Why should we serve one another?

1 Because we were created to SERVE.

The Bible says that the reason that I saved was for good works. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Circle “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” This is a message for all Christians. We who are in Christ Jesus are here so we can do “good works.” If you are a Christian, you were created for service.

2. Serving is evidence that I belong to CHRIST.

The Bible says that as Christians, “We should bear fruit to God.” Romans 7:4. In fact the Bible goes on to say, “My Father is gloried by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8.  God says that the way that you know that you’re part of the body of Christ is that you serve others. It’s the proof. A non-serving Christian is a contradiction in terms. There’s no such thing.

 3. Serving others is the way to SERVE GOD.

No matter what you’re doing you need to ask the question: "Why am I doing this?" An even better question is: "Who am I doing it for?" Are you doing it for the Lord? As a Christian everything you do - is to be done to the glory of the Lord! “The Bible says: “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

Everything we do is to be done as if it is done for God. When we serve others we should picture that we are serving Jesus. He said, whatever you did for one of the least of those brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25: 40

As I said earlier – you will be known by your fruit. Humble, willing service to others is the same thing as service to God.

4. Serving is the best use of my TIME.

Here’s a riddle for you. We each have the same amount – but we each have a different amount. What is it? T-I-M-E!

We each have 24 hours in each day. Yet each of us have a different life span. 1 Corinthians 15:58 in the Message Bible says: “Throw yourselves into the work of time or effort”. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

 If you’re in Children’s nursery ministry and you change a diaper, it’s not without value. If you pick up a piece of trash on your way into Sunday morning worship, because you say, “Someone walking in who needs to know Jesus might be turned off by this,” that’s not worthless. It’s of value. If you open a door for someone who needs help and you do it in the name of Jesus, it’s not a waste of time.

The Bible says, whatever you do, if it is done to the glory of God, it all counts. It’s not so much God’s glory? What’s my attitude? Time is something that all of us have. What makes a great servant different is the way they use their time. Are you using it to serve others or are you using it to serve self?

5. Serving gives my life PURPOSE.

By serving others we find out who we really are. Mark 8:35 in the message Bible says: “Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.” Mark 8:36

I don’t pity people who are up to their neck in service. I happen to know that those have found value to their lives. In fact, they are the people who are most alive. If you’re not serving, you’re not living; you’re just existing.

Service makes life meaningful.

A clean ministry

John 15:3

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

John 17:16

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Ephesians 5:1-7

5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Evangelism

Many who claim to believe the Bible “from cover to cover” have never read it from cover to cover. --- Rick Warren

You will be blessed when…

You choose to be content... accepting that you are in the right place now for your growth, discovering that the peace you seek is within you—that today's miracles are enough, and knowing that you will grow according to your faith in God.

You choose to be responsible... knowing that you create your circumstances with your thoughts, choices, actions, and reactions—accepting total accountability for your life and results.

You choose to persevere... holding to your visions when it is easier to loose sight, climbing over barriers when it is easier to quit, and viewing every obstacle as a blessing to increase your knowledge, strength, and resolve.

You choose to give... knowing that you must give before you will receive, and that what you give will return to you many times in the most incredible ways.

You choose to forgive... releasing your mind from attack on itself, discovering the healing of personal accountability, realizing that the past is a gift to guide you—not imprison you, and allowing yourself to move forward with a peaceful heart.

You choose to express gratitude... focusing on each of today's miracles, increasing your awareness of the abundance surrounding you, and opening your heart to accept more of God's richest blessings.

You choose to love... allowing the peace in your heart to flow toward others, and knowing that love is the only gift that can outshine fear and despair.

  

    

Teachings of Christ

Widow

Mark 12:43-44

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Wine

Luke 5:37-39  

37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

Wisdom

Luke 21:15  

For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Witness

John 8:14  

Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.

Witness, false

Matthew 19:18  

“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

Things used in Sprinkling

Blood

Leviticus 3:2

He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides.

Leviticus 3:8

He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides.

Leviticus 3:13

He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides.

Leviticus 4:6

He is to dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD, in front of the curtain of the sanctuary.

Leviticus 4:17

He shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it before the LORD seven times in front of the curtain.

Leviticus 5:9

And is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar; the rest of the blood must be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering.

Leviticus 6:27

Whatever touches any of the flesh will become holy, and if any of the blood is spattered on a garment, you must wash it in a holy place.

Leviticus 7:2

The guilt offering is to be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and its blood is to be sprinkled against the altar on all sides.

Leviticus 8:11

He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.

Leviticus 8:19

Then Moses slaughtered the ram and sprinkled the blood against the altar on all sides.

God’s Verse for God’s people…

God always was and always will:

Psalms 90:2  

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Isaiah 41:4  

Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—with the first of them and with the last—I am he.”

God knows all things:

Genesis 15:13-15  

13 Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.

15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.

Luke 12:2  

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Seek the Lord

Seek the Lord

Psalms 22:26

The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!

Though you may suffer affliction, never forget the grace of the Lord in your life. The world's afflictions are but for a moment and are continually working for the good of we who believe. But take further heart, O seed of Abraham and child of God! The Lord will surely comfort you in your troubles! And still, such a wondrous hopes stands before you—pleasure and joy—that is eternal! There shall be no more pain and no more sorrow. We shall rest in true peace forever.

Repentance

Acts 2:38-39 

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Peter talks about the gift of the Holy Spirit which is received after repentance. He then declares this gift to be a promise and that it will remain for all generations. The gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the church on the day of Pentecost and it is still being given to Christians of today's generation. God will not revoke this promise nor refrain from giving it to those that He calls His own.

Praise & Worship Scriptures

Deuteronomy 26:19

He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.

Judges 5:2

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the LORD!

Judges 5:3

“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 16:4

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:

1 Chronicles 16:35

Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.”

1 Chronicles 23:5

Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the LORD with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”

1 Chronicles 23:30

They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening

1 Chronicles 25:3

As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29:13

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

2 Chronicles 7:6

The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

One Another

Be at peace with one another -

Mark 9:50

  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Love one another -

John 13:34

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Be devoted t one another and Honor one another -

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Stop passing judgment on one another -

Romans 14:13

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Accept one another -

Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Instruct one another -

Romans 15:14

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Greet one another -

Romans 16:16

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Serve one another -

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

The Power of Prayer

God's holiness, goodness, and righteousness

Psalms 86:5-12

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 143:1 -12

1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

1 Samuel 2:2

2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

How to Read the Bible.

Frequently, daily.

Joshua 1:8  

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Not for controversy, but for profit.

Proverbs 3:2  

For they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Meditatively.

Psalms 1:3  

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

In love.

Psalms 119:97  

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long

Searchingly.

John 5:39

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

In Faith.

Romans 10:17  

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Hebrews 11:6  

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

With consciousness of need.

Matthew 5:6  

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

John 7:37-39  

37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

2 Peter 3:18  

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Read your Bible…

Read your Bible…

Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through until it becomes part of your being and generates faith that will move mountains. The Bible is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure. It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and will stand forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the least to the greatest of labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. 

Bible

One measure of our love for God is what we are willing to do to share His Word with others. To become more like Christ, meditate on who He is.

Wonderful Comfort

 “What a wonderful God we have . . . who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us.”  2 Corinthians 1:3

Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say? Then open your Bible . . .

To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5)

To the guilt-ridden: “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

God loves you…

God loves you the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.