INSIGHT
 

   In today’s fast growing economy, companies are finding it harder and harder to stay on top.  Successful businesses are those that have learned the secret of serving: meet the needs of your potential customers! A successful businesses target the needs of the community, then develop a top quality product that will meet that need, and finally, service that product to make it available. Businesses link their success to an ability to target, meet and support their customers needs.

   Just like a company  that profits through its service, Christianity profits through servant hood! Jesus came to meet our needs (salvation); we, in turn, are called to meet the needs of those around us!

   Jesus demonstrated how to be a profitable citizen in the kingdom of God by washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:5). Christ taught us that greatness does not come by being served, but rather, by serving (Luke 22:26-27). The key to happiness is found through serving and following Christ’s example.  For:

Servitude  Elevates Life - “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44)

Servitude Shows Neighborliness - "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37)

Servitude is Christ Like - “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. “ (John 13:14)

Servitude Demonstrates Love - “Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ’Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ’Take care of my sheep.’" John 21:16

Servitude Lightens Life’s Burdens - “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of  believers” (Gal 6:10)

   Therefore, be a servant. Meet the needs of those around you! By serving, you will know the joy of God!
The Royal Law: Loving Relationships
Overcoming Negative Emotions

Key Text:                       Luke 22:27

 

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. "

 

Theme:

 

Happiness is achieved in the fulfillment of one’s  true purpose.  We, in Christ, are called to be servants of the Lord Almighty and to serve Him wholeheartedly. A true servant of God is one who serves others. We are taught this in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). Jesus calls us to be people who serve. Christ is called the “light of the world” (John 8:12) because He came to meet the needs of sinners like you and me! We, in turn, are called lights of the world (Matt. 5:14) because, just as Christ served us, we too ought to serve both the community of saints and sinners. For we are a ministry! A community of servants! And where their is service, there is joy in the Spirit!

 

Application:

 

Here are some practical suggestions:

 

1. Target. Make yourself aware of the needs of others

     around you.  Focus on a particular brother or sister

     that can use your help!

 

2. Meet the need! Be determined to meet the needs of

    those who are hurting! Make it your personal goal to

    to serve them! Your love for your brother, sister or

    any one else will be displayed by  your action.  If

    you truly love them you will become their servant.

 

3. Be Supportive!  Be willing to put others before

    yourself, care for them, weep with them, laugh with

    them, pray with them! Remember, we are called to

    honor one another above ourselves! (Rom. 12:10)

 

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

Sermon Outline

Overcoming Negative Emotions

 

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,

‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.

 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted

 by the law as lawbreakers” James 2:8-9

 

Practical Ways To A Loving Relationship

 

I. Last Week: Key To Closer Relationship

   A. Suffering (Romans 5:3-4)

1. Suffering is influential

    a. It produces patience

    b. It proves (integrity)

    c. Christ’s suffering brought us to God

2. Suffering brings out the best in people

    a. It brings compassion and empathy

        (2 Cor. 1:3-7)

    b. It brings closeness (builds compassion)

 

II.  Overcoming Negative Emotions

      A. Minister To The Needs Of Others!

         1. Luke 22:26-27

             a. Greatest person is a person who serves

             b. Christians are called to ease others

             c. This is the key to spiritual happiness

      B. The Pursuit of Happiness: A worldwide goal

         1. Reasons for unhappiness

             a. We choose not to be happy

                  --Circumstances don’t make us this way

                  --We must assume responsibility (Ja. 4:1)

             b. We are all alike: Seeking happiness

             c. Here is where we fall:

                 i. Like a light bulb we plug ourselves:

                      1. Into people (husband, wife, children,...)

                      2. Into places (homes,cities,towns,...)

                      3. Into things (jobs, talents,...)

          2. Make serving your focus!

              a. Happiness is a by-product of service

              b. Service brings success

                  --Seek to help, not happiness

                  --Service will produce happiness

III. Conclusion: 1 Peter 2:16-17

       1. Be servants of God

          a. Honor (value) everyone!

          b. Love unconditionally (agapé)
Small Group Study

 

Warm-up:

Share with us a time when you aided someone who was in desperate need of your help. How did that person feel after you helped them? How did that make you feel?

 

See To It                 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

 

1-     What does the word compel (NIV) or constrain mean? Why is the love of Christ compelling?

 

2-     What does the love of Christ compel us to do?

 

3-     Explain verse 15. What is Paul inferring here? What kind of life must we lead?

