DO YOU SERVE GOD?

21 February 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Matt 6:24

LORD: master, owner, controller

AIM: Do an audit of our lives to see if we serve God or if we want Him to serve us.

1 Cor 7:23 … you were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men…

Gal 1:10 …do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservants of Christ.

Col 3:24 …for you serve the Lord Christ.

Heb 9:14 … How much more shall the blood of Christ… cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Deut 6:13 …You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him (jealous God).

Everything we do must be Christ-motivated = we don’t preach to lost souls because they’re lost, but because God said so, and He is Lord.

Matt 28 Jesus commanded us to make disciples = don’t kill, don’t steal, make disciples.

Obedience is better than sacrifice (Solomon … to obey is better than sacrifice {1 Sam 15:22})

Jesus & Zaccheus = obedience saved Him. (Luke19:1-10)

Cost of serving God.

Matt 16:24+25 …take up our cross

Jesus said: Matt 13:44-46

Read the cost – *Disciple J.C Ortiz pg 34+35

… That is why Jesus said you have to lose your life in order to save it. Many people come to the church wanting to save their own lives. But that means ignoring the will of Jesus. And in this Kingdom, He is the Lord.
Jesus said in Matthew13 that the Kingdom of God was like a merchant looking for fine pearls. And when he found a pearl of great price, he sold everything he had to buy it.

Of course, some Christians think this story means we are the pearl of great price and Christ had to give up everything to redeem us. But now we understand that hes is the pearl of great price. We are the merchants seeking for happiness, for security, for fame, for eternity.

And when we find Jesus, it costs us everything. He has happiness, joy, peace, healing, security, eternity, everything. So we say, “I want this pear. How much is it?”
“Well,” the seller says, “it’s very expensive.”
“But how much?” we ask.
“Well, a very large amount.”
“Do you think I could buy it?”
“Oh, of course. Everyone can buy it.”
“But didn’t you say it was very expensive?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how much is it?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
We make up our minds. “All right, I’ll buy it,” we say.
“Well, what do you have,” he wants to know.
“Lets write it down.”
“Well, I have ten-thousand dollars in the bank.”
“Good – ten-thousand dollars. What else?”
“That’s all. That’s all I have.”
“Nothing more?”
“Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket.”
“How much?”
We start digging. “Well, let’s see – thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars.”
“That’s fine. What else do your have?”
“Well, nothing. That’s all.”
“Where do you live?” He’s still probing.
“In my house. Yes, I have a house.”
“The house, too, then.” He writes that down.
“You mean I have to live in my camper?”
“You have a camper? That, too. What else?”
“I’ll have to sleep in my car!”
“You have a car?”
“Two of them.”
“Both become mine, both cars. What else?”
“Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?”
“Are you alone in this world?”
“No, I have a wife and two children…”
“Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?”
I have nothing left! I am left alone now.”
Suddenly the seller exclaims, “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine – wife, children, house, money, cars – and you too.”

Then he goes on. “Now listen – I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don’t forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because now I am the owner.”

That’s how it is when you are under the ownership of Jesus Christ….

Follow me – let the dead bury their own dead Matt 8:22

Love me more than father and mother – Matt 10:37-39
A man’s got to live.
Serve HIM – lay down your life!!

Lord use me – I feel so used !!

Luke 17:7-10

You do what your Lord says!!

JESUS – LORD OF ALL OR NOT LORD AT ALL!!

14 February 2010 (AM)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Matt 7:21-23

AIM: That we’ll check our relationship with the Lord now while we are in favourable conditions.

Intro: We’ve been brought out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.

Col 1:13 … He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

King. Dyn. We were under Satan’s authority now under Christ’s authority – in His kingdom. Always under someone’s authority.

Every kingdom has laws!! We no longer serve sing and death. But we serve life and light, the Lord – obedience.

We are the bride of Christ – loyalty – faithfulness.

Bond servants – choose to serve Him. Love servants

Servant WW – Rev 19:5

One in bondage to or subject to another, slave or servant. Often the service involved is voluntary, in which a person willingly offers obedience, devotion and loyalty to another, subordinating His will to Him.

Lord – Master (Mic 4:13) Owner, master, Lord, we were purchased with a price – His blood.

Lord – owner, controller (John 6:68) one in authority.

Lord – owner, master, one who has absolute dominion.

Supreme authority, and unlimited power arising from ownership. – includes total submission on our part to God’s will, not out of slavish fear or bondage, but joyfully and willingly (Jude 4)

Bride – groom – faithful – loyal 360or 365 days a year? Satisfied.

• Is Jesus your part-time lover or your Lord?
• Are you just dating Him?

Is He saviour or Lord? – Save me from this – Save me from that!

Serve God only – Have no Gods before Him.

Ex 20:3-5 Notes

Ex 34:14, Deut 4:24 (Notes- Jealous) Active zeal for righteousness.          Josh 24:19

God calls His people to pursue Him with all of their strength.

• What we asked and believed for comes between God and us, baby, spouse, car, house, job “Lord protect me from myself!!”

Obedience – key – not sacrifice 1 Sam 15:22 …to obey is better than sacrifice…

First – Prov 3:6…put God first.

