“Finding Where I Fit” (The Missing Link pt. 3)

Pastor Jim Lowe III

Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 07/28/24 (4th Sunday Message)

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{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}

 “The Goal Of The Gospel Is Not To Affirm You, Celebrate You, and Accept You.

The Goal Of The Gospel Is To Rescue You, Transform You, And Redirect You.”

The Lord wants to change us. Everyone of us has to grow.

Let’s pray we can allow the Lord to do his work.

Message Title:

“Finding Where I Fit” (The Missing Link pt. 3)

We have been discussing serving.

Using our gifts to do what the Lord called us to do.

We’ve been doing a study on Moses.

How God led him to his own people to see the injustice.

How we found out Moses was a compassionate man.

And God USED that compassion to give him his purpose.

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

The Lord had a gift of Mercy he gave to Moses.

He also had gifts of Leadership, Faith and Miracles… but he would find that later.

The Lord knew him and had a purpose for him.

We discussed like Moses, God not only knows us, he has something for us to do as well.

{repeat/type:}

"God Called Me To Do Something!”

That thing you’re called to…

will be something that helps someone else.

Jesus told the Rich man… go give to the poor.

go help someone else.

God calls us to do something for someone else.

Galatians 5:13

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

We are called to be free.

But instead of using that freedom to do what we want… Use your time helping someone!

We were called to be free…

using that freedom to serve someone else.

God Gave Us A Purpose That Benefits Others!

And that thing will benefit someone else.

Matthew 5:16

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Let your light shine so they see your good WORKS. And they may glorify GOD!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to  win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all  possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

People would see his being a servant and be pointed to God! He does it for the sake of the gospel!

for the ability for someone else to see God!

Romans 15:2 (NCV)

2 Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith.

To help others be stronger in the faith!

The Serving You Do Helps Others To See God!

We should help one another when they’re in need. “Moses…my people need help.”

Israel had been praying to the Lord…

now he was going to show those prayers weren’t useless. now he was going to show what all he can do!

The Lord used Moses to help Israel SEE God! He will do it with us!

We should show kindness and gentleness with others. We should express concern and care with others.

We should have sympathy and empathy for others when they’re hurting.

This is the way to encourage others.

This is the way to show the love of God for others. No matter how far they fall,

LOVING and SERVING means to not give up on them and help them up!

Jesus Himself Was THE Example Of A Servant To Us!

Matthew 20:28

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus…the SON of God.

The one person who deserved to be served above anyone. He gave his life to save us…

THAT is the attitude of a servant!

John 13:14-15

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

We’ve talked about this the past few weeks. Jesus washed the feet of others.

And he said THIS was the example for us!

Every foot he washed was someone who was sinful. Yet Jesus did it anyway.

One of those men would actually be the reason he’s crucified. Yet he did it anyway!

Being A Servant Means You Can’t Just Serve Those You Like!

Galatians 6:10 (NCV)

10 When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

Luke 10:30-35 (The Good Samaritan)

Luke 10:36-37

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus said GO AND DO LIKEWISE.

Speaking of Jesus telling us to do it directly…

Our Love For God Is Proven By The Way We Serve!

John 21:15-17

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Peter had denied Jesus 3 times.

Jesus asked Peter if he loved him 3 times. Each time.

Do You Love Me?

Feed And Take Care Of My People Do you love me?

Do something for my people Do you love me?

SERVE!!

This man denied Jesus THREE times!

Jesus said…if you want to make it up… do it for the people!!

Jesus Said If We Love Him, Serve His People!

Jesus said he could sum up the commands into 2. Love God

Love One Another

That’s a high point to put loving and serving! When you look at the body of Christ…

All the members of a ministry…

There is a smaller number who actually COME to church. Out of those who come…

Even a smaller amount of those who volunteer.

Here is a sad truth:

Only A Small Group Of People Will Actually Use Their Lives To Serve Others

Matthew 9:37-38

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There is much that needs to be done. there are many who need help…

but there are few people to do the work. So when it comes to purpose.

When it comes to what the Lord wants… We have to answer the question:

Where Do I Fit?

To find where we fit we have to look at our gifts.

Did you fill out a gifts test?

Do you know the things that God has gifted you in?

What Are Your Gifts?

What has God placed in you? He knows you!

He knows your name!

He also designed your gifts for you! Are you using those gifts?

The Lord Is Waiting On You To Use Your Gifts! Others Need You!

Whatever it is…do it!

The Lord will reward you!

Matthew 10:42

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

God is watching!

If you serve…you will reap a reward! God sees it.

You are serving others! You are blessing someone… And God will reward you!

Let’s Make Sure We’re Doing Something!

We have to start somewhere!

We can’t just continue to watch and not give back. We can’t continue to fill our cups and never put back!

Jesus Tells Us That If You Want To Gain, You Have To Give!

Mark 8:35-36

35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Whoever loses his life for him. AND the gospel!!

What is the gospel??

What did he tell Peter?

If You Love Me, Serve My People!

He told Moses people needed him.

He told the rich man people needed him. He told Peter people need him.

He placed gifts in each of you.

The Lord’s People Need You!

This is a question for everyone:

Who Is The Lord Going To Help Through Us? Let’s Find Out!