Message Notes
Shaped for Serving God

40 Days of Purpose - Part 5

Ephesians 2:10 We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others

 

MY 4^th PURPOSE IS TO SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS, ALSO CALLED MINISTRY

Psalm 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 

SHAPE = Spiritual Gifts Heart Abilities Personality Experiences

 

Philippians 2:6-7a Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…

 

LEARNING TO SERVE LIKE JESUS

1.   SERVING LIKE JESUS MEANS BEING AVAILABLE.

Matthew 20:30-32 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.

 

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,

when it is in your power to act.

 

1^st Barrier: SELF-CENTEREDNESS

Philippians 2:3 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 

2^nd Barrier: EXCESSIVE BUSYNESS

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God…

 

3^rd Barrier: OUT OF WHACK PRIORITIES

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money."                                

 

2.   SERVING LIKE JESUS MEANS BEING OBEDIENT.

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 

Philippians 2:8b …He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!

3.   SERVING LIKE JESUS MEANS BEING FAITHFUL.

John 17:4 “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.”         

 

Matthew 5:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

     

Prayer of Commitment:

Father I realize that I was shaped to serve You by serving others.  Forgive me for the times I’ve put a “do not disturb” sign on my heart.  Help me to see the interruptions as opportunities to serve.  Help me to make time for what matters most.  You’ve been so good to me.  I want to give something back.  I want to serve You freely and gratefully and faithfully, and I want to practice before I get to heaven so one day I can hear You say “Well done, good and faithful servant”.  In Your name I pray, Amen.

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me.  As much as I know how, I want to give my life back to You. I want to know you and the purposes for which I was created. I turn to you and ask you to be the leader of my life. Please forgive me for the wrongs I have done against you. I ask You, Jesus Christ, to start changing me from the inside out beginning right now. In your name I pray, Amen.