Intentional Service: Building Bridges for Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound question of how we can participate in God's work of winning souls for His kingdom. Reflecting on the Apostle Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 9, we delved into the concept of serving others with intentionality, intensity, and integrity. Paul, a man who experienced the transformative power of Christ, dedicated his life to building bridges with diverse groups of people—religious, irreligious, and developing Christians—so that they might come to know Jesus. His approach was not accidental but purposeful, as he sought to connect with others in ways that were relatable and meaningful.

Paul's strategy involved becoming like those he sought to reach, whether they were Jews, Gentiles, or new believers. He adapted his approach to meet people where they were, always with the goal of sharing the gospel's blessings. This bridge-building was not without cost; it required time, effort, and a willingness to step into others' worlds. Yet, Paul was driven by the desire to see others enjoy the same gospel blessings he had received.

We are called to serve with the same intentionality, focusing on building relationships that can lead others to Christ. This involves understanding and connecting with people from different backgrounds and beliefs, always ready to share the hope we have in Jesus. Moreover, we are encouraged to serve with intensity, much like athletes who train with focus and dedication to win a prize. Our prize, however, is eternal, and our efforts should reflect the significance of this eternal victory.

Finally, integrity is crucial in our service. Paul emphasized the importance of self-control and discipline, recognizing that without integrity, our efforts could be disqualified. As we serve, we must ensure that our lives align with the message we proclaim, maintaining a witness that is credible and trustworthy.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intentional Service: Serving others with intentionality means purposefully building bridges to connect them with Christ. This involves understanding their backgrounds and finding common ground to share the gospel effectively. [25:17]

2. Relational Adaptability: Like Paul, we should adapt our approach to meet people where they are, whether they are religious, irreligious, or new believers. This relational adaptability helps us build meaningful connections that can lead to spiritual transformation. [31:00]

3. Intensity in Ministry: Serving with intensity requires focus and dedication, much like an athlete training for a race. Our efforts in ministry should reflect the eternal significance of the gospel, striving for victories that last beyond this life. [40:37]

4. Integrity in Witness: Integrity is essential in our service to God. Maintaining self-control and discipline ensures that our lives align with the gospel message, preserving our witness and preventing disqualification. [49:07]

5. Community Involvement: Winning souls for Christ is a collective effort that requires prayer warriors, evangelists, and disciplers. Each of us has a role to play in this mission, contributing to the growth of God's kingdom through our unique gifts and callings. [46:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:19] - Introduction and Greetings
- [21:56] - The Question of Winning Souls
- [23:20] - How to Win: Serving with Intentionality
- [25:17] - Paul's Example of Intentional Service
- [26:12] - Building Bridges with Religious People
- [30:18] - Connecting with the Irreligious
- [31:00] - Supporting Developing Christians
- [35:01] - The Cost of Building Bridges
- [36:20] - Practical Steps for Bridge Building
- [38:23] - Serving with Intensity
- [40:37] - The Athlete's Focus and Discipline
- [43:29] - Eternal Victories Over Earthly Wins
- [44:49] - Intense Seasons of Ministry
- [46:30] - Community Involvement in Evangelism
- [48:22] - Serving with Integrity
- [49:07] - The Importance of Self-Control and Discipline

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, "I have made myself a servant to all" in 1 Corinthians 9:19? How does this reflect his approach to ministry? [25:17]

2. How does Paul describe his method of connecting with different groups of people, such as Jews, Gentiles, and new believers, in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22? [31:00]

3. What is the significance of Paul using the metaphor of an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25? How does this relate to his message about serving with intensity? [40:37]

4. According to the sermon, what are some of the costs associated with building bridges to share the gospel? [35:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of becoming "all things to all people" in 1 Corinthians 9:22? How might this approach be both beneficial and challenging in today's context? [31:00]

2. In what ways does the concept of serving with intentionality, as discussed in the sermon, align with Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 9? [23:20]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the idea of serving with integrity, and why is this crucial for maintaining a credible witness? [49:07]

4. What role does community involvement play in the mission of winning souls for Christ, according to the sermon? How does this reflect the collective effort described in 1 Corinthians 9? [46:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any "bridges" you feel called to build with people from different backgrounds or beliefs? What steps can you take to start building those bridges this week? [36:20]

2. Consider a time when you served with intensity, much like an athlete training for a race. What motivated you during that season, and how can you apply that same focus to your ministry efforts now? [44:49]

3. Integrity is highlighted as essential in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you feel your actions might not align with your faith? What changes can you make to ensure your witness remains credible? [49:07]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of community involvement in evangelism. How can you contribute to your church's mission of winning souls for Christ? Are there specific roles or activities you feel called to participate in? [46:30]

