Sermon for 03/18/07

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Sermon for 03/18/07
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ONE ANOTHER: Christians SERVE One Another
– Part two –

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN

Main Theme: Christians are different. Not just because we worship Christ – but because of the way we are to treat one another. We are to LOVE (agape) one another. How? By SERVING one another. In this 2nd of 3 sermons we discuss the characteristics of sincere service:A) SINCERE SERVICE comes from maintaining the right attitude! B) …needs no external rewards! C) …does not pick and choose. D) …happens whether we "feel" that we want to or not. E) …gives time, talents, and treasures to one another! F) …does not distinguish the small from the large service. G) …draws its power from the Holy Spirit. H) …is a life-style. I) …is not always fun or easy, nor always glamorous. J) …never ends.

1) SERVE ONE ANOTHER! Last week in discussing Christ's call for us to "serve one another", we confessed that while Jesus asks us to place God and others ahead of ourselves, no one instinctively likes to play third violin in God's orchestra. Being born self-centered, and always wanting to be first; servant-hood only begins to make sense when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to God's truth: real life is not something we get, it's something we give. We also discovered that often our failure to serve is because we do not love as Jesus loves! (Unconditionally, sacrificially, humbly, selflessly,willing to place God and His children ahead of ourselves, and asking nothing in return.) And this change of heart to serve one another can only happen if we make Jesus the greatest part of our life.Then we realized that our call to serve is not an option or a suggestion, but a divine command. We are called to focus our entire life on serving God, but we cannot serve God, without serving one another! Serving others is the WAY we serve God! And we discovered that we actually NEED to serve others to find joy and happiness according to God's design. Though our culture resists serving anyone, "Total freedom" from having "a master" is an illusion – we can only choose which Master we will serve: Sin or Jesus! And serving is a way of growing closer, connecting at a deeper level, and relating more fully to God or one another! Serving one another is a way of demonstrating to the Lord that we are fully His!

2) SCRIPTURE! Though we read plenty of scripture last week proclaiming and clarifying the call to serve one another, let's now read what Paul tells the Phillipian church and us:"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,(and I stop here to ask you, "Have you received any encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, or compassion from Christ? Well, then, let's read on…) then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."(That's serving one another!) This scripture goes on…

3) EXALTED HUMBLE SERVANT! "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 1-11) As we mentioned last week, the word serving is used over a thousand times in the Bible – humbly serving one another is a very big deal to God! And should be to us as well! And because Jesus did it so perfectly, He was exalted! If YOU confess that Christ is Lord, YOU will also strive to be Christ-minded, having the same love, and exalting all humble servant-hood!

4) CHARACTERISTICS! Today, knowing we were designed and saved to serve, let's reflect upon the characteristics of sincere and humble service to one another:

A) Sincere service comes from maintaining the right attitude! Obviously, if you do something for someone and you are grumbling or complaining about having to do it – this is NOT the right attitude! But service that comes as a result of understanding the cross and the loving heart of the One who willingly died on it for us - THAT service will be based on an attitude of joy and thanksgiving, at the very privilege of serving God - by serving His people. Our grateful attitudes help to create the warm giving atmosphere of service in this church that visitors are attracted to! The Living Bible, (which is a paraphrase bible) has Jesus saying: "Your attitude must be like My Own, for I did not come to be served, but to serve..." Matt. 20:28 (LB) You should never serve because you feel obligated to God or fear punishment if you don't. You don't have to appease God – just please Him! If you have spent anytime at all getting close to Christ, attempting to grasp His heart, to discover His motive (which is unconditional love and divine grace), you will gladly serve one another with an attitude that comes from joy and thanksgiving!

B) Sincere service needs no external rewards I'm always amazed when members go to great lengths to tell me what they have done for the church in years past, and then wait for "atta boys!" Sincere service needs none of that! On the other hand, insincere service needs to know that people see and appreciate the efforts made. Insincere service needs human applause. It is quite evident in Scripture that true service needs no external rewards, but ONLY needs the 'divine nod of approval.' Jesus' smile should be enough! It is for Him that we do what we do for one another! Sincere service rests contented in hidden ness. Not like the missionary who spent 40 years overseas and who returned to America to retire. As he exited the plane, there were no cheering crowds, banners, or reporters to interview him. For a moment he began feeling sorry for himself, and he started to pray. "Father in Heaven, 'Why'? I've served you faithfully for so long, and yet, look. I don't expect much. But is it wrong to desire that there be some kind of a welcome home?" Then, almost as if God had spoken out loud, the old missionary heard Him say, "But my son, you're not home yet." Friends, this earth is not our home. And our true reward will come; but when we get home! …when we're with our Father in heaven – the ONE we are really doing our "works" for. If you and I serve to get strokes and notoriety from others, we need to ask God to change our heart. We serve to please Christ, and Him only! He is our reward!

