THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVANT LEADER

Give yourselves completely to God – every part of you – for you want to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for His good purposes.  Romans   6:13 (LB) 

1. YOU MUST KNOW WHO YOU ARE 

Jesus knew that He had come from God…  He also knew that the Father had given Him complete power.  So He got up, wrapped a towel around His waist… and began washing His disciples' feet.  John 13:3-5 (CEV) 

Jesus: “Your approval or disapproval means nothing to Me.”  

John 5:41 (NLT) 

2. YOU MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY

The lazy person is full of excuses.  Proverbs 22:13 (TLB) 

Don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want.  Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. 

Galatians   5:13 (CEV) 

Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated

Hebrews 11:37(NLT)

3.  YOU MUST SET PRIORITIES

We should choose to follow what is right.  But first we must define what is good.  Job 34:4 (LB)

Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.  Hebrews 11:26 (NIV)

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:8 (LB)

4.  YOU MUST FOCUS ON ETERNITY 

Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits… Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT) 

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt.  He was not afraid of the king.  He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.  Hebrews 11:27 (NLT) 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in.  Study how He did it.  Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish with God—He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. Hebrews 12:2 (TM)

YOU GET TO LIVE LIFE ONCE ONLY

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT) 

Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.  Romans 12:1-2 (TM)

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’ Matthew 25:21 (NLT)

1. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BUY JESUS – GOD IN PERSON

But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, 

10"Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (CEV)

2. GOD’S ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY IS OFFERED NOW!

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.  

Acts 3:12 (NLT)

The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."  Luke 10:41-42 (TM)

3. THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY WILL SOON CLOSE 

Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.  

Ecclesiastes 12:4 (NLT)

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 13“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.  Matthew 25:10-13 (NLT)

4. DON’T BE THE ONE THAT IS LEFT BEHIND  

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 

John 10:9-10 (NLT)

"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Matthew 22:14 (CEV)

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Matthew 24:40 (NLT)

Serve the Lord with all your heart because

JESUS LOVES YOU!

HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEAR

I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. John 14: 12 (CEV)

1. WHERE THERE IS FAITH IN JESUS THERE CANNOT BE FEAR
And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

1 John 4:13-18 (NLT)

You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.
Psalm 27:1 (NLT)

2. JESUS PROMISES TO BE WITH YOU NOW AND FOREVERMORE
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) also Deuteronomy 31:6
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

3. GOD DOES NOT GIVE US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR. FEAR
COMES FROM SATAN
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

So I confessed my sins and told them all to you. I said, "I'll tell the LORD each one of my sins." Then you forgave me and took away my guilt. Psalm 32:5 (CEV)
All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. John 3:20 (NLT)

Satan's Method for using Fear:
He uses our past sins
He uses the possibilities of the future
He uses the potential of failure
He uses the certainty of criticism

4. RECOGNIZE THAT BECAUSE OF JESUS, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEARS
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (GN)

HOW TO CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS or YOUR FEELINGS DON’T HAVE TO CONTROL YOU

It is better to be slow-tempered than famous, it is better to have self-control than to control an army. Proverbs 16:32 (LB)

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37 (AB)

1. CONTROLLING YOUR EMOTIONS IS PART OF GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

How truly I love you! We're the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!
3 John 2 (TM)

Your soul is actually made up of three parts.
Your mind
Your will
Your emotions

2. JESUS SHOWS US HOW TO CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Hebrews 4:15 (TM)

They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.."
Mark 14:32-34 (NLT)

3. JESUS SOUGHT THE FATHER IN PRAYER

He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. "Abba, Father," He cried out, "everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine."
Mark 14:35-36 (NLT)

4. RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR EMOTIONS ARE BEING MANIPULATED BY SATAN
Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies. John 8:41 (CEV)

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19 (NLT)

Yes, that old snake and his angels were thrown out of heaven! That snake, who fools everyone on earth, is known as the devil and Satan. Revelation 12:9 (CEV)

In fact, God treats us with even greater kindness, just as the Scriptures say, "God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble." 7Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. 8Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.
James 4:6-8 (CEV)

HOW TO RENEW YOUR PASSION FOR JESUS

He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you. Exodus 34:14 (NLT).

 

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. Matthew 22:37-40 (TM)

 

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

 

Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:2 (TM)

 

Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."  John 8:12 (TM)

 

 

THE SEVEN PASSION KILLERS

 

1.  AN UNBALANCED SCHEDULE
It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. Psalm 127:2 (TLB)

 

Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. James 2:17 (TLB)

 

2.  AN UNUSED TALENT

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 (NLT)

 

 

Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.  1 Peter 4:10 (CEV) 

 

3.  AN UNCONFESSED SIN

My guilt overwhelms me— it is a burden too heavy to bear.
 ⁵My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. Psalm 38:4-5 (NLT)

 

if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

 

4.  AN UNRESOLVED CONFLICT

Envy and jealousy will kill a stupid fool.  Job 5:2 (CEV)

 

"You are only hurting yourself with your anger." Job 18:4 (GN)

 

5.  AN UNSUPPORTED LIFESTYLE

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

 

6. AN UNCLEAR PURPOSE

"I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Isaiah 4:6 (NIV)

 

7.  AN UNDERNOURISHED SPIRIT

I honor and love your commands.  I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:48 (NLT)

 

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR JESUS RETURN

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

Revelation 16:15 (NLT)

 

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. ³When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. ⁴But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NLT)

 

 ¹⁰“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. ¹¹Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ Matthew 25:10-11 (NLT)

 

1.  THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW!

 “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrews 3:15 (NLT)

 

2.  LIVE AS A SERVANT OF JESUS

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, ³⁰will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

 Mark 10:29-30 (NLT)

 

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)

 

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰And they left their nets at once and followed him.  Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

 

3.  LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH FAITH AND HUMILITY

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (NLT)

 

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? ⁸No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ ⁹And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. ¹⁰In the same way, when you obey me (Jesus) you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10 (NLT)

 

4.  LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT PRACTICING SIN

Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, "You are now well. But don't sin anymore or something worse might happen to you."  John 5:14 (CEV)

 

So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.  1Timothy 3:2 (NLT)

 

¹²And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. ¹⁴He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 12-14 (CEV)

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMBERSHIP IN YOUR CHURCH

The Three Parts of the Christian Life

 

1.  Believing

BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.  

Acts 16:31 (LB)

 

2.  Belonging

You are a member of God’s very own family… and you BELONG in God’s household with every other Christian!  Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

 

3.  Becoming

For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him-and all along he knew who would-should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers.  Romans 8:29 (LB)

 

Benefits to Membership

 

1.  IT IDENTIFIES ME AS A GENUINE BELIEVER

You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. Ephesians 2:19 (CEV)

 

The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. Romans 12:5 (TM)

 

2.  IT PROVIDES ME A SPIRITUAL FAMILY TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ME

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ²Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 (TLB)

 

 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

 

3.  IT GIVES ME A PLACE TO DISCOVER AND USE MY SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN MINSITRY

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) read 4-27

 

4.  IT PLACES ME UNDER THE SPIRITUAL PROTECTION OF GODLY LEADERS

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:17 (TLB)

 

Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son. ²⁹I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. 

Acts 20:28-29 (CEV)

 

5.  IT GIVES ME THE ACCOUNTABILITY I NEED TO GROW

Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21

 

Membership is a step of spiritual growth rather than as an organizational ritual.