Body

SERVING JESUS

620 Teach Me Thy Way - Verses 1-4

Even while Jesus was on earth in the flesh, not everyone followed him. The path was trod by few just as Jesus said, "Few there be that find it." This afternoon we want to sing and study about serving Jesus.

760 Who Will Follow Jesus? - Verses 1,2,&4
48 Anywhere With Jesus - Verses 1 & 4

Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-39

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 "For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 "and `a man's enemies will be those of his [own] household.' 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Paul strengthened the disciples teaching that, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." - Acts 14:22. In Acts 5, the apostles had been imprisoned and had escaped. In verses 25-29 we find:

So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.

Paul said in I Corinthians 16:13, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."

595 Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus! - Verses 1&3
462 O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink - Verses 1-3
468 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - Verses 1&3

Prayer

In serving Jesus we must serve others.

Luke 10:30-37

Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' 36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" 37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

591 Somebody Did a Golden Deed - Verses 1&3
1 A Beautiful Life - Verses 1, 4&5
497 O the Things We May Do - Verses 1-3

Our lights should shine if we Serve Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16:

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Paul taught the Philippians saying in Philippians 2:14-15:

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

796 Ye Are the Light of the World - Verses 1-3
392 Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen - Verses 1-4

Those who serve Jesus will pray. Colossians 4:2-3 says:

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.

When the apostles were in prison the Christians were praying for them. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they prayed and sang. Earlier at the beginning after they had been threatened and released by the Jewish leaders, the disciples prayed that they speak the word with boldness. Let us note a part of that prayer, Acts 4:24-29:

So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You [are] God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

`Why did the nations rage,

And the people plot vain things?

26 The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against the Lord and against His Christ.'

27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

We need to pray for strength, boldness and wisdom. We need to praise our redeemer and seek forgiveness. We need to pray that we treat others right and that we live in a worthy manner.

541 Prince of Peace, Control My Will - Verses 1-4
561 Savior, Grant Me Rest and Peace - Verses 1-3
732 We Praise Thee, O God - Verses 1,3,&5
423 My God, My Father, Though I Stray - Verses 1-4

SERVING JESUS

620 Teach Me Thy Way - Verses 1-4

Introduction

760 Who Will Follow Jesus? - Verses 1,2,&4
48 Anywhere With Jesus - Verses 1 & 4

Matthew 10:34-39

Acts 5:25-19

595 Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus! - Verses 1&3
462 O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink - Verses 1-3
468 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - Verses 1&3

Prayer

Luke 10:30-17

591 Somebody Did a Golden Deed - Verses 1&3
1 A Beautiful Life - Verses 1, 4&5
497 O the Things We May Do - Verses 1-3

Matthew 5:14-16

Philippians 2:14-15

796 Ye Are the Light of the World - Verses 1-3
392 Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen - Verses 1-4

Colossians 4:2-3

Acts 4:24-29