Generous Part 4

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Luke 9:23-25

 

OUR TIME INVESTED IN OTHERS IS THE GREATEST COMMODITY BECAUSE TIME IS THE ONLY THING YOU CANNOT GET BACK WHEN IT’S GONE.

 

…A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29

 

When we serve others we start physically and spiritually connecting here on earth with what our souls will do for all eternity.

 

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”; After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:1;3-7;12-17

 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION

 

THE HEART OF SERVING

 

1. SERVING STARTS WITH ME

 

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

 

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10

 

2. SERVING STARTS WITH BEING FAITHFUL WITH THE SECRET OPPORTUNITIES

 

“You can map out a fight plan or a life plan. But when the action starts, you’re down to your reflexes.  Thats where your road work shows.  If you cheated on that in the dark morning, you’re getting found out now under the bright lights.” Joe Frazier

 

WHAT WE DO IN THE PRIVATE TIMES IMPACTS HOW WE WILL BE IN OUR PUBLIC TIMES

For the lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. Proverbs 5:21

 

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:1;3-4

 

3. SERVING STARTS WITH THE INSIGNIFICANT AREAS EVERYONE ELSE IGNORES.

 

If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:3

 

Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10

 

Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks.

 

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42

 

4. SERVING STARTS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING IT’S THE MISSION OF JESUS

 

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13

 

A love that goes beyond self and is willing to serve the interest of others CANNOT BE IGNORED BY the world

 

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35

 

TAKE HOME- OUR COMMITMENT

 

You must each decide in your heart how much to give…. 2 Corinthians 9:7

 

• I will intentionally share my resources.

 

BLOOMHERE.ORG/KINDNESS

 

• I will intentionally share my time.

 

• I will intentionally share my Jesus.

 

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16