Train to Live on Mission – Week 24
Battle Drill #24:
Serve Properly
Proverbs 15:13-18
If you have been listening to the daily phone calls this week, you have received the hints on what this week message is about…our ‘serve’.
S was for ‘surrender’ (1 Corinthians 13:3);
E for ‘effort’ (2 Peter 3:14);
R for ‘respect’ (1 Peter 2:17);
V for ‘vow’ (Matthew 5:37); and
E for ‘encourage’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
We need to examine our lives to make sure that we are serving properly and not sitting back waiting to be served!
In the game of tennis, the score is Love/Love at the beginning, and the score doesn’t change until someone serves. The same can be said in the Christian walk in that our ministry filled with love cannot begin until we truly serve. And we are called to be servants of the Lord. When Jesus was speaking to the disciples in John 12:26:
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
He also told them in Mark 10:45:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Here He is, the Son of God, but He was taking the lowest position in mankind’s standards, even to the point of giving His life for them. We are called to follow the example He set and serve properly.
Proverbs 15:13-18
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
I. Know the field manual: In your heart and in your mind
- Know it in your heart
(Proverbs 15:13). TURN TO AND READ
~What’s in your heart shows on your face
ILLUS: Been on an emotional rollercoaster the last few weeks
-all the ‘firsts’
-retreat time
-kids moving to Florida
-Comment made to Tina…”that explains…”
~Had to practice what I have been preaching and take it to Jesus!
- Take action to make sure heart is in the right place
(1 Peter 5:6-8). TURN TO AND READ
- You must read the manual to know the manual!
(2 Timothy 2:15) TURN TO AND READ
~Last time I challenged the parents to train up your children
~We are never too old to keep learning….stay in THE WORD!
- Your head will affect your heart and your heart will affect your head!
II. Importance of Training Together.
- Every servant needs some encouragement.
(1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)
“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
- Don’t have a wrong attitude
(Proverbs 15:17)
“Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.”
ILLUS: Every have a waiter(ess) with a bad attitude?
- Know that we are not alone
(Roman 5:5).
“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
III. Seek the Commander’s Approval!
- Easiest way to get approval is by doing what you are supposed to by listening to the right voice.
(Galatians 5:25).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
~Why?
(Romans 8:5-6)
- How will this be best accomplished?
(1 Peter 4:10)
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
~Are you using your gifts here at FBC? In the community?
IV. How do we Live on Mission?
~Surrender daily to the leading of the Holy Spirit
~Make every Effort to follow His leading
~Respect those in authority over you AND those you work with.
~Keep your Vow, your promise, to love and serve the Lord and others with joy, and not with a wrong attitude.