It’s Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. As we celebrate the effects that Dr. King had on our nation and the world I’d like us to start by remembering that the greatest influence in his fight for freedom and justice was his unshakable faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was motivated by Christian love and conviction. We watched his famous “I Have a Dream…” speech yesterday and I was again struck by the number of times he referenced God, faith, the Scriptures, while also saddened that the majority of people who claim to celebrate what Dr. King accomplished will work diligently to oppose the faith in God and Christ that provided the structure and strength he needed for those accomplishments.

“But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Amos 5.24

2 Thessalonians 1:7-11, 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION

The Jesus who came the first time as a baby in a manger is coming again.

Christmas is not complete without the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

2 Thess. 1.7-11

7 and ⌊to reward⌋ with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. ⌊This will take place⌋ at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, 8 taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength 10 in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith,

Luke 1:31-33

31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.

 

YOU NEED NOT BE DISTURBED  (2 Thess 1:7)

Think of the Who of His coming. (He…Jesus Christ)

2 Thessalonians 1:7

2 Thessalonians 1:10

Acts 1:11

9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”[

Think of the When of His coming.  (When…not “If”)

2 Thessalonians 1:10

Matthew 24:36-44

36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only. 37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. 39 They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. So this is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be: 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.[4]f

Malachi 4

1  “For indeed, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says the Lord of Hosts, “not leaving them root or branches. 2 But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. 3 You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the Lord of Hosts.

Think of the Wonder of His coming.  (2 Thessalonians 1:10)

in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.

We will wonder at His transforming love. (His Saints…Once Sinners)

We will wonder at His amazing grace. (Believed…all it takes is faith)

Acts 16:31

Isaiah 64:6

We will wonder at His keeping power. (all those who have believed)

 

YOU SHOULD NOT BE DECEIVED  (2 Thess 2:1-12)

Don’t let the spirit of antichrist deceive you.

All through Jesus’ earthly ministry, Satan tried to destroy the Lord Jesus.

 

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED 

(2 Thess 2:13-14)

There are two aspects of Jesus’ coming:

He will first come secretly for His bride, the church.

He will then come sovereignly as the King.

Jesus came the first Christmas to die in the sinner’s place.  He’s coming the second Christmas to receive the sinner to Himself.

· Our Faith looks backward to a Crucified Savior

· Our Love looks upward to a Crowned Savior

· Our Hope looks forward to a Coming Savior

Monsters!

We spend their early lives trying to convince our children that there is no such thing as monsters. There is not a monster under their bed. There is not a monster in their closet. There is not a monster in the basement. There is no such thing as monsters. Perhaps we are also trying to convince ourselves that monsters are a figment of our imaginations, invented by moviemakers and storytellers, but not something we will ever encounter in life.

On Friday morning, December 14, 2012, we were grimly reminded that there are monsters, real monsters, and that those monsters are brutal, dangerous, and terrifying. The curtain covering human depravity was pulled back slightly and revealed the ugliest potential of humanity. Friday afternoon children came home from school different from when they left home that morning. Parents greeted their children differently compared to the four previous days. We were all keenly and painfully aware of the real impact of the tragedy in Connecticut. In mere moments, the innocence and distance between comfort and danger had been stripped from us, and the barbaric element of humanity was on display for the world to see.

With sadness for the tremendous losses we have suffered, both of lives snuffed out and the precious naiveté of our sheltered existence, we recognize today that we can no longer deny that monsters are real. We realize as well that these monsters do not resemble those in the picture books or on the movie screens, with bared teeth showing through snarling mouths, sharp claws ready to tear victims to ribbons, and the scaly green skin of an alien body. Instead, we know that real monsters look like the people we encounter every day in our community. Perhaps that is the most terrifying element of this tragedy for us.

In the days stretching toward Christmas, mingled among images of celebration and festivity will be visions of sadness, grief, and sorrow. Along with the merriment that accompanies the Christmas season will be increased vigilance among families and communities.