Be loyal to God. Forsake any ambition that compromises your commitment to God.

We must develop an intimate relationship with God.

Don’t set the Lord’s work as a priority over the Lord’s presence.

MAY THIS BE YOUR ATTITUDE

07 February 2010 (AM)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Matt 5:1-48

Do you need an attitude adjustment?

Many Christians do!

Your attitude determines much in the eyes of God.

NB: God’s entire system of spiritual things is strongly influenced by attitudes.

2 people giving offering / tithe – attitude 2 Cor 9:7 – cheerful givers are the one’s God prizes.

Correct action alone does not please God = Correct action plus right attitude is what really pleases God!

Blessed – empowered to prosper = Attitudes that will empower you to prosper in various ways.

Matt 5:1-3 Rich in spirit = receive word of God and born again. Poor in Spirit – unsaved – spiritual poverty.

When you recognize you are poor in spirit and make Jesus Lord of your life – you are blessed to get the kingdom of heaven.

Rom 14:17 …for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Matt 5:4 …blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted – those who experience the sorrow of repentance (notes) = received forgiveness.

Matt 5:5 …blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek is not weak – controlled strength. Strength under control – carries the idea of humility and self-discipline. {WW} Matt 21:5 – Considerate, unassuming, gentle = meekness is power under perfect control.

v     You will be empowered to prosper in all you do when you are meek.

Matt 5:6 …blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Hunger and thirst to be “right with God”

• Get right with God through the Word.
• Pray to get a hunger and thirst for the Word of God.

Job 23:12(b)…I have treasures the Words of His mouth more than my necessary food…

1 Pet 2:2 …as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby…

Hunger and thirst for the Word of God has been replaced with the want of entertainment, tradition and religion.

Hunger for God pulls power down from heaven.

Matt 5:7 …blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

• Seed time and harvest – you reap what you sow. Your measure measured back to you.
• {WW} Rom 9:15 To show kindness and concern for those in serious need, feel compassion for.
• Mercy is not merely a passive emotion, but an active desire to remove the cause of distress in others.

WALK, TALK AND ACT LIKE JESUS.

HATE SIN, BUT LOVE THE SINNER.

Matt 5:8 …blessed are the pure (washed in the blood of Jesus) in heart, for they shall see God.

2 Chron 16:9 …for the eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the whole earth – to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him – that He might strongly support those with complete or pure hearts (loyal hearts fully committed to Him).

When your heart is undivided towards God He will show up in your circumstances.

Matt 5:9 …blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of god.

Opposite of troublemaker. Prov 6:16-19, Don’t sort out others. 1 Thes 4:9-12, 1 Pet 4:14-16.

Called to be peacemakers between man and God. Ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 5:18

Matt 5:10-12 1 Pet 4:14-16

Matt 5:12 …rejoice and be exceedingly glad.

Matt 5:13-16 …salt and light – character of kingdom citizens – influence for good as they penetrate secular society.

(v13) SALT – attitude – without right attitude has no effect on surroundings.

(v14-16) LIGHT – dispels darkness – walk in change atmosphere positive – friendly in room – love.

(v17-20) RIGHTEOUSNESS – attitude of heart Pharisees – prayer – self righteousness – hypocrites.

Your righteousness – of Christ not of your works – no one can boast.

Matt 5:21-26 Jesus came to fulfil the law.

RACA – blocked – stupid – contempt of someone’s mind.

FOOL – contempt for someone’s character

(v27-32) – Lust of any kind – Get rid of it.

(v31+32) Hardness of heart.

(v33-37) Your word should suffice = we always tell the WHOLE truth.

(v38-42) Leave all vengeance to God.

(v43-48) Love by choice.

THE ATTITUDE OF JESUS

31 January 2010 (am)

Past. Melody vd Merwe

Phil 2:5-8

Attitude (def): A way of thinking / a way of behaving.

God’s entire system of spiritual things is strongly influenced by attitudes.

2 Cor 9:7 …so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Sam 16:7 …For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (attitude) {thoughts and intentions – LB}

Correct action alone (2 Cor 9:7) will not produce the results you are looking for. You must combine the proper action with a right attitude to really please God.

1 Chron 28:9 … know (intimately experientially) the God of your father and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.

Building of temple – offered willingly – Pleased God.

Phil 2:5-18

• Appeal to unselfishness – Christ willingly laid aside His heavenly glory.
• Humbled himself  = one without arrogance and self-exaltation. (A person who is willingly submitted to God and His will) ie. God’s word is God’s will)
• Obedience – obedient to death – we are to die to self. Luke 9:23 progressive and continuous renouncing of ones natural self-centeredness (notes)

Jesus our example in all things chose to humble Himself – let us do the same.

Adopt an attitude of unselfishness – (love) servant hood, humility (I can do nothing of myself John 5:30+19) and obedience (word and will of God). Jesus came to serve – God.

(v14) …do all things without complaining (grumbling- God takes it personally) and disputing (arguing) WW Luke 2:35. Inward reasoning, Questioning, arguing.

(v15) That you may become blameless and harmless (innocent), children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Matt 5:14-16 (influence)