Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As the sun rises and graces us with its warmth and light, we too rise to gather in this sacred space, united by our shared love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We come together, not just as individuals, but as a community, a family, bound by our faith and our commitment to serve our God.

Today, we are embarking on a spiritual journey, a journey that will take us to the heart of what it means to serve God. Our journey is guided by the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians, specifically chapter 3, verse 17. Let's read it together:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

These words, my friends, are not just instructions; they are an invitation. An invitation to live our lives in a way that honors God, that reflects His love, and that serves His purpose.

Before we continue, let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather in Your name, to learn from Your Word, and to grow in our faith. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to the message You have for us today. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand and embrace the true meaning of serving You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, imagine with me, if you will, a tree. A tree that stands tall and strong, its roots deeply embedded in the soil, its branches reaching out towards the sky. This tree, it doesn't just exist; it serves. It provides shade for those who seek shelter from the sun. It offers a home for the birds of the air. It bears fruit that nourishes. It beautifies the landscape. It contributes to the balance of nature.

In many ways, we are like this tree. We are planted in the soil of faith, nourished by the Word of God, and called to reach out, to serve, to make a difference. This is the essence of our sermon today, "Renew My Desire." It's about seeing the importance in serving God, not out of obligation, but out of love, out of gratitude, out of a genuine desire to be instruments of His grace.

So, let us journey together, my friends. Let us learn from the tree. Let us learn from the Word. Let us learn how to serve God in all that we do, in word and in deed, giving thanks to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us renew our desire to serve, to love, to live for God.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Friends, serving God is not a part-time job, it's a full-time commitment. It's not something we do just on Sundays or during Bible study; it's something we do every day, in every aspect of our lives. This is what Paul is telling us in Colossians 3:17.

Firstly, let's consider the phrase "whatever you do". This is a broad statement, isn't it? It doesn't say "whatever you do in church" or "whatever you do when you're praying". No, it says "whatever you do". That means every single thing we do, from the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep at night, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

This includes our work, our relationships, our hobbies, our thoughts, our words, everything. It's not just about doing good deeds or saying the right things; it's about living a life that is completely and utterly dedicated to God.

Now, let's look at the word "do" in the original Greek language of the New Testament. The word is "poieo", which means to make or to produce. It's not a passive word; it's an active word. It implies action, effort, and intentionality. So, when Paul says "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus", he's not just talking about going through the motions. He's talking about actively and intentionally living a life that honors and glorifies God.

As the renowned Christian theologian, C.S. Lewis, once said, "The work of a Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly 'as to the Lord'."

Secondly, we need to understand that serving God is not just about what we do, but also about our attitude. Paul tells us to do everything "giving thanks to God the Father through him". This means that we should not only serve God, but we should do it with a heart full of gratitude.

Gratitude changes everything. It changes our perspective, our attitude, our actions. When we are grateful for what God has done for us, it motivates us to serve Him even more. It's not about obligation or duty; it's about love and gratitude.

Lastly, serving God is not about us; it's about Him. It's not about what we can get out of it; it's about what we can give. It's not about our glory; it's about His glory.

When we serve God, we are not trying to earn His love or favor. We already have that through Jesus Christ. No, when we serve God, we are expressing our love for Him. We are saying, "God, I love You so much that I want to dedicate my life to You. I want to honor You in everything I do. I want to give You all the glory."

So, friends, let's make a commitment today. Let's commit to serving God in everything we do, with a heart full of gratitude, for His glory. Let's be a light in this world, shining brightly for Jesus. Let's show the world what it truly means to serve God.

Serving God in Everything We Do

Scripture: Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

When we talk about serving God, it's not just about what we do on Sundays. It's not just about the songs we sing or the prayers we pray. It's about how we live our lives every single day. It's about the choices we make, the actions we take, and the words we speak. It's about doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Firstly, let's look at our words. Our words can build up or they can tear down. They can bring life or they can bring death. But when we serve God with our words, we choose to speak life. We choose to encourage, to uplift, to bring hope. We choose to speak truth in love, even when it's hard. We choose to use our words to glorify God and to point others towards him.

Secondly, let's look at our actions. Our actions speak louder than our words. They show what's really in our hearts. When we serve God with our actions, we choose to do what's right, even when it's hard. We choose to love, even when it's not easy. We choose to serve, even when it's inconvenient. We choose to live in a way that reflects the love and grace of God.

