SOAKED IN JOY: part 3

JOY COMES THROUGH SERVICE TO JESUS
April 6, 2008
with Adam Waters

PLEASE READ: Philippians 1:27-2:18

INTRO
One of my son’s favorite Veggie Tales is MOE AND THE BIG EXIT. In this story of Moses, Larry tries to accomplish all kinds of things on his own. He can't do it without God's help. God has called all of us to a life with him that we can't do on our own. It's a little overwhelming when we think of trying to follow Jesus with all of our lives and trying to do it on our own power. Can you imagine if God told Moses, "go turn your staff into a snake, water into blood, make it dark for 3 days, kill all the firstborn... OK moses I'll catch up with you later. Bye!" He could not accomplish God's plan for his life without God's help... AND neither can we.

GETTING RID OF WASTE
 We’ve looked at joy and faith the past 2 weekends.
 Today, I want to look at Humble Service.
 There are 3 different Greek words in this passage.
 Two have the idea of going lower.
 One has the idea of emptying yourself for someone else’s gain.
 They have the idea that we recognize that our own strength is insufficient… but it also recognizes the powerful sufficiency of God’s strength.
 MOE AND THE BIG EXIT: “What God has called you to do is far beyond your own strength.”

As a swimmer, I will…
 SATISFY the Spirit’s leading.
 WIN the battles of the flesh.
 INHERIT the Kingdom.
 MANIFEST the character of God.

SWIMMING LESSON: JOY comes through service to Jesus
 JOYFUL SERVICE is bold. (1:27-30) Our rally cry is to stand together, fight together (pray), and not be intimidated. It is a priviledge to struggle.
 JOYFUL SERVICE is tenderhearted. (2:1-4) We unite, compromise and love each other so that we can be a compassionate examples as we serve.
 JOYFUL SERVICE is humble. (2:5-11) Empty yourself, enter God's design for your life and reap the eternal rewards.
 JOYFUL SERVICE works hard. (2:12-14) We must be disciplined in our obedience when our leaders are near or far. We must do it through God's power. We must do it without complaining.
 JOYFUL SERVICE shines. (2:15-18) Represent! No one wants a t-shirt that says, "I'm gonna be dim for Jesus!" Hold tight to God's word so that you can live a pure life that SHINES!

WRAP IT UP: When we're going thru tough times with our family, job or finances, many of us will lose ourselves in our jobs/work. Today: begin to realize that joy will never be found in that answer. Instead, lose yourself in HIS work. Pour out your life like a drink offering as Paul did.