Amid the wishes for happy holidays people will grapple with the unanswerable questions of “why?’ and the undesired questions of “how?” Why? Why would anyone do what this monster has done? How? How can we ever hope to protect the most vulnerable among us from the viciousness of the people determined to bring evil and destruction upon them? The queries echo in the voices and thoughts of the entire nation. The questions are raised, and there are no ready answers given.

As the nation grieves let us pray for the families of those who have been lost to us. As families are left shattered, let’s plead with God to embrace them, the community, the school-mates of those children, and reveal a level of love that no one can fully understand, and that the darkness of such monsters cannot conceal. In faith, let us bind together, not in reaction, but in response to the needs within our community for security, hope, faith, and love. In this way we can honor and remember those who have been lost, and recognize the presence and peace of God, even in the midst of inconceivable pain.

Ordination Message For Michael Monica – “A Heart Set Apart”

John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

The heart of the PASTOR

A Servant Heart

A Set Apart Heart

A Spiritual Heart

A Solid Heart

1 TIMOTHY 3.1-7

This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy — one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.

A Servant Heart

One of the truths about a person with a servant heart is that, long before there is a title or office designating them as a servant, they find ways to serve. Serving includes noticing a need a meeting that need. For a minister this is one of the key ingredients in the toolbox of the pastor.

A Set-Apart Heart

0Part of the significance behind the ordination of a person for service in the kingdom is the recognition that they have been selected, called, and gifted by God for a specific purpose. In a sense, every believer is ordained and expected to fulfill a certain role in God’s plan and purpose for their lives.

Answering the call to ministry, however, carries with it the weight of being responsible for the care and life of the Bride of Christ, the church. The weight of that calling, and the accountability before the Lord for this role is not something everyone is capable of managing.

A Spiritual Heart

· The Disciplines of Ministry

• Spending Time in Prayer
• Scripture Reading/Study
• Keeping a Clean Heart, Mind, and Walk
• Confession and Repentance when Mess Up
• Seeking God’s Direction
• Living Yielded to the Holy Spirit

A Solid Heart

Notice that Paul instructs Timothy that the Overseer should be:

• above reproach
• husband of one wife (a “One Woman Man”)
• self-controlled
• sensible
• respectable
• hospitable
• an able teacher
• not addicted to wine
• not a bully but gentle
• not quarrelsome
• not greedy
• one who manages his own household competently
• not be a new convert
• have a good reputation among outsiders

In other words, the person must be grounded, having a firm foundation of faith on the bedrock of beliefs and the teaching of the Bible. This foundation must be visible through their life to those around them.

Consider a building with a poor foundation…how long before it is visible?

A person who is living with a poor foundation in life will be evident to others

What if all of us, pastors or not, were striving to live with a firm foundation?

Invitation

· Are there some who need to be saved and come to faith in Christ? The first step of the greatest journey of your life is to make your way to Jesus and find forgiveness for your sins and the promise and hope of eternal life.

· Is there anyone here who has felt the nudge into ministry, a deeper calling to something greater, an urging to serve the church and the Lord in a specific role that carries greater responsibility. For example a missionary, a pastor, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have all been given gifts (Super Powers), and we all have a calling (reason/purpose), but not everyone is called to make a career out of those gifts and callings. That is what I’m talking about here. This person is like a soldier under command, and may be “called-up” to “go” and must be willing to follow those orders. Is that what you feel today?

Charges for the Ordination Ceremony

THE CHARGE TO THE CANDIDATE

Michael, on behalf of the Church of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the power and authority of His name and by witness of the Holy Spirit, I charge you to…

• Live up to a Standard set by Scripture
• Keep Your Eyes on the Prize of Christ
• Serve the Lord Jesus in His Body, the church, in accordance with your gifts and calling doing all things as though you were doing them unto the Lord.

THE CHARGE TO THE CHURCH

By laying our hands on Michael today we state with the blessing of the church that we believe that he is called and gifted by God to serve as a pastor, elder, and overseer in the church body. As Michael come forward to be ordained today I charge the church body …

Church, on behalf of the Church of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the power and authority of His name and by witness of the Holy Spirit, I charge you to…

• Pray for this man
• Serve along side of this man in the ministry and service in the body
• Hold this man accountable in love and grace, always encouraging him in his ministry and service and aiding him as you are able.

