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DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD!

DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD!. Eccl. 12:13-14. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD!. Introduction: 1. Eccl. 12:13-14 Only God gives life real meaning. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments:

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DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD!

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  1. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! Eccl. 12:13-14

  2. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Introduction: 1. Eccl. 12:13-14 Only God gives life real meaning 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

  3. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Introduction: 2. Eccl. 3:11 Life seeks a purpose beyond the mundane animal level 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world [eternity, NIV] in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

  4. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Introduction: 3. What do we hope to accomplish in life? • Die a gang member • Die well educated • Die a drunkard • Die rich • Die a porn addict • Nice person w/o God • Be sexually immoral • Die a drug addict • Succeed in business & family w/o God • Die a family abuser • Die powerful • Die a liar, cheat, & thief • Serve God

  5. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Introduction: 4. Let’s learn to serve God! • Learn from men who served God • Learn from women who served God • Determine to serve God today

  6. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads • Gen. 12:1-3 Persisted in serving God by faith in His promises

  7. 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. • Gen. 12:1-3 Persisted in serving God by faith in His promises CANAAN ISRAEL CHRIST

  8. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads • Traveled hundreds of miles leading his family by faith in God

  9. Haran About 600 miles: 1000 kilometers About 600 miles: 1000 kilometers Hebron Ur of Chaldees

  10. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads • Lived & died embracing these promises w/o seeing the final fulfillment • We too travel long dusty roads enduring trials & disappointments serving God

  11. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms • Num. 12:1-3 His critics included his family

  12. 1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) • Num. 12:1-3 His critics included his family

  13. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms • Yielding to his role & the pressure of critics w/o giving up or retaliating • Vindicated by God, pled mercy on his critics

  14. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms • When doing our best to serve God, both friend & foe will criticize: examine self, be meek, be merciful, & trust all things to God

  15. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous • Num. 14:9 “The Lord is with us: fear them not” • Josh. 1:7 Strong & courageous 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

  16. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous • Josh. 24:15 We will serve the Lord! 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

  17. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous • We too can stand like Joshua & say, “We will serve the Lord!”

  18. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart • 1 Sam. 13:14 “The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart” • 1 Sam. 17:47 Served God as a shepherd: killed a lion, a bear, & a giant soldier

  19. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. • 1 Sam. 17:47 Served God as a shepherd: killed a lion, a bear, & a giant soldier

  20. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart • 2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 51:2-3 “I have sinned against the Lord:” heinous sins followed by deep heartfelt repentance 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

  21. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart • Our lives become useful when we turn away from sin in deep heartfelt repentance & serve God—no matter how many times

  22. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned • Matt. 4:19 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” • Jn. 13:8 “Thou shalt never wash my feet” • Lk. 22:34 “Thou shalt thrice deny me” • Jn. 18:11 “Put up thy sword”

  23. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned • Jn. 21:15-19 “Lovest thou me?” “Feed my lambs.” Peter died in faithful service 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

  24. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned • If Peter could slowly learn how to serve God, why not you & me?

  25. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth • 1 Tim. 1:12-13 The persecutor became the Apostle of Christ

  26. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. • 1 Tim. 1:12-13 The persecutor became the Apostle of Christ

  27. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth • 2 Tim. 4:6-8 Finished his work to the end

  28. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. • 2 Tim. 4:6-8 Finished his work to the end

  29. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth • Some today who fight the truth learn the truth and teach others the good news!

  30. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God G. Timothy Served God from His Youth • Acts 16:1-3 Taught by mother, grandmother, brethren, & Paul from youth at Lystra • 1 Tim. 4:12 Became a shining light 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

  31. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! I. Learn from Men Who Served God G. Timothy Served God from His Youth • Young people from all sorts of backgrounds find their way to God & resolve to serve Him today.

  32. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! II. Learn from Women Who Served God A. Sarah Shared Abraham’s Faith While Traveling Long Dusty Roads with Him • Heb. 11:11 Served God by bearing Isaac

  33. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! II. Learn from Women Who Served God B. Jochebed Obeyed God Rather Than Gov’t • Heb. 11:23 Protected Moses’ life C. The Young Maid Remembered God’s Prophet • 2 Kgs. 5:2-3 Sent Naaman to Elisha

  34. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! II. Learn from Women Who Served God D. Esther Risked Her Life to Do What Is Right • Esth. 4:14 Asked King to Spare the Jews E. Mary & Martha Opened Their Home to Jesus • Lk. 10:38-42 For physical & spiritual needs

  35. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! II. Learn from Women Who Served God F. Eunice & Lois Invested Time in Children • 2 Tim. 1:5 Planted seeds of faith in Timothy G. Numerous Widows Continue Serving • 1 Tim. 5:9-10 Godly hospitable homes H. Women of All Ages Are Living Useful Lives Serving God in Many Ways Today!

  36. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! A. We Must Accept Responsibility for Our Sins— No Excuses, Denial, Blame Game, or Rationale • Rom. 3:23 “All have sinned”— we cannot serve God living in sin

  37. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! B. God’s Love, Grace, & Mercy Offer Salvation • Heb. 9:27-28 Christ offered perfect sacrifice for sin, arose, & will come again to receive us 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

  38. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. III. Determine to Serve God Today! C. Submit to Christ to Receive Salvation • Submit to Christ by obeying the gospel • Rom. 10:17 Open the heart to hear • Mk. 16:15-16 Believe the gospel of Christ • Acts 2:38 Repent of all sins • Rom. 10:10 Confess Christ as God’s Son • Mk. 16:15-16 Submit in water baptism

  39. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God • Mic. 6:7-8 Learn a right heart to God & man

  40. 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? • Mic. 6:7-8 Learn a right heart to God & man

  41. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God • Matt. 22:38-40 Learn all God’s instructions to know how to love God 1st & neighbor as self • Daily Bible study & prayer • Honesty & integrity in all matters • Faithful husband & wife, obedient children • Provide personal needs, share material & spiritual blessings

  42. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God • 1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God

  43. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. • 1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God

  44. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God • 1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God • Teach the truth w/o addition or subtraction • Lead in prayer, songs, Lord’s Supper, giving • Elders, deacons, evangelists, & teachers • Attend all services to worship, learn, & edify • All have talents: invite, greet, encourage, help

  45. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Invitation: 1. Eccl. 12:13-14 Only God gives life real meaning 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

  46. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Invitation: 3. What do we hope to accomplish in life? • Die a gang member • Die well educated • Die a drunkard • Die rich • Die a porn addict • Nice person w/o God • Be sexually immoral • Die a drug addict • Succeed in business & family w/o God • Die a family abuser • Die rich • Die a liar, cheat, & thief • Serve God

  47. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR LIFE: SERVE GOD! • Invitation: 4. Let’s learn to serve God! • Learn from men who served God • Learn from women who served God • Determine to serve God today

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