How To Serve God Effectively

I. Sacrificially

1. Hebrews 13:6

2. Missions of people in our society do not know what it means to sacrifice.

3. Self-indulgence has replaced self-denial.

4. God must have first place in our life.

a. His cause and kingdom must come before ease, pleasure and personal gain.

b. Matthew 16:24-26

5. Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you.” Wrote a missionary society to David Livingston. He replied, “If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men strong and courageous enough who will come even if there is no road at all!”

II. Energetically

1. Ecclesiastes 9:10

2. Christians may energetically work at their selfish pursuits but lack enthusiasm when it comes to doing God’s work

3. We are willing to do everything with excitement except serving God.

4. We must give priority to God’s work, serving Him with our might, giving Him our best.

a. What we do for God counts most, in this life and in the world to come.

b. John 6:27

III. Routinely

1. 1 Corinthians 15:58

2. Some Christians are undependable about their service for God They hit and miss, working only when they feel like it.

3. Work this way at your job and you might not have a job long.

4. To be effective, we must serve God routinely, continuing to do His work even when the odds are against us.

5. God will reward our faithfulness.

IV. Voluntarily

1. 1 Timothy 6:18

2. Men volunteer to serve their country militarily.

a. The followers of Jesus Christ should offer Him their services and become soldiers in His army.

b. 2 Timothy 2:3

3. Men are willing to be in God’s army, but we put limits on how much we will do for God.

4. To serve God effectively we should not wait to be forced into service, but give willingly of our time, talent, and treasure.

5. Colossians 3:23-24

V. Enjoyably

1. Psalm 100:2

2. Some Christians do not serve God joyfully.

3. They reflect a negative image which presents an ineffective witness.

4. Serving God should be enjoyable.

5. We should count it a privilege to serve the Lord and do it gladly.

6. Psalm 146:5

7. Others are searching for happiness and will go where it can be found.

8. We need to do our part to show them serving God is joyous.

VI. In Closing

1. What about you?

2. Are you serving God effectively?

3. Serving…..

a. Sacrificially

b. Energetically

c. Routinely

d. Voluntarily

e. Enjoyably