Use Somebody Series

Use Somebody

Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I. God has a call for every person. It’s indispensable for the Christian life

The Call to Salvation

I Timothy 6:12 NIV - Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I Peter 2:9 NIV - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

The Call to Self Denial, & sometimes Suffering

I Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

This is not popular amongst people today. We live in a self preservation society.

SELFISHNESS - devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others

Am I willing to put others first? (Mark 9:35) “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

There’s 2 types of Christians:#1 Christians who are selfish & consume & always want to know what’s in it for them, #2 Christians who are selfless &contribute & always want to know what they can do for somebody else. We need more #2′s

Tertullian: “He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.”

Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Romans 8:16-18 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

3. The Call to Serve

Isaiah 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

The Big Idea: In the world, greatness is determined by how many people SERVE YOU; but, in God’s kingdom, greatness is determined by how many people YOU SERVE.

We accompany God on His mission. We are not called alone.

John D Rockefeller said, “I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind, and that only in purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.”

Salvation call us to “Come unto Him”, But service calls us to “Go”

Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

II. When We Serve we live beyond ourselves

•“In my view, people are never closer to living out the teachings of Christ than when they are adding value to someone else’s life. And people who are far from God are rarely more impacted than when they see 21st-Century Christ-followers behaving as Christ behaved.” ~Bill Hybels

•Our nation is fueled by service. The basis of capitalism. Providing of a service

1. Serving others is your ultimate calling.

(John 13:14) “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.”

(Mark 8:35 NLT) “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.”

•God will not look you over for your medals, or your degrees, or for your diplomas, God will look you over for your scars of service.

2. Serving others brings absolute fulfillment.

(Hebrews 6:10 NLT) “He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other Christians.”

(John 13:1) “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

•The Value of serving on a Sunday / It’s a BIG DEAL / changing a life