Improving Your Serve

Improving Your Serve Finding the Keys to Blessing In Life There is great personal blessing that comes with serving others following the example of Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. Philippians 2:1-11 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ... Mark 10:44-45 And whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Galatians 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Serving in the Kingdom of God is such a fundamental principle that Jesus Christ demonstrated the necessity of serving by washing His disciple’s feet. He did something helpful to people in that culture. He did not have to do it, but He did. Whether one is a leader or a follower, we should all be servants (e.g. The Apostles and Deacons of Acts 6:2-3). Serving God through serving others as the Bible defines it is an unknown concept in American society where we are taught to secure our personal comfort and success before everything else. Servants of God are not selfless, but we strive to live for the blessing of others. Being a servant requires training, practice and an adjustment in one’s attitude to accept a new way of living. This lesson will strongly challenge our concept of servanthood by the standard of the Word of God. God’s servant is called. God’s servant is chosen. God’s servant is consecrated (focused on Him). Our willingness to walk in submission and obedience is rooted in covenant-love and mutual respect for one another’s place before God. Having a servant’s heart is one a the great keys to working together in doing the will of God in the earth. Servants Seek to: 1. Follow the example of Jesus in life and practice (John 12:26, Heb. 12:28) John. 12:26, If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 2. Serve others as unto the Lord and in seeking to please Him (Gal. 1:10, Eph 6:5-7, Col. 3:22-23, Tit. 2:9-10. 1 Pet. 2:17-19) 3. Let others evaluate their progress (Prov. 27:2, 1 Tim. 3:10, 12) 4. Maintain a pure heart and attitude toward their leaders and all others (not judgmental) 5. Resist the temptation to advance themselves 6. Accept the consequences of their decisions and do not blame others for failure (Like Adam and the Prodigal Son) 7. Follow instructions and are prompt to fulfil responsibilities (Matt. 24:44-49) Some people only work when you watch them. 8. Work to remove instability from their lives born of doubt, unbelief, distrust and unforgiveness (Eph. 4:32, Jam. 1:6-8) 9. Communicate clearly and sincerely with others (1 Cor. 5:8) 10. Highly esteem their leaders and follow their godly example (1 Thess. 5:13, 1 Tim 6:1) 11. Place the interests of the Christ’s church over their person interests (Phil. 2:3) 12. Promote the purpose and vision of the ministry in which they serve, not themselves (2 Cor. 4:5) Servants Avoid: 1. Overstepping their authority, prejudging others, or operate in presumption (Rom 14:4) 2. Looking for praise of men, but are humbly appreciative of any compliments. They also realize that some of the so-called compliments are only flattery (Acts 16:17) 3. Expecting promotion because of their “faithfulness” alone (Luke 17:7-10) 4. Developing an attitude that differs from their original sincerity when converted (Gal. 5:7) 5. Murmuring, complaining or entering into strife (2 Tim. 2:24, 1 Cor. 10:10) 6. Negotiating their service in the Kingdom, they are willing to do whatever their hand finds to do (Eccl. 9:10). They trust God for promotion (Matt. 23:11-12) If you serve your master, you master will serve you (Luk 12:37) 7. Operating with a hidden agenda 8. Allowing circumstances alone to change their focus, commitment or duty (Acts 14:19-21, 20:24) 9. Dividing their loyalties or permitting conflicts of interest to cause confusion (Luke 16:13 ) 10. Letting the devil steal their joy and peace (Col. 3:15) Self Examination & “Reality Check” Questions: 1. [ ] Yes [ ] No I feel that guidelines hinder my personal freedom 2. [ ] Yes [ ] No I am willing to wait indefinitely to be promoted 3. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can do what I am asked to do and trust that my leaders are following God 4. [ ] Yes [ ] No I need to speak up when I believe it is time for me to advance 5. [ ] Yes [ ] No I look for men to praise me when I do something right 6. [ ] Yes [ ] No I am afraid of being controlled by others 7. [ ] Yes [ ] No I pray more for my own needs than for the needs of others 8. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can think now of some people who are hindering my success and growth 9. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can serve God better in someplace other than where I am right now