Review:
Week one: Why am I on earth? Existence.
Week two: What has God planned for me? Significance.
Week three: How must I get along with others? Sharing.
Week four: What is God doing in my life? Character.
Week five: What does God want me to do? Serve.
MEMORY VERSE
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others . . .” (I Peter 4:10, NIV).
MINISTRY – YOU WERE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD
“In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too a Levite when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the
man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’” (Luke 10:30-37, NIV).
A. THREE ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEOPLE IN NEED
1. Keeping my distance.
- The priest passed by on one side.
- The Levite passed by on the opposite side.
2. Curious but uninvolved.
- We must see the needs or problems: acknowledge.
- We must act on what we know.
3. Treat others how I want to be treated.
B. FOUR STEPS TO SERVING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE THE WAY
JESUS WOULD.
1. Start seeing the needs of people around me.
- Kindness always begins in the eyes. You cannot care until you are aware.
- On a trip, the slower you go, the more you see.
- “Don’t think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them” (I Cor. 10:24, NLT).
- Ask God for spiritual radar.
WHY DOES GOD GIVE US PROBLEMS?
- To prepare us to help people with problems.
- To make us grow.
- To make us like Jesus.
- For our all around good.
2. Sympathize with people’s pain.
- Empathize to feel with another.
- Sympathize to feel for the other.
- “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (III Cor. 1:4, NLT).
- God allows trouble in your life so you can help others in trouble.
3. Seize the moment and meet the need.
- Don’t put it off or procrastinate.
- Love is more than something you feel it is something you do.
- “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time’ or, ‘Try me tomorrow,’ when the money’s right there in your pocket” (Prov. 3:27-28, Msg).
- To help others you must be willing to be interrupted.
- The priest “happened” to be passing. What seems like “chance” may be a God-planned encounter.
4. Spend whatever it takes.
- There always is a cost to kindness and service.
COUNTING THE COST
Money leverage
Time priority
Energy strength
Schedule duties
Resource things
- An open window. “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10, NIV).
FRIEND DAY
Name Need
1. ___________________________
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
5. ___________________________
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
