4 things servants of Christ are convinced of:
- I am a Servant (Luke 17:7)
- Hard work
- Repetitive work
- Unglamorous work
- Endless work
- My service is my Priority(Luke 17:8)
- My service is Expected(Luke 17:9-10)
Numbers 12:7 - Not so with my servant Moses.
Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,
James 1:1 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Peter 1:1 - Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:16 - Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a coverup for evil, but living as servants of God.
Jude 1 - Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
-
Pastor Jeff:
00:00-00:16
All right, so what are we doing here? I mean like at Harvest Bible Chapel, what are we doing? Oh, it's on the other side now, you switched it up. What are we doing here?
Pastor Jeff:
00:18-00:59
We're glorifying God by doing what? Fulfilling the Great Commission, which is what? Making disciples. That's what we're doing. And what is a disciple? The last three weeks we've been doing a review. A disciple, first of all, somebody who worships Jesus Christ. A disciple is someone who worships Jesus Christ. And last week we saw that a disciple also does what? Walks with Christ. And last week we talked about you being part of a small group and we're so excited about about what the Lord's doing in our small group ministry and great response from people who wanna get involved with small groups.
Pastor Jeff:
01:00-01:02
That's how we make disciples here.
Pastor Jeff:
01:02-01:04
There's no tricks, there's no gimmicks.
Pastor Jeff:
01:04-01:05
You're like, well, what's your plan?
Pastor Jeff:
01:05-01:05
That's the plan.
Pastor Jeff:
01:06-01:13
You know, we come together here to worship and we ask you to get involved in a small group.
Pastor Jeff:
01:14-01:14
Why?
Pastor Jeff:
01:14-01:17
Because it's biblical, because that's how you get connected with people.
Pastor Jeff:
01:18-01:19
We are called to be part of a body.
Pastor Jeff:
01:20-01:56
So a disciple worships Christ, disciple walks with Christ. What else does the disciple do? Works for Christ. So let's talk about that. Disciples work for Christ. Turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 17. So disciples are convinced God alone is worthy of worship. I'm convinced that I belong to a body of believers. Here's something else disciples are convinced of. I work for Christ. I work for Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
02:03-03:29
Kind of hold your place there in Luke 17 because I want us to look at another passage. You know, normally we don't like to spend a lot of time flipping around our Bibles. We usually try to camp out on one passage. But I want you to turn to Ephesians chapter 2. I want to share with you a passage that every Christian should memorize because we get so mixed up when we talk about working. And before we get into Luke 17, I want to clarify the place of works. You know, in the area that we live, the geographic area that we live, there's a lot of Catholicism and there's a lot of similar type mindsets. Whether you go to a Catholic church or not, I know people that don't go to any church but still carry a similar type mindset to say, "God is happy with me when I do stuff for him." That's what makes God happy. You know, so I have to, whether it's repeating these prayers or doing these religious acts or doing charitable deeds, those are the things that make God happy with me. Is that true or false? Does doing good works make God happy with you?
Pastor Jeff:
03:31-03:53
True or false? The answer is false. Absolutely false. How do you make God happy with you. Well, the Bible tells us that we are wretched, miserable, rebellious sinners by nature. And no amount of good works gets you brownie points with God.
Pastor Jeff:
03:54-04:38
God's not looking down from heaven saying, "Well, he's lost, but he's trying really hard, so that's not bad." The truth is, he's guilty of sin. We deserve God's punishment. We deserve God's wrath because of sin. But what did God do? While we were yet sinners, Romans 5, Christ died for us. Jesus Christ came into the world and died and rose from the dead so that our sins could be forgiven and so that we can have eternal life. And you have to understand something, Christians. There is nothing that you can do that's going to make God happy with you outside of receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. That's it.
Pastor Jeff:
04:40-04:56
If you're trying to find some sort of plan B other than wholly devoting yourself to Jesus Christ, there is no plan B. Okay? Plan B is still being lost. Plan B is futility.
Pastor Jeff:
04:58-05:02
If you're trying to make God happy outside of Christ, you can't do it.
Pastor Jeff:
05:04-05:05
God is pleased with His Son.
Pastor Jeff:
05:07-05:11
And through the death and the resurrection of His Son, we've been given the promise of eternal life.
Pastor Jeff:
05:12-05:22
And only by receiving Him, only by being born again, are we pronounced not guilty, are we adopted as children of God.
Pastor Jeff:
05:25-05:30
But Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 and 9 clarify this, 8 through 10 rather.
Pastor Jeff:
05:33-05:42
Because you're like, "Okay, well you're saying my works don't make God happy, so why do them?" Right?
Pastor Jeff:
05:42-05:43
Church, you need to memorize this.
Pastor Jeff:
05:43-05:53
"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Okay, so God's part is grace.
Pastor Jeff:
05:53-05:54
What's grace?
Pastor Jeff:
05:55-05:55
What's grace?
Pastor Jeff:
05:58-06:01
God giving to you what He requires from you.
Pastor Jeff:
06:01-06:02
That's what grace is.
Pastor Jeff:
06:03-06:04
God says, "You need righteousness.
Pastor Jeff:
06:04-06:05
I require that from you.
Pastor Jeff:
06:06-06:06
You don't got it.
Pastor Jeff:
06:06-06:13
I'm going to give it to you through Jesus Christ." God says, "I require holiness from you.
Pastor Jeff:
06:13-06:13
You don't have it.
Pastor Jeff:
06:13-06:52
I'm going to give it to you through Jesus Christ." you what he requires from you. So how do we appropriate that grace? Well, that's why he says it's through faith. Through faith. We don't earn it. We don't start working. And maybe if God sees me doing a good job, he'll give me some grace. We appropriate it through believing in who Jesus Christ is, believing that what he accomplished is eternal life through the cross, through the empty tomb.
Pastor Jeff:
06:54-06:58
And like even the faith, you're like, "Well, I just have to muster up enough faith," right?
Pastor Jeff:
06:58-07:00
And this is not your own doing.
Pastor Jeff:
07:02-07:04
You can't even muster up enough faith.
Pastor Jeff:
07:04-07:04
Look at this.
Pastor Jeff:
07:04-07:09
It says, "It is the gift of God." It's all from God.
Pastor Jeff:
07:11-07:18
Verse nine says, "Not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Because you know how people are, right?
Pastor Jeff:
07:18-07:19
We like to boast.
Pastor Jeff:
07:20-07:21
We like to boast.
Pastor Jeff:
07:23-07:24
Who's got the biggest biceps in the room?
Pastor Jeff:
07:26-07:27
I see a few hands going up.
Pastor Jeff:
07:27-07:30
I wasn't asking like for you to volunteer.
Pastor Jeff:
07:30-07:31
The answer is Bill Howe.
Pastor Jeff:
07:34-07:38
By the way, this physical specimen that I am is all thanks to Bill.
Pastor Jeff:
07:39-07:44
Jim, Jim partner, prayer partner, thanks for visiting with us today.
Pastor Jeff:
07:45-07:45
Hokies.
Pastor Jeff:
07:46-07:48
Um, where was it? Oh yeah.
Pastor Jeff:
07:48-07:59
"Not a result of works that no one may boast, and even in the church." Well, I've been a Christian for this many years, and I've been a Christian for this many years, and I've been on this many mission trips, and God's surely more happy with me than He is with you.
Pastor Jeff:
08:00-08:03
No one can boast. No one can boast.
Pastor Jeff:
08:05-08:08
Christians, God loves me just as much as he loves you and vice versa.
Pastor Jeff:
08:10-08:11
No one can boast.
Pastor Jeff:
08:11-08:12
It's all a result of grace.
Pastor Jeff:
08:14-08:15
It's all grace.
