1. We all have spiritual gifts.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

2. You are given gifts to use them.

You were created to contribute.

3. You receive these gifts for the benefit of others.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

1. Our humility paves the way to service.

“He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”
CS Lewis

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
Rick Warren

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12

2. Our role is unique in service.

“Each one should use whatever gift he’s received to serve others.”
1 Peter 4:10

“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
Zig Zigler

3. We belong to one another

1. Our motivation for serving is mercy.

“It does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
Romans 9:16

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47

2. Spend our lives serving others.

Ephesians 6:7, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.”

Charles Spurgeon said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter."

3. You need to change, to create more time.

A Spiritual Contributor > A Spiritual Consumer

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10,

1. There is a purpose in our pain.

2. Your past doesn’t prohibit you from serving, it prepares you to serve.

God cares less about where we have been, and more about where we are going.

His Grace > My Past

1. Our present struggles are inconsequential to our future state.

A fallen world
Bad decisions
Persecution for our faith

2. The problems of this world remind us of a better hope.

"Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28

“Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:21

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

3. The ministry of the Spirit of God.

What
Why
Oops

Apart from Christ I lose the war with sin.

1. We have freedom from the condemnation of sin, v. 1-4

a. Available through the Spirit of life

b. Attained by the death of Christ.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

2. We have freedom from the power of sin, v. 5-14

a. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

b. Kill the deeds of the body

1. Jesus wants to give you NEW LIFE everyday.

2. The Old must be taken out before the New can be brought in.

You won’t find any life in the cause of death.

3. Focus on being Free!

1. Peace with God.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and his name shall be called…Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7

2. Access to God.

3. Hope in God.

“Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" Luke 24:26

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17

We who once were God’s enemy, have now been reconciled, through the love of God in Christ Jesus.