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BENEFITS OF STARTING AT THE BOTTOM part 6 of the "8 simple things" series
Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
Mark 9:33-35 & John 13:1-5; 12-15 ~ February 20, 2011
INTRODUCTION
A. What are we really after in life?
· Do we want our life to count?
B. Jesus says if we want to make a difference, and have an impact, we are going to have to serve.
"’What were you discussing?’…They didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest…'Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.'" Mark 9:33-35
C. Service to others was the way that Jesus lived…and died.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
D. Jesus wants His service to others to be a model.
"Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him...'I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.'" John 13:5 &15
I. THE TWO BIG QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED.
A. Am I choosing obedience over convenience?
“Jesus said, 'If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15
"He [Jesus] replied, 'But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'" Luke 11:28
· "As Christians we want the benefits but we don't want to pay the cost for those benefits." Author & Pastor Rev. Doug Fields
· The cost of all the benefits we receive in Christ is obedience.
"If any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang on to your [convenient] life, you will lose it. But if you give up your [convenient] life for my sake, you will save it."
Matthew 16:24-25
· A great example:
"Jesus called out to them, 'Come, be My disciples’...They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind." Matthew 4:19 & 22
· Service doesn't come easy to us because of our pride.
"Pride ends in humiliation…" Proverbs 29:23
B. Am I really looking for opportunities to serve?
· Opportunities both large and small
"God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10
"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42
· Service is difficult because we are selfish.
"Don't be selfish." Philippians 2:3
· We have to train ourselves to be willing and observant.
"…train yourself to be godly….for godliness…promises benefits in this life and in the life to come." I Timothy 4:8
CONCLUSION: