Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to be in your company, to share a few moments together as we open God's Word. It's in these moments that we find strength, hope, and guidance. It's in these moments that we are reminded that we are not alone, that we are part of a great and loving community, a community that is held together by our shared faith in Jesus Christ.

As we turn our hearts towards God's Word, let's remember the words of the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." So let us live in the Bible today, dear friends, as we turn to the first epistle of Peter, chapter 4, verses 10 and 11.

This passage, my dear friends, is a call to action. It's a call to use our gifts, not for our own glory, but for the glory of God. It's a call to serve others with the same love and grace that God has shown us. It's a call to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us.

Salvation and Service

When we think about the gifts we've received from God, we often think about our talents or abilities. But the greatest gift we've received from God is the gift of salvation. This gift, freely given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, is not something we've earned or deserved. It's a gift of grace, a gift of love. And it's this gift that forms the foundation of our service to others.

The connection between our salvation and our service is a profound one. When we truly understand the depth of God's love for us, when we truly grasp the magnitude of what He has done for us, our natural response is to want to share that love with others. We want to serve others, not out of obligation or duty, but out of a heart filled with gratitude and love.

Now, let's consider the nature of the gifts we've been given. The Bible tells us that each of us has received a gift. These gifts are not all the same. Some of us may have the gift of teaching, others may have the gift of encouragement, others may have the gift of hospitality. But regardless of what our specific gifts may be, the purpose of these gifts is the same: to serve others.

This is a crucial point to understand. Our gifts are not for our own benefit. They are not for our own glory. They are not for our own advancement. They are for the benefit of others. They are for the glory of God. They are for the advancement of His kingdom.

But how do we use our gifts to serve others? The Bible gives us some guidance on this. It tells us that if we speak, we should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. This means that our words should be filled with truth, with love, with grace. Our words should build up, not tear down. Our words should encourage, not discourage. Our words should point others to God, not away from Him.

Similarly, if we serve, we should do so with the strength God provides. This means that our service should not be done in our own strength, but in the strength that God provides. This means that our service should not be done in our own power, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means that our service should not be done for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

Finally, let's consider the outcome of our service. The Bible tells us that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate goal of our service. Not that we would be praised. Not that we would be recognized. Not that we would be applauded. But that God would be praised. That God would be glorified. That God would be exalted.

Serving for Spiritual Joy

As we continue to engage with the text, we find ourselves drawn to the notion of serving for spiritual joy ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO