Rooted – Improving Your Serve
We are called to the act of selfless service and contribution to our local church, family and community.
Philippians 2:3-8
Lessons for Disciples – A Kingdom of Servants
Disciples must follow Jesus in rejecting the world’s grasping for power, choosing to live as servants, willing to be mistreated and suffer, trusting God the Father to vindicate His followers in His own time.
Mark 10:32-45
Lessons for Disciples – The Kingdom, Disciples, and the Little Children
Unlike the kingdoms of this world, the Kingdom of God does not give preference to the powerful or wealthy but is open to everyone who will receive it like a little child by recognizing their helplessness and great need that only Jesus can meet.
Mark 10:13-16
You Belong
When a person is in Christ they are admitted into the body of Christ, a world wide community of faith. The next and most important step is to become a member of a local body!
1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:2
The Church – The Community of Servanthood
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
The local church community is where we are taught humble servanthood as a virtue, where we practice acts of servanthood, and where our souls are shaped so that our whole life becomes characterized by the attitude and practices of servanthood.
Galatians 5:13-15
The Beautiful Community – Humble Servanthood
If the Church is to be a beautiful community of unity and diversity, we must walk in humility, being willing to sacrifice our own rights in order to serve our brothers and sisters.
Philippians2:1-11
Seeing Jesus
Following Jesus is not about the things that he can give us or do for us, but recognizing the thing that he has done for us. With that view, we must in turn serve others with the empowerment he has given us, while pointing the way to him.
Mark 10:35-52
Growing Generous
As those who are cared for and blessed by God, we should develop a heart that is generous towards others in thought and action, willing to help in whatever way we can.
Proverbs 11:24-26
Disciples Serve His Church
Disciples use their spiritual gifts and look for ways to serve in the local church.
1 Peter 4:10-11
All In: Participants Not Spectators
In the New Covenant, God calls all Christians to be actively participating in works of ministry, serving others in the church and the world.
Ephesians 4:8-12
Luke – The Ox
Luke presents Jesus as the ox, full of strength yet suffering as a sacrifice for sin, so that we might repent and be forgiven of our sins and then serve others.
Luke 1:5; 9:22; 22:15; 24:44-47
Deacons
Deacons are men and women of Christian character and a mature, orthodox faith, who are set apart by the church to serve the church, her members, and others in practical ways.
1 Timothy 3:8-13
Unchained Through Restoration
The Gospel of God’s grace restores our relationship with God, and it calls us to act as Christ would to see relationships restored with others as well.
Philemon 1:17-25
Lee Short
Lee Short shares about the ministry in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and throughout the Spanish speaking world.
Spiritual Gifts – The Church In Action
Gifts are given by God to enable every Christian to be an effective minister for God, helping to build His Church and Kingdom.
Ephesians 4:7-16
Spiritual Gifts and Service
Each of us must know which gifts we have been given so that we can serve others, but we are also called to serve in areas where we are not gifted – especially helping those in need.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Galatians 6:9-10
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are concrete expressions of God’s grace, manifested by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, in order to enable us to serve others in love.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
A Christ Filled Team
The work of the kingdom is not done by a few superstars, but through the Spirit-empowered efforts of a Christ-filled team comprised of all believers.
Colossians 4:7-18
Timothy and Epaphroditus – Christ-like Examples for Us
Timothy and Epaphroditus were Christ-like examples, serving others even at great personal sacrifice and risk.
Philippians 2:19-30
A Life That Fulfills God’s Purpose
God calls us to live a life of love and service toward Him and others.
Matthew 22:34-40
A Life for God’s Glory
Our entire lives matter to God and are to be lived in service to Him and with a view toward eternity
1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23-24
Serving as a Means of Grace
We have been called to be servants of Christ, giving from his riches and not our own, knowing that serving him will bring us face to face with him.
1 Peter 4:10
A Fruitful Life Devoted to Good Works
The Gospel causes us to live productive and fruitful lives, devoted to good works and helping others.
Titus 3:8-15