The New Life in Christ: How Real Servants Act. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

You can tell what they are by what they do. Matthew 7:16. (CEV)

Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

Real servants maintain a low profile.

Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it “eyeservice.”- serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are. This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others.

Jesus hated this attitude and warned, “When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.”

Self-promotion and servantghood don’t mix.

Real servants don’t serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

You won’t find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it when possible.

They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Joseph is a great example. He didn’t draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh’s baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant’s heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servant but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you. Jesus hated this attitude

 Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Created to Become Like Christ. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. Colossians 1:15. (Msg)

God is far more interested in what you are than what you do.

Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than he is anything else. We worry when God seems silent on specific issues such as “What career should I choose?”

The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life. What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christ like manner.

We are human beings, not human doings.

God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career.

Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God’s great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship.

Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives.

His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like himself before he taken us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

(God, with his unconditional love shows no partiality anywhere. But sadly I find many people follow such command only for their selfish gain. Such attitude will never please God.)

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Spirit Working In You. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits.

God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.

This is how you cooperate with Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops.

The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up.

Each metaphor requires active participation:

Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built-they don’t just appear-and children must eat and exercise to grow.

While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Spirit Working In You. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce Christ like character in you.

You cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on your own strength. New year’s resolutions, willpower, and best intentions are not enough.

Only Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.

The Bible says, “God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”

Mention “the power of the Holy Spirit,” and many people think of miraculous demonstrations and intense emotions.

But most of the time the Holy Spirit’s power is released in your life in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren’t even aware of or can’t feel.

How does this happen in real life?

Through the choices we make.

(First) We choose to do the right thing in situations,

(and then) trust God’s Sprit to give us his power, love, faith, and wisdom to do it.

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Power in Your Weakness. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

We are weak…yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2Corinthians 13:4.(NIV)

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2Corinthians 12:9a (LB)

God loves to use weak people.

Own up to your imperfections. Stop pretending to have it all together, and be honest about ourselves.

Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses. You might make a list of them.

Two great confessions in the New Testament illustrate what we need for healthy living.

The first was Peter’s, who said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Amen.

Son of the living God.”

The second confession was Paul’s, who said to an idolizing crowd, “We are only human beings like you.”

If you want God to use you, you must know who God is and know who you are.

Many Christians, especially leaders, forget the second truth: We’re only humans! If it takes a crisis to get you to admit this, God won’t hesitate to allow it, because he loves you.
Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Power in Your Weakness. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

 We are weak…yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2Corinthians 13:4.(NIV)

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2Corinthians 12:9a (LB)

 God loves to use weak people.

Everyone has weaknesses. In fact, you have a bundle of flaws and imperfections: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

You may also have uncontrollable circumstances that weaken you, such as financial or relational limitations. The more important issue is what you do with these. Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them. This prevents God from using them the way he desires.

The Bible says, “God purposely chose…what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful.”

Your weaknesses are not an accident.

God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating his power through you.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: How Real Servant Act. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

 “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Mark 10:43. (Msg).

You  can tell what they are by what they do. Matthew 7:16. (CEV)

We serve God by serving others.

God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, “I don’t have the gift of mercy or service.” While you may not be gifted for a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one gifted at it is around. Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you’re needed at the moment.

Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs.

Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character.

How can you know if you have a servant’s heart?

Jesus said, “You can tell what they are by what they do.” Amen.