Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Go into all the world and serve intentionally...
Thoughts about another way that we live out the Great Commission. Followers of Jesus making other followers. I think this is a lifestyle choice for the Christian. We live forgiven (see yesterday's post). I think we must serve intentionally.
One of the marks of a Jesus disciple is they obey what he commanded them. Sometimes we have let that idea lead to debates over worship and church organization. And almost all of those debates are not about the commands of Jesus. But there are two commands he gave that are greater than any others. His words, not mine.
Love God. Hence the live forgiven idea.
Love your neighbor. Serve intentionally.
When Jesus talked about these commands, he told the story we call the Good Samaritan. When he finished, he said Go and do the same. Go. There is that Great Commission language. So go where? Everywhere in your world where you see people to serve. Physical needs. Emotional needs.
And serve intentionally.
There is a great story in Acts 3 about Peter and John serving (healing) a cripple. A couple of things from that story should help us know how you serve intentionally.
Peter had the man look at him. Make a personal connection. They had no money to give. Sometimes we think money is the only way we need to help people. Peter even took him by the hand. Personal connection.
Then Peter said the healing was in the name of Jesus. Intentional. Learn to be deliberate in telling people why you serve. We do ministry in this world in the name of Jesus.
It is intentional because Peter and John used it as a opening to talk about Jesus to all the people who came to see what had happened to the blind man.
When the Jewish leaders questioned them about what was happening, Peter called it an act of kindness. Intentional service. He talked about faith and the name of Jesus. He talked about the Jesus who died for our sins and was resurrected. He urged them to repent and enjoy new life.
And the leaders were amazed at their courage. They noted they had been with Jesus. Followers making followers. We serve because we love our neighbor. We look for the open door service offers to share the good news.
Shame on us if we only serve in order to try to convert someone. And shame on us if we serve and do not try to reach them.
Serve with a purpose. It gives you credibility to talk about Jesus. After all, if you don't care about my needs in this life why would I believe you care about my needs for the life to come.
Living forgiven gives credibility to Jesus. He really changes lives. Serving intentionally gives credibility to you when you tell that story.
Live forgiven.
Serve intentionally.
Making disciples.
One of the marks of a Jesus disciple is they obey what he commanded them. Sometimes we have let that idea lead to debates over worship and church organization. And almost all of those debates are not about the commands of Jesus. But there are two commands he gave that are greater than any others. His words, not mine.
Love God. Hence the live forgiven idea.
Love your neighbor. Serve intentionally.
When Jesus talked about these commands, he told the story we call the Good Samaritan. When he finished, he said Go and do the same. Go. There is that Great Commission language. So go where? Everywhere in your world where you see people to serve. Physical needs. Emotional needs.
And serve intentionally.
There is a great story in Acts 3 about Peter and John serving (healing) a cripple. A couple of things from that story should help us know how you serve intentionally.
Peter had the man look at him. Make a personal connection. They had no money to give. Sometimes we think money is the only way we need to help people. Peter even took him by the hand. Personal connection.
Then Peter said the healing was in the name of Jesus. Intentional. Learn to be deliberate in telling people why you serve. We do ministry in this world in the name of Jesus.
It is intentional because Peter and John used it as a opening to talk about Jesus to all the people who came to see what had happened to the blind man.
When the Jewish leaders questioned them about what was happening, Peter called it an act of kindness. Intentional service. He talked about faith and the name of Jesus. He talked about the Jesus who died for our sins and was resurrected. He urged them to repent and enjoy new life.
And the leaders were amazed at their courage. They noted they had been with Jesus. Followers making followers. We serve because we love our neighbor. We look for the open door service offers to share the good news.
Shame on us if we only serve in order to try to convert someone. And shame on us if we serve and do not try to reach them.
Serve with a purpose. It gives you credibility to talk about Jesus. After all, if you don't care about my needs in this life why would I believe you care about my needs for the life to come.
Living forgiven gives credibility to Jesus. He really changes lives. Serving intentionally gives credibility to you when you tell that story.
Live forgiven.
Serve intentionally.
Making disciples.
