Friday, November 12, 2010

November 12, 2010, I Peter 4

Key Verse :

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

(1 Peter 4:10)

Central Truth :

Our gifts and talents are not for us; they are for serving others. When we serve others, we show them the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

LIVING FOR GOD.
I love this chapter. It gets me FIRED UP about serving! It’s my passion. I believe that everyone should serve. When you serve others, something amazing happens. You become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. You show others that they are loved and valuable. You show them that God loves them. That’s what life is all about. Love God. Love people.


This idea of living for God and others is repeated over and over in the Bible. It’s not a coincidence either. It’s so important that it bears repeating.


"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:11)

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).

When we serve others, we don’t do it for praise or reward. But we are rewarded. I have been so blessed by working in the preschool at Piedmont. Those sweet chubby babies give me all the reward I could ever ask for. And when we keep a baby in the Peewees, it gives that child’s parent a chance to serve someone else and so on. It’s a domino effect. Can you imagine how wonderful things could be if everyone paid it forward? Can you imagine how loved people would feel? Can you imagine how pleased God would be?


And serving is not just for church. We have opportunities to serve others all the time, everyday. You can help out your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. You can mow a sick friend’s lawn. You can carry in the mail for an elderly neighbor. You can offer to babysit a friend’s kids so she can have the night off. There are so many big and small ways to show others love. Today I challenge you to find someone to love on.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35.

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