Consumerism is the undeniable blood that

pumps through American veins. My

veins and your veins. It’s how our economy

functions.

Every kind of consumable; from food, to clothing,

to entertainment and experience, is all

geared to work for me. And, if it doesn’t suit me,

I will go to the place down the street. It is so prevalent in our

culture that we hardly even notice it anymore

- it accompanies us everywhere.

Even church. The Consumer Mindset says: “What’s in it for me? Are enough of my needs being met? Is

this style my preference?”

The Contributor Mindset says: “Is what

is happening benefiting others? Is this honoring God? Whose needs can I

meet? I have gifts that God wants to use.

I want to serve God and others.” Yes, our

culture may be dominated by consumerism,

but for the follower of Jesus, we should be more known by our

contribution.

Consumer vs. Contributor

Spectator vs.Participator

Serve us vs. Service

Dear brothers, what’s the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians if you aren’t proving it by helping

others? Will that kind of faith save anyone?

If you have a friend who is

in need of food and clothing, and you say to

him, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay

warm and eat hearty,”

and then don’t give him clothes or food, what good does that do? So

you see, it isn’t enough just to

have faith. You must also do good to prove that

you have it.

Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is

no faith at all—it is dead and useless. (James

2:14-17 – Living Bible)

SO WHY AREN’T WE SERVING?

THE 3 COMMON ROADBLOCKS

Selfishness – We focus on

ourselves

Busyness – We have the

wrong priorities

Complacency – We simply don’t

care

Member have rights, owners

have responsibilities

Are you ready to take ownership

in LifePointe Church?

SERVING PRINCIPLE 1:

I am made to serve!

His purpose was to equip God’s people for the

work of serving and building

up the body of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:13 – Contemporary English Bible)

Christ gave gifts to prepare God’s people for

the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.

(Ephesians 4:13 – Easy to Read Version)

SERVING PRINCIPLE 2:

I am saved to serve!

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus,

God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good

things he had already planned for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 – Easy to Read

Version)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has

created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 – New

Living Translation)

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus,

God made us new people so that we would do good works. God had planned in advance

those good works for us.

He had planned for us to live our lives doing

them. (Ephesians 2:10 – International Children’s Bible)

SERVING PRINCIPLE 3:

I am commanded to serve!

Each of you has been blessed with one of

God’s many wonderful gifts to be used

in the service of others. So use your gift well. (1 Peter 4:10 – Contemporary English

Version)

Give yourselves completely to God—every part of you . . . be tools in the hands of God, to

be used for his good purposes.

(Romans 6:13 – Living Bible)

As we grow in our walk with Jesus we should be less of a consumer

and more of a contributor.

Let’s focus on giving rather than taking,

on service rather than serve us and on

focusing on others and not on ourselves. That is exactly that Jesus did when He came to

earth.

Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not

come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his

life to save many people. (Mark 10:45 – Easy To Read

Version)

God did not put you on earth to live for

yourself. He created you to be

like Christ.(Rick Warren)

THE BOTTOM LINE:

SERVICE: The world needs it!

SERVICE: Jesus deserves it!

SERVICE: You must choose it!

What kind of church would my church be, if all of it’s members were just like

me?

Let’s Pray