Lord’s Day Message
Topic: Learn to Serve (2)
Bible Verses:
If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (1 Tim. 3:15, ESV)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 16:24-25)
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matt. 20:28)
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26)
But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. (Rom. 7:6)
Main Burdens
1. The Church is the household of God
When we live in the house of God, serving is not only what we should do, but it will also help us really feel at home and have the reality of the living in God’s house.
2. The foundation of serving is love for the Lord
No matter how much we have equipped or what our spiritual situation is, loving the Lord makes us qualified and eager to serve. In fact, serving will also make us love the Lord, the house of God, and brothers and sisters even more.
3. Serving is a matter of supplying life
Serving is not merely some outward works, but is a matter of supplying life. The outward works are only processes and the most important thing of serving is to help others to grow in life.
4. Serving is the testimony and reality of following the Lord
Serving is the best way to follow the Lord. The Lord came to the earth to serve us so that we can go back to the household of God. Today our serving also helps others to gain life, satisfaction, peace and joy in the household of God.
When we serve others, we put others in our heart and help them to grow spiritually. This will help us experience the reality of denying our self and bearing the cross to follow the Lord. It is in this process we will learn not to rely on our own will but God’s to do the work or to contact each person. In such serving we may experience His strengthening so that we won’t feel disappointment but fulfill God’s will positively.
5. Learn to serve in the new way in spirit
Serving is a matter in spirit. We have a burden in spirit, we help others in spirit, and we can do every work positively in spirit. Serving is not in the old way of regulations. Only serving in the spirit can supply life and help ourselves to grow.
Next Topics: 1 Tim. 1:1-11
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 13/1 Mon. 7:30pm, Christine Zhou’s
Young Professionals Meeting:
14/1 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Prayer Meeting: 8/1 Wed. 7:30pm，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：18/1 Sat. 7:30pm, Thomas & Lena’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all who join us today. We also hope you can leave your feedback and information that we may contact you in the future.
- Please pay attention to the new serving schedule of the hall cleaning. If you have any question, please contact Brother Richard Cui.
- On April 18~21 (Friday night to Monday noon) the church plans to have a conference for both young and adults at the Collaroy. We hope many brothers and sisters can separate out the time and participate together. For details, please contact Brother Richard and Sister Lamee.
Intercession:
- Please pray for the gospel friends among us so that our Lord can open their hearts to see God’s salvation and be willing to accept the Lord to become the member in God’s family.
- Pray for brothers and sisters who travel in the holiday season. May the Lord give them peace and joy in their trips.
Serving Next Week: (Jan. 19)
- Sharing: Chuan Ma & Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: Shanwon Chow & Richard Cui
Serving Bread and Cup: Jack Lee, Jason Wang & Richard Cui
3. Pianist: Hannah Cui
4. Cleaning: Olsen & Likun Family, Pauline Zhang, Shirly, Richard & Lamee Family, David & Ching, Helen Zhou
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