Embracing Our Divine Calling to Serve Passionately

Devotional

Day 1: Holy Communion as a Call to Christlikeness

Description: Holy Communion is more than a ritual; it is a sacred act that calls believers to remember Jesus' sacrifice and live a life that mirrors His love and sacrifice. This act of remembrance is a profound reminder that our lives should be set apart, reflecting the holiness and love of Christ in all we do. By participating in Holy Communion, we are invited to embody the values and character of Jesus, allowing His sacrifice to transform our daily actions and interactions. [13:11]

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV): "And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect Christ's love and sacrifice in your interactions with others today?

Day 2: Serving as a Path to Discovering Purpose

Description: Serving passionately allows us to discover and walk in God's purpose for our lives. Each of us has been uniquely gifted, and these gifts are meant to be used to serve others and build the body of Christ. When we serve, we glorify God and fulfill our divine calling. Serving is not just about completing tasks; it is about engaging in a divine calling that aligns us with God's greater plan. By using our unique gifts to serve others, we contribute to the growth and health of the church, and in doing so, we find deeper meaning and purpose in our own lives. [48:40]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to serve others in your community this week?

Day 3: Overcoming Excuses to Serve

Description: Common excuses such as not knowing our gifts, feeling unqualified, or believing we are not spiritually ready can hinder us from serving. However, God calls us to serve even when we feel unprepared. The act of serving itself becomes a means through which God equips and matures us. By stepping out in faith and serving despite our fears and insecurities, we allow God to work through us and grow us in ways we never imagined. The disciples themselves were often unprepared, yet their willingness to serve allowed God to equip them for His purposes. [01:11:15]

Exodus 4:10-12 (ESV): "But Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.'"

Reflection: What is one excuse you have used to avoid serving? How can you take a step of faith to serve despite that excuse?

Day 4: Mutual Dependency in the Body of Christ

Description: Just as a physical body relies on all its parts to function, the church relies on each member to bring their unique gifts to the table. When we fail to serve, we deprive the body of Christ of the full expression of God's grace and love. Our service is crucial for the health and growth of the church. Each member's contribution is vital, and when one part is missing, the entire body suffers. By recognizing our mutual dependency, we can better appreciate the diverse gifts within the church and encourage one another to serve faithfully. [01:01:14]

1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (ESV): "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."

Reflection: How can you encourage someone in your church to use their unique gifts to serve the body of Christ?

Day 5: The Joy and Purpose of Serving

Description: Serving is not just about being perfect or having it all figured out; it's about saying yes to God and allowing Him to equip us along the way. By serving, we grow closer to God and become conduits of His grace, impacting our church, our community, and beyond. The joy and fulfillment that come from serving are unparalleled, as we see God's hand at work in and through us. Embracing the call to serve opens up opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper relationships with God and others. [01:22:43]

Matthew 25:21 (ESV): "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"

Reflection: What is one area where you can start serving today, and how can you trust God to equip you as you step into this role?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound significance of serving passionately within the body of Christ. We began by reflecting on the transformative power of Holy Communion, emphasizing that it is not just a ritual but a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice. This act of remembrance calls us to live a life that mirrors Christ's love and sacrifice.

We then transitioned into discussing the core values of our church, particularly focusing on the importance of serving passionately. Serving is not just a task but a divine calling that allows us to discover and walk in God's purpose for our lives. Each of us has been uniquely gifted by God, and these gifts are meant to be used to serve others and build the body of Christ. We explored 1 Peter 4:10-11, which urges us to employ our gifts in serving one another, thereby glorifying God.

We also addressed common excuses that hinder us from serving, such as not knowing our gifts, feeling unqualified, or believing we are not spiritually ready. Through the example of the disciples, we learned that God calls us to serve even when we feel unprepared. The act of serving itself becomes a means through which God equips and matures us.

Moreover, we highlighted the mutual dependency within the body of Christ. Just as a physical body relies on all its parts to function, the church relies on each member to bring their unique gifts to the table. When we fail to serve, we deprive the body of Christ of the full expression of God's grace and love.

Finally, we were challenged to move past our fears and excuses and to step into the joy and purpose that comes from serving. By doing so, we not only grow in our relationship with God but also become conduits of His grace, impacting our church, our community, and beyond.

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Key Takeaways

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2. Serving as a Path to Discovering Purpose: Serving passionately allows us to discover and walk in God's purpose for our lives. Each of us has been uniquely gifted, and these gifts are meant to be used to serve others and build the body of Christ. When we serve, we glorify God and fulfill our divine calling.

3. Overcoming Excuses to Serve: Common excuses such as not knowing our gifts, feeling unqualified, or believing we are not spiritually ready can hinder us from serving. However, God calls us to serve even when we feel unprepared. The act of serving itself becomes a means through which God equips and matures us.

4. Mutual Dependency in the Body of Christ: Just as a physical body relies on all its parts to function, the church relies on each member to bring their unique gifts to the table. When we fail to serve, we deprive the body of Christ of the full expression of God's grace and love. Our service is crucial for the health and growth of the church.

5. The Joy and Purpose of Serving: Serving is not just about being perfect or having it all figured out; it's about saying yes to God and allowing Him to equip us along the way. By serving, we grow closer to God and become conduits of His grace, impacting our church, our community, and beyond.

