The Power Of Serving

The Power of Serving

Matthew 20:20-28

August 7, 2011

Morning Message

During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repariing a small defensive barrier. their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!" The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again." It was none other than George Washington.

Today in the Word, March 6, 1991.

We are in a new series of messages called Exponential: experiencing the dynamic power of God. God has the ability to multiply His presence and power in the life of the church and in the lives of individual believers. God has the desire to show Himself to us and through us. God does His best work when He His power completely shines through us. God is able to bring glory to Himself when His exponential ability proves His faithfulness and love.

103 is 1,000. We need to seek God to pour out His exponential power and presence on the church. The same is true with the outpouring of God’s power, what may seem small on our part becomes gigantic with the power of God. God allows His power to move on our behalf when we seek His face.

Big Prayer List

Exponential Outpouring of the Spirit – 1,000 time greater than we have ever experienced

More conversions than ever before – More than all of the conversions of the church combined

Payment of the new debt

One of the ways that we can experience more of God’s exponential power is through genuine service to Him. When we step out to do things for God, God shows His power and presence if we let Him. He moves within us to help us accomplish greater things than we ever could on our own. There are two reasons that some Christians never experience this exponential power. The first is because they never attempt anything great for God. The second is that Christians try to do great things but for their own glory and recognition.

If God is your partner, make your plans big – D.L. Moody

What big thing does God want you to accomplish through you? Think about it. Let that questions sink in for a moment. God really does want to accomplish great things through you. Before you start to object, look at some of the people God used in the Bible.

Nehemiah: Cupbearer to the king

Joseph: Slave that was imprisoned

Jeremiah: teenage prophet

If you have your Bibles with you this morning, I want to examine a passage on the issue of service. Please open to Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." 22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." 24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:20-28

What does it mean to be a servant?

Two major Greek words Jesus uses 26 and 27

Diakoneo - to serve or to minister

where we get our English term deacon.

There is a direct connection between the word serve and the word minister. The entire church is called to minister to the needs of others. Ministry is the job of the entire church and not just the job of the minister. There can be no mistake that Christians are called to serve Christ. Servants help meet the needs of others, slaves meet the wants of others.