Humility in Service
Humility in Service13
God’s Servants Have to Be Broken
By Zac Poonen0EXO 4:10PSA 51:17ISA 66:2MAT 5:3ACT 7:22ROM 12:12CO 12:9PHP 2:5JAS 4:101PE 5:6Zac Poonen emphasizes the necessity of being broken for effective service to God, using Moses as a prime example. Initially confident in his abilities, Moses learned through 40 years in the wilderness that true leadership requires humility and dependence on God rather than self-reliance. Poonen warns that many may feel equipped to serve due to their knowledge and skills, but without God's breaking process, they cannot be effective leaders. He encourages believers to view their life situations as opportunities for God to mold and prepare them for His work. Ultimately, true readiness for service comes from recognizing our limitations and yielding to God's transformative process.
Remembering the Forgotten
By A.W. Tozer0JAS 2:1A.W. Tozer emphasizes the danger of churches that, after starting with humble beginnings, become ensnared by wealth and social status, leading to a neglect of the poor and marginalized. He warns that as congregations grow, they may become complacent and hardened, focusing on their own class while ignoring the cries of the less fortunate. Tozer calls for humility and a return to serving those who are often forgotten, urging believers to emulate Jesus in their compassion for the needy. He challenges the church to resist the temptation of elitism and to remember the heart-hunger of the impoverished. Ultimately, he encourages a commitment to serve God's poor, reflecting Christ's love and humility.
The Qualifications for Soul Winning
By D.L. Moody0JOS 6:20JDG 15:15PRO 11:30DAN 12:3MAT 5:16MAT 28:19ROM 10:141CO 1:272CO 12:9PHP 4:13D.L. Moody emphasizes the essential qualifications for soul winning, urging believers to shake off the vipers of formalism, pride, and self-importance that hinder the church's mission. He highlights that true happiness comes from living for the salvation of souls and encourages a willingness to perform even the smallest tasks for Christ. Moody reassures that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived weaknesses, and that courage and cheerfulness are vital in this endeavor. He illustrates that the most impactful work often comes from humble acts of kindness and genuine joy in serving others. Ultimately, he reminds us that those who win souls will shine eternally, as stated in Daniel 12:3.
Jesus' Sacrificial Love for You; Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
By Erlo Stegen0JHN 13:1Erlo Stegen emphasizes Jesus' sacrificial love for humanity, demonstrated through His willingness to die for our sins and serve His disciples by washing their feet. This act of humility illustrates the depth of His love, which surpasses any earthly affection, and calls us to reflect that love in our relationships with others. Stegen urges believers to let go of past sins and grudges, allowing Jesus to cleanse them so they can serve Him fully. He warns that neglecting this cleansing can lead to spiritual decay and separation from Christ. Ultimately, the sermon challenges us to embody Christ's love and humility in our interactions with one another.
Spirit-Filled Service
By Zac Poonen0Zac Poonen emphasizes that Spirit-filled service is characterized by being a love-slave to God, recognizing our debt to others, acknowledging human insufficiency, and fulfilling God's specific calling. He illustrates that true service stems from the understanding that we belong wholly to God, and our motivation should be love for Christ rather than personal gain. Poonen highlights the Apostle Paul's example of being a debtor to share the gospel, his humility in recognizing his weaknesses, and the importance of seeking God's direction in our unique callings. Ultimately, Spirit-filled service is about yielding to God's will and being ready to bless others with the message of salvation.
George Muller to J. Hudson Taylor - Excerpt of Letter
By George Mueller0PHP 2:3George Müller emphasizes the importance of humility and the need to give all glory to God in our service, reflecting on his own journey where he saw little fruit until he was willing to be merely an instrument for God's work. He stresses that the true servant of Christ seeks the Master's honor above their own and that neglecting one's own spiritual nourishment can lead to loss, regardless of the amount of work done. Müller encourages preachers to prioritize their own souls through meditation on Scripture and prayer, warning against reading the Bible solely for others' benefit. He expresses his love and support for fellow missionaries, reminding them of the importance of mutual encouragement in their shared mission.