Pastor Jeff:
08:17-08:21
For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
08:21-08:22
Look at this next phrase.
Pastor Jeff:
08:23-08:30
For good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Pastor Jeff:
08:35-08:37
Help me out Bible scholars.
Pastor Jeff:
08:37-08:41
So verse 10 says, "We were created in Christ Jesus for what purpose?
Pastor Jeff:
08:43-08:45
For good works." Is that what it says?
Pastor Jeff:
08:47-08:48
That's what my Bible says.
Pastor Jeff:
08:51-08:54
Listen, you're not saved by good works.
Pastor Jeff:
08:56-08:59
You are saved for good works.
Pastor Jeff:
08:59-09:00
Do you understand the difference?
Pastor Jeff:
09:02-09:06
Not saved by good works, you're saved for good works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:11-09:23
I think one of the problems in the evangelical church, in order to avoid the heresy that we are saved by works, we've given good works a bad name.
Pastor Jeff:
09:25-09:28
And sometimes people don't even want to use the word works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:28-09:30
There are probably some people sitting here right now a little uncomfortable.
Pastor Jeff:
09:31-09:31
Oh, he's talking about works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:32-09:33
He's talking about works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:34-09:37
Yeah, because the Bible talks about works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:38-09:43
In their right place, Christians, God saved you for good works.
Pastor Jeff:
09:45-10:00
So that's why at Harvest Bible Chapel, we unashamedly say a disciple works for Christ because we were created, We were saved for good works.
Pastor Jeff:
10:02-10:05
The truly saved work for Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
10:05-10:10
Now let's go back to Luke chapter 17, verses seven through 10.
Pastor Jeff:
10:10-10:15
Let's look at the verses, and we'll break them down.
Pastor Jeff:
10:18-10:36
Jesus says, "Well, any one of you who has a servant "Plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at the table.'" We have to understand something in our mindset.
Pastor Jeff:
10:37-10:39
We can read through this and be like, "Well, yeah, that makes sense.
Pastor Jeff:
10:39-10:45
You've been working hard. Why don't you have a seat?" The people that Jesus was preaching this to totally saw what he was saying.
Pastor Jeff:
10:46-10:51
Like, "No." The servant doesn't come in from working and recline.
Pastor Jeff:
10:52-10:57
The servant comes in from working, gets cleaned up and he keeps working.
Pastor Jeff:
10:58-10:59
That's what servants do.
Pastor Jeff:
11:00-11:03
So that would have been the mindset of the audience that Jesus was preaching to.
Pastor Jeff:
11:03-11:05
And that's going to be clear as we go through here.
Pastor Jeff:
11:06-11:07
But understand that.
Pastor Jeff:
11:09-11:12
They're like, yes, I see what you're saying, Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
11:15-11:33
First, will he not rather say to him, prepare supper for me and dress properly and serve me while I eat and afterward you will eat and drink." And his audience would have been like, "Yeah, yeah, that's how it works. If you have a servant, he works in the field, hey, it's time to eat.
Pastor Jeff:
11:33-11:57
He comes in, gets cleaned up, and he makes you food. And when I'm done eating and you've taken care of me, then it's your turn to eat." And the audience would have been like, "Yep, that's how it works." 9, "Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?" Rhetorical question, what's the answer to that? The answer is no.
Pastor Jeff:
12:01-12:40
He did what he was commanded. Did he get thank you for that? No. So here it is. What's your point here, Jesus? Jesus said, so you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, "We are unworthy servants. We have only done what was our duty." All right, so a disciple works for Christ. Here are four things servants of Christ are convinced of. Four things of Christ are convinced of.
Pastor Jeff:
12:41-12:47
Actually, when I was working on this this week, I sent the outline ahead and I decided to combine the last two points because they were so similar.
Pastor Jeff:
12:48-12:51
So it's really three things servants of Christ are convinced of.
Pastor Jeff:
12:52-12:56
But then again, I thought of a fourth one, so I might just share that with you too, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
12:57-12:59
So is the outline wrong?
Pastor Jeff:
13:00-13:00
Maybe.
Pastor Jeff:
13:02-13:07
All right, some things that servants of Christ are convinced of, number one.
Pastor Jeff:
13:09-13:11
I am a servant.
Pastor Jeff:
13:15-13:32
The rest of this message will make no sense to you unless you can rest in that place where you can say, "I am a servant of Jesus Christ." Again, that might feel uncomfortable.
Pastor Jeff:
13:34-13:44
A lot of times we sing songs about, you know, I am a friend of God, or we sing songs about I'm a child of God.
Pastor Jeff:
13:45-13:47
Do we sing any songs that's like, I'm God's slave?
Pastor Jeff:
13:48-13:49
Do we sing any songs like that?
Pastor Jeff:
13:50-13:51
Are there songs like that?
Pastor Jeff:
13:52-13:53
You really don't hear that, do you?
Pastor Jeff:
13:55-14:01
I mean, are there, seriously, are there like Christian songs, are there worship songs that's just basically like, God, here am I, I'm your slave?
Pastor Jeff:
14:04-14:09
Like, well, that sounds awfully uncozy.
Pastor Jeff:
14:09-14:16
Well, Numbers 12, verse seven, God speaking of Moses, he says, "Not so with my," you know what he called Moses?
Pastor Jeff:
14:18-14:22
"My servant Moses." Like, yeah, Pastor Jeff, but that's Old Testament.
Pastor Jeff:
14:24-14:30
Romans 1, 1, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
14:33-14:34
You're like, yeah, but that was Paul.
Pastor Jeff:
14:34-14:39
I mean, Paul was always like, he's kind of over the top on some things, right?
Pastor Jeff:
14:40-14:46
James 1, verse one, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
14:47-14:49
It's like the double whammy servanthood there.
Pastor Jeff:
14:51-14:52
In a good way.
Pastor Jeff:
14:54-14:55
Like, yeah, but that's James.
Pastor Jeff:
14:59-15:03
You know, Jesus' brother, he kind of had, Well, surely not Peter.
Pastor Jeff:
15:04-15:06
Peter wouldn't say something like that, would he?
Pastor Jeff:
15:06-15:17
Well, 2 Peter 1.1, Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
15:18-15:30
Actually in his first epistle, 1 Peter 2.16, Peter says, "Live as people who are free, "not using your freedom as a cover up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Pastor Jeff:
15:35-15:39
Like, yeah, but that's not like that doesn't like reach all the way through the New Testament, does it?
Pastor Jeff:
15:40-15:48
Jude. Verse one says, Jude, a servant.
Pastor Jeff:
15:50-15:51
Of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
15:54-16:04
So again, we can't get very far today until you rest in a place where you can say, like Moses, Paul, James, Peter, Jude and countless others.
Pastor Jeff:
16:06-16:08
I'm a servant of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
16:11-16:15
This is Jesus whole point in this teaching, we serve God.
Pastor Jeff:
16:19-16:40
Now in this quick parable that Jesus told, Jesus said, "Any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep..." Interesting that he uses that type of analogy.
Pastor Jeff:
16:44-16:46
Serving Christ has the same ingredients.
Pastor Jeff:
16:46-16:48
What kind of work is it? Jot these things down in your outline.
Pastor Jeff:
16:48-16:50
What kind of work is it to serve Christ?
Pastor Jeff:
16:52-16:54
What kind of work is it? First of all, it's hard work.
Pastor Jeff:
16:56-16:57
Serving Christ is hard work.
Pastor Jeff:
17:00-17:02
This isn't screwing caps on toothpaste.
Pastor Jeff:
17:05-17:06
Serving Christ can be hard work.
Pastor Jeff:
17:11-17:15
Serving Christ can be physically demanding.
Pastor Jeff:
17:17-17:19
It can be emotionally draining.
