The Joy of serving

Explanation: We place emphasis on verses 8 & 9 of Ephesians chapter 2, and rightly so. Not a single person has ever been saved by doing good works. Salvation is only available through faith in the finished work of Jesus. Salvation is completely of grace, not of human effort.

We often stop too soon in our reading, and in our lives. Verse 10 follows immediately after verses 8&9, and, in context, adds to the concept of salvation. This verse gives us additional understanding of His purpose, and that purpose is to bring Him glory through good works

Illustrate: Humans create things for a specific purpose. Washing Machines are made for washing clothes, planes are made to fly people and goods from one place to another, stethoscopes are made for listening to internal sounds of the body.

Argument: Those who have been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit have a purpose. And that purpose is not just to gain heaven upon our death. We have been created by Almighty God to serve Him through Good Works that He may receive the glory.

Application: Determine to live out your purpose in Christ. Serve Him and fulfill your eternal destiny. Refuse to hang clothes on your exercise bike!

Believers are Called to Serve ()

Explanation: Not only are we created to serve, but we are called to serve. Paul informs the Galatian believers that they have been called to freedom, and that they are to use their freedom to serve one another in love. In verse 14, Paul reminds them of the command of God that they love their neighbors, and thereby makes the connection between serving and love.

Argument: We have been blessed in many ways by the Father. He does not give us all that we have simply to consume the blessings on ourselves. As the people of God we are called to convey the blessings on those who still remain outside the family of faith. We do this without neglecting the needs of those within the family ()

Application: Just like the lawyer who asked Jesus a question and received the Parable of the Good Samaritan. we need to be reminded of who are neighbor is. Your neighbor is anyone you come in regular contact with. Be intentional about developing those relationships in order that you might have opportunity to share the Gospel

Believers are Equipped to Serve ()

Explanation: Peter is informing the Christians of their responsibility to serve others according to the manner in which they have been gifted by the Holy Spirit. He explains in v. 10 that each of the believers has been given a gift. This is crucial - every believer has been given at least one grace gift. And Peter continues by explaining the purpose of the gifts is to give us supernatural abilities, that when used properly, magnify the grace of God and bring Him glory

Illustrate: Surgeons have been equipped to operate on people. They received this equipping through years of medical school and many hours of practice and observation. We don’t let random people cut on others, because they aren’t equipped for it - the surgeons are!

Argument: The Holy Spirit has supernaturally implanted a spiritual gift within the life of each and every believer. There is no prerequisite of a minimum number of years as a Believer, no certain Bible verses have to be memorized, and no amount of theological training is necessary. In His sovereignty, the Holy Spirit dispenses the gifts throughout the body in order that the local church may achieve its purpose in ministry. () see espec. v. 7

Application: Discover what gifts you have been given. While you don’t have to ask to get one, you do need to exert effort in discovering and using your gift. The efficacy of the gift is increased through use.

Believers are to Serve others because Jesus modeled it for us ()

Believers are to Serve others because Jesus modeled it for us (Mark 10:45)

Explanation: Jesus is not only our Savior and Lord, He is our Teacher and our Exemplar. His primary purpose was coming into this world to live a sinless life in order that he might pay a debt for sinners by His substitutionary atonement.

Romans 8:3 ESV

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Romans 8:3–4 ESV

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Argument: It is clear that Jesus did not live for Himself, but for others. He had no house, no real possessions, few close friends, and was destitute to the point of being laid in a borrowed tomb. During His public ministry he continually went to those in need, traveling in all conditions, healing, preaching, teaching, and loving others.

The account of Jesus’ teaching found in is instructive. Jesus and His disciples are at a feast and some Greeks want to meet Him. Jesus’ answer is not what we expect following a request for an introduction. Jesus gives them all a lesson on priorities and on what is truly important. In the lesson Jesus equates following Him with serving Him. The two go hand in hand.

Application: How is your serve? Does it need a workout? The good news is that the gym is open 24/7 and there is no signing fee or monthly dues.

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