TRUE AND SATISFYING SERVICE ONE OF THE MOST

TRUE AND SATISFYING SERVICE

ONE OF THE MOST GLORIOUS EXPERIENCES WE COULD EVER HAVE NEXT TO OUR SALVATION IS TO SERVE GOD (EPH. 2: 8 -10).

The object of this study is first of all to remind all Christians of the greatness and the glory of the work in which God gives us a share.

We are not to let discouragement over an apparent lack of results keep us from working or serving, but instead we are to continue to do good whenever we have an opportunity, knowing that our efforts would have eternal results.

Galatians 6: 9 -10 We may not fully realize it but certain things do result from our service to God.

THE SATISFACTION OF CHRIST IN HIS SERVICE • John 17: 4 -5 • Isaiah 53: 11

LIVES THAT SATISFY HIM NOW The redeemed show Him love and devotion though this love still has many imperfections. But the Bible assures us that the Lord Jesus will eventually present his “glorious church” and his servants will honor him perfectly.

ONE OF THE GREATEST REASONS FOR SERVICE IS TO BRING SATISFACTION TO OUR LORD JESUS.

OUR SATISFACTION IN CHRIST • Psalm 107: 8 -9 • Psalm 17: 15

We must be determined to know Christ and to find Him to be our ultimate fulfillment in life. • Philippians 3: 10 - 11

“To know Christ is a transforming experience that gives the foundation for honoring God, carrying out His will and helping others. Without this vision and knowledge of God, we can go through the motions of ministry, but we will never have the devotion for true service that perseveres. ” - Abe Van Der Puy

WE SHALL FIND OVERWHELMING SATISFACTION AS WE SERVE. As we sacrifice and suffer in the service of Christ, we shall see the fruit and be satisfied. We experience joy in serving Jesus now (Acts 20: 24).

To serve Jesus can be a satisfying experience now. And even more in the future, loyal servants of Christ will have a great reward. • Psalm 126: 5 -6 • 2 Timothy 2: 12 (4: 8)

HOW TRUE SERVICE BRINGS SATISFACTION TO GOD? 1. TRUE SERVICE IS THE FRUIT OF GOD’S WORK IN OUR LIVES. Colossians 1: 9 -11

We must see service as God’s own work, He works it through us, we have to work it out.

Fruit comes spontaneously, without thought or will, the natural and necessary outcome of a healthy life. Work is the product of effort guided by the thought and the will. In the Christian life we have the two elements in combination.

All true work must be fruit, (Ephesians 2: 10; Galatians 6: 9 -10) the growth and product of our inner life, the operation of God’s Spirit within us.

“Men are looking for better methods. God is looking for better men. ”

2. TRUE SERVICE IS RELIANCE UPON GOD’S GRACE, STRENGTH AND FAITHFULNESS 2 Corinthians 8: 1; 9: 8

We must do God’s work in God’s way, and in God’s power. It is a spiritual work, to be done by spiritual men/women, in the power of the Spirit.

• We have the ability provided: God is able to make all grace abound, that we may abound to all good works. • The measure of true grace is tested and proved by the measure of good works. With greater grace, comes greater responsibility to serve

AS GOD ALLOWS ABOUNDING WORK, WE CONSTANTLY NEED TO RELY UPON GOD FOR ABOUNDING GRACE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL.

1 Corinthians 4: 1 -2 We must also learn to ascribe all we do to God’s grace. We must learn to measure all we do by God’s grace.

3. TRUE SERVICE DEMANDS UNDAUNTED COMMITMENT John 12: 24 -26

We shall count it our joy to give ourselves to live only and wholly for Him.

CHRIST REVEALED THE SECRET OF ALL DIVINE SERVICE—MAN YIELDING HIMSELF FOR GOD TO DWELL AND TO WORK IN HIM.

To serve the Lord does signify some unpleasant, unavoidable task. But on the contrary, the individual who knows God, realizes that the Lord’s service is a great privilege.

Samuel Rutherford “Bearing the cross of Christ is the sweetest burden that I ever bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or sails to a ship, to carry forward to my harbor. ”

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” Psalm 40: 8

4. TRUE SERVICE REQUIRES A HOLY LIFE BEFORE GOD Romans 12: 1 -2 2 Timothy 2: 20 -21 We must seek to consecrate our lives for His own noble purposes.

The more complete our submission to God, the surer and the richer will be our joy and our reward in our service to Him.

SERVICE IS A FORM OF WORSHIP TO GOD.

• The character and quality of our service depends on the character of our lives • There is sufficient grace in Christ for all the service we do.

5. TRUE SERVICE IS FOCUSED ON THE GLORY OF GOD 1 Peter 4: 11 Revelation 5: 12 -13

We are to know the divine blessedness of a life given to service that honors and glorifies God.

The purposes of Christ who commands or performs the work, gives it all its real worth.

The more we depend on God alone for our strength, the more He will be glorified.

The more we seek to make God’s glory/purpose our purpose, the more will we be led to give way to His working with His strength and love.

When we use the abilities that God has given us, as He directs us and orders us to help others, they will see Jesus in us and praise Him for the help that they have received. Psalm 115: 1

The commendation of God makes all the investment of life, talents and resources worthwhile. 2 Cor 10: 18

We have great satisfaction in Jesus Christ now. He assures us that we will know even greater contentment when we are with Him in heaven, enjoying the everlasting fruit of His great work for us, in us and through us.

Count Zinzendorf “I have but one passion; it is He, He only. ”