Saved for What?
John 12:25-26 MSG
"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.
"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
Saved for What?
I. Saved to Worship…
This is where personal relationship is developed & brings us into focus to be able to live in a way that is pleasing to the purposes of God.
John 4:23-24 CEV But a time is coming, and it is already here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth. These are the ones the Father is seeking to worship him. God is Spirit and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.
What time coming was HE talking about? It was when HE would bridge the gap between us & the Father.
The relationship is no longer a distant one thru a priest or something. God desires our full attention in relationship with HIM!
Isaiah 6:1-8 NLT READ!
As we can see, it was in an atmosphere of worship before the presence of God that brought clarity to Isaiah. He recognized a need to repent & focus himself back on his relationship with God to be first & foremost in his life.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Some of us have never been able to quite get a handle on what God’s Will is for our lives because we have not learned this lifestyle of worship.
But this is truly what we were saved for!
II. Saved to Give… Biblical stewardship
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 MSG Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
We must understand that giving is bigger than just putting something in the offering or giving my tithe.
The areas of responsibility that we accept as faithful stewards, acknowledging God’s ownership, have several areas of responsibility that should be gratefully and faithfully embraced.
It is necessary to distinguish between giving and paying, to maintain clarity. In the Old Testament, the tithe belonged to God, so one pays their tithes. (You have not given until you have gone beyond this.)
As New Testament believers, all our activity, including our giving, must be motivated by faith which works by love. A believer’s heart, transformed by the Word of God, desires to give with generosity, not through compulsion.
Matthew 10:8b NKJV Freely you have received, freely give.
No one can enjoy or enter into Biblical stewardship without first making a commitment.
The challenge that is placed before all believers is to change from simple investment to total commitment.
God does not need those who will invest a little time, a little talent, or a little bit of money into His kingdom.
God wants those who will commit themselves fully in His service. The setting of priorities is a matter of life and death.
Listen to the words of Jesus: Matthew 6: 2 “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”; Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.
III. Saved to Serve…
John 12:25-26 NLT Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. (What is HE really saying? HE is referring to those who make everything else second to the purpose HE has placed on their life!)
Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Do you think Jesus really understood how huge a job the church was taking on?
I believe HE knew it was giant! HE knew it was going to take people who come to know HIM completely, all the way to the heart!
HE knew that the people who would really be able to make a major lasting impact would be SELFLESS!
They understand that what they give up now, so they can serve now, the life to come through the provision of God will be so much more rewarding.
1 Peter 4:9-11 NCV Open your homes to each other, without complaining. Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God's various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
God wants those who will commit themselves fully in His service. The setting of priorities is a matter of life and death.
Listen to the words of Jesus: Matthew 6: 2 “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”; Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.
When a person has a hard time finding time to serve in the local church, it is probably a good sign that they need to re-evaluate what is really important in their heart.
It is no secret; the local church needs all hands on deck! The ship of Zion is moving & is fully engaged in battle. It needs workers that will work in a spirit of excellence to take their place in HIS service.
Matthew 9:37-38 MSG "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
We have almost made full circle back to Isaiah 6… Lord, touch me with a fresh coal from your altar that I may get my focus.
I want to hear as you are saying let’s gather in that which is wondering & lost.
I know I have been Saved to Worship, to Give, & to Serve.
Today we have another opportunity to get real! We can truly come Back to the Basics of what we have been Saved for!
• Do you need to get real & make a decision to fall head over hills in love with Jesus? True salvation brings true desire to worship in intimacy with Him.
• Are you & the Holy Spirit examining the heart of your giving today? Giving of your time to the local church…
Giving of your love to your family & church…
Giving of your true tithe cheerfully because of relationship with HIM…
Giving of your offerings sacrificially to the purposes that move the vision of your local church forward…
• What has HE been dealing with you about in serving thru your local church?
What does HE want you to do to make sure this local church maximizes its impact in this community & other parts of the world?
