Scriptures and Key Points:
- We are born to serve.
- If you go fishing with a fishing pole, you can catch one fish. If we work together as a mended net, we can do a lot more.
- They served out of their own need and God overflowed them with blessing.
- The greatest miracles are seen by the ones serving.
John 2:1-11 NKJV Water turned into Wine
John 10:10 NKJV …I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
- He was born to die so that we may live and have a purpose greater than ourselves.
- You’re born to live.
- While you can’t change your past, the decisions you make today determine your future.
Luke 9:23 NKJV Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
- “Don’t call me ‘Lord’ anymore unless you’re willing to live for Me.”
- When we get a revelation of the work of the Cross and power of the Resurrection, we have purpose greater than ourselves.
Acts 9 NKJV Paul’s Conversion
- I have a purpose greater than I thought.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation
Serve in humility and fear of the Lord
- We are born limitless.
“The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated and surrendered to Him.” – Henry Varley
“There are no limitations to those who have been in the presence of the Lord.” – D.L. Moody
- Be a true witness.
Proverbs 14:25 ESV A truthful witness saves lives…
- Called to rescue
“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” – David Livingstone
- Serving God is a privilege.
Genesis 24 NKJV A Bride for Isaac
- Rebecca’s actions went beyond being generous and kind.
- In our moments of serving, God sees and is doing something beyond what we can imagine.
- Serving breeds trust.
- Trust opens opportunities.
“Trust is extended to the limit of truth and no further.” – Paul Cole
- We gain moral capital and moral equity through serving.
- “I want to be a man for Jesus, because He became a man for me.”
“While men reach for thrones to build their own kingdoms, Jesus reached for a towel to wash mens feet. While we pursue exalted and high places, JESUS, the EXALTED ONE, left HIS HIGHEST PLACE to pursue us.” – Doug Stringer
- No man or leader seeks to fail.
- Keep your focus on Him and not the things of this world.
- Don’t let the machine rule you.
- God called you to steward the machine.
Keys to Serve with Success:
- Walk in humility and the fear of the Lord
- A strong personal prayer life (Private posture has public influence.)
“Prayer produces intimacy to whom you pray, with whom you pray in agreement, and then for whom you pray.” – Dr. Edwin Louis Cole
“Talk to God about your neighbors, before you talk to your neighbors about God.” – Ed Silvoso, Prayer Evangelism
- Have Kingdom vision
- Be tenacious, resilient, and persevering
James 1:12 ESV Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Ephesians 6:14 AMP So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart)
Isaiah 26:7 AMP The way of the righteous [those in right-standing with God—living in moral and spiritual integrity] is smooth and level; O Upright One, make a level path for the just and righteous.
Proverbs 14:34 AMP Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
- Rectitude: morally correct behavior or thinking, righteousness – morally correct, rightness of principle or conduct; moral integrity. Rectitude – to be guided with a moral compass, moral uprightness; moral conduct of righteousness, and conformity to the love of truth. It’s a respect for divine, natural, and human laws. It’s an uprightness in being honorable in integrity; honesty; justice.
- Bushido code – “The Way of the Warrior”
Serving involves loving the truth more than we love ourselves.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 NKJV …Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.
- Serving and benevolence attract God’s presence.
- Be a person of honesty.
- Private choices have public consequences.
Books:
- Mending the Net by Doug Stringer
- Prayer Evangelism by Ed Silvoso
Links:
- A Word for 2017: Stay Low, Draw Near, Incline Your Ear (article with the World Series reference)
- Toward the Land of the Risen Son article
Connect with Us:
Website: SomebodyCares.org,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomebodyCaresAmerica/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/somebodycaresamerica
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/SomebodyCares
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_SomebodyCares
Let the hurting know that SOMEBODY CARES with a donation to support disaster response and ministry efforts here! To get the latest updates on disaster responses, visit SomebodyCares.org.
Share this message with a friend and subscribe for weekly encouragement and inspiration!
You can also receive weekly Provoke-a-Thought emails, monthly teaching emails, periodic ministry updates, or join our prayer team by signing up here!
Download a free 30-day devo at AWordInSeasonPodcast.org