Obedience in Using your Abilities, Personality, and Experiences in Ministry

We have Looked at Spiritual Gifts, and particularly the process of Discovering and Developing those special and specific gifts God has given each of us.

Today will be filtering these thought through our C.O.R.E. Principles

• CHRIST
• OUTREACH
• RELATIONSHIPS
• EQUIPPING

Now it’s time to put our feet to the turf and get to it. It’s time for OBEDIENCE. See, it’s not about what I want to do…what I think I should do…when I feel like doing it…where I want to do it…IT’S ABOUT SERVING ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN AND PURPOSE…IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!!

• The S.H.A.P.E. acronym:
• S – Spiritual Gifts
• H – Heart
• A – Abilities
• P – Passions
• E – Experience

Today we will look at the final three elements of your S.H.A.P.E.

A – ABILITIES

Exodus 31:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ The Lord also spoke to Moses:
² “Look, I have APPOINTED BY NAME Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
³ I have FILLED HIM with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft
⁴ to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,
⁵ to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft.
⁶ I have also SELECTED Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman IN ORDER TO make all that I have commanded you:

• God has given you specific Abilities.
• God has a specific plan for those Abilities.
• God Expects you to Use Your Abilities in His Plan

IN THE END IT COMES DOWN TO OBEDIENCE!

You might have the ability to give generously. There are many people with the desire to give, but they may lack the ability, but you may have both the ability and the desire, so…OBEDIENCE.

You might have the ability to teach. There are a lot of people who may have the desire to teach, but let’s face it, not everyone can teach. You have the ability, so…OBEDIENCE.

You might have the ability to fold clothes…or to make people feel comfortable when they’re hurting…or to enlist others to work with you in a project…GET ENGAGED…OBEDIENCE.

So Ask Yourself These Questions:

“What ability do I have?”
“What natural talents and skills do I have?”

“Where can I get to work today in OBEDIENCE?”

P – PERSONALITY

1 Corinthians 2:11a
For who among men knows the concerns {thoughts} of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him?

God has given you a Personality.

God has given each person a unique personality. Some are introverted; others are extroverted. Some are thinkers; others are feelers. Some like routine: others like variety. Some are self-controlled; others are self-expressive. And so on.

And so the question you must ask yourself is,

· “Where does my personality best suit me to serve…in obedience?”

E – EXPERIENCES

God has given you Experiences. All of the experiences in your life can be used by God in his service. Let’s notice a number of different kinds of experiences.

You must ask yourself, “What spiritual experiences have I had?” You may have used your gifts to serve God, and you have gained spiritual experiences from using those gifts.

You must also ask yourself, “What painful experiences have I had?” Some people go through incredibly painful experiences. God can use those experiences to help others.

2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

You must ask yourself, “What educational experiences have I had?”

Proverbs 4:13 –

Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

Whatever education you have had—formal, informal, or non-formal—can be used by God in service.
Finally, you must ask yourself, “What ministry experiences have I had?”

2 Corinthians 9:13
Through the proof of this service, they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others.

ARE YOU WONDERING WHERE TO SERVE?

Don’t just stand there, do something.

· A gross example when Spike threw up in the car and I was driving…I couldn’t do much, but I could hold his head and I could pull the car over…for which my wife was grateful.

· A Better example, while we were building this building, I don’t know much about construction, and I’m not real comfortable with it, but I learned to drive the fork lift, and I got pretty good at it…I did something.

The problem with a series of messages like this I’m discovering is that we can spend a lot of time in examination of our gifts, passions, abilities, etc…but never really get to work. Today, if nothing else happens, I need you to get to work somewhere…I need you to be OBEDIENT…to get fully COMMITTED…and to become ENGAGED in God’s plan.

So Try Something…Anything…Give it a shot…

BE OBEDIENT!

