Are you ready to serve?

Do you ever feel like you are backwards in trying to live a Christian life?  Do you feel like you are right handed in a left handed world or like you are walking around with your shoes on the wrong feet, just trying to do the right thing?
Try writing a simple sentence with your opposite hand.
It's not comfortable.
It's awkward.
It doesn't even feel natural at times and you want to switch hands so badly.  You know you can probably do it faster and easier with your other hand.
As Christians, we tend to be opposite from the world in many ways and being different can be uncomfortable and can make life difficult.
So what does it mean to achieve greatness?  Does being served by others mean you have achieved greatness?

According to Luke 22:27 God's perspective of greatness is the opposite of the world's perspective.  It is the one who serves that is the one who has achieved greatness.
"For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who reclines at the table?  But I am among you as the one who serves."

Jesus showed humility and served others while on earth even through his final moments with the disciples.  He prepared them for his death and shared the passover meal with them.
Luke 22:19-23
"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!  And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing."

What did the bread represent?  His body
What did Jesus say the cup represented?  His blood

Why do you think Jesus did what he did for us? 
Do you remember what our lesson was about last week?  Love. 

John 15:12-13
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

We should be lead to serve one another by love and have sacrificing attitudes.  Jesus' death was more than just an example of love, it was the ultimate example of selflessness.

Think about these things the next time you go out to eat and wanna catch an attitude with a waitress that is doing her job by serving you or when you are at the check out line at Wal Mart.  Would you be able to get your meal or your grocery without that person who is helping you?  A follower of Christ must reject the world's perspective of greatness and live by God's values.

We can adopt these "kingdom perspectives" into our lives too.  Have you ever stood by a friend during a difficult time, like a tough break up or a rough transition at school, a divorce or a personal struggle?  Where you rewarded for being a faithful friend?
The disciples stood by Jesus through many trials.

Luke 22:28-30
"Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

What was his promise to the disciples for their faithfulness? (a role of authority with Him in heaven)
What are some ways you can anonymously serve others this week?

Your challenge this week is to record one thing you have done each day to serve someone. 

"The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service.  The Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is willing to serve in the hard place, the uncomfortable place, the lonely place, the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be persecuted.  Knowing that time is short and eternity is long, he is willing to spend and be spent." - John MacArthur.
 

Picture of Love

We opened the lesson with the Toby Mac Song "Made to Love".

We all say we know what love is but can you draw a picture of love?  So is love more of a feeling or an action?

"What does love look like?  It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.  It has eyes to see misery and want.  it has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.  That is what love looks like." - St. Augustine.

Luke 10:25-29 tells us to Love completely. 
"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life.  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou.  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"

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Jesus challenges us:

1)  What is the inner most part of a person's being?   (Soul)
2)  What is the inner most part of a person's reason?  (Mind)
3)  What is the inner most part of a person's emotions, will and deepest convictions?  (Heart)
4)  What is how a person uses the abilities and powers he has been given?  (Strength)

What does Jesus mean by love your neighbor?

Transition:  We must have the right definition for "neighbor" because Christ expects us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Read Luke 10:30-32
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side."

Both the Levites (members of the tribe of Levi but not descendants of Aaron/assistants of priests) and  the priests (descendants of Aaron who had priestly responsibilities in the Jerusalem temple) were held in high esteem by the Jewish people, so it had to shock them to hear them refused to help a person in need.

Don't make excuses.  Seeing a need is not enough.  If we have not responded to the needs of others, we have not fulfilled God's command to love our neighbor.

What would be a good excuse not to help someone?  Trick question...there are no good excuses.  Unless you are in danger, you have no excuse to not help someone, to not "love your neighbors as yourself".  Just a kind word or a smile may be just what someone needs to get through a rough day.


Translation:  Love motivates us to respond as God expects us to when we see someone in need. 
Read Luke 10:33-37 "Respond in the right way" 
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

We fulfill God's command to love our neighbor when we act compassionately towards those in need.  Let's call it a "God Samaritan".  Back then in Jesus' time the Jews didn't view Samaritans as their neighbors.  The Jews and Samaritans were enemies.  Why do you think Jesus made the hated Samaritans the hero of this parable?  Like the Samaritans, we must be willing to alter our plans to help others.  Sometimes we need to stop what we are doing and show the love of Christ to those in need even if they hate Him and us.  We should not decide whose needs we will meet based on race, financial situation, gender, political, education, or social status.

Jesus calls us to show compassion to others NO MATTER WHAT!!

Closing we should continually ask ourselves "How can I respond in Love?"  You should display Christ's love by sacrificially responding to the needs around you with compassion and grace.  God does not want us to have just a "text book" definition of loving our neighbor.  He wants us to demonstrate love for our neighbors in the real world by showing real compassion to those in real need.

A great example of showing compassion for others is by praying for their needs. 

Choose a better tommorrow

Commitment.  What does it mean to you?  How do you show you're committed to something?  In school you study hard, make good grades, don't miss class. In sports you practice, you get good, better, improve, don't miss games.  With friends you are always there to listen to their problems, call for birthdays, hang out together, give them encouragement.  But what does commitment look like to Jesus?
In Luke 9:18-20 the disciples made the decision to follow Jesus because they were aware of who he really was. 
Luke 9:20 says: "And he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered and said, 'The Christ of God."
Knowing this, they gave him their total commitment.
According to Luke 9:23 he asked them to deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow him.  DAILY.  That really struck a cord with me.  We are often told we can not "taste test" Christianity and that is exactly what scripture is telling us right here.  It is a conscious effort we must work at daily.  A commitment.  So when was a time when you gave a total commitment to deny yourself and take up your cross?  What would you do differently in your life to better serve God to be more committed to him?
So what's keeping you from making that total commitment?
It can be difficult sometimes to make that commitment.  It's counter culture to a lot of things we are exposed to when we make that choice to commit to him we are saying we are willing to live in a different way than much of the world. 


