SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES - Serve

Spiritual Disciplines – To Serve

January 15, 2012

Sermon Series

Today is the Second Sunday of our series on Spiritual Disciplines;

v Last week we talked about Tithing

Malachi 3:10-12 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 

v Scripture tells us:

Ø There will be enough in the storehouse.

Ø The church to meet its needs if we are faithful

Ø The windows of heaven will open and pour out so much blessing that we will not have room for it

Today we are looking at the Discipline of Service

·        Interesting thing about these Disciplines

          – they’re not really about us.

The Risen Christ beckons us to the life of the towel.

-      The life of servant hood.

-      Matthew 22:36-40 (Greatest Commandment)

AUTHORITY & PECKING ORDER

Luke 9:46 (NIV) An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 

v In any discussion of who is the greatest

– Always an underlying question: Who is the least?

In John 13 we read the story of Jesus washing feet.

As it pertains to the greatest:

§  There would have been one disciple (or servant) who was “expected to wash their feet.

§  In the discussion of who is the greatest

§  they are playing out whose role is what.

v Jesus blows their mind in John 13.

Ø Being the GREATEST

o   He takes on the role of the LEAST!

Luke 9:23 (NLT) Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

v Picking up our Cross:

Ø It’s a daily thing.

Ø It’s a process of self-giving

Ø It is not about being the best. (They don’t follow!)

§  It’s about following the ONE.

WHO IS IT FOR?

v Mission trips: Often beneficial to the mission field.

Ø But transformational to the one who goes.

o   It’s a discipline to go.

o   It’s a discipline to follow.

o   It’s a discipline to pick up our cross – (DAILY)

v We learn, We grow and We are strengthened

·        As we put Christ and his ways before our own.

Who are you serving?          Helping heal?  Helping be clean

How are we practicing service?

Are we stepping out of the limelight

          So Christ may shine?

The Risen Christ beckons us to the life of the towel.

The life of servant hood. Matthew 22:36-40 (Greatest Commandment)

Pray: “Lord Jesus, as it would please you bring me someone today whom I can serve.”