Chapter 28

Serving God

Sections

1. Preliminary Instructions and Insights
   1. Be Prepared to Serve God
      • We are called to serve God and Jesus Christ
      • Be willing to do God’s work
      • Be prepared and ready to do God’s work
      • Live a godly life in readiness for doing God’s work
      • Consecrate yourself to serve God . . .
      • . . . Be set apart as holy
   2. Be Devoted to God’s Work
      • Devote yourself to God’s work
      • Serve God only – do not serve anything or anyone else . . .
      • . . . Seek to please God rather than people
      • Put Jesus Christ before everyone else
      • Put God and his work before your own interests
      • Give up your life to live for God and Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . Be willing even to endanger your life
      • Be willing to give up everything for God and Jesus Christ
   3. Reasons to Serve God
      • He is our God, who has done great things for us
      • We are God’s servants
      • God cares for his servants
      • Your work for God will be productive
      • You will be rewarded for your work
      • Whoever does not produce good “fruit” will be cut off from God and Jesus Christ
      • Further warnings and consequences regarding not doing God’s work
      • Note: Do not work for things that do not satisfy or do not last
   4. Being Guided by God
      • To be guided by God, live a godly life
      • Ask God to guide you (as in troubled times)
      • God’s will is understood through godliness and prayer
      • Other sources of godly and wise guidance

2. Doing God’s Work
   1. Do God’s Work – the Best You Can
      • Do the work assigned to you . . .
      • . . . Carry out God’s will
      • Work hard at God’s work . . .
      • . . . Endure associated persecution and hardships
      • Do quality work which bears “fruit” – “fruit” that will last
      • Persist at serving God
      • Complete the work you have been given
   2. Do the Work through God
      • Apart from God and Jesus Christ we can accomplish nothing
      • Pray to God for help in the work – and ask others to pray
      • Do God’s work through God and his power
      • Do the work by faith
      • Do the work in God’s “name” . . .
      • . . . Do the work in the “name” of Jesus Christ
      • Serve God through the Holy Spirit
      • Note: Commit to God whatever you do
   3. The Manner in Which to Serve God
      • Serve God in holiness and righteousness
      • Serve God with humility
      • Serve God with all your heart
      • Be strong and courageous, as God is with those doing his work
      • Do not be afraid as you do God’s work . . .
      • . . . Instead, fear God and serve him faithfully
   4. Working with Other Believers
      • Serve each other
      • Do God’s work together
      • Encourage each other in doing God’s work
      • Keep each other informed about the work and associated challenges
      • Note: Churches send out workers, to aid the spread of the gospel
   5. Spiritual Gifts
      • God gives each of his people a spiritual gift, through the Holy Spirit
      • God’s people are given different spiritual gifts
      • The various spiritual gifts
      • Make good use of spiritual gifts, using them appropriately
      • Use your spiritual gift to build up the church
      • Further instructions about spiritual gifts

 ➜Major headings in: 28. Serving God (and all of Unit F)

Pray for persecuted Christians