PVBC: 40 Days Driven Purpose (Week 5) - Ministry

Friday 8/6/2010 @ 7:30pm

MINISTRY:

You were shaped for serving God

You were put on earth to make a contribution. You weren't created just to consume resources---to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. -Rick Warren

 

Memory verse:

1 Peter 4:10
¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Story Passage:

Luke 10:30-37 ³⁰In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins^[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

 ³⁶"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

 ³⁷The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
      Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

 

I. Three Attitudes toward People in Need

• Keep my DISTANCE
  
• Curious but UNINVOLVED
  
• Get close enough to CARE
  

 

II. 4 Steps to Serving On Purpose

1. START SEEING the needs of people around me

1 Corinthians 10:24
²⁴Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

2. SYMPATHIZE with people's pain

2 Corinthians 1:4
⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

3. SEIZE the moment and meet the need

Proverbs 3:27-28 ²⁷Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you.

4. SPEND whatever it takes

Galatians 6:10
¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

 

III. S.H.A.P.E

From Purpose Driven Selected Thoughts & Scriptures for the Graduates – By Rick Warren

• S – Spiritual Gifts: Special gifts given by the Holy Spirit so you can help build up the church
  
• H – Heart: Special passions, things that you feel strongly about, to drive you to service
  
• A – Abilities: Natural talents built into you from birth
  
• P – Personality: Your uniqueness–what makes you different from everyone else
  
• E – Experiences: Situation and circumstances you face that help you empathize with others