Life Beyond Me: Serve Series

Last week we started our new message series called, “Life Beyond Me” … and we talked about the art of loving … love is a value word … it in some ways has lost its meaning … and we were encouraged to build the 3 greatest loves of our lives … we should love God … Family and Friends … and The Unconvinced!

We also talked last week about SELFISHNESS!

Selfishness (def.) = n: stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others.

REAL LIFE is all about what we do for Christ and His Kingdom!

I want my life to count for something! I want your life to count for something!

Someone once said, “Life is short, twill soon be past; only those things done for Christ will last.”

Galatians 5:13: “For you have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love” (NLT).

Every person in this room needs to find a place of service!

Jesus had the right idea … actually, He always has the right ideas!

His life was devoted to serving!

I read this quote earlier today: “Most people wish to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity only.”

The story is told of a man from the east coast who had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch and had finally saved enough money to buy his dream spread in Wyoming. His best friend flew out to visit and asked, “So, what’s the name of your ranch?” His buddy told him that he and his wife had had a really hard time coming up with a name that they liked. Since he and his wife couldn’t agree on what to call the ranch they settled on this name, “The Double R Lazy L Triple Horseshoe Bar-7 Lucky Diamond Ranch.” His friend was really impressed and then asked, “So where are all the cows?” The new rancher replied, “We had quite a few…but none of them survived the branding!”

Man, we make serving the Lord so complicated!

It’s actually pretty easy!

Find what needs to get done and DO IT!!!

1 Peter 4:7-11: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (NIV)

1 Peter 4:7-11: “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless--cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything--encores to the end of time. Oh, yes” (MSG).

Let me give you some quick principles of serving:

1. Serve – wherever and whenever needed!

1 Peter teaches that we should SERVE OTHERS … it does not mean that we serve when we feel like it … but that we use our LIFE as service.

Who should we serve?

•Christ

•Family

•Church

•Community

If there is a need at MSO or at home or at church and you can serve, then SERVE!

2. Serve in the shadows!

A lot of people like to serve for the applause of people!

LIFE PRINCIPLE: Live to please an audience of one!

The Bible teaches us to SERVE ONE ANOTHER in love!

This simple means that we don’t care who gets the credit for what we do!

Have you ever met the person who wants the “pat on the back” every time they do something?

Real servants don’t care who gets the credit, as long as, Christ is being glorified!

CONCLUSION

Let me ask you a couple questions: “What area are you serving Christ in? What are you doing to serve the other students at MSO? What ministry are you presently involved in?”

Find a place to SERVE and SERVE WELL!

Where can you serve at MSO?