The People That God Can Use - II

(This is the second of a four sermon series.)

For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. – Acts 13:36

In every generation we find people whom God uses to accomplish His purposes. They all have certain common characteristics.
The people that God can use will:
Learn to depend on God rather than depending on themselves. (from last week)

Live to serve others rather than to be served.

Biblical Servants are:
* Available – Luke 17:7-10

Illustration: Complaints about London Transit Authorities buses not stopping to pick up passengers. Released the following statement - “It is impossible for us to maintain our schedules if we are always having to stop and pick up passengers.”

* Reliable – Luke 16:10

Serving doesn’t make you a servant, but if you are a servant you will serve. People know they can count on you.
Not just a “volunteer” (one who performs at his pleasure).
But a “bond servant” (one who willingly obligates himself).

* Humble – John 13:3-5, 12-17

Illustration: Dave Thomas – cover of Wendy’s annual report had pic of him dressed in work apron holding a mop with bucket. He said of the pic: “I got my MBA long before my GED at Wendy’s. MBA doesn’t mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude.”

Illustration: St. Benedictine’s Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, NM
Hand lettered sign over only door in/out of sanctuary: “Servant’s Entrance”

Biblical Servants will serve:
* Wherever
The place you serve is chosen by the Master.
Don’t wait to be in the spotlight to serve others.

*Whenever
The moment of service is chosen by the Master.
Don’t wait until you are ready to serve others.

*Whoever
The people to serve are chosen by the Master.
Don’t wait until the “right” person comes along to serve others.

*Whatever
The means of your service is chosen by the Master.
Don’t wait until you have it all together to serve others.

Someone said: If you want to be happy for an hour – take a nap; for a day – go to the park; for a week – take a vacation; for a month – get married; for a lifetime – serve other people.

God uses people with a servant’s heart. Everything in our culture tells us that we should expect to be served. We often let this mindset creep into the church. Jesus’ model shows us that as Christians we are to think only of how we can serve others.

You can tell the difference between those who want to be served and those who serve by their clothing: People who want to be served wear a bib.
People who want to serve put on an apron.

When you walk out the church doors today are you going through the “Servants Entrance”? Will you be wearing a bib or an apron?