​Great Service
Mark 10:35-45
How do you define service?
The “service industry” is growing
 
“servant leadership” is standard business practice
 
What does great service look like?
 
 
Observations from the story
James and John ask Jesus for position and power
-Ambitious or arrogant? 
   -you have to appreciate their bold trust in Jesus
   -they knew Jesus was announcing the Kingdom
 
Jesus asks if they are prepared to pay the price
-Can you “drink the cup”?
   -Jesus was going to submit to suffering physically Mk 14:36
   -Jesus was going to submit to God’s wrath against sin
-Can you handle the “baptism”?
   -baptize- to dip, immerse
   -Jesus would be fully immersed, submitted to suffering
 
James and John respond with “yes”  Did they understand?
 
Jesus correctly predicts they will suffer greatly
-James was the first disciple to be killed- beheaded
-John was the last disciple to die- exiled, possibly boiled alive
 
Jesus cannot give James and John what they asked for
-Jesus was fully submitted to His Father
-There WILL BE positional authority in Christ’s eternal kingdom
 
Jesus contrasts earthly greatness with spiritual greatness
-Earthly authorities exploit and abuse their followers
   -they worship the unholy trinity of me, myself and I
-Spiritual authorities serve and submit to the needs of others
 
The definition of Great Service
1.  Put the needs of others ahead of yours
-True greatness is determined by how much we serve
-Ephesians 5:21  submitting to one another in the fear of Christ
-Eph 5:25  Husbands love your wives, just as Jesus loved the
                 church and gave himself for her
 
2.  Surrender completely for the good of others
-True greatness is determined by selfless sacrifice
-1 Cor 9:19 …I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order
                        to win more people
 
3.  Follow the example of Jesus
-Jesus was completely submitted to His Father’s will
-Jesus came to serve, not to be served
 
4.  Serve to lead others to Jesus for salvation
-Jesus met many physical needs:  healed, fed, delivered
   -this was temporary, incomplete
-Jesus came to die!  “to give his life as a ransom for many”
-Healed and well-fed people still need rescued from sin and hell!
 
 
Next Step:  Examine the greatness of my service!
1.  What do I pray for and why?
 
 
2.  Am I prepared to suffer for Jesus?
 
 
3. Do I use my authority to serve myself or others?
 
 
4.  Am I willing to serve when there is no personal benefit?
 
 
5.  Does my service lead people to Jesus?
 
 

​Faith Freedom!
Romans 6:15-23
Why do Christ followers disappoint us?
Spiritual maturity is a process
 
Faith Freedom Facts
Unbelievers are slaves to sin
-We can’t reform ourselves enough
-We lack the desire to honor God with our lives
            Some people live very moral lives, self-made people
             -they pridefully trust themselves instead of God
             -they are still enslaved to rebellion against God
 
Faith in Jesus sets us free from the slavery of sin
-vs 17  “used to be slaves of sin”
-vs 18 “having been set free from sin”
-vs 20  the fruit of a faithless life is “death”
-vs 23  we earn the “wages” of death when we sin
-dead people can’t save themselves!
 
Faith in Jesus sets us free to do what is right
-vs 16  “obedience leading to righteousness”
-vs 18  we are now “enslaved to righteousness”
 
Faith Freedom is immediate
-vs 15 we are “under grace” 
-vs 18  “you became enslaved to righteousness”
-vs 22 “the outcome is eternal life!”
-vs 23  “the gift of God is eternal life
-Romans 8:1-2
-We are already perfect and righteous…but not yet
 
Faith Freedom is progressive
-vs 15  Paul is having to explain how absurd it is for a follower of Christ to keep on sinning.  See also Rom 6:2 “absolutely not!”
-vs 19  “so now offer them [parts of yourselves] as slaves to righteousness.”   This is a constant choice we must make
-The result of submitting to God’s rule is sanctification
    Vs 19, 22
Faith Freedom Is Free!  Romans 6:23
Our sin earns us death
-Adam died, everyone dies!
-The Law can’t rescue us- reveals how wrong we really are!
 
God offers the gift eternal life
-Gift- we can’t earn forgiveness, can’t work our way out of death
-Eternal Life-  God offers us a forever answer!
    We don’t have to live under the sentence of death
 
We must place our faith in Jesus
-“in Christ Jesus” -  in a relationship with him
-Romans 3:26
 
 
We must give Jesus total control
-“our Lord”  our boss, ruler, master
-We become slaves to God, instead of slaves to sin!
-We must be willing to place our whole lives under His control
-the “fruit” of our lives is sanctification
    -true followers of Christ will begin to change
    -true followers of Christ will WANT to change!
       -no one set free from a cruel master wants to go back!
 