So how do you identify with Jesus?  To identify with him we can't be ashamed of him.
In Luke 9:24-26 he pretty much says if you are ashamed of me...well I'm ashamed of you.
Remember when we talked about godliness and being Christ like?  That's where this comes into play.  You have to be like Christ so people see Christ in you...people identify you with Christ.  Sure he wants you to boldly tell people about him but he rather you just show them.  In fact, he even makes reference for them to not tell the people he was the Messiah at one point (in Luke 9:21), but rather to show them through your actions by denying yourself and taking up your cross daily.  This is how he wants you to identify with him.  When someone looks at how you live, do they clearly see a relationship with Jesus?  Do you want them to?  Maybe you need to think about some things or people you need to distance yourself from.  Are you willing to do that?  To make that kind of total commitment?  We can gain a lot from following our worldly desires...especially when we get impatient with God's timing.  But is it worth it. 

According to Jeremiah 29:11  God has a great future for every one of us.  "For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
But through our choices, we knock ourselves from his plan for us.  Your choices dictate your steps you take:  steps to glory or steps to destruction.  You make your tomorrow today.  For every act, consider the consequences of your choices.  Every choice has a consequence, no matter how small.  It doesn't have to be immediate but it will come.  There is no such thing as karma, only God's will.  You can gain the world with bad choices but what good is it if you loose your soul along the way?  In the book of Genesis we see Esau sell out his birthright just to satisfy his momentary hunger rather than waiting just moments more to prepare his own meal.  It is better to deny yourself some things today, even if people mock you, so you can have a better tomorrow.
Your destiny is dependant on nobody but YOU and God.  So don't let people persuade you into making the wrong choices, choose to endure today and enjoy your blessings tomorrow.  It will come around.  It always does.  God IS watching.  Joseph had an amazing destiny mapped out by God and although he could have followed the crowds and make some bad choices, he endured and God blessed him making him number 2 to the thrown of Egypt. 
So what can you do to make your tomorrow better?

 Fear God - God will teach you to make the right choices when you fear.  Psalms 25:12 tell us this through reverence, respect and obedience.
Study and meditate on his word  - The word of God will help you to tell good from evil.  Isaiah 7:15 tells us that the more of God's word we have in us, the more strength and grace we have in us.
And MOST importantly
Think Before you talk or act - Do not hastily do anything no matter what or who is pressuring you.  Always consider the consequences of your choices.  James 1:19 tells us to be slow to speak and quick to hear.

Your tomorrow really is great....choose it to be.

Traditional Christian or Growing Christian

We opened our lesson with the Toby Mac Song: “Speak Life”

 

Do you feel like your growing in your faith or do you feel like you’re in a rut in your Christian faith? Are you in a rut of doing tradition things…the same thing over and over and not sure why? Do you know what a tradition is?

Tradition: refers to any kind of teaching…written or spoken, that is handed down from generation to generation. Do you see how a tradition could cause a rut?

 

Read Matt 15:1-6 (Follow scripture, not traditions)

"Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,  Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."

 

The Pharisees and Scribes were Jewish leaders who taught the people about the laws they should keep. It wasn’t enough that the first (5) books of the bible contain (613) different laws. But these teachers added many, many more that they called “The traditions of the elders” which were passed on by word of mouth.

One of these “traditions” held by the Pharisees was ceremonial hand washing. That everyone should was their hands before eating not for cleanliness, but out of ritual. They believed it was a sign of being clean from sin.

Jesus corrected their wrong beliefs, in Jewish society it was ok to fail to care for aging parents, if they would use the money for God instead of care for the elders. Jesus made it clear no tradition of men excuses them from the 5^th commandment.

 

Read Matt 15:7-9 (Avoid Hypocrisy)

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

 

So what is a hypocrite? Originally, the word “hypocrite” referred to an actor in the theater, it meant to play a part or pretend. Eventually it took on the meaning we have today of a person acting like something they are not. In Jesus’ time these Jewish leaders acted like they were holy, but he knew they cared more for traditions than God’s word. How many “Christians” today say they do one thing, but really do another?

Read Matt 15:10-11;17-20 (Pure of Heart)

"And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

"Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

 

Jesus pointed out the real problem. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t wash your hands, plucked a bit of grain on the Sabbath day, play musical instruments during worship services, or chew gum in church building.

Read 1Cor6:19 (your body is a temple).

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

 

 The real problem is worse, corrupt by human nature…and/or sin. Jesus said the food we eat does not condemn us…the words we speak do. The ritual of washing hands before eating was legalism, such emphasis on rules and rituals promote pride in the act itself and condemned other. Jesus stated the sinful things people say have a root cause…the human heart. Jesus shows us how wicked and deceitful the human heart is…the sins start in the heart like evil thoughts, murders, adultery, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies, this is only a small part of a never ending list.

Closing we need to focus on our relationship with God so we can worship and serve him truthfully. Are there any things that you are currently doing that you don’t know why…possible “traditions”?

Closing prayer – Dear God please open our eyes to acknowledge that we need God’s help to let go of traditions that are in violations of scripture not only for us but our family, friends, everyone in the church, and everyone we come in contact with. Dear Lord help us with guidance, clarity, courage, and understanding the truth and wisdom in the bible.