B2) ENCOURAGE! Please do not get me wrong – this is not to say we are not to encourage one another! Encouraging each other is a powerful gift that motivates us to keep serving in a broken world! But we serve even if encouragement does not come from human sources because it is for God's sake that we do what we do! Why then do some think that God somehow owes us for all that we've done for Him? Hmmm, we were designed by God, saved by God, to serve – why are we entitled to a word of thanks or appreciation? We're not, and yet some of us get frustrated and angry and mad and we determine to never serve again because "no one thanked us", or because it didn't go like we wanted it to. We, who are undeserving, ought to serve purely in response to divine love and grace; it's our duty and delight, and God is under no obligation to reward us. We serve to make the object of our love happy! Sure, sometimes encouragement may come as a byproduct of our service and is a blessing, but we do not serve to get applause or external rewards! Our relationship with the Savior is reward enough!

C) Sincere service does not pick and choose. We are to serve when needed, NOT when it is "convenient." Service is not something we "fit in" if there are any openings in our calendars. We need to be flexible and available. A wise seminary professor once told me there will be days when the paper work is piled high and the sermon isn't done, and someone will pop their head in the door and say, "Sorry to interrupt you Pastor, do you have a minute?" "Remember", said that professor, "interruptions ARE your work!" It's the same with opportunities for service. They will come unexpectedly. & Allow yourself to 'Get interrupted by God!' God expects you to be available for the needs of others. And part of being available to help others is simplifying your life so that you can serve when you're needed. But too often, God calls and gets the busy signal. Remember our John passage, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with action and in truth." (1 John 3:18). Friends, remember: your schedule is not your own to manage! Yur time belongs to God! And He will regularly interrupt your plans to rearrange them! He has the right – we and our time belong to Him! Service will only be considered "inconvenient" to those who forget this. God says our priority is to 'serve one another.' Sincere service does not pick and choose. We must be willing to adjust our schedule to His. …to alter our plans and make sacrifices in order to serve others.

C2) WHO? And just as we cannot pick and choose "when" we serve, we are not to pick and choose "who" we will serve! Jesus said we are to be "…the servant of all." (Mark 9:35) We, as Christians, are bound to serve ALL people whether high and powerful, or low and defenseless. Red or yellow, black or white, all are precious in His sight! We are bound to serve all people and administer medicine to physical bodies, emotions, and spirits. I'm proud to serve a church that is reaching out to a changing neighborhood! Our Hispanic service is growing, and our sacrifices and openness to all people reflects the example of Christ.

D) Sincere service happens whether we "feel" that we want to or not. Just as Agape love is not based on "deep feelings", neither is our service. Just as Agape love is a conscious decision (regardless of our emotions), so too is our service! Sincere service is a Christ-like way of thinking. When feelings enter into it, they can often be a hindrance to service! Making sincere service a conscious choice, a a Christ-like lifestyle, means Satan will fail to make you "feel like not serving today."

E) Sincere service gives time, talents, and treasures to one another! Now we've already talked about giving our time, and last week we talked about our spiritual gifts and talents, and read "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:8-10) Perhaps the hardest resource to apply to servant-hood is our treasures – our possessions. Luke 6:30 tells us that Jesus says "Give to everyone who asks of you." And we're asked in 1st John, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" 1 John 3:17 (NIV) Remember, your possessions, your money, your resources – they are all God's; on loan to you to do His work! The fact is, when you finally "get this" - amazing things happen: If you serve Him with your TIME …Your church's activities will increase! If you serve Him with your TALENTS … Your church's potential will increase! And if you serve Him with your TREASURES … Your church's ability will increase! The giving of our time, talents, and treasures is one of the ways you reflect God's love and serve one another!

F) Sincere service does not distinguish the small from the large service. Sure, the world is impressed with power, position, and rank! But the small act of service makes God smile just as much as the large ones. You may never get your name in the paper, receive a Nobel Peace Prize, or speak like Martin Luther King. But the size of the service does not impress God – it is the motive for doing it that pleases Him. True, some members are more visible or get the lime light at times, but the one who mowed the grass, changed these light bulbs, or filled the communion cups served just as wonderfully! Be willing to serve in the small things as well as in the large. Don't wait for a big project to come along, but seek out opportunities for everyday acts of generosity and helpfulness. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "The service that one should perform for another in Christian community is that of active helpfulness. This means, initially, simple assistance in trifling, external matters. There is a multitude of these things wherever people live together. Nobody is too good for the meanest (lowest) service. One who worries about the loss of time that such petty, outward acts of helpfulness entail is usually taking the importance of his own career too seriously." Large or small – Jesus sees each act of service as meaningful expressions of His love!

