FOM Notes

Why Serve Others?
Part 5 of 5 in the series “Why?”

March 1, 2009 Pastor Nate Holden

"Whoever wants to become great must be a servant of others."

Matthew 20:26

SERVANTHOOD

(Attitudes) and (actions) that seek the well being of others in the name of God

ª I was (created) for service

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

What are good works?

(ministry) or (service)

"It is God who saved us and chose us for His holy work."

2 Timothy 1:9

What is holy work?

(ministry) or (service)

ª I've been (gifted) for service

Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences (SHAPE)

"God has given each of you some special abilities. Be sure to use them

to . . . . " make a lot of money, to feather your nest egg?

1 Peter 4:10

Translation

The RSP – The Reviled Substandard Perversion

No . . . it says

"Be sure to use your abilities to help each other.“

ª I am (commanded) to serve others

Jesus said, "Your attitude must be like my own, for I did not come to be served, but to serve."

Matthew 20:28

THE ATTITUDE OF JESUS

ü Serving like Jesus means being (available)

“Two blind men . . . shouted, ‘Lord, have mercy on us!’ . . . Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ He asked.”

Matthew 20:30-32

“Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.”

Proverbs 3:28

ü Serving like Jesus means being (thankful)

“Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I know You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here . . . ”

John 11:41-42

"Because of God's great mercy to us offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service."

Romans 12:1

Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for me, and even if He never did anything else, I owe Him my life

ü Serving like Jesus means being (faithful)

“I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”

John 17:4

“The one thing required of servants is that they be faithful . . . ”

1 Corinthians 4:2

ü Serving like Jesus means being (generous)

“Out of sheer generosity God put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift! He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

Romans 3:24

“You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 9:13

ª My church family (needs) my service

"All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12:27

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me. It's the Lord you're serving."

Colossians 3:23

ª Because service makes life (meaningful)

"If you try to keep your life for yourself, you're going to lose it but if you give up your life for my sake, and for the sake of the good news, you will find true life."

Mark 8:35

"Keep busy in your work for the Lord since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever without value."

1 Corinthians 15:58

ª I will be held (accountable) for my service

2 QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED

First . . .

what did you do with My Son, Jesus Christ?

Second . . .

what did you do with what I gave you?

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You've been faithful with a few things; I will now put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."

Matthew 25:23