The final thought is the same thought we started with and have been trying to bring out throughout this series…IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. What I like…What I want…What I feel…these things all come after OBEDIENCE.

WHAT WILL YOU SACRIFICE FOR THE ONE WHO SACRIFICED EVERYTHING IN LOVE AND GRACE FOR YOU?

• There are a lot of needs here at LWCC!
• There are a lot of needs in our community!
• There are a lot of needs in the world!
• IT’S NOT ABOUT ME…IT’S ABOUT HIM!
• BE OBEDIENT!

“USING OUR SUPER POWERS IN SERVICE”

1 Peter 4:10-11
¹⁰ Based on the gift they have received, EVERYONE SHOULD USE IT TO SERVE OTHERS, as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. • Amen.

[1 Peter 4.10 in the New American Standard Bible: ¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, EMPLOY IT IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.]

• Week 1: Discovery
• Week 2: Employment
• Week 3: Deployment

Last week: Discovering Your Super Power (Gifts)

We looked at four keys to discovering what our gifts are. I don’t expect that everyone had an “AH-HA” moment in the past seven days, but I do pray that there are people who started really seeking what it is God has given you and how to use that in His purpose and plan.

• Faith
• Prayer
• Awareness
• Activity

This Week we will Develop that Thought a little More

THE PURPOSE OF THE POWER (Eph. 4.11-16)

¹¹ And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. ¹⁶ From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

A. To Glorify the Lord

“God has given me abilities and powers to develop in the best way I can. He created me for a purpose. He gave me life and through service to Him I return both life and talents.” – A High School Graduate

B. To Edify the Church

C. To Solidify our Faith

THE PRACTICE OF THE POWER

A. You Have Not been Saved to be Shelved

B. You Have Opportunities that ONLY You Will Have

C. You Have a Responsibility to Use Your Gifts for God

 

THE PLACE OF THE POWER (1 Cor. 12)

Paul’s Illustration – The Body

A. Your Gifts are Significant in THIS Body

B. Your Gifts are Vital to THIS Body

C. Your Gifts are Strategically Placed in THIS Body

 

Three good tests of a Spiritual Gift are:

• You will enjoy using this ability
• You will be effective using this ability
• Others will see God using this ability in you.

“WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY” – Spiderman

 

THE POWER BEHIND THE POWER (1 Cor. 13)

Love

COMMITMENT TIME

• Salvation through the Savior
• Become a part of this church through membership
• Commit to using the gifts you have in ministry here.
• Seek the greatest gift, Love, and let that be the motivation

 

With Love and Prayers,

Dave and Andie Bentley

November 22, 2012

DISCOVERING YOUR SUPER POWER

Ephesians 4:11-16 (HCSB)
¹¹ And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.
¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.
¹⁶ From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Story: Poor Sheep-Rancher

There was a poor sheep rancher tending a pitiful little flock in a nearly barren waste land.  He barely had enough to get by, and many days he went hungry because he didn’t have any money.  This went on this way for years.  Then one day, as he was digging a new water well, he found a strange black liquid beneath the ground.  He had struck oil.  Within moment he went from being nearly destitute to incredibly wealthy.  The oil had been there all along, however he never looked to see what was his beneath the surface.

There are many believers in Christ who are living without purpose and without the resources that are theirs because they haven’t taken the time to discover what is theirs…just beneath the surface.  The SUPER POWER that Christ has given to them to fulfill His plan in their lives. 

Here’s a Video from the Superman Movie showing a similar Occurrence

STEPS TOWARD DISCOVERING YOUR SUPER POWER

I. FAITH—Believe that the Gifts are real and you are gifted

A. You are gifted (equipped) or God’s call is futile in us.

B. You are gifted or there is no possible service you can do

C. You are gifted, or the Bible is false

II. PRAYER—Asking to know and to use your gifts (James 4)

A. You do not have because you do not ask. (4.2)

B. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend {it} on your pleasures. (4.3)

III. AWARENESS—What gifts are available to me?

(This is not an Exhaustive List)

A. Gifts of Service/Helps

B. Gifts of the ministry of the Word

C. Gifts of direction and leadership

D. Gifts of signs and miracles

IV. ACTIVITY—Explore by doing and experiencing

(Next Week – Using Your Super Power on Purpose with Purpose)

It’s Not Enough!