Pastor Jeff:
17:23-17:29
And spiritually, you will go places you didn't know you could go.
Pastor Jeff:
17:31-17:32
But it's hard work.
Pastor Jeff:
17:34-17:36
And I've been guilty of it so often in the church.
Pastor Jeff:
17:36-17:38
We're talking about work for Christ today.
Pastor Jeff:
17:38-17:41
So often in the church, we want to package it like it's easy.
Pastor Jeff:
17:41-17:47
"Hey, come and work for Christ. It's great." "We take these mission trips to exotic locations "and it's easy, it's easy.
Pastor Jeff:
17:47-17:52
"It's just a matter of friendly handshake "and handing out a bullet and it's easy, it's easy.
Pastor Jeff:
17:52-17:55
"We only need you to do that once every five months.
Pastor Jeff:
17:55-17:55
"It's easy.
Pastor Jeff:
17:56-17:58
"And even then, five minutes, that's all we need.
Pastor Jeff:
17:58-18:19
"Five minutes of your time serving Christ is easy." Jesus was like, "It's like the guy "that's always on the clock plowing "or keeping the sheep, hard work, okay, hard work." Number two, serving Christ can be repetitive work.
Pastor Jeff:
18:23-18:25
That's what faithfulness is, by the way.
Pastor Jeff:
18:25-18:32
Faithfulness is being constant, being constant, consistent in striving for excellence.
Pastor Jeff:
18:34-18:35
But it can be repetitive work.
Pastor Jeff:
18:36-18:39
How about for us who are meeting in a school?
Pastor Jeff:
18:39-18:43
A lot of the things that we do, the servants of Christ, It's repetitive work.
Pastor Jeff:
18:45-18:48
Just ask our facilities guy, Dave, it's repetitive work, isn't it, Dave?
Pastor Jeff:
18:49-18:50
You know what happens?
Pastor Jeff:
18:50-18:52
We're gonna talk about this at the end of the sermon, but you know what happens?
Pastor Jeff:
18:53-19:00
Every Sunday morning, Dave gets up early and he brings the truck and trailer here and unloads it and everything gets set up.
Pastor Jeff:
19:00-19:05
And at the end of service, everything gets torn down back into the trailer, gets parked again.
Pastor Jeff:
19:06-19:07
And guess what happens the next Sunday?
Pastor Jeff:
19:08-19:10
The exact same thing.
Pastor Jeff:
19:11-19:11
Rinse and repeat.
Pastor Jeff:
19:12-19:13
pretty much every Sunday, right?
Pastor Jeff:
19:13-19:16
Unless we're down in the cafeteria, which we do every so often.
Pastor Jeff:
19:17-19:18
It's repetitive.
Pastor Jeff:
19:21-19:22
It's repetitive work.
Pastor Jeff:
19:24-19:28
You know, sort of like farming, sort of like keeping the sheep.
Pastor Jeff:
19:30-19:38
See, faithfulness is being consistent over a period of time, not, "Well, I'm gonna get involved in this ministry "as long as it's fun, it's a novel idea." I'm kind of getting bored with that.
Pastor Jeff:
19:42-19:43
It's repetitive work.
Pastor Jeff:
19:44-19:50
Number three, sometimes, a lot of times, working for Christ can be unglamorous work.
Pastor Jeff:
19:51-19:52
Unglamorous work.
Pastor Jeff:
19:56-20:00
I just had a conversation with my brother about this this past week.
Pastor Jeff:
20:01-20:13
What you see when you come on Sunday, you see this worship team up here leading in worship and I get up here and share something from God's word and there's things happening in the children's ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
20:14-20:15
That's what you see.
Pastor Jeff:
20:16-20:18
And you can come in here and be like, "Hey, that looks pretty cool.
Pastor Jeff:
20:18-20:34
"I mean, these guys, they're great musicians "and wow, wow." And yeah, Jeff just gets up and basically, he just says stuff that's written down in this book, like, "How hard is that?" And what you see a lot of times is just the upfront stuff.
Pastor Jeff:
20:35-20:40
What you don't see is all of the stuff that goes on behind the scenes.
Pastor Jeff:
20:41-20:45
What we would say is the unglamorous things, the part that I guess this ties into the repetitive part.
Pastor Jeff:
20:46-20:53
But when signs need fixed or we have to rehearse that song again because we're just not getting it and.
Pastor Jeff:
20:55-20:59
You know, the sermon's just not making sense, I got to sit down and keep working at it.
Pastor Jeff:
21:01-21:03
And you're like, and you give us the finished product, really?
Pastor Jeff:
21:04-21:05
Most weeks.
Pastor Jeff:
21:07-21:09
Sometimes the work isn't Hollywood fabulous.
Pastor Jeff:
21:10-21:15
Sometimes it's as glamorous as cleaning up after the sheep, but it's still work for Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
21:17-21:19
And number four, it's endless work.
Pastor Jeff:
21:21-21:22
It's endless work.
Pastor Jeff:
21:25-21:27
Tireless, there's always more to be done.
Pastor Jeff:
21:28-21:43
It wasn't like Sam and Laura said, "You know, we got 15 songs that we just nailed down and we're gonna be singing them until Jesus returns, constantly writing new songs and learning new songs and getting more people involved in the process.
Pastor Jeff:
21:43-21:45
It doesn't end, it doesn't end.
Pastor Jeff:
21:47-21:51
Next week, Lord willing, you should see a completely new lobby when you come in.
Pastor Jeff:
21:53-21:59
Because we've been working on, you know, new signage and a resource table and even like entry rugs and stuff like that.
Pastor Jeff:
21:59-22:03
We're constantly striving for excellence because Christ is worth it.
Pastor Jeff:
22:04-22:12
Christ is not worth us just calling it in, like, "That was good enough." No, he is worth more than we could ever do for him.
Pastor Jeff:
22:12-22:16
That's why we work tirelessly, because we're striving for excellence.
Pastor Jeff:
22:16-22:17
He is worth it.
Pastor Jeff:
22:18-22:24
He's beyond anything that we can do, but we always strive for excellence, always striving for excellence.
Pastor Jeff:
22:25-22:25
But here's the point.
Pastor Jeff:
22:28-22:29
You're going to get worn out.
Pastor Jeff:
22:30-22:36
You're going to get frustrated and you're going to get discouraged when you lose sight of who you are.
Pastor Jeff:
22:37-22:41
I am a servant of Christ. Can you say that? Try it.
Pastor Jeff:
22:44-22:45
All right, try it again.
Pastor Jeff:
22:49-22:50
Again.
Pastor Jeff:
22:52-22:55
I am a servant of Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
22:57-22:57
Do you believe that?
Pastor Jeff:
22:59-23:07
Because when you lose sight of that, it's not so much fun anymore.
Pastor Jeff:
23:08-23:09
And you start to lose your focus.
Pastor Jeff:
23:10-23:15
And you say, "Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this?
Pastor Jeff:
23:16-23:27
Because I'm a servant of Christ." That's the first thing that servants of Christ are convinced of, is the truth that they are servants.
Pastor Jeff:
23:27-23:31
And secondly, my service is my priority.
Pastor Jeff:
23:33-23:34
Let's look again at verse eight.
Pastor Jeff:
23:36-23:39
Well, verse seven, he says, your serving comes in from plowing and keeping the sheep.
Pastor Jeff:
23:40-23:43
Will you say to him, well, come at once and recline at the table.
Pastor Jeff:
23:45-23:52
Will he not rather say to him, prepare supper for me and dress properly and serve me while I eat and drink.
Pastor Jeff:
23:53-23:55
And afterward you will eat and drink.
Pastor Jeff:
23:57-24:00
So Jesus' point is my service is my priority.