### [13:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:11] - Holy Communion: A Sacred Act
[14:36] - The New Covenant
[15:52] - The Sacrifice of Jesus
[16:23] - Proclaiming the Lord's Death
[18:15] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[34:34] - National Day of Praise and Worship Invitation
[35:24] - Limitless Deep Dive Announcement
[38:18] - Appreciation for the Baker Family
[40:26] - Worship Night Announcement
[41:48] - Visioneer of the Month: Mike Morris
[43:56] - Prayer for the Word
[44:44] - Introduction to Limitless Edition Series
[46:00] - Owning Our Faith
[46:55] - Being in the Room
[47:40] - Giving Generously
[48:40] - Serving Passionately
[71:15] - Overcoming Excuses to Serve
[82:43] - The Joy and Purpose of Serving
[89:05] - Closing Prayer and Offering
[96:15] - Worship and Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:10-11, what are we instructed to do with the gifts we have received? How should we use them?
In Romans 12:4-8, what analogy does Paul use to describe the church and its members? What does this analogy imply about the importance of each member's role?
What does 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 say about the source of our spiritual gifts and their purpose?
In the sermon, what are some common excuses mentioned that hinder people from serving? ([01:11:15])

Interpretation Questions

How does the analogy of the body in Romans 12:4-8 help us understand the importance of each person's unique gifts in the church? ([01:00:21])
What does it mean to be a "faithful steward of God's grace" as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:10-11? How can this stewardship be practically demonstrated in our daily lives?
The sermon mentions that serving passionately allows us to discover and walk in God's purpose for our lives. How does this align with the teachings in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 about the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good? ([48:40])
Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to overcome excuses and fears related to serving? How does serving contribute to our spiritual growth and maturity? ([01:16:27])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. What unique gifts do you believe God has given you? How can you start using these gifts to serve others in your church or community? ([48:40])
Think about a time when you felt unqualified or unprepared to serve. How did you overcome that feeling, or what steps can you take to overcome it in the future? ([01:14:28])
The sermon emphasized the mutual dependency within the body of Christ. How can you ensure that you are contributing to the health and growth of your church community? ([01:01:14])
Identify one excuse or fear that has been holding you back from serving. What practical steps can you take this week to move past that barrier? ([01:11:15])
Serving is described as a path to discovering God's purpose for our lives. How can you incorporate serving into your routine to help you grow closer to God and fulfill your divine calling? ([48:40])
The sermon mentioned the joy and purpose that come from serving. Can you recall a time when serving brought you joy or a sense of purpose? How can you seek out more opportunities to experience this joy? ([01:22:43])
How can you encourage others in your small group or church to step into their gifts and serve passionately? What role can you play in fostering a culture of service within your community? ([01:23:57])

Sermon Clips

1. "If God be for us, we can overcome all obstacles. They say love covers a multitude of hallelujah this should be our cry every day Holy Spirit make me more like you crucify my flesh make me more like you every day that I would be just a little more like you just a little more like you just a little more like you just and one of the ways we get the opportunity to do that is through communion participating in holy communion the opportunity to take part in the blood." [13:11] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Because of his death we have an opportunity to be in relationship with God because of his death we're here today with one another we have an opportunity to be together we have access to healing we have access to hope we have access to joy we have access to peace because of the sacrifice that was made and he said as often as you do this do it in remembrance of me because every time you do it you proclaim the death of Jesus." [16:23] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We serve passionately because we understand that God has given each one of us a gift and we are to use that gift to serve others and to help build the local body and the body of Christ. We are called to serve. And at Limitless, we serve passionately. Serving is a big deal here because we understand that in order to be a growing Christian, you need to be a serving Christian." [48:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Serving gives us an opportunity to find, to discover, and to walk in God's purpose for our life. God has given each one of us unique, special gifts. Okay. He's given us unique, special gifts. And he tells us to use those gifts or to put those gifts to work. And the way that we put that gift to work is through serving. And when we operate in that unique gift that he has given us, God is glorified." [49:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are mutually dependent on one another. If you are mutually dependent on me, what happens if I don't show up? If you are mutually dependent on me, what happens if I don't show up? I am mutually dependent on my legs. If I wake up one morning and my legs just decide, you know what? I'm good. And my legs decide not to work. It will be life. Changing for me. I will never be the same if the thing that I am mutually dependent on decides to not show up." [01:01:14] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The number one reason that we serve is so that we can grow in our relationship with God. It's not about somebody else. It's about us. The number one reason that we should be serving is so that we can grow in our relationship. With God. How many of us want to grow in our relationship with God? Okay. The number one reason we should be serving is so that we can grow in our relationship with God." [01:04:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The quickest way to find out what your gift is, is to be doing something. To be doing something. Okay. All right. Here we go. The quickest way to find out what your gift is not, is to be doing something. But listen. Every step you make. And you realize. You realize what it is not. You are one step closer to what it is. But it only happens when you begin doing something." [01:13:08] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The disciples didn't know what their gift was until they went first. Matthew chapter 4 verse 18 through 20. I can't serve because I don't know what my gift is. I don't know what my gift is. Okay. Matthew chapter 4. And I'm going to start at verse 18 through verse 20. Okay. Verse 18 says, As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he noticed two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen." [01:12:05] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The disciples weren't qualified and they didn't know enough either. But they chose to go anyway. And on the way, as they were going, then Jesus began to teach them. And then they were able to do what it is that they needed to do. All right. Number three. Oh, this is. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Number three. Oh, good. Thank you. I was waiting. I was waiting. I ain't going to hold you." [01:16:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Serving isn't just about being perfect or having it all figured out. It's about saying yes to the one who is perfect and allowing him to equip us along the way. Imagine the transformation that can happen in our lives, that can happen in our families, that can happen in our church, and that can happen in this city if we all decide to bring our gifts to the table." [01:23:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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