Becoming a Servant of God

We heard an amazing sermon at church on Sunday, and I thought I would share the highlights of it with you.

It's all about becoming a Servant of God.  We are in a series titled, "C'me On, Man!" directed mostly towards the leaders of our churches and families - men.  But, I've truly enjoyed it and hubby has as well.  It's based on a man's perspective - SPORTS!  God is the coach, and our men are the point guards.  I like this analogy.  Basically, God tells the men what to do, and it is their job to guide and encourage their team (wives, children, etc.) to fulfill this plan.  I love it!  I struggle with what God's plan is for me daily - so I love these messages.

Look at Acts 4:18 - 19
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him?  You be the judges!"

These disciples knew what they needed to do.  They said yes before the God's question was even asked.  We need to ask, "Lord, whatever it is, put me in the game.  You can count on me."  God has already chosen us for his team.  We just have to participate.

Sometimes, when God calls us to do something, we give it parameters.  We will pick and choose and find what fits into our plan.  "God, I will IF..."  That is not saying yes to God, that is not playing on his team.  I did this exact thing yesterday.  Our church was looking for volunteers for the Children's ministry.  I love Children's ministry!  I taught Vacation Bible School for years (before I had to go to a real job everyday - haha!) and truly enjoyed it.  So I thought, "God, I would love to get involved, but well, I'm 8 months pregnant, and I don't want to make a commitment that I can't keep...I have no idea what being a Mom of a newborn is going to be like!".  Was that saying yes before I knew the question?  Nope.  I was placing conditions and parameters on a request.  Granted, I didn't really feel like God was leading me to volunteer in this manner on that Sunday, but, how often had I done this in the past?  Many, many times I'm sure.

Here is what Pastor Sal called our men to do -
Get in the game
Sell out to Jesus - God's plan for your life
Serve People
Give - at least the minimum 10% - we all should have the attitude that if God calls us to give, we will say yes before we know what the question is. 

1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
A servant in the game is inconvenienced for others.  They do not put their needs first.  If you meet other's needs, God will make sure that yours are met.

How does the attitude of serving others before ourselves affect other people?  We need to think like Jesus.  I am here to serve.  If we are not serving, we are useless.  Pastor Sal said something that I thought was epic here - after we are saved, why doesn't God just take us to heaven?  I mean, his job is done, we are saved and his children.  It's because he NEEDS us here on earth to bring others to him and to help others.  WOW.  That really resonated with me.  I am not just here to go to church and to try to act right most of the time - I am here to serve God and to serve others through him.  We have been given gifts from God, and if we don't use them, we become acidic, just like old batteries.

God has a purpose for all of us, we just have to be in the game.  Like a body builder - his muscles are for looking at, for showing off, for oil.  Is that what our spiritual muscles are for?  Or are we using them?  I am guilty of reading all the books, going to church, attending small group, doing little things here and there...and my spiritual muscle is my mind.  Not my heart.  We need our strongest spiritual muscle to be our heart, to be love.  Love serves, love forgives, love becomes involved.  It focuses on others.

A servant values others above themselves.
Philippians 1:2-3
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God every time I remember you.

A servant is a sacrificial giver.
1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in it's various forms.

We are only doing our duty to God.
Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."

We need to be self feeders, not someone that wants to consume, but wants to give.

A servant is an encourager, not a critic.
Ephesians 4:29-30
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

That one is hard for me, especially at work.  I work with a gossipy group, and it is way too easy to get sucked in.  That is something that I struggle with daily.

Basically we need to say, "God, the answer is yes.  Now, what is the question?"

If you want to see more of what Pastor Sal has to say - you can visit http://www.themetonline.org/.  You can see the whole sermon and not just the notes and points that really touched me : )

Do you struggle with any of these issues?  How do you work to overcome them?