Serving God Daily

INTRODUCTION.

A. This is not a new subject. If you are Christian, then I am certain that you have heard it said before that serving God daily is crucial to our salvation. However, I am left to wonder how serious we, as Christians, take such a statement. Do we truly believe it?

B. Let there be no doubt. We must serve the Lord daily. We must serve Him twenty-hours a day, seven days a week.

C. Listen carefully and follow along as we show the importance of one serving the Lord God twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In order to make this point, we will first begin on a negative note by showing that going to “church” does not make you a Christian.

I. THERE IS MORE TO CHRISTIANITY THAN JUST GOING TO CHURCH.

A. There are many Christians whose sum of their Christianity is attending the church services. Worshiping with the saints is only one a part of living a godly life. (Later in the lesson, we will show this from the Bible.)

B. A person whose only service unto God is attending the worship services is a person who is no longer living as a Christian.

1. What is a Christian?

a. A Christian is one who is a disciple of Jesus Christ, a learner of Jesus Christ, or a follower of Jesus Christ and therefore should be following the teachings and examples of Jesus. (1 Peter 2:21 - “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” - NKJV)

(1) Did Jesus serve His Father in Heaven only on the Sabbath day?

(2) Did Jesus serve His Father only while in the presence of His disciples?

(3) The answer is no.

(4) Jesus obeyed His Father in Heaven 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34, NKJV; cf. John 5:30)

b. Another definition of a Christian is one who is in Christ, therefore being Christ-like in their life.

(1) If we are in Christ and Christ is in us, then we must and will live a godly life. If we do not, then we depart from the fellowship of Christ.

(2) Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NKJV)

2. If you are truly a Christian, then you will be living life as a Christian should, while in this meeting place and away from this meeting place.

II. TRUE SERVICE BEGINS IN THE HEART.

A. Consider the contrast seen between Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha were both good people who served the Lord. However, the contrast seen between Mary and Martha helps to illustrate service of adoration begins in the heart.

1. Luke 10:38-42 -

a. In this passage, Martha was physically serving the Lord and others by preparing the food and setting the table.

b. Mary, on the other hand, was spending all of her time with the Lord.

2. John 12:1-8

a. In this passage, Martha was again serving and Lazarus was sitting at the table with Jesus.

b. Mary took this opportunity to anoint Jesus’ feet with ointment of spikenard. She wiped Jesus’feet with her hair. When challenged about Mary’s actions, Jesus replied, “But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:7-8, NKJV)

3. From the above comparisons, we can learn the following lessons.

a. Martha served the Lord. She worked to make certain that the food was prepared, the table was set, and the house was in order for the visitors and for Jesus.

b. Mary saw other things to be more important. Mary adored Jesus. She seized the opportunities to be in the presence of Jesus. She showed Him love. She showed Him adoration.

c. While we should all serve the Lord as Martha did, we must first develop within ourselves the love and adoration for the Lord as Mary possessed.

d. While we may serve the Lord physically through worship, praise, and service, we must first serve Him with love, devotion, adoration, respect, and awe.

e. If we love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we will love like Mary and serve like Martha.

B. Another great example illustrating the difference between inward service and outward service is the church in Ephesus. (Revelations 2:1-7)

1. That church had done a lot for the Lord. They had withstood false apostles and other false teachers. They persevered and did not give up in their laboring for the Lord.

2. However, despite all their outward obedience, they had, inwardly, left their first love.

C. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul made clear the necessity of service beginning in the heart. (Romans 6:17)

1. Paul referred to their obeying from the heart that form of doctrine. What doctrine did they obey? The doctrine of Christ and salvation. The doctrine of belief, repentance, confession, and baptism. (Cf. Mark 16:16)

2. However, Paul acknowledged that their obedience began within their heart. The brethren in Rome not only obeyed the call to salvation outwardly, they made the decision and determination to obey inwardly.

D. In order to faithfully serve the Lord 24/7, our service must first begin within our heart. Then and only then can we truly begin to serve the Lord.

III. SERVING THE LORD IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE.

A. Now that we have established what is required from within to serve the Lord 24/7, we will look at serving the Lord 24/7 in your PRIVATE LIFE. Your private life is the true mirror of your heart.

1. To serve the Lord in your private life, you are to be doing the following:

a. Study daily the word of God. (2 Timothy 2:15)

b. Pray daily to God in Heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

c. Create within yourself a desire to serve the Lord. (2 Corinthians 7:11; cf. Romans 6:17)

d. Be honest with yourself about your service unto God. (Galatians 6:3; cf. 1 John 2:3-6)

e. Love and serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:29-30)

f. Put on the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

g. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31)

h. Love your brethren. (Romans 12:10)

2. To serve the Lord in your private life, you are to avoid the following:

a. Avoid the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21)

b. Avoid evil influences. (1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:15-16)

(1) Avoid certain types of people.

(2) Avoid pornography - on television, in books, and on the internet.

(3) Avoid worldly and suggestive movies.

(4) Avoid worldly and suggestive songs and books.

c. Do not love the world. (1 John 2:15-17)

d. Do not cause others to sin or stumble. (Luke 17:1-2; cf. 1 Corinthians 8:11-13)

e. Avoid immodest behavior and apparel. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

f. Avoid materialism. (Ephesians 5:3; cf. Colossians 3:5)

g. Avoid lying and dishonesty. (Ephesians 4:25; cf. Revelation 21:8)

h. Avoid corrupt language. (Ephesians 4:29; cf. Colossians 4:6)

B. Serving the Lord 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is the key to total service and commitment to the Lord in all other areas of your life.