 
 
Experience the freedom of faith today!
Place your faith in Jesus Christ
 
Grow in freedom day by day
Stop obeying sin- you don’t have to!
    -run from the shame, you don’t live under that anymore!
 
Start obeying God- He has empowered you to!
    -experience the fruit of a life controlled by God- victory!
 
 
 

Faith Changes
Romans 6:1-14
Faith in Jesus Christ Changes Us!
 
 
Faith Changes Us!
1.  We can’t continue to sin     vs 1
-God’s abundant grace is not given to us so we can continue in abundant sin!  
-Sin NEVER glorifies God-  the end does not justify the means
-Once we are saved, we are forever changed to become like Jesus
-True believers begin to become who God has already made them
-Sanctification-  the process of becoming freed from sin or purified
 
2.  We are united with Jesus  
-Born again
-Baptized into Christ  vs 3
-Newness of life =we enter into a new sphere which is life,
        instead of death!   vs 4
 
 
3.  Sin does not control us
-vs 6 Old self was crucified, killed
-body ruled by sin is rendered powerless
-vs 7  freed from sin
-vs 8-9  Christ’s death was our death, His resurrection was ours too!
 
4.  We have a new life!
-vs 10  Christ died once for all, He now lives forever united with His   
   Father
-vs 11 consider yourselves dead to sin!  We must accept this truth!
-consider yourselves….alive to God in Christ Jesus!
   -We are alive spiritually, empowered to say no to sin!
   -this is “in Christ Jesus”= in a personal relationship with Him
     -He is the Savior, but must also be OUR PERSONAL Savior!
 
 
 
 
How to experience faith changes
1.  Put your faith in Jesus Christ alone 
-the just will live by faith   Romans 1:17;  3:26
-we are saved by grace, a gift, not through obeying God
 
2.  Stop obeying sin
-vs 12  Therefore-  since God saved us by His abundant grace
    -do not let sin be in control of your body! 
    -sin is powerless, stop saying yes to sin! 
-2 Corinthians 5:15  we live for Jesus now, instead of for ourselves
-Faith changes a person!   -No change might indicate no real faith!
 
3.  Submit fully to Christ  vs 13
-We live in an ongoing spiritual battlefield!
-our body can be used for evil or godliness
   -we are either helping or hurting the cause of Christ with our lives
-Stop letting Satan use any part of your life to fight against God
-Let God use every part of your life to fight for His perfect will
 
4.  Trust God by faith!  Vs 14
-don’t turn sanctification into legalism
-We are “under grace” now as a follower of Jesus Christ
   -We have the power to overcome sin
   -The Holy Spirit is now living inside us, to show us what to do
-John 14:15-17, 23-25  If we love Jesus, we will keep His commands
-John 16:12 “…He [the Holy Spirit] will guide you into all the truth”
 
Unbeliever-  place your faith in Jesus Christ right now!
 
Believer- Let Faith Change You day by day!
-stop justifying all the reasons why you can’t stop sinning
 
Imposter- wake up!  The Holy Spirit is convicting you of sin!
-Your faith is fake, you must turn to Christ today!
-Make a real commitment to follow Jesus Christ, stop playing games
   -stop trying to follow rules to impress God
 
Make your decision real and public Today!
​

​Bad News, Good News!
Romans 5:12-21
Intro
 
 
 
 
Bad News 
Everyone has a problem:  we are sinners
-sin- missed the mark, not perfect, lawbreaker
-We became sinners naturally through Adam
-Adam sinned
-Adam passed his sinful nature on to us
More rules magify how sinful we are
 
 
We face certain death and condemnation
-Everyone died from Adam to Moses
-Mortality is still 100%
 
 
Good News 
Jesus Christ solved our problem
-God offers the gift of Jesus Christ
-God treats us better than we deserve (grace)
 
 
Jesus offers certain hope
-opposite of what Adam gave us (certain death)!
-justification
-righteousness
-life
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How do we receive God’s gift?
Place our faith in Jesus Christ
 
Put Jesus Christ in authority over our lives
-as we live out our lives privately, in the church, in our homes, in the world!
 
 

​The Love Of God
Romans 5:6-11
Introduction
Today is Valentine’s Day!
 
God loves you more than any human ever could!
 
