INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• Over the past four weeks we have been examining the subject of building a new you.
• In order to be able to achieve this goal we have learned that we need eyes that are open to see what God needs us to see. Next we examined the fact that we need a transformed heart as well as exercising a new way of thinking. Last week we talked about being willing to step out in faith.
• Now with all that great knowledge, what is next? What would be the icing on the cake as far as what we could add to what we have examined over the past four weeks?
• We can take those eyes that are open, the heart that is transformed, the new way of thinking we are striving to reach, as well as a new resolve to being willing to step out in faith to the next level!
• Going and doing!
• Our transformation will reach the next level as we actually take our new selves into the world and go and make a difference.
• We are to now become that city on a hill that cannot be hidden which brings light into the world! Matthew 5:14!
• King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes as he pursued the meaning of life.
• We have preached from this book before and we learned in the past that Solomon did it all and tried it all, and he found all of his pursuits to be empty.
• In chapter 9 of his book he contrasts the living with the dead. In verses 7-8 he speaks of the joys of life, then in verse 9, the joy being with one’s spouse, then he hits where we will be in verse 10.
• Let’s turn to Ecclesiastes 9:10 to see what going and doing is all about.
• SLIDE #2
• Ecclesiastes 9:10 (HCSB) — 10 Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Seek areas of service that fit who you are.
• What are we to do with our new self?
• As we open verse 10, Solomon encourages his readers; “Whatever your hands find to do.”
• This is an admonition to do something with one’s life. The creation of a new you is of no benefit if one simply sits on the bench.
• No matter what stage of life one finds oneself in, there is something for them to do for the Lord.
• One of the joys in life is being able to find a job that fits who you are. The same is true when serving the Lord.
• Finding areas of service in which one is passionate about can bring so much joy to one’s life!
• When Solomon chose to use the phrase, “YOUR HANDS” in verse 10, the word HANDS speaks of ability.
• God has given us all the ability to perform some kind of work, as well as the ability to serve in some type of ministry to Him.
• It is crucial that each part of the family of God be willing to seek what their calling is.
• SLIDE #4
• 1 Corinthians 12:12–14 (HCSB) For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many.
• Then Paul goes on to tell the people that we are one body with many parts and when any part of the body does not function, it negatively impacts the body as a whole.
• The word FIND refers to opportunity. We are to seek opportunities to work and to serve the Lord.
• At FCC we strive to offer a plethora of opportunities for you to serve the Lord. If you desire to grow in your faith, one way to do that is to serve the Lord in some capacity.
• Paul gives us more counsel as to who we are to serve.
• SLIDE #5
• Galatians 6:10 (HCSB) Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
• One of the things I love concerning ministry is the opportunity to serve the Church. When I serve the church, I am serving the bride of Christ!
• I find when we are connected and busy serving the Lord; we lack the time and desire to live in the negative realm.
• We find joy in serving the Lord.
• One of the best decisions I EVER made was accepting the challenge to teach the Jr. High Crusaders class in my home church in my early 20’s.
• There was a need, and I am glad I filled it. Serving those Jr. High students help me grow spiritually as anything else I did.
• Robyn and I also served in the Elementary Super Church program. At times it could be stressful; however, when we saw the kids learning about Jesus, we were blessed.
• We offer a Children’s church for our elementary age students. We always are in need of people to help in various capacities in that ministry.
• Our Associate Minister, Jerry along with his mother Elaine mans that ministry week in and week out. Maybe the Lord is calling you to help that ministry
• WE do what we can to make sure we offer up opportunities that fit your passions and abilities. One of the reasons for that is found in our next point.
• SLIDE #6
II. Give God your best effort and passion.
• 10 Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength,
• When we serve or work, we need to give our BEST efforts, we need to go at the task with all we have.
• We are not to hold anything back; we are not to give the Lord a sort of half-hearted effort!
• Jesus gave a full effort with all of His strength, He gave it all on the cross, He left nothing on the field.
• When one does not give full effort, one will lack passion for what they do.
• When I played sports and when I taught my girls to play, I told them they should never walk off the field thinking they could have given more. You give it you all, 100% of the time!
• Too many times, God gets out half-hearted left over effort. Do what you do for Him with all you have.
• Paul adds to our thought with Colossians 3:23
• SLIDE #7
• Colossians 3:23 (HCSB) Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,
• SLIDE #8
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (HCSB) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.
• What ever we are doing we are to do it as if we are doing it for the Lord!
• If you were doing something for God, would you want to do it with no passion or heart? I would hope not.
• Paul went through so many difficult things for the PRIVILEGE to proclaim the Gospel!
• SLIDE #9
• Philippians 3:7–8 (HCSB) But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ
• When we work for the Lord, it is a PRIVILEGE we all cherish!
• SLIDE #10
• Romans 1:16 (HCSB) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
• We need not be ashamed of serving the Lord in ANY capacity! WE possess the power of God!
• Let’s conclude with this thought.
• SLIDE #11
III. Seize each day like it will be your last.
• Let’s look back at verse 10
• Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
• Now this sounds depressing. A more contemporary way to translate the end of verse 10 is Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in GRAVE where you are going.
• We need to seize the day because one day we will be in the grave, and we do not know when that time will come.
• Solomon is coming from a more fatalistic, melancholy perspective when he writes the end of verse 10, whereas the Christian has a more positive motive for our exertion of energy for the Lord!
• One day, we will have the opportunity to stand before Him, and I pray we wall desire to hear Him tells us, WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!
• The clock is ticking, what will we do with our time?
• The clock is ticking, people are dying, what will we do?
• SLIDE #12
• John 9:4 (HCSB) We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
• Jesus was keenly aware of the brevity of time we all face.
• Time is something we cannot buy; it is something we have that ticks away.
• We need to take advantage of the time we possess.
• WE do not have time to be discourage, we do not time to quit,
• SLIDE #13
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 (HCSB) Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• We can spend our time serving the Lord; the time will not be wasted.
CONCLUSION
• God help form you into a new you so that you could be empowered to Go and Do.
• We were not born again to sit on the bench. We were not born again to waste away.
• We were born again so that we could serve the Lord to the fullest.
• SLIDE #14
• Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB) For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
• God has a calling for you to answer, are you ready?
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