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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

In service to the Lord.

Serving your family.

Serving your brethren.

Serving your neighbor.

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.*

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.*

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.

*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.

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.

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.