Meeting The Challenge: Part Two Series

TEXT: SELECTED

TITLE: “MEETING THE CHALLENGE: PART TWO”

OPEN: A. Laurence J. Peter: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere

else.”

1. Goals are important

--they help us establish:

a. Where we’re going

b. Why we’re going there

c. How we’re getting there

2. Last week, we said that the goal of a Christian is to become more like Christ!

a. Rom. 8:28-29 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love

him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also

predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among

many brothers.”

--God’s plan has always been to make you like Jesus Christ.

1). His intention from the very beginning has been to make human beings like Himself.

2). God is not promising that you, too, will become a god

b. Eph. 4:15 – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is

the Head, that is, Christ.”

--“God wants us to grow up…like Christ in everything”.

C. Growing to be like Christ is certainly not an easy thing

--It is definitely a challenge

1. Starting today, we begin our 10 Week Spiritual Challenge

--ends on March 15th 2008 (the day before we begin revival services)

2. Our goal in this 10 Week Spiritual Challenge is to provide opportunities for everyone of us to

grow to become more like Christ

--nothing more can be accomplished but nothing less is expected

3. (Briefly cover the 10 Week Spiritual Challenge sheet and covenant)

4. Last Sunday morning, we looked at the first four areas where we challenge ourselves to be more

like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

--this morning, I want us to look at the last four areas

V. SERVICE

A. Do you know the answers to these questions?

1. Q. What do you call a chicken crossing the road?

A. Poultry in motion.

2. Q. What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work?

A. A stick.

3. Q. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?

A. Nacho cheese.

4. Q. What do you call a man who falls into an upholstery machine?

A. Fully recovered.

5. Q. What do you call a Christian who isn’t serving?

A. A contradiction.

B. Jesus clearly sets the example in this area

1. Phil. 2:5-8 – “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!”

2. John Chapt. 13 – The night before Jesus goes to the cross. Jesus and the disciples are preparing to

share the Passover meal together. Instead of being focused on this important and holy night, the

disciples are arguing over who is going to be top dog. Jesus simply wraps a towel around His waist

and becomes a humble servant by washing their feet

-- Jn. 13:12-17 – “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his

place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me ’Teacher’ and

’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your

feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I

have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger

greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do

them.”

C. Jesus said that the greatest commandments were to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and

strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

1. How do we show love to God and to others

--by serving them

2. Gal. 5:13-15 – “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the

sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command:

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you

will be destroyed by each other.”

D. The Levels:

1. Determine your spiritual gifts and commit to joining a ministry team

2. Commit to leading or assisting a team leader in the ministry area

3. Start a new service ministry either serving the church or the community