How to respond to God’s Love
1.  Accept God’s Great Love
-God reaches down to you and me through His Son
   -God is love!  1 Jn 4:8a  Love is His very nature!
   -He sent His Son Jesus to demonstrate His love
      Jn 3:16,  1 Jn 4:9-10
-God loves us just at the right time-  today, right now!
 
-God loves is greater than any human love!
   -Earthly love only goes so far-  vs 7
        -no one is lining up to die for death row inmates!
        -that is exactly where every human stands before God!
   -Paul mentions Christ’s death 5 times in these 6 verses
 
-Jesus died for the ungodly-  total opposite of perfect, pure
   -We are born hostile to God, rebellious, separated from Him
  
-Jesus died for us “while we were still sinners”  vs 8
    -We missed the mark in life, came short of doing God’s will
 
-Accept God’s Great Love!
   -Romans 1-4  we must simply place our faith in Him
   -Romans 3:23-24  We who have sinned are justified by grace!
 
2.  Apply God’s Love
-Stop living in fear
   -We are declared righteous/justified by Christ’s blood vs 9
      -legally acquitted of all our sin;  no longer guilty
   -We are reconciled with God  vs 10
      -Jesus made peace between God and us
      -this term is rarely used in other religions- man-made deities
        don’t personally relate to humans, unimaginable!
-Stop making excuses-
   -vs 9  If we are justified, then we don’t face God’s wrath!
        -stop living as if God is out to get you, punish you!
        -stop sabotaging your future by living in your past!
             -God has erased our guilt, our shame!
   -vs 10 If we are reconciled then we are saved right now!
         -stop making excuses for your sin, for not growing up!
         -Jesus empowers us to overcome sin! 
              See Hebrews 7:25  and  Romans 8:34
         -Jesus personally walks with us, lives inside of us! 
         -Jesus is a prayer away every moment!
 
-We must stop beating ourselves up and living in defeat!
-Stop making excuses for living a shameful, carnal life!
 
3.  Give God’s Love
-Declare your gratitude vs 11
   -We rejoice- boast in God, not in ourselves!
   -We give God all the credit when others see good in us
   -Humbly proclaim that Jesus is your personal Savior!
 
-Love others like God does  1 John 4:7-8
   -Be the first person to initiate reconciliation!  
   -Forgive completely- let them go, erase their guilt!
   -Practice humility- seek forgiveness immediately when wrong!
   -Ask Jesus for help!  Godly relationships require God’s help!
 
 
How will you respond to God’s love right now?
1.  Make it personal
 
  
 
 
2.  Make it public!
 
 

Church Elders:  Why, Who, What?
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Everything rises and falls on leadership
Everyone follows someone   -self, or someone else!
 
A leader always emerges when another leader disappears
-lack of preparation can lead to poor/wrong leaders
 
God has appointed Jesus to lead the church
-Jesus is the Chief Shepherd!
 
God calls out men to lead under Christ’s authority
-1 Peter 5:1-3  Elders, Shepherds, Overseers
-Sometimes called “Under-Shepherds”, under THE Shepherd
 
Local churches are led by Elders/Shepherds/Overseers
 
Why?  The reason for elders
Biblical Reason:  New Testament Pattern
-Titus 1:5  Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every church
 
Practical Reason:  Someone has to lead!
-Unspiritual leaders may emerge- incompetent, unspiritual, wolves!
 
Who?    1 Timothy 3:1-7 qualifications (see also Titus 1:5-9)
Above Reproach-  overall above average character
Faithful in Marriage- one woman man
-for sure means not married to more than one woman
-could mean not divorced and remarried, a common interpretation
-it does mean everyone agrees he is faithful to marriage!
Self-controlled- temperate, balanced life
Sensible- prudent, wise,
Respectable- the dignity and respect of his peers
Hospitable- loves strangers, isn’t into cliques, associates with all
Able to Teach- skilled at teaching, not necessarily a “preacher”
Not addicted to wine-  not interested in alcohol, self- controlled
Gentle (not a bully)- doesn’t pick fights, isn’t abusive
Not quarrelsome- isn’t looking to beat people in conversation
Not greedy- money is his servant, not vice versa
Manages household well- children, home, possessions, maybe people
   -overseeing a church is similar to overseeing a family
Not a new convert- qualified leaders take time to mature
Good reputation among unbelievers
 
What?  process of appointing elders and practical work of elders
Elders are affirmed by the church
-Elders oversee the selection process
-All church members nominate men they believe are qualified
-Elders conduct ordination interviews
-Church votes to affirm men who were affirmed by the Elders
 
Elders serve as needed by the church
-It is common for elders to serve for a set number of years, then rotate
-Senior Pastor/Elder serves indefinitely
 
Elders oversee all spiritual aspects of the church
-Preach, Protect, Pastoral Care
-Elders at St Joe serve under the authority of the whole congregation
-They DON’T micro-manage nor do all the work
    -everyone is a minister! 
 
