1 Corinthians 3:5-6
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
John 17:4
I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.
I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.
You were put on earth to make a contribution.
I was created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants me to give something back. This is God's 4th purpose for my life and it is called my 'ministry' or service!
I was created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants me to give something back. This is God's 4th purpose for my life and it is called my 'ministry' or service!
1. You were created to serve God - Ephesians 2:10
Whenever we serve others in any way, we are actually serving God. We are placed on this planet for a special assignment.
Whenever we serve others in any way, we are actually serving God. We are placed on this planet for a special assignment.
2. You were saved to serve God
1 Timothy 1:9
It is He who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
1 Timothy 1:9
It is He who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
We're not saved by service, but we are saved for service. In God's kingdom, we have a place, a purpose, a role and a function to fulfill. This gives our life great significance and value.
We don't serve God our of guilt/fear/even duty, but out of joy and deep gratitude for what He's done for us.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.
If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering. We are blessed to be a blessing. We're saved to serve, not to sit around and wait for heaven!
3. You are called to serve God
Our call to salvation includes our call to service.
Our call to salvation includes our call to service.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Anytime we use our God-given abilities to help others, we are fulfilling our calling. One reason we need to be connected to a church family is to fulfill our calling to serve other believers in practical ways.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.
Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.
Each of us has a role to play and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.
4. You are commanded to serve God
Matthew 20:28
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.
Matthew 20:28
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.
This is the heart of a Christian life!
"Holy living consists of doing God's work with a smile!" -Mother Theresa-
Jesus taught that spiritual maturity is never an end in itself. Maturity is for ministry! We grow up in order to give out. We must act on what we know and practice what we claim to believe.
Impression without expression causes depression.
Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation.
Impression without expression causes depression.
Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation.
Preparing for Eternity
Romans 12:5
So in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5
So in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.
One day God will compare how much time and energy we spent on ourselves compared to what we invested in serving others. We're only fully alive when we're helping others.
Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever losses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever losses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.
If you aren't serving, you're just existing, because life is meant for ministry. God wants us to love and serve others unselfishly.
Service and Significance
It is through ministry taht we discover the meaning of our life. God wants to use me to make a difference in His world. What matters is not the duration of our life, but the donation of it. Not how long we lived, but how we lived.
It is through ministry taht we discover the meaning of our life. God wants to use me to make a difference in His world. What matters is not the duration of our life, but the donation of it. Not how long we lived, but how we lived.
Examples in the Bible:
1. Abraham was old
2. Jacob was insecure
3. Leah was unattractive
4. Joseph was abused
5. Moses stuttered
6. Gideon was poor
7. Samson was codependent
8. Rahab was immoral
9. David had an affair and all kinds of family problems
10. Elijah was suicidal
11. Jeremiah was depressed
12. Jonah was reluctant
13. Naomi was a widow
14. John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least
15. Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered
16. Martha worried a lot
17. The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages
18. Zaccheus was unpopular
19. Thomas had doubts
20. Paul had poor health
21. Timothy was timid
1. Abraham was old
2. Jacob was insecure
3. Leah was unattractive
4. Joseph was abused
5. Moses stuttered
6. Gideon was poor
7. Samson was codependent
8. Rahab was immoral
9. David had an affair and all kinds of family problems
10. Elijah was suicidal
11. Jeremiah was depressed
12. Jonah was reluctant
13. Naomi was a widow
14. John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least
15. Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered
16. Martha worried a lot
17. The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages
18. Zaccheus was unpopular
19. Thomas had doubts
20. Paul had poor health
21. Timothy was timid
This is quite a variety of misfit, but God used each of them in His service. He will use me, too, if I stop making excuses!
Point to ponder: Service is not optional
Verse to remember: Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Question to consider: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve?
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