Shift!

Part 4: Shift My Service

by Louie Marsh, 6-26-2022

 

Pics – last one Lord help me change.

 

To Serve Jesus in a deeper way I need to Shift how I…

 

1) SEE my serving Jesus.

 

• As a part of GOD’S PLAN

 

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

 

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14 (NIV)

 

• As a PRIVILEGE

 

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV)

 

2) I must make the CHOICE to serve.

 

• As a response to being CALLED to serve.

 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

 

• As an act of LOVE

 

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV)

 

• To bring God glory not make me feel GOOD!

 

Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)

 

3) SHAPE my service to Jesus.

 

S PIRITUAL GIFTS

 

"... Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."  1 Cor. 7:7b

 

WHAT AM I GIFTED TO DO?

 

HEART

 

"For it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed, for his own chosen purpose!"  Phil. 2:13 (NEB)

 

WHAT DO I LOVE TO DO?

 

A BILITIES

"I (God)... have given him skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts..."  Exodus 31:3

 

WHAT NATURAL TALENTS AND SKILLS DO I HAVE?

 

P ERSONALITY

"No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like, except that person himself."  1 Cor. 2:11 (LB)

 

WHERE DOES MY PERSONALITY BEST SUIT ME TO SERVE?

 

E XPERIENCES

 

4) STRENGTHEN my service to Jesus.

 

Through this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares?  Who with me my burden shares?  None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.  -  Just a Closer Walk With Thee

 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalms 20:7 (NIV)

 

5) REJECT fear & CHOOSE to serve by faith.

 

• Personal  INFERIORITY

 

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:10-11 (NIV)

 

• Fear of IGNORANCE.

 

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" Exodus 3:13 (NIV)

 

• Fear of PEOPLE’S OPINIONS

 

Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?" Exodus 4:1 (NIV)

 

• Fear of INABILITY

 

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Exodus 4:10 (NIV)

 

• UNWILLINGNESS

 

But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Exodus 4:13 (NIV)

 

6) SPEND myself in service to Jesus.

 

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)

 

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)