Pastor Jeff:
24:03-24:13
You know, the picture here is the servant coming in, he's been keeping the sheep and he's all filthy and he's got like sheep stuff on him and he stinks and he comes in and flops down.
Pastor Jeff:
24:13-24:18
He's like, "Oh, I worked hard today." And the master's like, "Oh, you know what?
Pastor Jeff:
24:18-24:19
"You deserve a break.
Pastor Jeff:
24:21-24:26
"Scrub up, pal, it's dinner time." Right?
Pastor Jeff:
24:28-24:29
But I did my work.
Pastor Jeff:
24:31-24:32
And you're still on the clock.
Pastor Jeff:
24:33-24:33
Keep working.
Pastor Jeff:
24:35-24:36
Here's the point.
Pastor Jeff:
24:36-24:38
Always the master first, never me first.
Pastor Jeff:
24:39-24:41
Always the master first, never me first.
Pastor Jeff:
24:42-24:44
Always the master first, never me first.
Pastor Jeff:
24:44-24:46
What was our first year theme at Harvest Bible Chapel?
Pastor Jeff:
24:46-24:47
What was our first year theme?
Pastor Jeff:
24:48-24:50
Jesus is first.
Pastor Jeff:
24:51-24:52
Why do you think we picked that theme?
Pastor Jeff:
24:54-24:55
Because he is.
Pastor Jeff:
24:56-25:04
And so often in the church, it's me, I'm first, I'm first, me, my needs, my wants, my opinion, my preferences.
Pastor Jeff:
25:07-25:10
Always the master first, never me first.
Pastor Jeff:
25:12-25:17
We have a tendency to be in such a self-centered mindset that we start to think God is our servant.
Pastor Jeff:
25:18-25:21
God better come through for me. God better do this for me.
Pastor Jeff:
25:24-25:29
And people hinge their faith on God's performance as if He is supposed to work for us.
Pastor Jeff:
25:33-25:38
It's one of the lies that's infiltrated the church, that God owes us something.
Pastor Jeff:
25:41-25:45
That's blasphemous, to think that God owes us anything.
Pastor Jeff:
25:48-25:57
Well, if you're not rich and you're not healthy and you're not happy, then there's a problem because those are the things that God wants for you.
Pastor Jeff:
26:00-26:01
And really, He owes it to you.
Pastor Jeff:
26:03-26:04
I just jot these things down in your notes.
Pastor Jeff:
26:05-26:06
Here's what I wrote down in mine.
Pastor Jeff:
26:08-26:10
First of all, God is not a genie.
Pastor Jeff:
26:11-26:11
He's not a genie.
Pastor Jeff:
26:13-26:15
Oh, give me three wishes.
Pastor Jeff:
26:16-26:18
My first wish is I want more wishes.
Pastor Jeff:
26:20-26:23
Some people treat God like he's a genie.
Pastor Jeff:
26:25-26:26
Like, oh, you're gonna get me out of this one.
Pastor Jeff:
26:29-26:33
You gotta give me this, which is my second one.
Pastor Jeff:
26:33-26:34
God is not a vending machine.
Pastor Jeff:
26:34-26:35
Somebody wrote a book called that.
Pastor Jeff:
26:36-26:37
That title always stuck with me.
Pastor Jeff:
26:37-26:38
This was like in the 80s or something.
Pastor Jeff:
26:39-26:41
But somebody wrote a book called, God is not a vending machine.
Pastor Jeff:
26:42-26:43
That's how some people treat God.
Pastor Jeff:
26:44-26:46
Oh, I see the things that God can offer me.
Pastor Jeff:
26:46-26:47
Okay, I'll take some of this.
Pastor Jeff:
26:49-26:51
There again, treating God like he's the servant.
Pastor Jeff:
26:52-26:54
God, do this for me, chop, chop, do this.
Pastor Jeff:
26:54-26:56
I need this, I need this.
Pastor Jeff:
26:58-27:00
You better watch that line of thinking.
Pastor Jeff:
27:01-27:02
I also wrote this one down.
Pastor Jeff:
27:04-27:05
God is the fixer.
Pastor Jeff:
27:07-27:11
As if God shows up and he's like, "Hey, this guy giving you a problem?
Pastor Jeff:
27:13-27:20
"You just say the word, I'll take care of him for you." Yeah, "Could you take care of this problem for me, God?" "Hey, that's what I'm here for.
Pastor Jeff:
27:21-27:28
"I'm your muscle, I'll take care of it." Now, do I believe that God works miracles for our benefit?
Pastor Jeff:
27:28-27:29
Yes, I do.
Pastor Jeff:
27:30-27:33
Do I believe that God gives us everything that we need?
Pastor Jeff:
27:33-27:33
Absolutely.
Pastor Jeff:
27:34-27:38
Do I believe that God is our refuge and shield?
Pastor Jeff:
27:39-27:40
Absolutely.
Pastor Jeff:
27:40-27:44
The point that Jesus is making here is it's all about your attitude.
Pastor Jeff:
27:45-27:46
It's all about your attitude.
Pastor Jeff:
27:49-27:51
God is the servant, I'm the one in charge.
Pastor Jeff:
27:51-27:56
Jesus said, "The humble disciple of Christ "doesn't think that way.
Pastor Jeff:
27:59-28:11
"My service is my priority." If you serve to get something now, you're going to be disappointed because God doesn't work that way, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
28:11-28:16
So if you're like, well, I guess I'll be part of what the church is doing because I really want God to give me that promotion at work.
Pastor Jeff:
28:17-28:17
He doesn't work that way.
Pastor Jeff:
28:19-28:25
God doesn't have some kind of a score sheet in heaven, like, well, you know what?
Pastor Jeff:
28:25-28:27
I owe Darren two now.
Pastor Jeff:
28:28-28:29
I'm gonna have to get caught up here.
Pastor Jeff:
28:30-28:31
God doesn't work that way.
Pastor Jeff:
28:33-28:36
He is God and I am what?
Pastor Jeff:
28:39-28:41
Right, here's how I like to finish that.
Pastor Jeff:
28:42-28:44
He is God and I am not, right?
Pastor Jeff:
28:45-28:48
He is God and I am not.
Pastor Jeff:
28:50-28:54
But you did a great job contextualizing that for the message today.
Pastor Jeff:
28:54-28:55
He is God and I am his servant.
Pastor Jeff:
28:57-28:58
It's all about your attitude.
Pastor Jeff:
29:00-29:01
It's all about your attitude.
Pastor Jeff:
29:01-29:13
Notice Jesus said that the master says, "You know, serve me while I eat and drink and afterward you will eat and drink." I highlighted that word afterward in my Bible.
Pastor Jeff:
29:13-29:14
You should do the same.
Pastor Jeff:
29:15-29:18
Highlight, circle, underline, afterward.
Pastor Jeff:
29:21-29:23
Jot this reference down too.
Pastor Jeff:
29:24-29:25
This is an amazing reference.
Pastor Jeff:
29:25-29:32
Luke 12 in verse 37 says that in heaven, This is Luke 12, 37.
Pastor Jeff:
29:32-29:34
You can read the whole context and stuff later.
Pastor Jeff:
29:34-29:35
You have to read the whole context.
Pastor Jeff:
29:36-29:43
But this verse, years ago, when I came across this verse as a young Christian, this verse just blew my brain apart.
Pastor Jeff:
29:43-29:45
I just, I was like, wow.
Pastor Jeff:
29:46-29:49
This verse says that in heaven, God will serve us.
Pastor Jeff:
29:51-29:52
It's like, what?
Pastor Jeff:
29:53-29:54
That's what it says.
Pastor Jeff:
29:55-29:57
Obviously, we will be serving God in heaven.
Pastor Jeff:
29:57-29:58
We will be worshiping God in heaven.