I have not been to church in almost two weeks! That’s probably a surprising admission for a pastor to make. Even more that I have not been to my church service in almost three weeks. Travel and illness have kept me from my church community. There are many who would say that this is not a big deal. After all, I am very faithful (I suppose I have to be as the pastor). However, I know that this is not enough. It is not enough to be hit or miss when it comes to participating in church. It is not enough to connect with the community of faith in a sporadic and inconsistent way. It is not enough to only be with the family of fellowship on an occasional basis.

I’m getting older (WOW – two major admissions in one posting!). Later this month I will celebrate one of those annual anniversaries that reminds us that we are aging. One of the things about getting older, however, is that you start to realize how much you have taken relationships for granted through the years. Friends and family that you were close to growing-up, yet now you rarely see. Distance creeps in quite subtly, and before you know it close relationships become distant memories.
This is what happens with week we “take a break” from gathering with the people of God in fellowship with God. Suddenly you find yourself wondering why you can’t seem to connect with God, but you don’t realize that you have allowed dust and ashes to build up on the altar. It’s time that we (I) committed to lighting the altar fire of worship, fanned by the Spirit of God, and let those flames blaze in praise with God and His people.

1 Kings 18.30 tells us that on Mount Carmel, as Elijah was about to take a stand against the false prophets of his day, HE REPAIRED THE ALTAR OF THE LORD THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN. There, on top of the mountain, just before an amazing demonstration of God’s power and presence, Elijah began by returning to the foundations of the faith. For us, we need to be reminded to return to the foundations of our faith and the bedrock elements of worship, fellowship, and service.

My question for you…IS IT TIME TO REBUILD AND RETURN TO YOUR WORSHIP ALTAR (your church)? Get back where you belong! You are missed, and you are missing more than you realize.

This past Sunday I was recovering from apparent food poisoning, so Mike Monica stepped in and delivered the message.  Below are his notes with a few additions. 

Servolution: Starting a Revolution in your Church
A Message By Michael Monica at Living Waters Community Church

Acts 6:1-8

¹ In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
² Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to wait on tables.
³ Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.”
⁵ The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a • proselyte from Antioch.
⁶ They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
⁷ So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
⁸ Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Notes
Characteristics of a servant.
Service (Rom. 12:-8, Mark 10:45, Phil 2:5, Matt. 25-46, James 2:14-17)
a. Jesus came to _____________(Serve)
b. Our attitude should be like ____________ (Jesus)
c. We are judged according to our _________ (deeds)
d. If we believe we will __________ (serve.)

Note: Our acceptance into heaven is based on belief, not works.  Our works are merely an overflow of what we believe.

Honor (Romans 12:10 & 13:7)
a. Honor God __________ (First)

Opportunity (Gal. 6:10)
a. Disciples of Jesus don’t see problems, they see _____________ (ministry opportunities)

Willing (John 13:1)
a. Are you willing to wash the feet (serve) those who will betray, deny and abandon you?

Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9-10)
a. We are called to show _______ (hospitality) and _______ (serve) through God’s grace.

Objection or Ordained (Acts 6:6)
Do you complain about problems or serve through them?
a. Complaining magnifies the _______ (problem), minimizes what is ______ (right) and misses what is _______ (important).
b. We are blessed to give our ______(time), _________(talent) and ______(finances)

Prosperity (Acts 6:7)
a. Service propels the ________ (Gospel message).

Everyone (John 3:16, Eph 2:8)
a. Because God loves us, he served us.
b. Service is about _________ (teamwork) and _________(family)
c. Service allows ____________(everyone) the opportunity to hear the gospel message.

Q & A
1. Is this __________ worth your time? (Church)
2. Are _________ worth your time? (People)
3. Is ________ worth your time? (Jesus)