What Now?
Pray for and support Elders  Hebrews 13:17
 
Support healthy accountability  1 Timothy 5:19
 
Nominate potentially qualified men  -Give names to elders
 
Consider your own calling! 
-if you are asked by your church to serve
-if you are led by the Holy Spirit to become an Elder




 
Here is the resume of a potential church pastor…
 
Before his conversion to Christ he was complicit in a murder
 
This man had been in prison frequently (Acts 16:37, Acts 24:7).
 
He has started more than one riot in a city (Acts 19:28).
 
He has been in frequent troubles with the local authorities (Acts 24).
 
He has frequent health issues (2 Cor 12:7).
 
He was not accepted and not trusted by most of the Christians early on and many were even afraid of him (Acts 9:26).
 
He was believed to have mental health issues by the local authorities (Acts 26:24).
 
He has been accused as being an insurrectionist by the local leaders (Acts 24:5).
 
He has been accused of being a leader of a cult or sect (Acts 24:5).
 
Everywhere he went, he seemed to cause problem and once he even quoted a world philosopher in trying to witness about Christ (Acts 17:28).
 
He was teaching doctrines that were contrary to the religious leaders of the day (Acts 24:5).
 
Would a man like this be affirmed by our local church??
 
This was the resume of the Apostle Paul!

​Church Covenant Message 2021 Part 3
We can trust that the church will never fail
Matt 16:18  “I will build my church”
 
But why do local churches come and go?
Society Reasons
-economics, population shifts:  churches die when towns die
-cultural change- churches cling to previous cultural traditions
 
Spiritual Reasons
-they stop trusting the Bible as their final authority for truth
-they become a social club instead of a spiritual community
-they stop sharing the Good News consistently
-Power and popularity become more important than people
 
How does the Bible define a local church?
1.  The Church Is A FELLOWSHIP
Acts 2:42  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer” 
 
-A top priority in a fellowship is HARMONY and UNITY.
 
2.  The Church Is A FAMILY
1 Peter 3:8  “Finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble”
1 Timothy 5:1-2  ”Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.” 
 
-Our family focuses on RELATIONSHIPS not RULES.
 
3.  The Church Is A BODY
1 Corinthians 12:27  “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.”
 
-We are a body — not a business! 
-We are an organism — not an organization!
 
4.  The Church Is A FLOCK
-The Church is cared for and led by SHEPHERDS.
-1 Peter 5:1-3  Elders, Shepherds, Overseers
 
This is why we are committed to a Church Covenant
Our Covenant defines how we relate to one another
 
Our Covenant is defined by on Biblical Principles
 
Our Four Covenant Agreements as church members
Review from last two messages
1.  I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
     ...BY ACTING IN LOVE TOWARD OTHER MEMBERS
     ...BY REFUSING TO GOSSIP
     ...BY FOLLOWING THE LEADERS
 
2.  I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY PRAYING FOR ITS GROWTH
     …BY INVITING THE UNCHURCHED TO ATTEND
     …BY WARMLY WELCOMING THOSE WHO VISIT
 
3.  I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY DISCOVERING MY GIFTS AND TALENTS
     …BY BEING EQUIPPED BY MY PASTORS
     …BY DEVELOPING A SERVANT’S HEART
 
Part 1 and 2 Messages, including sermon notes, are available on our website.
-Worship Videos are on our YouTube channel
-Audio Sermons are available on many podcast sites
 
 
Today’s focus is on our final covenant commitment
 4.  I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY ATTENDING FAITHFULLY
     …BY LIVING A GODLY LIFE
     …BY GIVING REGULARLY
 
Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
 
Philippians 1:27  Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel
 
1 Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.
 
Leviticus 27:30  “Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
 
 
What must we do now with this church covenant?
1.  Ask God to affirm His Word in your heart
 
2. Evaluate your own commitment level to the local church
-Community- never/rarely attends
-Crowd- regular attender
-Congregation- member, committed to the covenant
-Core- giving yourself in practical and consistent ways
 
3.  Enroll in our Discovering Membership Class
-A four session (3.5 hours at once usually) Bible study
  -When and where?
 
4.  Let us know how to help you!
-Connection Card, website contact page, Facebook Page