The Significance of Being A Christian - Saved To Serve

"THE SIGNIFICANCEOF BEING A CHRISTIAN"

Saved To ServeSaved To Serve

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

We have seen throughoutthis series that the

Christian is truly blessed…Is “a person reborn”“a person reborn”,

he is provided theopportunity to live a new life.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Now““belongs to the Lord”belongs to the Lord”,

he is God's special child. Is “living by faith”“living by faith”, he

walks with God .


Is “consecrated to God”“consecrated to God”,he has been set apart to live a holy life.

““Guarded by the Guarded by the power of God”power of God”,

he is not alone in his struggle against the powers of Satan and the evil world

in which we live .

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

But with blessings come responsibilities...

There are obligations thatcome with our new opportunities.

There areduties that come with

our new calling.


Indeed, the Christian has been called to serve God...

We have been ““Saved To Serve”Saved To Serve”


Hebrews 9:14 NET how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself

without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to

worship the living God.


Hebrews 12:28 NET So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom,

let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing

to God in devotion and awe.


Each person has a ministry (service) we are expected to fulfill.

Colossians 4:17 NET And tell Archippus, "See to it that you

complete the ministry you received in the Lord."


2 Timothy 4:5 NET You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work,

fulfill your ministry.


Thus the concept of“servitude” or “servanthood”

is a significant part of what itmeans to be a Christian.That our service to God

might be more acceptableand fruitful, consider;

THE GREATNESS OF THE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOODSERVANTHOOD

BEINGA SERVANT OF GODIS A GREAT HONOR

THE GREATNESS OF THE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOODSERVANTHOOD

The title of "servant" waswhat many great men in the O.T.

were called.Abraham, Isaac, JacobAbraham, Isaac, Jacob

Deuteronomy 9:27

MosesMoses 1 Kings 8:53

THE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOODTHE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOOD

JoshuaJoshua Joshua 24:29

CalebCaleb Numbers 14:24

JobJob Job 1:8

IsaiahIsaiah Isaiah 20:3

The prophetsThe prophets Jeremiah 7:25


New Testament writers referred to themselves as "servants"...

JamesJames James 1:1PaulPaul Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1

PeterPeter 2 Peter 1:1JudeJude Jude 1:1

JohnJohn Revelation 1:1


JESUSJESUS CAME TO SERVE... He was foretold to come as the

"Suffering Servant“Isaiah 52:13 NET "Look, my servant will

succeed!


Isaiah 53:10 NET Though the LORD desired to crush him and make him ill, once

restitution is made,he will see descendants and enjoy

long life, and the LORD's purpose will be accomplished through him.


11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work,

he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done."My servant will acquit many,

for he carried their sins.


He "did not cometo be served, but to serve" Matthew 20:28 NET just as the

Son of Man did not come tobe served but to serve,

and to give his lifeas a ransom for many."


Philippians 2:7 NET but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men,and by

sharing in human nature.


Even as our Lord and Master, He exemplified the servitude He

desires of His disciples. John 13:12 NET So when Jesus had

washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on,


he took his place at the table again and said to them, "Do you

understand what I have done for you? 13 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and do so correctly, for that

is what I am.


14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too

ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an

example — you should do just as I have done for you.


16 I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the

one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17

If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.


What an honor,if God were to look

upon us as "His servants“as He did these great men,

including His own Son, Jesus ChristJesus Christ!

He will, ifwe put into practice.

THE CONCEPTS OF THE CONCEPTS OF SERVANTHOODSERVANTHOOD

IT INVOLVESABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE...

THE CONCEPTS OF SERVANTHOODTHE CONCEPTS OF SERVANTHOOD

In a slave-master relationship... The slave knows no law but his

master's word. He has no rights of his own. He is the absolute possession of his master. He is bound to give his master

unquestioning obedience.


Does this describe our relationship to Christ? It should, especially in light

of… 1 Corinthians 6:19 NET Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not

your own?


20 For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your

body.

We have to come to Jesus on HIS terms, not our own.


Luke 6:46 NET "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do what I tell you?

Matthew 7:21 NET "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven — only the one who does the will of my Father in

heaven.


IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE HUMILITY...Otherwise, absolute obedience

is not possible When we have a humble opinion

of ourselves, we are receptive to the idea of complete obedience


For example, consider Paul's self-estimation

1 Corinthians 15:9 NET For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be

called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.


10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I

worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God with

me.


Ephesians 3:8 NET To me — less than the least of all the saints — this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable

riches of Christ


1 Timothy 1:15 NET This saying is trustworthy and deserves full

acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" —

and I am the worst of them!


Does this describe our relationship to Christ and His Will? Jesus said it

should! Luke 17:10 NET So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, 'We are slaves undeserving of special

praise; we have only done what was our duty.' "


But if we murmur or complain about what Jesus tells us to do, can we really be considered "servants"?


IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE LOYALTY...

Since we become servants FREELY, it should beexpected that we:


Are to be loyal to Him first. Galatians 1:10 NET Am I now trying to gain the

approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still

trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!


Do not consider ourown profit or preference important,

but that ofthe One we freely serve!