IV. SERVING THE LORD IN PUBLIC.

A. Your behavior and attitude towards the government.

1. Obey the rulers. (Romans 13:1-7)

2. Pray for the rulers. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

B. You attitude and behavior at your work.

1. Work well to please God. (Ephesians 6:5-9)

2. Let your light shine through righteous attitudes and actions. (Matthew 5:14-16) Remember, you are a light on a hill. Be a good influence so that those around you will see the path of righteousness.

3. Avoid evil influences. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

a. Proverbs 1:15-16 - “My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.” (NKJV)

b. Proverbs 4:14 - “Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.” (NKJV)

C. Your attitude and behavior at school.

1. Young people are to abide by the same principles that adults abide by when at work.

3. Avoid evil influences. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

a. Proverbs 1:15-16 - “My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.” (NKJV)

b. Proverbs 4:14 - “Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.” (NKJV)

D. Your attitude and behavior with your friends.

1. Be a light to your friends. (Matthew 5:14-16)

2. Do not let them influence you to evil. (Cf. Proverbs 1:15-16; 4:14)

a. Do not drink with them.

b. Do not swear with them.

c. Do not steal with them.

d. Do not look at pornography with them.

e. Do not engage in ungodly and unlawful behavior.

E. Your attitude and behavior with strangers.

1. A stranger does not know you. He does not know what to expect from you. Even in these cases, let your light so shine before men. (Matthew 5:14-16)

2. In the age of internet chat, is it easy to disguise yourself as someone else and say things to total strangers that would go against your normal behavior.

V. SERVING THE LORD IN YOUR FAMILY LIFE.

A. Your responsibilities as a spouse.

1. Husbands, you are to love, honor, lead and provide for your wives. (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:23, 25-32)

2. Wives, you are to honor your husbands and submit yourselves unto them. (Ephesians 5:22-24)

3. Husbands and wives are not to defraud each other. Both spouses are to provide for the physical needs of the other. (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)

B. Your parental responsibilities.

1. Parents have a responsibility to train their children in the way of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4; cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

2. Parents are to correct and discipline their children. (Proverbs 13:34; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15)

3. Parents are to train up their children to walk in the way of the Lord. (Proverbs 22:6) This is accomplished through word, example, love, discipline and support.

C. Your responsibilities as a child. Children are to honor their fathers and their mothers. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

VI. SERVING THE LORD IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.

A. Attitude toward the organization.

1. Respect and serve the head of the church which is Christ. (Ephesians 1:20-22; cf. Colossians 1:18)

2. Respect and obey the elders. (Hebrews 13:17; cf. Acts 20:28)

B. Attitude and action in worship.

1. Worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24 - “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” - NKJV)

2. Worship God with the saints. (Hebrews 10:14-15; cf. Philippians 3:3 - “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” - NKJV)

C. Attitude and action towards the work.

1. Contribute what you can to the work of the local congregation. (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)

2. Be a worker or cooperate with the other members. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

3. Respect the decisions made by the elders or the men in regards to the work of the church. (Hebrews 13:17)

4. Respect the discipline process when the congregation must discipline. (1 Corinthians 5:11; cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15) Every member of a local congregation is to be “joined together in the mind and in the same judgment” when disciplined is exercised. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

VII. ONE MORE TIME:

A. Faithful service in your private life will directly affect service in the following areas:

1. Public

a. Government

b. Work

c. School

d. Friends

e. Strangers

2. Family

a. Spousal

b. Parental

c. Childhood

3. Church

a. Organization

b. Worship

c. Work

B. If you are serving faithfully in your private life, then you will serve faithfully everywhere else.

C. However, if you are not serving the Lord faithfully in your private life, then you will be unfaithful in the other areas of your life.

D. If your private life goes to pieces, then every other aspect of your life will suffer. It will all fall apart!!

VIII. WHEN DOES IT ALL FALL APART?

A. When does living a godly life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week cease?

1. When the person ceases to love the Lord God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

2. When the person no longer desires to serve the Lord 24/7.

3. When the private life of the person ceases to serve the Lord 24/7.

B. When serving the Lord 24/7 ceases, then repentance and change is required by God. (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

CONCLUSION.

A. Do you serve the Lord 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Or, do you only serve the Lord when you come to the worship services of the saints? Only you and God know the answers to these questions.

B. If you are not a Christian, then please consider this: God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for your sins. Jesus paid the price so that you could be free from the guilt of sin. Make the decision today to turn your life over to Jesus Christ by obeying His gospel’s call to salvation. Take the first step in dedicating your life to the Lord 24/7 by obeying His commands to believe, repent, confess and be baptized. After this, your arise to walk in a new life. As Paul taught, you are to then present your members as members of righteousness by serving the Lord 24/7. (Romans 6:13)

C. If you are a Christian and you have found that your service to God is, at best, sporadic, then determine to change, ask God to forgive you, and then make the needed changes in your life. If you have been serving the Lord four hours a day, one day a week, then rework your work schedule so that you can serve Him 24/7.

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Serving God Daily-- March 16, 2003 -- File # 1035

by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK