I had computer problems last week. Actually... my computer crashed and had to get another computer.... I was unable to post last weeks sermon.
So... here is last weeks message about the Value of "Serving"
Sunday Oct. 7, 2012
Eph. 4:7-13, Matt. 20:20-28
Prayer
We’ve been on this journey of
“Walking in the Way of Jesus, 6 Values of Followership” over the past few weeks.
These 6 values are important to the faith community because they help ground
you to living life closer to Jesus. These 6 values really become the faith
foundation of the faith community. And over the last few weeks we have
reflected on their importance. The importance of being a faith community
grounded in Prayer, Worship, and last week Learning… Today our focused value is “Serving”
I want to start by saying,
that I’ve observed many people at Cross being faithful servants. Thank You!!!
Thank You good and faithful servants. While it’s good that many of you are
serving…. There are many you who are not. I don’t say this to be critical, but
to encourage you to use your gifts and passions to serve.
Jesus calls us to
serve...it’s an important part of walking in the way of Jesus.
Jesus says in our story today, “If you want to be
great, you must be a servant.”
Many translations say,
“Slave”… of course the word “Slave” has negative connotation to it for us. But a slave in Jesus’ day was not necessarily
a bad or abusive thing. Matter of fact, slaves we part of the household… part
of the family. In Jesus’ day slaves were the ones who did much of worked in
society.
And we think people are lazy
today… Slaves during this time in history were really the lower and middle
class population. If you think about it… this is still the case… what classes
of people still do the largest share of the work in our society?
Paul tells us in Eph. That Jesus chose some to be
Apostles, Prophets, Missionaries, Pastors, and teachers so that people would
serve.
Paul also tells us in Romans
12 & 1Cor 12… “That everyone has a spiritual gift to serve.” The truth is
that God has blessed each of us with a passion and a gift to serve in the
community…. Each of us has a passion that God empowers us with.
It’s important because as the late Tennis Pro Arthur
Ashe has stated, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not
the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others
at whatever cost.”
That is really what Jesus is
telling James & John, and their mother.
What does this mean for us?
Some people have just
gotten a bit nervous about this question.
We All Have Gifts & Passions
Slaves were chosen in Jesus’
day by their giftedness… by what they could do best. Paul picks up on this when
he says Eph 4, “Christ chose some…” All of the disciples didn’t decide to
follow Jesus just for the sake of going with him… no… Jesus chose them! Jesus
chose them because he knew their gifts and passions. Jesus knows your gifts and
passions as well. And you’re not too OLD nor too YOUNG. Nor if you think you’ve
already done your time serving in the Sunday School. There is no retirement
system in God’s world.
I like to ask people… What are your passions?
They don’t necessarily have
to be churchly or religious.
I met Frank at my first call congregation
when he came to church after his wife had died. She had died two years prior
and felt something was missing. He was a faithful church participant, but
couldn’t bring himself to go back to the church he and his wife belonged to.
So… he came to us… After Frank had been attending for a few weeks I asked Frank
if we could get together. Frank invited me over to his home for lunch. After visiting
for a while Frank told me that he didn’t have much to offer the church. As the
conversation went on I asked Frank if he had any hobbies. He gestured to come
with him to a bedroom and opening the door there were model airplanes
everywhere. Frank had more than a hobbie… he had a passion for airplanes. Parts
and planes were everywhere.
Later I was talking with the principle
at an elementary school and she asked if I knew anyone who worked with model
airplanes. Yes I do… She knew of three boys at the school who had an interest
in airplanes. We put Frank and the three boys together. Frank didn’t realize at
first that his passion was indeed God’s work thru him. Frank was able to share
his faith experiences and passion about airplanes with 3 boys who may have
never have heard about God.
All of us have the same
opportunities to use your giftedness & passions to share the love and grace
of God.
Serving Creates Involvement IN Community
Serving IN community is
pretty comfortable for many of us. Serving in worship, caring for the
facilities, music, SS, and special projects are generally pretty easy for us to
participate in. Serving IN community is a good way to gain confidence and
connect with those you know. But this is not all there is…. Yes God calls us to
use our gifts and passion IN the community… But also…
Serving Creates Involvement OUT in Community
You’re doing and have done
some of this… McRest… Community Dinners, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army
Soup Kitchen, LSSM… Mission trips to New Orleans etc. These are important
opportunities to share your gifts and passions. These opportunities also
enhance our faith and give us a different perspective on what others are
dealing with in life. Perhaps… these mission activities can be reignited to
serve OUT in community in the near future.
Lastly… Be Willing to be the Face of Jesus.
God isn’t looking for
individual greatness, but individuals willing to be the face of Jesus to
others. I once met a young man who was struggling with life. Nothing seemed to
be working in his favor. I couldn’t fix the issues he was struggling with, but
I could listen to his story and invite him to come be with the rest of us who
were struggling to find God’s love as well. I couldn’t fix his problems… but I
could demonstrate God’s grace the best I could.
That is really our challenge
today… to demonstrate grace in an ever-more judgmental world.
My friends… that is SERVING…
Closing:
I often ask congregations…
What are your dreams?
The usual answers are… To
Grow…. To have the seats filled in worship…. To have lots of kids and young
people….
At one congregation after all the usual responses an
older woman raised her hand and said, “Until we become a congregation focused
on being missional and serving others, we will not grow as a congregation.”
I believe for me… and I pray
for you as well… as Joshua states, “As for me and my family… we will serve the Lord.”
See You Out on the Road
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