Free to Serve

Sermon by Pastor Steve Hopkins for the service of July 24, 2016

Scripture: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers an sisters of mine you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40, NIV)

Sermon outline:

Free to Serve

1. Foundation for Service
   1. “But those who drink of the water that I give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14, NRSV)
   2. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, ESV)
   3. “Your kindness will reward you but your cruelty will destroy you.” (Proverbs 11:17, NLT)
2. Meaning of Service
   1. “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” (Isaiah 58:7, NSV)
   2. “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16, NIV)
3. Goal of Service
   1. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10, NIV)
   2. “Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:11, CEB)
   3. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, NRSV)
4. Response
   1. If Jesus is the foundation for service in the Kingdom, how might I veiw serving others differently in the future? (Remember obligation vs. love?)
   2. Are there people in my life right now (at home, at work, at school, etc.) that desperately need to be served? What about things the church is doing?
   3. What about this idea of an abundant life? In what ways might Jesus be offering me a fuller, more abundant life? How might I be a vessel to extend that to others?