Pastor Jeff:
30:00-30:07
But Jesus said in heaven, he serves us.
Pastor Jeff:
30:07-30:08
See, and that's the afterwards.
Pastor Jeff:
30:09-30:12
That's the afterwards here in this passage that we're looking at.
Pastor Jeff:
30:13-30:14
But I wanna eat and drink.
Pastor Jeff:
30:14-30:16
You will later.
Pastor Jeff:
30:16-30:20
Right now is about serving him.
Pastor Jeff:
30:25-30:26
Afterwards, afterwards.
Pastor Jeff:
30:30-30:32
That's why retirement for ministry is not in the Bible.
Pastor Jeff:
30:34-30:36
Retirement for ministry is not in the Bible.
Pastor Jeff:
30:37-30:46
And I'm not saying that God doesn't call us from time to time for one ministry to another ministry, one act of serving him to another act of serving him.
Pastor Jeff:
30:46-30:47
He does, obviously.
Pastor Jeff:
30:48-30:49
This church is proof of that.
Pastor Jeff:
30:53-30:59
But what you don't see in the Bible is this, and I've heard this so many times, and it just, it's like nails on the chalkboard.
Pastor Jeff:
30:59-31:01
You know, I did my time.
Pastor Jeff:
31:02-31:03
I'm done.
Pastor Jeff:
31:04-31:05
Somebody else can do it.
Pastor Jeff:
31:06-31:07
Like I'm retiring from ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
31:08-31:08
Really?
Pastor Jeff:
31:10-31:11
Retirement from ministry, that's called heaven.
Pastor Jeff:
31:11-31:12
Are you going there?
Pastor Jeff:
31:13-31:17
Because if you're not, we're working now, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
31:17-31:18
We're working now.
Pastor Jeff:
31:19-31:20
But I did my time.
Pastor Jeff:
31:20-31:22
No, no, you're not done.
Pastor Jeff:
31:22-31:23
You still have a pulse.
Pastor Jeff:
31:23-31:24
You're still breathing.
Pastor Jeff:
31:27-31:29
you're serving Christ until that stops.
Pastor Jeff:
31:32-31:35
So have you made it a priority to be in a small group?
Pastor Jeff:
31:35-31:37
We talked about that last week.
Pastor Jeff:
31:37-31:40
Have you made it a priority to seek how you can serve in church?
Pastor Jeff:
31:40-31:41
Have you made that a priority?
Pastor Jeff:
31:43-31:51
If this is your church home, have you made it a priority to say, how can I be a part of what's actually happening in this ministry?
Pastor Jeff:
31:51-31:54
Well, I'm gonna tell you how in just a couple of minutes here.
Pastor Jeff:
31:55-31:59
But my service is my priority, always the master first, never me first.
Pastor Jeff:
32:02-32:07
And then finally, my service is expected.
Pastor Jeff:
32:09-32:11
It's just expected.
Pastor Jeff:
32:17-32:18
Again, we've been guilty of this.
Pastor Jeff:
32:18-32:20
I know I have so many times.
Pastor Jeff:
32:21-32:23
Who would like to serve Christ?
Pastor Jeff:
32:25-32:26
You know, God doesn't say that.
Pastor Jeff:
32:28-32:30
He's like, if you're one of mine, it's time to get to work.
Pastor Jeff:
32:31-32:33
I created you for good works.
Pastor Jeff:
32:33-32:36
And actually, He does them through us, right?
Pastor Jeff:
32:37-32:38
That's the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jeff:
32:38-32:41
He does something in us so He can do something through us.
Pastor Jeff:
32:43-32:44
But my service is expected.
Pastor Jeff:
32:45-32:46
Look at verses nine and 10 again.
Pastor Jeff:
32:48-32:52
Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
Pastor Jeff:
32:53-32:54
The answer is no.
Pastor Jeff:
32:55-32:58
Understand this, God is never going to say thank you to you.
Pastor Jeff:
33:00-33:08
He is going to say, "Well done, good and faithful servants," but God is not going to say thank you.
Pastor Jeff:
33:11-33:19
And look at verse 10 again, he says, "So you also," this is Jesus' application point, When you have done all that you were commanded, say, "We are unworthy servants.
Pastor Jeff:
33:19-33:31
We have only done what was our duty." That word "unworthy" literally means "unprofitable." Unprofitable.
Pastor Jeff:
33:35-33:36
Here's what that means.
Pastor Jeff:
33:37-33:38
To say, "We're unworthy servants.
Pastor Jeff:
33:39-33:40
We're unprofitable servants.
Pastor Jeff:
33:40-33:58
We're only doing our duty." for you. If you serve God, does that make Him more awesome? Yes or no?
Pastor Jeff:
34:00-34:01
No.
Pastor Jeff:
34:01-34:18
The answer is no. Your service doesn't make God any more awesome because He's got that whole market cornered on awesomeness. And you deciding, "Well, I'm not going to serve them. I'm not going to do a thing." That doesn't diminish God at all either.
Pastor Jeff:
34:19-34:24
God's not like, "Oh, I could be so much better. I could be so much more.
Pastor Jeff:
34:26-34:40
If only this person would get on board, I could be really awesome. That's what that means, unprofitable. We don't add to or detract from God in any way.
Pastor Jeff:
34:42-35:01
We're unprofitable. He owes us nothing, so he's not going to thank us, but he will say, well done, good and faithful servant." A servant does what he is commanded, verse 9.
Pastor Jeff:
35:03-35:21
So no matter what you are called to, please hear me, no matter what you are called to or how much you give yourself to it or how many hours you put into it, you are not being asked of anything more than what is expected.
Pastor Jeff:
35:26-35:30
You are not being asked of anything more than what is expected.
Pastor Jeff:
35:33-35:34
There's no overtime pay.
Pastor Jeff:
35:37-35:52
There's no, "Well, you know what, God, I'm in charge of this ministry and I'm willing to help out with this ministry, but gosh, that's really asking an awful lot." though it's not slave, I'm just an unprofitable servant.
Pastor Jeff:
35:52-35:53
I'm just here to serve.
Pastor Jeff:
36:00-36:04
Another truth is this, you are not elite because you serve, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
36:07-36:09
Like Jeannie Bloomingdale heads up the children's ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
36:09-36:47
She's like, she's got platinum status in this church because she heads up the children's ministry doing a lot of work to make improvements. So she has platinum status in this church. True or false? False. She's not elite because she's doing her job. Well what about me? I'm the pastor of the church. That's why it's so funny like for the church plans. They're like senior pastor. Like they call me the senior pastor. That just cracks me up because it's almost like I have all these pastors working under me. Like I have dozens of these other pastors. I just to be the senior pastor.
Pastor Jeff:
36:48-36:50
I'm like senior pastor, eh, like by default.
Pastor Jeff:
36:50-36:54
It's like, yeah, he's the only pastor, but that doesn't look as good on a business card.
Pastor Jeff:
36:54-36:56
Yeah, I'm Jeff Miller, only pastor.
Pastor Jeff:
37:02-37:02
I'm not elite.
Pastor Jeff:
37:05-37:05
Why?
Pastor Jeff:
37:07-37:09
I'm just doing what God told me to.
Pastor Jeff:
37:12-37:14
Our worship leaders are not elite.
Pastor Jeff:
37:16-37:18
They're just doing what God told them to do.
Pastor Jeff:
37:22-37:25
Amanda, I'm sorry to tell you, but you are not elite.
Pastor Jeff:
37:27-37:29
You are just doing what God has called you to.
Pastor Jeff:
37:30-37:34
So stop putting, I want to be the senior pastor on your friendship register.
Pastor Jeff:
37:36-37:42
Amanda puts that on the friendship register every so often I go through them and it says, I want to be a senior pastor.