8G) Sincere service draws its power from the Holy Spirit. Often people tire of servant-hood because they are drawing on human power to get the job done. No wonder they get discouraged and tire easily! Remember what Jesus told us, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 That which would exhaust an average person, does not discourage the one who taps into the endless source of power that comes from God! . When you serve, are you doing it all by yourself? Or do you pray daily for the power that only God can provide through the Holy Spirit coming to reside in you?

H) Sincere service is a life-style. It is not a religious option. It is not a hobby. It is not temporary! It is not a secondary priority. When Christ comes to live in your heart, it is a life-style!

I) Sincere service is not always fun, or easy. Sometimes we recruit people into faith, the church, or into a ministry by telling them how fun and easy it is to serve. You and I must stop "soft-selling" the Savior and the life of servant-hood! 2 Timothy 3:12says: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." You can't serve broken people in a broken world and expect it to be easy and fun all the time! But when your heart is full of Christ's love and the power of the Holy Spirit – you don't care! Everything you need, God gives you! Service is not always fun, or easy! But after looking at the cross, you know it's worth it! Sincere service releases Christ's abundant life into the world!

J) Sincere service never ends. Someday you may be lucky enough to retire from your job or career, but you will never retire from servant-hood! As soon as one act of service is over, God provide another! As long as you can love another human being – you have a purpose! Sincere service never ends!

5) SERVANTS HEART! Friends, Christ comes this morning to remind us that the issue isn't what we do, it's "why." The issue is our heart motivation. Genuine service, (service that imitates Christ), comes from humility. It is motivated by a genuine Agape love for others! He comes now to help you delight in being "a blessing" to others, and to free you from the need to receive praise, recognition, or thanks. Promising to provide for your every need, He longs to transform your heart so that you only goal is the welfare of others. Jesus loves us through serving us, and today calls us to "serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13) We are designed, saved, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to have a servant's heart! Jesus longs to move us from being consumers of heaven's love, to being servants who dispense heaven's love! To every open heart here this morning He comes in so that others will see and embrace His love, having experienced it in the way we serve one another! Praise God! AMEN

Sermon/Confessional Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that we spend far too much time paying attention to our own interests and not enough to the interests of others. And even when we do serve, our attitude often contains grumbling and complaining, instead of serving out of joy and thanksgiving! Sometimes we serve hoping that people will see, appreciate, and applaud the efforts we made. Forgive us, and help us to serve others simply as a response to your glorious grace and unconditional love.

Lord, we have too often we are not flexible or available when you ask us to serve. We attempt to pick and choose WHEN and WHO we will serve rather than allowing you to alter our plans in order to be servants of all. We have selfishly used our time, talents, and treasures for ourselves rather giving them freely to serve others. We have sought out only the larger more glamorous projects, and drawn upon human power to get the job done. Forgive us, when we think of service as an option instead of a lifestyle, or when we expect it to be always easy and fun, or think we can retire from service. Transform our hearts and empower us to love and serve as you loved and served us!

And now Lord, although you know us better than we know ourselves, listen as we share in a moment of silence, those other parts of our lives that need to be forgiven, washed clean, healed, and recommitted to you! (made anew.)

(Silence)

Lord, you designed, saved, and empower us to serve! Come into our hearts that our service may be motivated by a genuine Agape love for others! Move us from being consumers of heaven's love, to being servants who dispense heaven's love! & In Jesus Name We Pray. AMEN

Assurance of Forgiveness:

Friends, listen to the good news: The Lord, who designed, saved, and empowered you for service, …that Lord has mercifully heard your confession and eagerly forgives you all your sins. Go now, and remember:Jesus calls us to "serve one another in love" ! Without Him living in our hearts, we will fail! But should our hearts be open to Him, every day can be an opportunity to let the Lord work in us and through us to express His love to all people through our service to one another! Praise God! AMEN

Opening prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we enter this Holy place needing to be embraced once again in your unconditional love, amazing grace, and healing power! & The world we are learning to serve challenges us in ways that saps our energy and leaves us tired! It is tempting to join the world in looking only after ourselves, but then our hearts would miss out on the opportunities to make you smile by not serving one another. So we offer you our lives this morning, open our hearts, and pray that you would take them, cleanse them, and empower them to reflect your love in everything we say and do! Forgive us our sins this morning, wash us clean! Take our heavy burdens from us, and teach us to lean on you for all things! Receive our broken bodies, minds, and spirits, and pour down your healing upon us that we may with joy and thanksgiving continue to serve you by serving others! As we praise you with our prayers and songs, lift up our hearts and make them more and more Christ-like that we grow in our servant-hood each and every day! In Jesus Name we pray! AMEN!

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