Made for Service

Message Notes:

Mission Statement for 4PB: “We will blitz our community with dozens of loving acts of kindness (performed with the love of Jesus in our hearts) and designed to demonstrate the love of Jesus in tangible and practical ways.”

Scripture Focus: Romans 12:6-8

•Key idea — “You were created for service.”

•Supplemental passage — Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

One important implication from Eph 2:10 — We are created for good works, which we “should” do. This suggests that sometimes people will “not do” what they “should” do.

•See complimentary verse, 1 Timothy 4:14 — “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.”

•Implies that one “may” neglect the spiritual gift they have been given. 

God does not force or coerce us to serve Him.

The reason we pursue “spiritual maturity” is to improve our capacity to do ministry — not to make us “museum show piece.”

Read Acts 2:45-47

•It reveals a group of Christians doing “good works.” (v.45)

•And, their good works generated “good will” from among the people. (v.47)

•Last sentence: The good deeds softened the hearts of the people, leading to “good growth.” The Kingdom of God expanded because of the sincere generosity displayed in the good deeds. (v.47)

Discussion Questions:

Three questions are raised by today’s sermon:

•Do you know that God loves you and has a plan for your life?

•His plan for you includes understanding the nature of the spiritual gifts He has given you. Have you discovered your spiritual gifts?

•Have you discovered which ministries in the church and in the world that are best suited for the spiritual gifts you have been given?

Have you selected a ministry within which to serve during 4PB? 

•See the 4PB ministry list in the church app.

•Sign up on the handout at church this weekend.