Pastor Jeff:
37:43-37:45
And that's not going to make you elite.
Pastor Jeff:
37:46-37:49
Plus, it's just not going to happen in harvest, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
37:49-37:52
So, you know that's a joke, right?
Pastor Jeff:
37:53-37:56
She doesn't really want to be the senior pastor, I keep telling myself.
Pastor Jeff:
37:57-38:04
But, here's the point, you don't get accolades for just doing your job.
Pastor Jeff:
38:04-38:07
You don't get accolades for just doing your job.
Pastor Jeff:
38:09-38:13
I went to see the Thompsons down at McGee's.
Pastor Jeff:
38:14-38:18
I go in and Dan's just like, "Hey, you know what?
Pastor Jeff:
38:19-38:24
"Jeff, you should really be patting me on the back "because I've been encouraging my wife.
Pastor Jeff:
38:25-38:27
"I've been making sure the baby's eating.
Pastor Jeff:
38:27-38:31
"And I've been on top of all this new baby stuff.
Pastor Jeff:
38:31-38:33
"Jeff, you should really pat me on the back." Why?
Pastor Jeff:
38:33-38:34
For doing what you're supposed to?
Pastor Jeff:
38:34-38:35
Congratulations.
Pastor Jeff:
38:37-38:40
You did exactly what is expected of you.
Pastor Jeff:
38:42-38:43
It's ridiculous, isn't it?
Pastor Jeff:
38:44-39:01
Or turn it the other way around, parents. Parents, if your kids came up to you and said, "You know what, I finished my homework and I brushed my teeth. How much do you think that's worth tonight? Can you cut me a check?" Parents, what would you say?
Pastor Jeff:
39:03-39:07
You don't get a reward for doing what you're supposed to do.
Pastor Jeff:
39:07-39:08
So that's your job, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
39:09-39:09
That's your job.
Pastor Jeff:
39:12-39:13
That's what Jesus is saying here.
Pastor Jeff:
39:15-39:25
There's no brownie points, kudos, props, yogi buttons, cookies, for just doing your job.
Pastor Jeff:
39:25-39:36
That's why the end of verse 10, that word, he says, "We've only done what was our duty." That word for duty, literally means doing that which is expected.
Pastor Jeff:
39:36-40:19
Just doing that which is expected. So somebody's going to leave here saying, "Pastor Jeff doesn't appreciate the people at this church." That is not true. Honestly, every day I am so thankful to God for all of you. I am. I am. I I think of, you know, so many times, I've shared this with you, you know it's on my mind, so many times I think, you know, this church started with just two guys in a Mexican restaurant praying about this church and talking about it.
Pastor Jeff:
40:20-40:35
And I'm so thankful for the people that God has brought that are pouring into my life and carrying out different roles and ministries here and the new people that are coming and saying, "Let's get on board with this disciple-making thing." I am so thankful.
Pastor Jeff:
40:37-40:44
But it is inevitable that someone is going to get upset because they feel unappreciated.
Pastor Jeff:
40:44-40:45
That is going to happen.
Pastor Jeff:
40:47-40:47
Write that down.
Pastor Jeff:
40:49-40:52
Keep this, write it down in your bulletin and keep that bulletin in the front of your Bible.
Pastor Jeff:
40:53-41:01
Someone at some point is going to completely get off the rails because they feel unappreciated.
Pastor Jeff:
41:05-41:11
But if you're doing what you're doing in order to get people to appreciate you, you're gonna have a long day at the office.
Pastor Jeff:
41:14-41:29
But if you do what you do because you love Jesus Christ, and because you see that He He is worthy of serving because you see that He is God and we are not.
Pastor Jeff:
41:31-41:32
We're just His servants.
Pastor Jeff:
41:34-41:35
And I would tell you to join the team.
Pastor Jeff:
41:39-41:43
So just so somebody doesn't leave all upset because I said four things and there was only three.
Pastor Jeff:
41:43-41:45
Look at the verse in the bottom of your outline.
Pastor Jeff:
41:50-41:54
The fourth thing a servant of Jesus Christ says is this, it will all be worth it.
Pastor Jeff:
41:55-41:56
It will all be worth it.
Pastor Jeff:
41:57-42:22
First Corinthians 15, 58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and movable, "always abounding in the work of the Lord, "knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Pastor Jeff:
42:23-42:26
In the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Pastor Jeff:
42:30-42:43
You are not going to be sitting in heaven 10,000 years from now looking back to this time in your life thinking, you know, back when I was on the earth, I just got a little too excited about Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
42:44-42:46
Just got a little too radical about Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
42:47-42:54
I was all like raising my hands and singing loud and I was playing songs about Jesus on my radio.
Pastor Jeff:
42:55-43:03
Oh, and then the church, I like worked so hard to help in what was happening in the church.
Pastor Jeff:
43:03-43:06
I think I just spent a little too much time on the earth serving Jesus.
Pastor Jeff:
43:06-43:07
Is anybody gonna say that?
Pastor Jeff:
43:10-43:12
You see, this is an eternal work.
Pastor Jeff:
43:13-43:17
And that's why Paul reminds us, we should always be abounding in the work of the Lord.
Pastor Jeff:
43:17-43:19
We should always be on the clock.
Pastor Jeff:
43:19-43:19
Why?
Pastor Jeff:
43:19-43:21
Because it's not in vain.
Pastor Jeff:
43:22-43:23
It's not in vain.
Pastor Jeff:
43:27-43:28
It's not in vain.
Pastor Jeff:
43:28-43:35
So at this point, you're saying, well, okay, how do I get involved?
Pastor Jeff:
43:36-43:38
You're saying work, but here's what I see.
Pastor Jeff:
43:40-43:41
I see a church that meets in a school.
Pastor Jeff:
43:42-43:44
that looks like you've got a system going here.
Pastor Jeff:
43:44-43:52
And yes, that's precisely why we need people to step up and be part of what's happening here.
Pastor Jeff:
43:55-43:56
We're still in infancy year.
Pastor Jeff:
43:58-43:59
We're still working on a lot of things.
Pastor Jeff:
44:01-44:04
And we need people who are going to step up and say, I'll serve Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
44:06-44:07
How do I do that?
Pastor Jeff:
44:09-44:16
Well, specifically this morning, as we close, I wanna talk about what happens here on a Sunday morning and how you can get involved with that.
Pastor Jeff:
44:17-44:21
And I asked some people to speak and I'm going to speak on behalf of some others.
Pastor Jeff:
44:22-44:24
But Ken Frederick, come on up here.
Pastor Jeff:
44:25-44:28
We make sure this microphone's on my amazing AV people.
Pastor Jeff:
44:29-44:30
I just said Ken.
Pastor Jeff:
44:33-44:35
And she wants to be pastor.
Pastor Jeff:
44:38-44:39
Yeah, she's, yeah.
Pastor Jeff:
44:40-44:43
But I've asked some people to speak on the ministries that take place here.
Pastor Jeff:
44:45-44:48
And Ken and, I guess, Amanda, they are married.
Pastor Jeff:
44:48-44:50
So the two have become one.
Pastor Jeff:
44:51-44:52
So it's a package deal.
Ken:
44:53-44:55
You've commended us on our obedience, too.
Ken:
44:55-44:57
So when you ask for me, you get both.
Ken:
44:59-44:59
Well, good morning, everyone.
Ken:
45:00-45:02
As many of you know, I'm Ken.
Ken:
45:02-45:06
This is my beautiful wife and lovely better half, Amanda.
Ken:
45:06-45:09
And we are in charge of the assimilation ministry here.
Ken:
45:10-45:17
And as I guess as Jeff has talked, we came on board here back in August, last August, and been here ever since.
