SERVING ONE ANOTHER! I PETER 4:10-11 OVERVIEW:

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1 SERVING ONE ANOTHER! I PETER 4:10-11 OVERVIEW: IMAGINE IF YOU WILL, TAKING A TRIP TO THE BRITISH MONARCHY AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. UNDER THE TITLE OF ROYAL HOUSEHOLD YOU WILL FIND ROYAL HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENTS -- THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN, THE PRIVATE SECRETARY S OFFICE, THE PRIVY PURSE AND TREASURER S OFFICE, AND THE MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD S DEPARTMENT. THE MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD S DEPARTMENT IS THE LARGEST IN THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD, WITH OVER 250 EMPLOYEES. THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL HOSPITALITY, CATERING AND HOUSEKEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FOR OFFFICIAL AND PRIVATE ENTERTAINING AT ALL THE ROYAL RESIDENCES. IT IS NOW TIME FOR LUNCH TO BE SERVED. YOU AND THE OTHER GUESTS ARE BEING SEATED IN THE ROYAL DINING ROOM. TO YOUR AMAZEMENT AND UTTER SURPRISE THEIR STANDS THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND WITH WATER PITCHER IN HAND WAITING TO SERVE YOU AND THE OTHER GUESTS. HOW DO YOU FEEL? -- SURPRISED OF COURSE, THAT A PERSON OF HER SOCIAL STATUS AND ROYAL RANKING WOULD LOWER HERSELF TO SUCH A MENIAL TASK. YOU WOULD ALSO HAVE TO FEEL A BIT HONORED, HUMBLED AND EVEN SPECIAL, THAT HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WOULD ACTUALLY RELINQUISH HER POSITION OF POWER AND PRESTIGE FOR A POSTURE OF SERVITUDE AND HUMILITY! WELL, SAINTS THAT S EXACTLY WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID FOR YOU! 1 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

2 Teaching point one:.there ARE TWO VIEWS REGARDING THE CONCEPT OF SERVING. THERE IS THE UNBELIEVER AND THE BELIEVER S VIEW. THE UNBELIEVER ASSOCIATES SERVING AS DEMEANING, SUBSERVIANT, BELITTLING, INSULTING, BOTTOM OF THE SOCIAL STATUS, GRUBWORK AND SLAVERY. BUT AS WE LOOK AT THIS TEXT INDEPTH, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THE BIBLE ASCRIBES THAT SERVING IS ACTUALLY A GIFT, IT S REWARDING, HONORABLE, SACRIFICIAL, BENEFICIAL, IMPORTANT, SIGNIFICANT, SELFLESS AND COMMENDABLE! SERVING IS ACTION THAT SHOULD ULTIMATELY HONOR GOD IN THE END, NOT YOU! YOU SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS IN YOUR HOME, CHURCH AND COMMUNITY. HAVING A TITLE (I.E. BISHOP, APOSTLE, PASTOR, REVEREND, EVANGELIST, MISSIONARY, SERVANT LEADER OR MINISTRY LEADER) DOES NOT MAKE YOU SUPERIOR TO ANYONE ELSE. IT ONLY MEANS THAT YOU NO LONGER DO THINGS TO PLEASE YOURSELF, BUT THAT YOU NOW GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO CHERFULLY MINISTER TO THE NEEDS OF ONE ANOTHER. THE SCRIPTURE SUGGESTS THAT YOU USE WHATEVER GIFT YOU HAVE RECEIVED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER. YOU NO DOUBT HAVE CONCEPTUALIZED SERVITUDE AS THE LOWLIEST STATE OF EXISTENCE THAT THERE IS. CORRECT? YOU WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO LOOK UP TO YOU WITH AWE AND AMAZEMENT; AS IF YOU ARE THE GREATEST PERSON TO EVER WALK THE EARTH. YOU WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ASSOCIATED WITH THE WHO S WHO OF THE WORLD. AND YOU WANT SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND ACCOLADES BEFITTING THAT OF A KING OR QUEEN. CORRECT? 2 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

