A message shared by Pastor Luke Martin and Joshua Hanna at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 23 May, 2010:
Part 5 - Following God's heart of service to be like Him (Pastor Luke Martin)
God welcomes you to a genuine 'heart exchange' when we go to church. And in that place is abundance, blessing - all from God.
His life, His heart, makes us see and do extraordinary things. Look at Jesus and see how gifted He is. With His perfect heart, we need not strain to be what God wants for us.
In Matthew 20:28, we read about the mother's petition, wanting her boys to be on either side of Jesus. He answers with a simple but powerful statement of ministry by 'serving'. His heart was to serve, meaning to be an attendant or someone who waits. The original Greek word gives us the modern term, 'deacon'.
We can all serve, with a heart to do so. Jesus, Himself, served even though He had created all life. Jesus had a heart to serve, and had a heart for the people He served.
In essence, to MINISTER is to SERVE.
A servant merely says, 'what do you want me to do?'.
In being a servant, there are two types of following - to be 'near' and to 'do alike'.
In Luke 9:49-50, we encounter the incident of the disciples not being able to cast out a demonic possession. Jesus pointed out that service - by following to be ALIKE - was most important. Be LIKE me, is what Jesus emphasised. Jesus knew what was in people's hearts, as shown in the earlier verses: 46-48.
So take on His heart when you follow to be LIKE Jesus.
Life is so much more than acts of ministry. Don't minister in spurts but in everything.
Part 6 - Sacrifice (Joshua Hanna)
Crucifixion was used in history as a shameful death. It could take hours or days, cruelly executing the victim.
Bodies were not buried, left for vultures and wild dogs. It was even illegal to mourn a crucified person.
Christ was different. For Him, it was the only way to show His immense love.
He gave His body, His life, His love.
His death purchased healing salvation and strength for all of us - such a contrast to the sale of nails as healing mementos.
His tomb was a place of honour, not shame.
Today, we can celebrate an incredible death that was just the start of our lives.
Part 5 - Following God's heart of service to be like Him (Pastor Luke Martin)
God welcomes you to a genuine 'heart exchange' when we go to church. And in that place is abundance, blessing - all from God.
His life, His heart, makes us see and do extraordinary things. Look at Jesus and see how gifted He is. With His perfect heart, we need not strain to be what God wants for us.
In Matthew 20:28, we read about the mother's petition, wanting her boys to be on either side of Jesus. He answers with a simple but powerful statement of ministry by 'serving'. His heart was to serve, meaning to be an attendant or someone who waits. The original Greek word gives us the modern term, 'deacon'.
We can all serve, with a heart to do so. Jesus, Himself, served even though He had created all life. Jesus had a heart to serve, and had a heart for the people He served.
In essence, to MINISTER is to SERVE.
A servant merely says, 'what do you want me to do?'.
In being a servant, there are two types of following - to be 'near' and to 'do alike'.
In Luke 9:49-50, we encounter the incident of the disciples not being able to cast out a demonic possession. Jesus pointed out that service - by following to be ALIKE - was most important. Be LIKE me, is what Jesus emphasised. Jesus knew what was in people's hearts, as shown in the earlier verses: 46-48.
So take on His heart when you follow to be LIKE Jesus.
Life is so much more than acts of ministry. Don't minister in spurts but in everything.
Part 6 - Sacrifice (Joshua Hanna)
Crucifixion was used in history as a shameful death. It could take hours or days, cruelly executing the victim.
Bodies were not buried, left for vultures and wild dogs. It was even illegal to mourn a crucified person.
Christ was different. For Him, it was the only way to show His immense love.
He gave His body, His life, His love.
His death purchased healing salvation and strength for all of us - such a contrast to the sale of nails as healing mementos.
His tomb was a place of honour, not shame.
Today, we can celebrate an incredible death that was just the start of our lives.
Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
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