Ken:
45:17-45:20
And we're excited for the relaunch coming up next week.
Ken:
45:22-45:27
But part of what we do every morning is we're in charge of the assimilation ushers.
Ken:
45:27-45:30
We help Jeanne facilitate children's ministry.
Ken:
45:31-45:33
Right now we have a rotation schedule going.
Ken:
45:35-45:37
We have a-- closer to my mouth.
Ken:
45:37-45:37
All right.
Ken:
45:38-46:10
See, I'm not in the music, so I don't about microphones. But anyways, we have a schedule going. It's usually about once every three weeks. We ask people to serve. It's usually a half hour before and a half hour after. You'll be asked to stand out in the lobby, open doors, smile, greet, say hello, and just welcome people into the church. I know when speaking with Amanda and kind of putting these words together, we felt very blessed to be part of this ministry. And this is just a way for us to give back and to serve and kind of take ownership a little bit.
Ken:
46:11-46:20
It's real easy to show up Sunday morning and skirt in and skirt out, especially in a church that meets in a middle school, only because there's really no reason to hang out and we don't have coffee yet.
Ken:
46:22-46:22
But we're getting it.
Ken:
46:22-46:24
But we're working there and things are improving.
Ken:
46:25-46:32
But anyways, if that's something you guys would be interested in, you have a smile, just a heart just to welcome people, we would love to have you.
Ken:
46:33-46:35
We can get you on the schedule effective immediately.
Ken:
46:36-46:39
Or if you need a couple weeks, we can work with you there as well.
Ken:
46:40-46:46
But like I said, the requirement right now is just simply once every three weeks, half hour before, half hour after.
Ken:
46:47-46:50
And we would love-- we'd be more than welcome to have you and would love for you to join us.
Ken:
46:50-46:53
So that's the assimilation team.
Pastor Jeff:
46:54-46:55
All right, thank you so much, Ken.
Pastor Jeff:
46:57-47:05
So if you have one of these cards, the top there, it says, I would like to serve Sunday morning hospitality/children's rotation.
Pastor Jeff:
47:05-47:08
And right now, we are in a rotation system, like Ken said.
Pastor Jeff:
47:08-47:10
So what that means is every three weeks, you're up.
Pastor Jeff:
47:11-47:15
You show up a half hour early, and you stay a half hour after.
Pastor Jeff:
47:16-47:25
And that can be everything from what, Ken, to-- you know those lovely smiling faces you see when people are handing out the bulletins and holding doors for people and those kinds of things?
Pastor Jeff:
47:26-47:27
That's the assimilation team.
Pastor Jeff:
47:29-47:31
And we did get permission from the school.
Pastor Jeff:
47:32-47:35
When we first started here, they said no food or drink.
Pastor Jeff:
47:37-47:41
By the grace of God, one of the head custodians called me a couple of weeks ago.
Pastor Jeff:
47:41-47:43
And he's like, I was just thinking about you guys.
Pastor Jeff:
47:43-47:45
And I talked to my boss.
Pastor Jeff:
47:45-47:52
And we're going to let you guys have coffee and food and stuff in the lobby for your members and for your visitors.
Pastor Jeff:
47:53-47:54
Yeah, clap, please.
Pastor Jeff:
47:56-47:57
So it's going to happen.
Pastor Jeff:
47:58-48:04
And hopefully that'll help everybody to be here, you know, before like right when the music starts.
Pastor Jeff:
48:06-48:16
So you can go ahead and check that on the fishbowls in the back table when we leave here, you can drop these off in the fishbowl again, like we did last week.
Pastor Jeff:
48:17-48:24
So Sammy is in charge of our worship and also helps with the audio video end of things.
Pastor Jeff:
48:25-48:30
And I've asked Sam to speak also on behalf of Dan Thompson, Aaron Bloomingdale.
Pastor Jeff:
48:30-48:31
They run the soundboard.
Pastor Jeff:
48:31-48:35
I just asked him to speak on your behalf with that whole ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
48:35-48:36
So, Sam.
Sam:
48:37-48:37
Yes.
Sam:
48:37-48:40
I'm Sam, the worship leader here at Harvest.
Sam:
48:40-48:43
As of late, it's more like the band director.
Sam:
48:45-48:54
But I'm in charge of basically everything that you see on the platform, the soundboard, all of the stuff that's on the screen, all the graphics.
Sam:
48:54-49:02
You know, we have Ashley Grooms back there, and we also have Brooke that will put the words up on the screen while we're doing worship.
Sam:
49:02-49:06
We're always looking for more people to get involved with our ministry.
Sam:
49:07-49:10
You know, Jeff was saying in his sermon that there's parts that are unglamorous.
Sam:
49:11-49:18
This would be considered one of them as far as like you're behind the screen, you have to get here at eight o'clock in the morning and help us set up.
Pastor Jeff:
49:18-49:20
I think Ashley prefers to sit back there.
Pastor Jeff:
49:20-49:20
Yeah.
Pastor Jeff:
49:21-49:22
(laughs)
Pastor Jeff:
49:22-49:23
Is that true?
Pastor Jeff:
49:24-49:24
Sure.
Pastor Jeff:
49:24-49:25
Sure.
Sam:
49:26-49:26
Sure.
Sam:
49:28-49:31
But it's such a joy to be a part of this.
Sam:
49:31-49:40
So if you have any sort of interest in being a part of the worship team, we're always looking to add more musicians, especially if you're a drummer, please don't be shy.
Sam:
49:43-49:55
But yeah, the worship team, or if you'd like to be trained to run sound, the PA system, we're always looking for people to train to set up, run and tear this stuff down.
Sam:
49:55-49:56
So that's all I got.
Pastor Jeff:
49:57-49:58
Thank you, Sammy.
Pastor Jeff:
49:58-49:59
And that's on there as well.
Pastor Jeff:
49:59-50:02
I'd like to serve Sunday morning in audio video ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
50:02-50:05
Also, we've had it in the bullet and it's no secret.
Pastor Jeff:
50:05-50:10
We're looking for a drummer as well as some other musicians.
Pastor Jeff:
50:11-50:25
So if you have some musical giftedness, go ahead and check that box or just write a little note on there because we would love to get more musicians on board so we can rotate in and out and give some of them a break from week to week.
Pastor Jeff:
50:27-50:29
I thought the servant didn't get a break.
Pastor Jeff:
50:32-50:33
Room for more servants.
Pastor Jeff:
50:35-50:40
All right, I'm going to speak on behalf of Dave Grooms, but I'm going to ask if he would stand up.
Pastor Jeff:
50:42-50:44
Everybody smile and wink and wave at Dave.
Pastor Jeff:
50:47-50:49
Dave heads up facilities.
Pastor Jeff:
50:49-50:50
And you're like, well, what facilities?
Pastor Jeff:
50:51-50:52
We're meeting in a school.
Pastor Jeff:
50:52-51:08
Well, like I mentioned in my message, every Sunday, all of the equipment, everything from the children's ministry materials, the lobby stuff, the stuff you see here up on the stage, you know, the stuff isn't here when we show up on Sunday morning.
Pastor Jeff:
51:09-51:11
Well, it's stored in a truck and trailer.
Pastor Jeff:
51:11-51:23
And Dave has been so faithful in making sure every week the stuff is here, even if it means fixing a flat tire on the spot or something like that.
Pastor Jeff:
51:23-51:25
He's had to do it and has been very faithful.
Pastor Jeff:
51:27-51:35
So every Sunday, eight o'clock, he would show up here, help unload, set up, and after service, tear down, load it back up.
Pastor Jeff:
51:35-51:37
How long does set up take now, Dave?
Pastor Jeff:
51:42-51:42
About an hour?