3 I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONE FINAL PRIORITY REMAINS FOR YOU THE BELIEVER WHO LIVES IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST S SECOND COMING AND WHO WANTS TO DEMONSTRATE AGAPE LOVE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. THIS PRIORITY CAN BEST BE SUMMARIZED AS INTENSE SERVING. YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT FROM GOD IS FOR USE WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE ANOTHER. YOU ARE TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD. GIFT (CHARISMA) LITERALLY MEANS A GIFT OF GRACE. MERRIAM S DICTIONARY DEFINES STEWARD AS ONE EMPLOYED IN A LARGE HOUSEHOLD OR ESTATE TO MANAGE DOMESTIC CONCERNS; ONE WHO SUPERVISES; OR ONE WHO ACTIVELY DIRECTS AFFAIRS. SCRIPTURE SUGGESTS THAT YOU ARE A PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH AND THAT YOU SHOULD BE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF ONE ANOTHER IN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. WHEN YOU RECEIVE GOD S GRACE, YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THIS GIFT WITH ONE ANOTHER. THROUGH SUCH SHARING YOU ARE FAITHFULLY ADMINISTERING GOD S GRACE IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS. DON T GET IT TWISTED, WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY AS A GIFT OF GRACE HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BODY AS A WHOLE. YOU ARE SIMPLY AN AGENT OF GOD PASSING ON THE BENEFITS OF HIS GRACE IN YOUR LIFE. AGAIN, THE GIFTS OF GRACE ARE NOT FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE; GOD GIVES THEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. IT S NOT ABOUT YOU. IT S ABOUT GOD! 3 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

4 What are the two views regarding the concept of serving? (Please explain) Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

5 Teaching point two:.speak AS THE ORACLES OF GOD THE SCRIPTURE GOES ON TO SAY, IF ANY MAN SPEAKS, LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD. THE WORD ORACLE IS DEFINED AS A PERSON (AS A PRIESTESS OF ANCIENT GREECE) THROUGH WHOM A DIETY IS BELIEVED TO SPEAK. IN OTHER WORDS, SPEAK THE WORDS GIVEN BY GOD AND NOT YOUR OWN. SPEAKING INCLUDES NOT SIMPLY PREACHING OR TEACHING, BUT MANY KINDS OF GIFTS INVOLVING SPEECH, SUCH AS EVANGELISM, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, PROPHECY, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP. IMPART GOD S DIVINELY INSPIRED WORD WHICH IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS ACCORDING TO (2 TITUS 3:16). THE POWER OF LIFE RESIDES IN THE TONGUE. YOUR CHOICE; LIFE OR DEATH; BLESSING OR CURSING. THINK BEFORE SPEAKING NEGATIVELY ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. ASK YOURSELF, IS IT TRUE, HELPFUL, INFORMATIVE, NECESSARY OR KIND? YOUR DAILY PRAYER SHOULD BE, LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH, AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART, BE ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT, O LORD, MY STRENGTH, AND MY REDEEMER. [IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE HOUSE TODAY WHO WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES AND LET HIS PRAISE CONTINUALLY BE IN YOUR MOUTH?] What is the Greek word for gift? What does Oracle mean?- 5 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

6 Teaching point three:.minister WITH YOUR GOD-GIVEN ABILITY THE BIBLE SAYS, IF ANY MAN MINISTER, LET HIM DO IT AS OF THE ABILITY WHICH GOD GIVETH. TO MINISTER SIMPLY MEANS TO GIVE AID OR SERVICE - [TO THE SICK, THE SHUT-IN, THE DOWN-TRODDEN, THE OUTCAST, THE MARGINALIZED, THE DISENFRANCHISED, THE PRISON BOUND, THE HOMELESS, THE ORPHANS, THE WIDOWS, AND THE ELDERS] ANY ONE WHO IS UNABLE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. YOU BECOME AN ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF. YOU BECOME AN AGENT OF CHANGE IN AND FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST. PLEASE DON T GET HUNG UP ON THE WORD MINISTER. ANYONE CAN MINISTER, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS A MINISTER. SERVING INCLUDES ANY TYPE OF ASSISTING OR ENCOURAGING MINISTRY THAT DIRECTLY TARGETS THE BENEFIT OF ONE ANOTHER WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST, SUCH AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, HEALING, MIRACULOUS POWERS, SHOWING MERCY, AND ENCOURAGEMENT. What does the word Minister mean? How are you to Minister? What does Serving include? 6 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

7 Teaching point four: GOD HAS SHAPED YOU FOR KINGDOM BUILDING GOD HAS PLANTED SEEDS OF PASSION IN EACH ONE OF YOU. HE HAS SHAPED YOU WITH UNIQUE GIFTS AND TALENTS FOR KINGDOM BUILDING AS YOU SERVE ONE ANOTHER. IN THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE BY RICK WARREN, HE DEFINES S.H.A.P.E. AS: S SPIRITUAL GIFTS THE HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS GOD S POWER THROUGH EACH OF US AS A MEANS OF HELPING THE ENTIRE CHURCH. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:7) A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS A SPECIAL ABILITY, GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO EVERY BELIEVER AT THEIR CONVERSION, TO BE USED TO MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER AND THEREFORE BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST. A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS MUCH LIKE A MUSCLE; THE MORE YOU USE IT, THE STRONGER IT BECOMES. H HEART/PASSION DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. (PSALMS 37:4) YOUR HEART REPRESENTS THE SOURCE OF ALL YOUR MOTIVATIONS WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO AND WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE MOST. YOUR HEART DETERMINES WHY YOU SAY THE THINGS YOU DO, WHY YOU FEEL THE WAY YOU DO, AND WHY YOU ACT THE WAY YOU DO. YOU INSTINCTIVELY CARE ABOUT SOME THINGS AND NOT ABOUT OTHERS. THESE ARE CLUES AS TO WHERE YOU SHOULD BE SERVING. 7 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

