Making 2008 Great

Slide 1: Making 2008 Great Having a heart and life of a bond-servant

Slide 2: Introduction  No doubt many of God’s people want His church to increase.  To increase in number: so that more souls would be saved or restored to our heavenly Father.  To increase in spirituality: more of God’s word on our minds and hearts, spiritual conversations, etc.  To increase in our service to one another.

Slide 3: Introduction  But wanting this and actually turning our lives into spiritual servants for the Lord are two totally separate matters.  Many Christians still allow the flesh to control their thoughts and deeds.  Over time, however, those who increase their hearts and minds in the way of the Lord will also increase their lifestyle into that of truly spiritual bond-servants of Christ.  Let’s look at the ways we can apply this heart and lifestyle of bond-servants for the Lord this year.

Slide 4: The Heart of a Bond-servant  Pierce My Ear (spiritual hymn)  Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God. Take me to Your door this day. I will serve no other god. Lord, I'm here to stay.  For You have paid the price for me. With Your blood You ransomed me. I will serve You eternally. A free man I'll never be.

Slide 5: The Heart of a Bond-servant  The heart of a bondservant. Dt. 15:16-17  Starts with voluntarily giving up our will for His.  It coincides with a commitment to serve no other god.  It is combined with the knowledge of the love and price paid on my behalf.

Slide 6: The Heart of a Bond-servant  Servants, why view ourselves in this manner?  Because that is who are truly are. 1 Cor. 6:18- 19; Rom. 6:16-18  This is truly how we should view ourselves (among other descriptions of ourselves). Lk. 17:10

Slide 7: The Life of a Bond-servant (Making Practical Changes)  In service to the Lord.  Serving your family.  Serving your brethren.  Serving your neighbor.

Slide 8: The Life of a Bond-servant (Making Practical Changes)  Serving others – But how?  Commit to family Bible studies (like Journey Through the Bible) at a certain time of the evening or morning (sacrifices may be necessary for this to be accomplished).  Commit to a certain amount of brethren you will invite to your home – talk about things that would encourage each other’s faith, trust, and/or walk in the Lord.  Commit to having people in your home for the purpose of prayers of praise and petitions, singing praises to our God, Bible studies with the lost, etc.  Commit to sharing the good news with “x” amount of people.*

Slide 9: The Life of a Bond-servant (Making Practical Changes)  *Overcoming this difficulty.  “Cold contacts” among the dull of hearing hardly ever work in this society compared to others.  “Warm contacts” – those who believe you sincerely care for them – are more likely to listen to the gospel message of salvation.  Create “sermonettes” on CDs/DVDs that are contextual to those we share.  Take “group” meetings to the next level: use as a time of prayer, a means by which brethren get together to “do good to all people”. (P.S. – you don’t need groups to do this)  Bottom line: genuine service helps others in the hearing of God’s words/truths. God’s people can create the means for this to happen.

Slide 10: Conclusion  A life of service to the needs of others – in service to the Lord – is the very essence of Christianity.  Brethren, may God bless all His children with this heart and lifestyle of servant- hood.