Next Level Serving | Pastor Lee Armstrong

Message Date: September 3, 2023
Bible

Next Level Serving

1. Mathew 5:43 – 48 (read)

Question: How are you doing with Loving your enemy?

 

Serving is kingdom living: Lifestyle Vs. Results

  • Bad bod versus a dad bod
  • Doesn’t come in one day at the gym
  • Working the muscles to serve!
  • Serving is how we overcome selfishness.

 

2. Gal. 6:7-10 (read)

1. Serve!  Starting Level 

  • (7-9) Because you will reap what you sow
  • (10) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all. Especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
  • *Acts 10:38, (paraphrased) “Jesus filled w/Holy Ghost and power” RESULTED IN: He went about doing good

 

Look for opportunities to do good: And do the good! Lord give us eyes to see the opportunities/harvest (John 4:35)

 

2. Serving:  Next Level 

Question: Can you do what you hate to do for those you love?

Example: “Pastor, I’d give my life for my family” (really?)

 

Principle: You will never be able to love your enemy. If you can’t do what you hate for those you do love!

 

These are the muscles we must exercise to be strong enough to obey God when the time comes to love our enemies!

 

3. Serving:  Next Level 

Doing what is good NOT just what feels good:

Examples:

  • *Feels good: Being thanked/acknowledged/praised for something you did.
  • (Nothing wrong with this) 1st Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
  • Doesn’t feel so good: To do it in secret. Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. (Matt. 6:6-13)
  • Feeding your desires        Vs.        Giving in to their desires
  • *Feels good: To give money to a family member you love.
  • Doesn’t feel so good: To give money to someone who’s not been so nice to you.

 

4. Serving:  Next Level

Love your enemies!!

  • Loving your enemies is more than not hating them.

Matt. 5:44-48 (read)

  • Bless them “Like you would those you love!”
  • Do good to them “Like you would those you love”
  • Pray for them “Like you would those you love”

(48) “Therefore you shall be perfect/mature just as your Father in heaven is perfect”

God’s not asking you to do anything He hasn’t done!

Romans 5:8-9

8) “But God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

9) Much more than “NOT much less than” having been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

 

The only way you can love your enemies is if you have grown the spiritual muscles to do so.