8 A ABILITY THERE ARE DIFFERENT ABILITIES TO PERFORM SERVICE. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:6) YOUR ABILITIES ARE THE NATURAL TALENTS FROM GOD WITH WHICH YOU WERE BORN. WHEN YOU ALLOW THE ENEMY TO GET IN YOUR EAR, ONE OF THE MOST COMMON EXCUSES YOU CAN GIVE FOR NOT SERVING IS I JUST DON T HAVE ANY ABILITIES TO OFFER. LISTEN, YOU HAVE DOZENS, PROBABLY HUNDREDS, OF UNTAPPED, UNRECOGNIZED, AND UNUSED ABILITIES THAT ARE LYING DORMANT INSIDE OF YOU. EVERY ABILITY CAN BE USED FOR GOD S GLORY. PAUL SAID, WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. GOD HAS A PLACE IN HIS CHURCH WHERE YOUR SPECIALITIES CAN SHINE AND YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT S UP TO YOU TO FIND THAT PLACE TO SERVE. P PERSONALITY YOUR PERSONALITY WILL ULTIMATELY AFFECT HOW AND WHERE YOU USE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND ABILITIES. WHEN YOU ARE FORCED TO SERVE IN A MANNER THAT IS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR YOUR TEMPERAMENT, IT CREATES TENSION AND DISCOMFORT, REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT AND ENERGY, AND PRODUCES LESS THAN THE BEST RESULTS. THE FLIP SIDE TO THIS IS THAT IT FEELS GOOD TO DO WHAT GOD MADE YOU TO DO. WHEN YOU SERVE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE PERSONALITY GOD GAVE YOU, YOU EXPERIENCE FULFILLMENT, SATISFACTION, AND FRUITFULNESS. 8 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

9 E EXPERIENCE AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO YOU WHO LOVE GOD, TO YOU WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. (ROMANS 8:28) YOU HAVE BEEN SHAPED BY YOUR EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, MOST OF WHICH WERE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL. GOD ALLOWED THEM FOR HIS PURPOSE OF MOLDING YOU. IN DETERMINING YOUR SHAPE FOR SERVING GOD, YOU SHOULD EXAMINE AT LEAST FIVE KINDS OF EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR PAST. MINISTRY EXPERIENCES: HOW HAVE YOU SERVED GOD IN THE PAST? WORK EXPERIENCES: WHAT JOBS HAVE YOU BEEN MOST EFFECTIVE IN AND ENJOYED MOST? EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES: WHAT WERE YOUR FAVOROTE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL? SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES: WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL TIMES WITH GOD? PAINFUL EXPERIENCES: FROM WHAT PROBLEMS, HURTS, THORNS, AND TRIALS HAVE YOU LEARNED? IT IS THIS LAST CATEGORY, PAINFUL EXPERIENCES, THAT GOD USES THE MOST TO PREPARE YOU FOR SERVING ONE ANOTHER. GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT! IN FACT, YOUR GREATEST FORM OF SERVING WILL MOST LIKELY COME OUT OF YOUR GREATEST HURT. WHO COULD BETTER SERVE THE PARENTS OF A PREMATURE CHILD THAN ANOTHER COUPLE WHO HAS A CHILD AFFLICTED IN THE SAME WAY? WHO COULD BETTER HELP A WOMAN IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP THAN SOMEONE WHO FOUGHT THAT DEMON AND FOUND FREEDOM IN JESUS? 9 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

10 WHO COULD BETTER COMFORT A DAUGHTER WHO HAS LOST A PARENT THAN SOMEONE WHOSE GONE THROUGH THE AGONY THEMSELVES? GOD ALLOWS YOU TO GO THROUGH THOSE PAINFUL EXPERIENCES TO EQUIP YOU FOR SERVING ONE ANOTHER. THE BIBLE SAYS, HE COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS. WHEN OTHERS ARE TROUBLED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE SAME COMFORT GOD HAS GIVEN US. (2 CORINTHIANS 1:4). How does Rick Warren define SHAPE? S H A P E What are the 5 experiences from our past that help shape us? 10 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