 

4-     Read verse 16. What are some of the worldly point of views of Christ and Christianity in the 1990s? You may want to include some of your thoughts prior to your conversion. After meeting Christ, what is your view of Christ and Christianity now?

 

5-     Read verse 18. What were we given? What does the word ministry mean?

 

Seeing It Closer        

 

1-     What must be every Christian’s goal? Why?

 

2-     What are people looking for? How can we promote the gospel in the lives of people?

 

3-     Read Matthew 5:14-16. What seems to be the emphasis here? What should we be seeking?

 

4-     How can we promote men to glorify God? What must we do in the midst of meeting their needs?

 

Getting To It:

 

Serving is the key to greatness. If we seek happiness in things that cannot satisfy (that is, any person, place or thing), we are bound to fail. Like the song says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame (person?), but wholly lean on Jesus’ name!” Is this true for you? Christ is our happiness! Christianity is Service!

This week's Quiet Times:

 THE KEYS TO HAPPINESS

 

MONDAY

It is stated in the Declaration of Independence that everyone of us has the right to the pursuit of happiness, but is happiness something we should pursue or chase after?  The flesh says yes but what does the Spirit say?  1 Corinthians 10:23-24 reads “Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive.  Nobody should seek his own good, but rather the good of others.”  Read the following passages and assemble a list of the things the Spirit of God teaches us to pursue which are beneficial to us.   Proverbs 21:21; 1Timothy 6:11-16; 2Timothy 2:22.  Do you see the word happiness in any of these passages?  Could we gain happiness as a result of pursuing these things which the Spirit says to pursue?  Read Ecclesiastes 2:24-26.  Who does God give happiness to - those who please themselves or those who please Him?  Serve Him and you will understand that happiness is not something you need to pursue, rather it is a result of your service!!         

 

TUESDAY

Today’s quiet time will review what we began looking at last Friday.  Read Philippians 4:1-13.  Paul learned to be content (happy) whatever the circumstances.  What were his circumstances when he wrote this letter (see chapter 1)?  How do you think you would have felt in Paul’s circumstances?  Would you have felt happy?  What was the secret he learned?  Notice in verse 9 the key to having peace (happiness) - What was this happiness a result of?  Practice the things the Lord has taught you and you will experience the same peace as Paul!!  “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are YES in Christ.” (2Cor.1:21)  

     

WEDNESDAY

What did we chase after in the world to make us happy?  People , places, and things.  We thought, if only I had a better relationship - or any relationship! - I’d be happy.  If only I lived somewhere better - I’d be happy.  If only I had some nicer things - I’d be happy.  If only, if only, if only!  What does the Lord teach us about these things?  First let’s look at what He says with regards to our tendency to put all our hope in each other- our tendency to look to people to make us happy.  Read Jeremiah 17:5-13.  What is our condition if we trust in man?  If we depend on the flesh for our strength (and happiness)?  Where does our trust and confidence belong?  Do you look to people to make you happy?  What condition are you in if you do - cursed or blessed?  If you are unhappy you need to ask yourself why.  Are you looking to someone, your wife or husband, your brother or sister to make you happy?  If you are you can turn it around.  Trust in God!!  Serve your husband or wife, your brother or sister and you will feel the difference!!  Don’t chase after happiness like the world does.  It will come to you if you serve!!     

 

THURSDAY

What is our lot if we look to things (material possessions) to make us content or happy?  The world boasts about this notion with bumper stickers that read, “The one with the most toys in the end wins!”  In Christ we add the word “ nothing” to this phrase.  Read Luke 12:13-34.  What was the rich fool putting his hope in?  According to verse 19, what was the source of his happiness?  What is God’s response to this?  What does the world run after (see verses 29-36)?  What should we pursue?  Do you see how happiness comes as a result of seeking and serving the Lord?  Write verse 15 on an index card and meditate on it.  Praise God for the opportunity to have a happiness that is from above!!  Serve and experience it! 

 

FRIDAY

The word “blessed” means supremely blest, fortunate, well off , happy.  How is this different from the world’s definition of happiness.  Read Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-36 and note what it takes to be blessed or truly spiritually happy.  What are the requirements for blessedness as taught by the Lord?  Go through each one and ask yourself if you fit the description for blessed.  Which of the requirements are the most difficult for you?  Pray that God will show His strength through your weaknesses.  Understand that our calling is to follow Jesus!!  He came to serve and so we are called to serve.  When we truly follow we will also truly experience a happiness that the world can never give or know.  Blessed are you who live by the truth and who come into the light (John 3:21)!!