Pastor Jeff:
51:43-51:45
Okay, so we're looking about an hour.
Pastor Jeff:
51:47-51:48
And then teardowns, what?
Pastor Jeff:
51:48-51:49
It's a little less than that, isn't it?
Pastor Jeff:
51:51-51:52
A little bit less than that, okay.
Pastor Jeff:
51:54-51:58
So there's a spot that you can check off if you would like to help us set up in teardown.
Pastor Jeff:
51:59-52:02
And then last but certainly not least, I wanna talk about children's ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
52:03-52:04
Yes.
Pastor Jeff:
52:06-52:06
I'm sorry?
Pastor Jeff:
52:08-52:09
Oh, drivers as well, yes.
Pastor Jeff:
52:10-52:11
Yeah, drivers.
Pastor Jeff:
52:12-52:20
Right now it's not far because the trailer's parked at Covenant Community, but we're going to see how that's going to look now that the cold weather's coming.
Pastor Jeff:
52:20-52:23
We don't want to leave the electronics out in the cold.
Pastor Jeff:
52:23-52:27
So drivers as well, absolutely.
Pastor Jeff:
52:29-52:42
So children's ministry, Jeannie had asked me to speak on her behalf and we had a meeting on Friday, but we would like to get two more teachers into the rotation for children's ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
52:44-52:51
And we're in the beginning stages of building a ministry to families of children with special needs.
Pastor Jeff:
52:53-52:57
And I know you can look around and say, well, you're a small church and that sounds like a big undertaking.
Pastor Jeff:
52:58-53:01
And I say, that sounds like God's probably behind it then.
Pastor Jeff:
53:02-53:02
Right?
Pastor Jeff:
53:04-53:15
And as most of you know, Aaron and I have two autistic children and it's been on our hearts to try to minister to families of special needs kids.
Pastor Jeff:
53:17-53:24
And it's really been on Jeanne Bloomingdale's heart to minister to families, because honestly, it's just easier to not go to church.
Pastor Jeff:
53:25-53:30
I mean, talk to my wife sometime about everything she has to do just to be here with the kids.
Pastor Jeff:
53:31-53:35
It's like putting in a 40-hour work week just before you even get in the car.
Pastor Jeff:
53:37-53:40
And for most families, it's just like, I'm just, I can't do church.
Pastor Jeff:
53:40-53:41
I just can't do it.
Pastor Jeff:
53:43-53:57
We want to be a church where families can say, "They love me, and they help take care of my kids, so that I can come and worship and get in God's Word." We want to reach out to those families.
Pastor Jeff:
53:58-54:01
And I understand that it's a big undertaking.
Pastor Jeff:
54:03-54:09
So that's why unashamedly, again, I stand up here and say, "Hey, God's going to be behind it, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
54:10-54:11
'cause if he's not, nothing's gonna happen.
Pastor Jeff:
54:12-54:14
All things are possible with God.
Pastor Jeff:
54:15-54:17
And he's going to work through people.
Pastor Jeff:
54:21-54:31
So we need people who are willing to dream big, who are willing to be visionaries, and who are going to help pioneer this new ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
54:34-54:35
The Lord's already sending people.
Pastor Jeff:
54:38-54:41
I met with Ben and Mandy, what was that, two or three weeks ago.
Pastor Jeff:
54:41-54:48
We were talking about, I don't even remember how it came up, but Mandy's like, "Yeah, I'm a TSS, I'm getting my master.
Pastor Jeff:
54:48-55:18
"She works with autistic children." I'm like, "Well, it looks like God sent you just in time "because this is a ministry that we're trying to get going "and she's going to help us with that." But we need people who are willing to volunteer to say, "I will pour myself out to minister "and serve these families." Jeanne had asked for prayer, for direction for leaders, for volunteers to invest themselves, and for families to come and let us minister to them.
Pastor Jeff:
55:18-55:23
She actually put them on these pink sheets that you can grab on your way out.
Pastor Jeff:
55:25-55:32
But if you have a heart for families with special needs kids, come alongside us and dream big.
Pastor Jeff:
55:32-55:35
And say, "What can we do?" Yes, we're renting a facility.
Pastor Jeff:
55:35-55:36
Yes, this isn't optimal.
Pastor Jeff:
55:38-55:41
Yes, the people that are working are already stretched thin.
Pastor Jeff:
55:44-55:45
So jump on board with us.
Pastor Jeff:
55:47-55:56
Let's make an impact to a whole demographic of people that I didn't even know existed before we had our own kids.
Pastor Jeff:
55:58-55:58
Let's love them.
Pastor Jeff:
56:01-56:02
So just take a second, look through that.
Pastor Jeff:
56:03-56:06
Put your name in some way to contact you, okay?
Pastor Jeff:
56:07-56:11
If you put your name and don't put an email or a phone number, I'll show up at your house.
Pastor Jeff:
56:14-56:15
All right?
Pastor Jeff:
56:16-56:20
And I know who's all here, so if you don't put a card in, I might show up at your house anyways.
Pastor Jeff:
56:20-56:22
Say you forgot to put your card in.
Pastor Jeff:
56:22-56:26
Because what is a disciple of Christ convinced of?
Pastor Jeff:
56:27-56:28
I work for Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
56:29-56:30
I'm a servant of Christ.
Pastor Jeff:
56:32-56:34
This morning, our appeal is get involved with what we're doing here.
Pastor Jeff:
56:36-56:36
Okay?
Pastor Jeff:
56:38-56:38
Fill those out.
Pastor Jeff:
56:39-56:43
You can put them in the bowl when we close the service.
Pastor Jeff:
56:43-56:43
Let's pray.
Pastor Jeff:
56:52-56:59
Father in heaven, we are unworthy servants.
Pastor Jeff:
57:02-57:23
And that might not be the message of self-esteem that are coming from a lot of pulpits, that are coming from a lot of psychologists, even some very popular preachers saying that we need to think more of ourselves.
Pastor Jeff:
57:27-57:29
Your word teaches us quite the opposite.
Pastor Jeff:
57:29-57:31
We need to think less of ourselves.
Pastor Jeff:
57:34-57:37
We need to see ourselves as your servants.
Pastor Jeff:
57:37-57:39
And yes, we're unprofitable, God.
Pastor Jeff:
57:39-57:45
We realize that we don't add to you or detract from you.
Pastor Jeff:
57:48-58:03
And we find that the punchline to all of this is our joy is maximized when we find ourselves spending ourselves in service for you.
Pastor Jeff:
58:04-58:14
We find more joy and fulfillment and satisfaction in working for you than we do in anything that we do on this earth.
Pastor Jeff:
58:15-58:16
So Father, I pray for this group here.
Pastor Jeff:
58:17-58:27
First of all, I thank you for those who've been so faithful from meeting in Panera Bread, to meeting in the chiropractor's office, to now meeting in a middle school.
Pastor Jeff:
58:28-58:30
There have been people that have been so faithful through this whole process.
Pastor Jeff:
58:31-58:33
And God, I thank you for them.
Pastor Jeff:
58:35-58:39
But I pray that their attitude and mine is just this, we're just doing our jobs.
Pastor Jeff:
58:40-58:42
We're just serving the master.
Pastor Jeff:
58:45-58:56
God, I pray that you bring more people on board this morning we're still trying to figure some things out and we wanna improve some things and grow in some areas, especially with this special needs ministry.
Pastor Jeff:
59:03-59:05
Call more people into your service.
Pastor Jeff:
59:09-59:14
So the Father, the mission of making disciples continues to multiply.
Pastor Jeff:
59:17-59:18
Your kingdom advances.
Pastor Jeff:
59:21-59:22
Your name is glorified.
Pastor Jeff:
59:25-59:29
We pray this all in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 17:7-10
Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.