Let's Get Ready To Serve God

Let's Get Ready To Serve God

1 Peter 4:7-11

1 Peter 4:7 - 11 ⁷But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer

^{8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
^{9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
^{10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
^{11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

INTRO: Can you imagine one of the final four teams only having 1/3 or 1/2 show up for practice? Or even 3/4 of the team show up? What would you think about their dedication? Their desire? Their right to even be on the team????? What should we think about those who do not, will not, give their all to serve the Lord??? Are the two teams remaining in the final game of this season serious? Are they willing, even desiring to give it their all? Is not our service to the Lord worth more than a championship ring? Is not much more in the balance than cutting down some basketball nets? For them the finish is in sight. What about us? Is not the finish line for us just ahead?
Lets start.

We can see in this scripture that…
A "finish line" is in sight (we must feel that the end is near)- vs. 7

Time is limited

My life - 20-30 years or so
Your life?

Time requires sober living

Are you wasting your life?
Are you wasting the best years of your life?

Time shows us need for excess in prayer

Watch for opportunity
Prayer from the heart (burdened)

QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

Do YOU think the end is near?
Do You think YOUR end of life is near?
IF so, what are you doing?
If so, what do you need to be doing?
Do you take you responsibility serious?
If not, what are the consequences?

We also see in this scripture…
A fervent love is effective - vs. 8

Love is constructive (above all) - we can build upon fervent love

Love changes things (us, outlook, attitude, etc.)
Love is strong - endures

Love brings closeness

Finds ways to bring harmony
Finds ways to bring happiness
Finds ways to bring a haven
Finds ways to bring hope
Finds ways to bring helpers
Finds ways to bring honor

Love handles conflicts

Love helps head off problems
Love helps heal problems
Love helps lessen problems
Love helps us forget problems
Love helps us not cause problems
Love helps forgiveness

QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

Do you want to love each other?
Do you love each other?
Do you see the correlation? (Between wanting to and actually doing so?

As well, we can see…
A friendly hand of help is influential - to others, to us vs. 9
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

You may never know who you help
You may never know how you help
You may never know why they need help
You may never know when you have truly helped
Just remember…
A friendly hand often comes just in time
A friendly hand often comes when least expected
A friendly hand often comes when least deserved
A friendly hand often comes when hope is gone

QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

Are you willing to help?
Do you help?
Do you grumble?
Do you refuse help?

Another truth from God's Word is…
A fundamental service by all to the Lord is essential - vs. 10

Every man who has received the gift

God has something for us all to do for Him and His people

Minister the same one to another

God has expectations for each of us
God knows our abilities to serve Him
Our serving Him helps others do so

As good stewards

Use what God gives us
Use what God gives us well
Help others serve Him well

QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

Do you want to serve?
Will you serve?
Are you serving now?
Why or why not?
Is it time to serve?
Can you serve after the end? (too late?)
Are you using what God has given you to use?

And, we need to see…
A faithful execution of His gifts - vs. 11

Willing to speak as if He speaks through us

Do we take His work seriously?

Willing by the strength that God supplies

Do we trust in His help?

Willing to proclaim God's glory through Jesus Christ

Do we glorify God through His Son?

With our mouth?
With our deeds?
With our life?

QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

Do we really want to give God the glory through Jesus Christ?
Are we giving God the glory through Jesus Christ?
Are we using His gifts for Him?

ANOTHER FINAL SET OF QUESTIONS ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF:

What will be the consequences/rewards if we act as if the end is near or our time is short ?
What will be the consequences/rewards if we show or give great love for each other?
Do you have a helping attitude or desire?
Do you have a serving attitude?
Do you , or are you doing your best to execute your gifts for God?
Are you doing you best to be the kind of Christian you know God wants you to be?
What can you do to do better for the Lord?

Gary Marcum New Beginnings Church - 0400305am}}}}