You
By Samuel Logan Brengle0PSA 37:1ROM 12:3PHP 4:13Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the immense potential within each individual when they align themselves with God's power, urging listeners not to underestimate their ability to effect change through faith and service. He reminds us that true success is rooted in our relationship with God and that our actions, no matter how small, can ignite significant transformations. Brengle encourages a humble pursuit of God's honor rather than seeking personal accolades, highlighting the importance of love, obedience, and selflessness in our spiritual journey. He calls on everyone, regardless of their status, to seek God earnestly and to embody the spirit of sacrifice and service exemplified by biblical figures like Paul and Jonathan. Ultimately, he reassures that the rewards from God far surpass any earthly recognition.
My Helpers in Christ Jesus
By A.B. Simpson0MAT 20:26A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of being helpers in Christ's Church rather than seeking positions of prominence. He illustrates that true spiritual power comes from humility and serving others, as exemplified by biblical figures like Joshua and Joseph, who had to embrace subordinate roles before achieving greatness. Simpson warns against the dangers of self-importance and spiritual self-consciousness, urging believers to be willing to take the lowest place in service. He encourages the congregation to trust that God has a place for everyone who is willing to serve faithfully. The ultimate goal is to glorify God while remaining humble and hidden from self.
1 Peter 5:3
By John Gill0MAT 20:261CO 11:1PHP 3:171TH 5:121TI 3:22TI 2:24TIT 2:7HEB 13:17JAS 3:11PE 5:3John Gill emphasizes the role of church leaders as examples rather than tyrants, urging them not to dominate over God's heritage but to lead with humility and integrity. He explains that while elders are to be respected and obeyed in their rightful duties, they must not impose their authority in a domineering manner or dictate the faith of the congregation. Instead, they should model the teachings of Christ through their actions and character, serving as patterns of good works and embodying the virtues of charity, faith, and purity. The sermon highlights the importance of pastoral leadership that reflects Christ's love and guidance.
His Power at Work Through Our Lives
By K.P. Yohannan0PSA 20:7PSA 44:5PRO 3:5ROM 7:18GAL 2:20K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that God's power is at work through our lives when we fully trust and depend on Him, rather than relying on our own abilities or resources. He warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, illustrating that true effectiveness in ministry comes from surrendering our talents to God and recognizing that we are merely instruments of His will. The sermon highlights the importance of humility and the need to acknowledge God's sovereignty in all aspects of life, using examples like Mother Teresa to demonstrate how dependence on God leads to impactful service. Ultimately, Yohannan encourages believers to continue trusting in the Lord for strength and guidance, ensuring that all glory is given to Him.
Seeking a Life of Being Not Known
By Francis Chan1.1K34:57MAT 6:1MRK 1:35LUK 16:101TH 4:11REV 10:4Francis Chan emphasizes the importance of living a quiet life focused on God rather than seeking public recognition or applause. He warns against the dangers of pride and the temptation to please people, urging believers to aspire to a life of humility and service, much like Jesus did. Chan highlights that true ambition should be about faithfulness in small things and maintaining a close relationship with God, rather than chasing crowds or fame. He encourages a generation to embrace the power of a quiet life, where secret prayers and good deeds can lead to profound spiritual rewards. Ultimately, he calls for repentance and a return to genuine faithfulness in our daily lives.
The Birth of Christ
By Leonard Ravenhill6553:51ISA 7:14JHN 1:14PHP 2:7Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the miraculous nature of Christ's birth, highlighting the significance of the virgin birth and the incarnation as central to Christian faith. He reflects on the humility of Jesus, who came into the world not with pomp but as a servant, and stresses that the true essence of Christianity is not in philosophy but in the life of Christ living within believers. Ravenhill challenges the church to embrace the supernatural and to recognize that Jesus' coming was a divine gift meant to restore God's image in humanity, rather than merely to save from hell. He calls for a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Christ, urging believers to live in humility and service, just as Jesus did.
(Knowing God's Way) 3. Principles of Serving God
By Zac Poonen0PHP 3:13REV 4:1Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fellowship with God over mere service in his sermon 'Knowing God's Way: Principles of Serving God'. He highlights that true service flows from a deep relationship with God, urging Christian leaders to 'come up higher' and view their work from God's perspective. Poonen warns against the dangers of seeking recognition and success in ministry, advocating for humility and genuine concern for others. He illustrates that effective ministry requires being relatable and understanding the needs of those we serve, rather than relying on worldly methods or statistics. Ultimately, he calls for a life of sacrifice and authenticity in serving God, reminding leaders that their worth is not defined by titles or accolades but by their closeness to God.