God, let’s reflect on the examples Jesus provides for us.
As we know, the scriptures are full of true stories where Jesus healed people suffering from all kinds of illnesses and problems. – In our world today, you and I are not able to heal others like Jesus did BUT we can serve God by:
- Praying for those who are suffering
- Comforting them by spending time with them, calling them, or maybe sending them a card or letter
- Helping to meet their physical needs or financial needs
- And most importantly, giving them hope by demonstrating God’s love and sharing the gospel with them
We know that there are so many in the world who are lost in sin without hope. The story of the woman at the well who met Jesus is another great example. Unlike Jesus, we cannot forgive others for their sins BUT we can serve God by showing compassion on them and their situations and offering them hope for tomorrow.
In closing, let’s again consider the phrase I mentioned at the beginning of this lesson: “GOD HAS YOU EXACTLY WHERE HE WANTS YOU”
You and I are where we need to be. One of the preachers in the church we were a part of in Florida (Charlie St John) used to say in every prayer “help us to be a blessing to everyone we meet”
I hope that each of leaves here today seeking ways to serve God daily right where we are in our lives.
