Vision Sermon #3 Serving in His Kingdom

Our Vision Statement: How am I Living for Jesus by, Surrendering to His will, Serving in His kingdom, And Sharing His message?

Walking With Jesus: When we walk with Jesus we will know what serving looks like, why we should do it, who we should serve, and how serving others is kingdom business.

Matthew 20:25-28 on page 1531 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 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."

What is Serving? Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his master's purchased property. Bought to serve his master's needs, to be at his beck and call every moment, the slave's sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one's Savior.

1 Corinthians. 6:19-20 page 1778 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

What Does Serving Christ Look Like? By serving His servants. Not primarily preaching to them but devoting time, trouble, and substance to giving them all the practical help possible

Matthew 25:31-46 on page 1542 32 ... he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. What is part of the criteria for separation??

Matthew 25:31-46 on page 1542 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Matthew 25:31-46 on page 1542 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:31-46 on page 1542 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' MT 25:44 "They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

Matthew 25:31-46 on page 1542 45 "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." How did you serve Jesus this past week? What do you plan on doing for Him this week?

The Work of the Spirit: Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people.

Why should we be servants? Real servants pay attention to needs. Servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it, just as the Bible commands us: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10 page 1816). People can not meet a need if it is not shared!!!

Who should we serve? We should serve everyone but invest in those who want to know God. How are you doing with this? How do you decide who to help, and how do you decide when your help is no longer helpful? NOTE: The myth of excellence...

How is serving kingdom business? Serving helps to move the focus off of ourselves and onto others which allows us to use the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has given us to be a benefit to those around us who are seeking to know God. “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!” People come to God through people; especially people who care about them and for them.

Sharing and Caring: Many of the people that have connected with this congregation connected because we showed them that we care. If we want to continue to grow we need to continue to care. Who in your life shows you that they care, and who do you care for to show them the love of God? Where do you receive care, and where do you extend care?

In Your Life: The people God puts into your life today have been put there for you to serve. This goes for those we know well right down to strangers He puts into our path. “What does this person need? Why did God put them in my life? How can I serve them and help them realize their purpose?” Ashley Smith helps Brian Nichol.

What can you do this week? 1. Begin each day this week asking God to show you an act of kindness that you can do for someone else and when you have the opportunity do it. Once you have done one, look for another, then another!! 2. Be hospitable. Spend some time with someone over a meal, or a coffee, or even a phone call. Take time to share your life and God’s love. An extra word about hospitality...

Next Week: Sharing His Message. When you serve you may have opportunity to share. How does your sharing show that you are Living for Jesus, surrendering to His will, and serving in His kingdom?