5. Think about a person in your life who might be considered a "developing Christian." How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey this week? [31:00]

6. The sermon encourages serving with intentionality. Identify one person in your life who is far from God. What intentional actions can you take to share the hope of Jesus with them? [23:20]

7. Reflect on the idea of eternal victories versus earthly wins. How can you shift your focus from temporary achievements to those with eternal significance in your daily life? [43:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Bridge-Building for Christ
Building bridges to connect others with Christ requires intentionality and purpose. This involves understanding the backgrounds and beliefs of those we seek to reach, finding common ground to effectively share the gospel. Like the Apostle Paul, who adapted his approach to meet people where they were, we too must be willing to step into others' worlds. This intentional service is not accidental but requires effort and a genuine desire to see others experience the blessings of the gospel. By purposefully engaging with others, we can create meaningful connections that lead to spiritual transformation. [25:17]

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law." (1 Corinthians 9:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally build a bridge with this week to share the love of Christ? What steps can you take to understand their background and find common ground?


Day 2: Relational Adaptability in Ministry
Relational adaptability is key to effectively sharing the gospel with diverse groups of people. The Apostle Paul exemplified this by becoming like those he sought to reach, whether they were Jews, Gentiles, or new believers. By adapting his approach, Paul was able to connect with others in ways that were relatable and meaningful. This adaptability requires a willingness to step into others' worlds and understand their perspectives. By doing so, we can build meaningful connections that lead to spiritual transformation and help others come to know Jesus. [31:00]

"To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." (1 Corinthians 9:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: How can you adapt your approach to better connect with someone from a different background or belief system this week? What specific actions can you take to understand their perspective?


Day 3: Intensity in Pursuing Eternal Victories
Serving with intensity in ministry requires focus and dedication, much like an athlete training for a race. Our efforts should reflect the eternal significance of the gospel, striving for victories that last beyond this life. The Apostle Paul likened his ministry to a race, emphasizing the importance of running with purpose and discipline. By serving with intensity, we can make a lasting impact for God's kingdom and help others experience the eternal blessings of the gospel. [40:37]

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your ministry or personal life where you can increase your intensity and focus this week? How can you align your efforts with the eternal significance of the gospel?


Day 4: Integrity in Our Witness
Integrity is essential in our service to God, ensuring that our lives align with the gospel message. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of self-control and discipline, recognizing that without integrity, our efforts could be disqualified. As we serve, we must maintain a witness that is credible and trustworthy, preserving the integrity of the gospel. By living with integrity, we can effectively share the hope we have in Jesus and inspire others to follow Him. [49:07]

"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more self-control and discipline to maintain your integrity as a witness for Christ? What steps can you take to align your actions with the gospel message?


Day 5: Community Involvement in Evangelism
Winning souls for Christ is a collective effort that requires the involvement of the entire community. Each of us has a role to play in this mission, whether as prayer warriors, evangelists, or disciplers. By using our unique gifts and callings, we can contribute to the growth of God's kingdom and help others come to know Jesus. Community involvement in evangelism is essential for creating a supportive environment where individuals can grow in their faith and experience the blessings of the gospel. [46:30]

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What role can you play in your community to support the mission of winning souls for Christ? How can you use your unique gifts and callings to contribute to the growth of God's kingdom?

Quotes



"We know we can't guilt people into becoming followers of Jesus. We can't badger them into becoming followers of Jesus. So how is it that we can participate in God's saving work in the lives of those around us? That's the exact question that Paul both asks and answers within our passage today." [00:22:14] (24 seconds)


"Paul gives us some clues, some hints, some specific direction on how it is we're supposed to be serving the people around us. Would anyone like to know the first way we're supposed to serve others? The first way we're supposed to serve others is this, to serve with intentionality. We're called as followers of Jesus to serve others, not on accident, but on purpose." [00:24:27] (26 seconds)


"Paul lets us know there are ways to be in relationship with devout people who don't have their theology correct that builds a bridge with them to help them get closer to Jesus makes sense all right so everybody let's hear it for the religious people very nice. Okay. Now we've got a second group of people right here in the middle." [00:29:32] (23 seconds)


"Paul invites us to serve with intensity. You know, the Christian life is something that makes a difference in the lives of all around us. It makes a difference in the lives of people. It makes a difference in the lives of our people. us. That's what we're called to do, make a difference in this world." [00:38:39] (13 seconds)


"Those athletes that would work so hard devoting themselves to earthly victories, they would receive something that would go bad even in the refrigerator after just a few days. But my friends, we're not competing for earthly victories. We are competing for eternal wins. We are seeking to see God do things in our lives and in our communities that won't be gone in two weeks, but that will last forever." [00:43:29] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
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