September 10, 2006

• Sunday’s Message

  I believe my Pastor has been reading my mail!  Not really, but it sure makes me wonder sometimes because he preaches on just the very thing that I have been convicted on.

  
  

  I’ve shared with you my struggles about wanting to devote more time to ministering to the needs of others (family included). But, in order to have this mindset I need to make some changes in the way I live and the way I spend my time. I’ve got too much STUFF to clean and keep organized. It complicates my cleaning routine and steals time away from my relationships. I’ve also been evaluating my homemaking schedule and what I am spending my time on. Is it profitable in the light of eternity or am I wasting my time on activities that will mean nothing when I face the Lord? I have less time in front of me than I do behind me. I’m not even promised my next breath so each daily decision counts. That is the part that I struggle with… knowing which ‘permissible things’ to let go of in order to do the most ‘profitable’. Yet, the Lord seems to be guiding me step by step. This week I hope to do a cleansing on a lot of items I have in my craft closet. Not all of them but there is so much that I’ll never find time to do. So, out it goes! I’m finding that hobbies can be a real time stealer when it comes to meeting needs. It amazed me when Pastor preached the same exact thing today!

  
  

  So, here are some notes from today’s sermon.

  
  

  James 2:1-13

  
  

  “Christ used the majority of His time to serve others.”

  
  

  (James 1:27) Pure and undefiled religion basically comes down to serving the needs (not wants) of others.

  
  

  What is preventing me from serving the needs of others?

  
  

  Kick out the hobbies in order to have time to meet the needs of others. (See last weeks sermon on the time left over each week and what we are spending it on).

  
  

  (Phil. 2:5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men.

  
  

  Are you serving needs or playing the role of a socialite in church. Is church a social gathering to you with red punch and cookies? Or do you come to church to serve? Do you choose a church that meets YOUR needs or a church where you can meet others needs, use your gifts and serve?

  
  

  We can’t spend all our time carting our children around to this sport and that activity and expect to have time left over to meet the needs of those around us. Don’t ’feed’ this in children!

  
  

  Develop in your children a ‘service mentality’.

  
  

  You won’t be able to serve others and meet their needs if you work 40 hours a week and then use the remainder of your time entertaining yourself.

  
  

  Love others like you ALREADY love yourself.

  
  

  If you think this message is too strong then it may be you’re responding with your Americanized viewpoint instead of the mind of Christ.

  
  

  (1 John 2:6) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

  
  

  Will there be shame or tears at the Bema Seat?

  
  

  All the ‘talkin’ but no ‘walkin’ will catch up with us there!1 Cor. 3:12-15

  
  

  Don’t rationalize this message. Don’t try to find a loophole. Serve and meet needs! 

  
  

  Stevinson Chapel            http://xanga.com/jehovahraah83

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  • 11:02 pm
  • 4 Comments