“ For we are god’s fellow workers!” 1 Cor 3:9 Pre-Servants Module 1: Service

Humility Humility is the foundation of service “So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” John 13:12-15 “But whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave to all.” (Mark 10:45) Humility facilitates all service Lack of humility (pride) destroys all service and instead serves as a stumbling block to others

Humility Remember: 1.Where you came from & where you are going “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Gen 3:19 2.We are all sinners: We aren’t perfect; we won’t become perfect We aren’t better than those we serve with or those we serve 3.Service is not a right, it is a Holy privilege No one is qualified, no one is worthy to serve 4.God doesn’t need your service He can easily manage His church + children w/o us Instead we are the ones who are in need or serving (self- fulfillment, spiritual growth, heavenly reward) “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,” 2 Cor 3:5

Action vs. Words Be a role model in EVERYTHING that you do (seen and unseen) “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.” 2 Cor 6:3 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:16 Actions have the greatest impact on others “Thus faith in itself, if it does not have works, is dead!” (James 2:17) Start by changing 1-2 things –Ex: eliminate swearing –Ex: help w/ church related activities Result: –Living/experiencing these services will allow you to speak/preach of it later –People will notice your actions first and will be more receptive of your words later

Responsible & Reliable Heightened sense of responsibility when you realize the value of the human soul = the blood of Christ to save that soul “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7 “It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found!” Luke 15:32 Start w/ baby steps but make sure you do them properly –Be prepared; Be on time; Be ready; Be careful “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matt 25:23 Increase your reliability as your responsibilities increase

Self-Denial & Sacrifice “Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Cor 9:24-27 Putting others before yourself (wife, children, other servants, etc.) Make peace (difficult when you don’t think you are wrong) Put your service above your own comfort –Serve instead of sleeping longer or playing –Serve when your body is at its prime, not when you are tired –Serve with a smile, not miserable –Serve willingly (preferably before someone asks) –Start by serving in your areas of interest but progress to areas of need

Heavenly Reward “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor!” (John 12:26) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown, or rejoicing? Is it not you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His Coming? For you are our glory and joy!” (1 Thes 2:19-20) “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance;” (Matt 25:29)

Heavenly Reward “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matt 25:31-46

Questions? “We Are Unworthy Servants.” Luke 7:10