a Watch, a Billfold, a Bible

      “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”           Ephesians 2:10  NLT

         A  watch represents the time given us each day, the billfold represents the financial resources we earn, the Bible represents the faith that we proclaim.  Which of these three is the best way to serve others?   To serve others takes time;  it takes resources;  and it becomes an expression of our faith.

Read: Philippians 2:1-4  (5-11)

I.  Learning To Serve 

*  it isn’t enough just to have faith

            James 2:14-18   we have to exercise our faith

            2 Thessalonians 3:6-13  don’t live a life in idleness

*  Paul says, don’t be a burden on others and expect a hand out

*  we live our faith in Christ by doing for others and helping them

II.  Personal Responsibility

*  to be a good servant of God is to be a responsible person

            Matthew 20:17-26  asking for a place of honor

*  Jesus spoke about a cross, but they were interested in a crown

*  don’t be selfish or live just to make an impression on others

*  be humble- thinking of others first

*  be interested in what others are doing

v 5-11  your servant attitude should be the same that Jesus had

*  we learn from Jesus, that serving God is about being humble-

not self-centered and focused only upon your own needs    

*  Jesus relied upon the resources He had with Him-  the twelve

*  Paul stresses spiritual unity and individual growth as being of great value in bringing others to Christ.