It is amazing how any canclaim to be servants of the

Lord Jesus Christ, while: Complaining about having to do the will of God,

OR...Being negligent or slothful in carrying

out His will


Yet some act as though they are being forced against their own will!

They don't "have to“serve the Lord Jesus...


Of course, the alternativeis not very inviting.

If we don't serve Jesus, by default we serve Satan, and are destined

for hell!


But God by His grace has offered salvation, and how dare we ever

grumble or complain thatHe calls us to life of service in grateful

appreciation! That we not be negligent in our service,

be aware of some...

HINDRANCES TO HINDRANCES TO SERVANTHOODSERVANTHOOD

SERVICE TOTHE WRONG MASTER...

HINDRANCES TO SERVANTHOODHINDRANCES TO SERVANTHOOD

Jesus warned we cannot serve both God and Mammon Matthew 6:24 NET "No one can serve two masters, for

either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one

and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.


Serving the wrong things will render us fruitless Luke 8:14 NET As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the

ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and

their fruit does not mature.


Paul illustrated we can only serve the one we obey Romans 6:16 NET Do you

not know that if you present yourselves as obedient slaves, you are

slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience

resulting in righteousness?


PLACING LIMITATIONSON OUR SERVICE...

Some limit how, where,and when they will serve


As Moses tried to do Exodus 3:10 NET So now go, and I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out

of Egypt." 11 Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, or

that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"


Many will serve God,but only when convenient.

Some limit whothey will serve.

As Jonah tried to do


Jonah 1:1 NET The LORD said to Jonah son of Amittai, 2 "Go immediately to Nineveh, that large capital city, and

announce judgment against its people because their wickedness has come to

my attention


3 Instead, Jonah immediately headed off to Tarshish to escape from the commission of the LORD. He traveled to Joppa and

found a merchant ship heading to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard it to go with them to Tarshish far

away from the LORD.


Many will serve God, but not when it means serving others

(especially peoplewe don't like)

POSSESSING CERTAIN ATTITUDES...


Such as sluggishness and laziness. Hebrews 6:11 NET But we

passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until

the end,


12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the

promises.


Matthew 25:26 NET

But his master answered,'Evil and lazy slave!

So you knew that I harvest where I didn't sow and

gather where I didn't scatter?


Such as ingratitude. 2 Corinthians 8:9

NET For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his

poverty could become rich.


Philippians 2:5 NET You should have the same attitude toward one another

that Christ Jesus had, 6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with

God as something to be grasped,


7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like

other men, and by sharing in human nature.


Which often comes when we forget how graciously

we have been served. We like service with a smile;

are we willing to give service with a smile?


Such as pride or self-centeredness. As when self-pity affected Elijah

1 Kings 19:13 NET When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went

out and stood at the entrance to the cave. All of a sudden a voice asked him, "Why

are you here, Elijah?"


14 He answered, "I have been absolutely loyal to the LORD, the sovereign God,

even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left

and now they want to take my life."


15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came and then head for the Desert of Damascus. Go

and anoint Hazael king over Syria.


16 You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of

Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. 17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael's sword,

and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu's sword.


18 I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not

bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him."


As when some preachedChrist out of envy.

Philippians 1:15 NET Some,to be sure, are preaching

Christ from envy and rivalry,but others from goodwill.


16 The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ from selfish

ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in

my imprisonment.


18 What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or

in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,


As when some seek for recognition, praise. Matthew 6:1 NET "Be careful not to display your righteousness

merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward

with your Father in heaven.


2 Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet

before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.


3 But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what

your right hand is doing, 4 so that your gift may be in secret. And

your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.


Humility and unselfishness are basic prerequisites for Servanthood.

Acts 20:19 NET serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the

trials that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews.


Philippians 2:3 NET

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity,

each of you should,in humility, be moved to treat one

another as more important than yourself.


4 Each of you should be concerned not only about

your own interests,but about the interests

of others as well.

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

The Christian has been““Saved To Serve"Saved To Serve"

Called to serve God andthe Lord Jesus Christ.

Called to serve his brethrenand those in the world

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

It is a noble calling,one that we should acceptwith humility and gratitude.

If one choosesnot to serve God...


Then they remain a slave to sin Romans

6:16a NET Do you not know that if you present yourselves as obedient slaves, And the end of such slavery is eternal death 16b you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in

death,


But when one choosesto serve God...

Their servitude leads to righteousness.

16c or obedience resultingin righteousness?


And the end of such serviceis eternal life. Romans 6:22 NET But now, freed from sin and enslaved

to God, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the

end is eternal life.


May what the apostle Paul wrote of the brethren in Rome be true of all of us

today... Romans 6:17 NET But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to, 18 and

having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.


Have you been set free from sin, that you might serve Jesus

Christ? Romans 6:1 NET What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase?


2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many as

were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?


4 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into

death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through

the glory of the Father, so wetoo may live a new life.


5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.


6 We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so

that we wouldno longer be enslaved to sin. 7 (For someone who has died

has been freed from sin.)


So which choice have you made? Are you a servant to Jesus, or by

default, a slave to sin? One results in eternal glory, the other

in the fires of Hell!

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The Significance of Being A Christian - Saved To Serve