11 Teaching point five: ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD THE BIBLE SAYS, THAT GOD IN ALL THINGS MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST TO WHOM BE PRAISE AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER AMEN. SAINTS ALL GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE BELONG TO GOD. THE HEBREW WORD AMEN MEANS FIRM, AND HENCE ALSO FAITHFUL. THE AUTHORIZED VERSION HAS "THE GOD OF TRUTH," WHICH IN HEBREW IS "THE GOD OF AMEN." IT IS FREQUENTLY USED BY OUR SAVIOUR TO GIVE EMPHASIS TO HIS WORDS, WHERE IT IS TRANSLATED "VERILY." IT IS FOUND SINGLY AND SOMETIMES DOUBLY AT THE END OF PRAYERS (PS. 41:13; 72:19; 89:52), TO CONFIRM THE WORDS AND INVOKE THE FULFILMENT OF THEM. IT IS USED IN TOKEN OF BEING BOUND BY AN OATH (NUM. 5:22; DEUT. 27:15-26; NEH. 5:13; 8:6; 1 CHR. 16:36). IN THE PRIMITIVE CHURCHES IT WAS COMMON FOR THE GENERAL AUDIENCE TO SAY "AMEN" AT THE CLOSE OF THE PRAYER (1 COR. 14:16). THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE YES AND AMEN; (i.e., THEY ARE ALL TRUE AND SURE) (2 COR. 1:20). IN OTHER WORDS, THAT S IT. IT IS FINISHED. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. NEVER DO ANYTHING TO DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF OR TO OBTAIN VAIN GLORY. OUR EFFORTS WILL BE USELESS, UNNOTICED AND UNRECOGNIZED IN GOD S EYESIGHT. IF YOU SEEK YOUR REWARD AND APPRECIATION FROM MAN ON EARTH NOW, YOU NEED NOT EXPECT A REWARD FROM YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN LATER! What are the promises of God? and Who does the glory belong to and why? 11 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

12 Teaching point five: THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER. 1. SIZE UP YOURSELF AGAINST THE GREATEST SERVANT OF ALL TIMES JESUS CHRIST. (SUBMIT YOUR WILL TO GOD) LOOK INTO YOUR SPIRITUAL MIRROR AND SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP. 2. SHAPE UP SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, FINANCIALLY AND RELATIONALLY. (SUBSTITUTE YOUR DESIRES FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS) FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LOVE, JOY, PEACE, FORBEARANCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL 3. STEP UP ANOINTING. (OPERATE UNDER, WITH, AND THROUGH THE ANOINTING) (JAMES 5:14) IS ANY SICK AMONG YOU? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: (1 JOHN 2:27) BUT THE ANOINTING WHICH YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM ABIDETH IN YOU, AND YE NEED NOT THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU: BUT AS THE SAME ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU OF ALL THINGS, AND IS TRUTH, AND IS NO LIE, AND EVEN AS IT HATH TAUGHT YOU, YE SHALL ABIDE IN HIM. 12 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

13 THE GREATEST DEMONSTRATION OF A SERVANT IS NONE OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF! HIS LIFE WAS THE DRAMATIZATION OF THE TRUTH OF HIS OWN MINISTRY, OF HIS OWN REDEMPTIVE MERCY. HE IS THE MASTER ROLE MODEL FOR SERVING. (i.e., THE MIRACLES; THE GOOD SAMARITAN; WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES FEET) HE IS SHOWING YOU BY THESE DEEDS WHAT HE HAD COME INTO THE WORLD TO DO. HE ROSE FROM HIS THRONE OF GLORY. THEN HE LAID ASIDE HIS GLORY WHEN HE CAME INTO THE WORLD IN THE INCARNATE STATE. HE LAID ASIDE THE EXERCISE OF HIS OWN DEITY. HE DID NOT COME TO ACT AS GOD; HE CAME TO ACT AS MAN INDWELT BY GOD (SEE PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11). HE [TOOK] THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT AND HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH (PHILIPPIANS 2:7-8). HE POURED OUT HIS OWN BLOOD IN DEATH, THE BLOOD THAT WOULD BE FOR THE CLEANSING OF HUMAN DEFILEMENT, OF HUMAN GUILT OF EVERY KIND AND SOURCE. THE WRITER OF HEBREWS RECORDS FOR US THAT AFTER HE HAD PROVIDED PURIFICATION FOR SINS, HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY IN HEAVEN (HEBREWS 1:3). What are the three things you should do to serve one another? Who showed the greatest demonstration of a Servant How? 13 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved

14 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: I PETER 4: TITUS 3:16 I CORINTHIANS 12:7 PSALMS 37:4 I CORINTHIANS 1:4 ROMANS 8:28 II CORINTHIANS 1:4 PSALMS 41:13; 72:19; 89:52 NUMBERS 5:22 1 CHRONICLES 16:36 I CORINTHIANS 14:16 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 JAMES 5:14 I JOHN 2:27 PHILLIPIANS 2:5-11 PHILLIPIANS 2:7-8 DEUTERONOMY 27:15-26 HEBRIEWS 1:3 NEHEMIAH 5:13; 8:6 14 Abounding Love Bible Ministry 2014, All Rights Reserved