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lesson 9 GOD’S PERFECT WILL - SERVICE IN THE BODY I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Rom 12:1,7,11 - God’s will for His children is for them to serve each other. 2. Rom 12:1; Mt 4:10 - Serving is one way to worship God. 3. Rom 12:1 - Serving flows from our experiencing the mercy of God. II. MAIN THEME: God’s desire is for members of the body to serve each other. The way to greatness in the kingdom is through becoming a servant. 1. Service has always been a high priority to God. a. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28, Phil 2:5-8). b. Jesus lived and taught that love, the highest calling, is shown through serving others (Jn 13:14-17). c. To serve God is to serve people (Rom 12:1, 9-17, 21, Matt 25. 2. Serving others is a way to honor God. a. Spiritual service is equated with worship in the bible (Rom 12:1, Heb 9:1, 6). b. Worshipping God and serving others are used in the same context. The one defines or clarifies the other (Rom 12:1 & 12:9-17, Phil 2:19-3:3). 3. God gives us the means or tools to serve others. a. As we focus on and experience the mercy of God, we can serve (Rom 12:1, 9-17). b. Focusing on the mind of Christ and renewing our mind through the Word also helps our lives of service (Rom 12:2, Phil 2:5-8). c. When we feed on the Word, we are better able to overcome Satan, and to worship and to serve God (Mt 4:1-10). d. God also gives special ability to serve to some brethren (Rom 12:6-7). e. When we serve the brethren, we will mature, becoming able to serve in even difficult situations (Rom 12:20). III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS · Let serving people have the priority it had in Jesus’ life (Mt 20:28, Phil 2:5-8). · Don’t let Satan deceive or rob you of the joy and blessing of service – it is good, pleasing and will mature you (Rom 12:2). · When serving becomes a burden or nuisance, review God’s mercy in your life (see Rom 1-11). Look at the spirit of Christ at the cross and throughout the gospels (Heb 12:1-4). · Remember that Jesus put on a servant’s towel and washed his disciples feet (Jn 13:14-17). IV. MEMORY VERSES - Rom 12:1-2 : “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's
mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--
this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing
and perfect will.”(NIV) |