Thirdly, let's look at our attitudes. Our attitudes can either draw people towards God or push them away. When we serve God with our attitudes, we choose to have a positive outlook. We choose to be grateful, even in difficult circumstances. We choose to be joyful, even in the midst of trials. We choose to have a spirit of humility, recognizing that everything we have and everything we are comes from God.

Now, let's turn our attention to another New Testament scripture that echoes the theme of Colossians 3:17. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul writes, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Here, Paul is reminding us that every aspect of our lives, even the most mundane, can be an act of worship when done for the glory of God.

This brings us to our fourth point. Serving God is not just about big, grand gestures. It's about the small, everyday things. It's about how we treat others. It's about how we spend our time. It's about how we use our resources. It's about living a life of integrity and authenticity, a life that reflects the love of God in everything we do.

Finally, serving God is not just about what we do, but also about why we do it. It's about the condition of our hearts. Are we serving God out of a sense of duty or obligation? Or are we serving God out of a heart of love and gratitude? When we serve God with a heart of love, our service becomes a joy and a privilege, not a burden.

In conclusion, serving God is not just something we do, it's who we are. It's about living a life that reflects the love and grace of God in everything we do, in every word we speak, and in every attitude we have. It's about doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks to God the Father through him. It's about living a life of worship, a life that brings glory to God.

Serving God with a Heart of Gratitude

When we talk about serving God, it's not just about what we do in our churches or how we spend our Sundays. It's about living our lives in a way that honors Him, in every moment and every action. This is the true meaning of serving God, as expressed in Colossians 3:17, and it's a concept that's both simple and incredibly profound.

The first aspect of this is understanding that serving God isn't just about big, grand gestures. It's about the small, everyday actions that we often overlook. It's about how we treat others, how we spend our time, and how we use the resources that God has given us. It's about making the choice to live our lives in a way that reflects God's love and goodness, even when it's difficult or inconvenient.

This is a concept that's been supported by numerous studies. For example, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who regularly engage in small acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor with their groceries or giving up their seat on the bus, report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with their lives. This suggests that serving God in small ways can have a big impact on our overall well-being.

The second aspect of serving God is recognizing that it's not just about what we do, but also about our attitude. It's about serving with a heart of gratitude, acknowledging that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. This is a concept that's beautifully expressed by A.W. Tozer, who once said, "Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and not be poorer but richer for having made it."

This idea of gratitude is also supported by research. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who regularly practice gratitude, such as by keeping a gratitude journal or expressing thanks to others, report lower levels of stress and depression and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with their lives. This suggests that serving God with a heart of gratitude can have a positive impact on our mental health.

The third aspect of serving God is understanding that it's not just about our actions and our attitude, but also about our motivation. It's about serving out of love for God, not out of obligation or fear of punishment. It's about choosing to serve because we want to, not because we feel like we have to.

This is a concept that's been supported by numerous studies. For example, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who serve others out of love and compassion, rather than out of obligation or a desire for recognition, report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with their lives. This suggests that serving God out of love can have a big impact on our overall well-being.

In conclusion, serving God is about much more than just what we do in our churches or how we spend our Sundays. It's about living our lives in a way that honors Him, in every moment and every action. It's about serving with a heart of gratitude, acknowledging that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. And it's about serving out of love for God, not out of obligation or fear of punishment. This is the true meaning of serving God, and it's a concept that's both simple and incredibly profound.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, as we draw to the close of our time together, let us take a moment to reflect on the message that has been shared today. We have been discussing the true meaning of serving God, as outlined in Colossians 3:17. This scripture reminds us that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we should do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, the demands and distractions. But let's remember, our ultimate purpose is to serve God wholeheartedly. This is not just about what we do on Sundays, but how we live our lives every single day.

Serving God is not just about actions, it's about our words too. It's about the conversations we have, the advice we give, the encouragement we offer. It's about speaking truth, spreading love, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

And let's not forget, serving God is also about our attitudes. It's about having a heart of gratitude, a spirit of humility, and a desire to please God above all else. It's about seeing every situation, every challenge, every opportunity, through the lens of faith.

As we move into the coming week, let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to serve God in all that we do. Let's strive to make a difference in the world, not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides us, Your love that sustains us, and Your Spirit that empowers us. As we leave this place, help us to serve You with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. Help us to be more like Jesus in our words, in our actions, and in our attitudes. Help us to shine Your light in the world, so that others may see You in us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

And now, as we go forth, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. May we serve God faithfully, live out His Word daily, and shine His light brightly. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

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