To prepare for tomorrow’s sermon, read Matthew 28:16-20

Read Romans 15:17-21 & 2 Corinthians 10:14-18

Yesterday’s devotional was concluded by the statement: being missions-minded means we will be people-seeking oriented.  In today’s scriptural reading we see a glimpse of the strategy Paul implemented to seek out the lost; “I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named”.  To the Corinthians he also said that he wanted to preach the gospel in lands beyond them.  As we, individually and as a church body, seek to become more missions-minded, we need to remember that the gospel always extends beyond us.   There is no power in the gospel if all we do is retain it for our own benefit.  “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:15).  Look around and search for opportunities where you can take the gospel beyond you.  The act of taking it beyond us is evidence that we are becoming more missions-minded.

Read Matthew 18:12-14 & Luke 15:1-32

God is in the business of seeking lost sinners and wayward believers.  Matthew and Luke each highlight the importance of this in their record of these parables.  The tasking of doing both is significant.  We at times are guilty of overemphasizing one at the expense of the other.   The value to God of each of these groups is clearly communicated by Jesus’ words: “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” and “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”  Anytime we lose something valuable like an heirloom or useful like our car keys we search for them with urgency until they are found.  Are we as passionate about seeking sinners and wayward members as we would a displaced heirloom or car keys? Are you searching for those who are lost in your places of work or community?  An aspect of being missions-minded means we will be people-seeking oriented.

Read Matthew 28:16-20 & Mark 16:14-19

A mission and commission are synonymous terms that dictate individual and collective efforts.  You can’t have a commission without a mission and vice-versa.  A mission is the assigned task or duty whereas a commission is an authoritative order issued to carry out the assigned tasks.  In these passages we witness Jesus instructing all believers in what we call the Great Commission.  The mission (task/responsibility) is two-fold: (1) make disciples of all nations and (2) baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The commission in these passages is also clear — Go.  These are imperatives that should be marks of every believer who professes Christ as their Lord and Savior.    To be on mission for God simply means that your life is characterized by seeking to grow God’s kingdom through making and growing disciples.  Are you active in fulfilling this mission?  Pray that the Lord will give you a daily obedience to be missions-minded.

Read Galatians 2:19-20 & Colossians 3:1-3

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and depend on him to free us from sin’s dominion we instantly become a new creation.  The life we live from that moment forward is lived in faith and through the power of Christ.  This is relevant to serving because the self-interested person that once controlled our actions has been crucified by the person and work of Christ.  In Colossians, Paul instructs us that if we have been raised with Christ we are to seek what is above.  At the heart of this is a sold-out commitment to serve others.  It’s why Paul also said to the church at Thessalonica that he was ready to not only share with them the gospel of God, but his own self (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).  A life saved from the bondage of sin is one that becomes outward and expressive in giving to others.  Has your frequency in serving others grown since you have come to know Christ?

Read Psalm 100 & Colossians 3:17, 3:23

While at times serving others is not desirable and we do it out of Christian duty, our motivation to serve should be characterized differently.  The Scriptures make it clear that whatever we do we are to do it enthusiastically and with gladness of heart.  We can only achieve this disposition if we understand that our service is an act of worship for the Lord.  Anytime we serve out of another motive or to gain the attention and favor of men we will lose the ability to serve gladly.  The joy that comes from serving is propelled in the knowledge of knowing the person of Christ and remembering what he has done for us.  his love for us facilitates our ability to serve one another through love (Ephesians 5:1-2).  Those who receive our acts of service will know the difference.  How would you categorize the attitudes and motives when you served others?  Is it with a gladness of heart?  Is it done unto the Lord?

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To prepare for tomorrow’s sermon, read Philippians 2:1-11

Read Romans 12:1-8 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Paul lays out a masterful explanation of the different roles within the body.  “For the body is one and has many parts…”  Our eyes can’t feel or smell things, yet they are created for sight.  The gifts that God has given us are done through a complete and perfect knowledge. It is why Paul says that God has placed all of us within the body “just as he wanted” (I Corinthians 12:18). Whenever we are tempted to think that our contribution to the body of Christ is minimal we should remember that we are created exactly how God designed us to be.  The important application of these verses is to recognize that individually we make up one body.  In order for the church to exist in the healthy state God designed for it, we must regularly serve others with our inherited gifts.  Pray that God will continually affirm which of these gifts he has assigned to you and use them regularly.

Read Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 9:33-35, & Luke 22:24-27

Much like yesterday’s Scripture references and devotional, today’s Scripture focuses on the example that Christ left for us.  Here again are other powerful illustrations on why we are compelled to serve.  Notice that Christ subjected Himself, taking the form of a servant, which culminates in the glorification of God the Father. In the gospel accounts Jesus also teaches the disciples that achieving greatness only comes through being “servant of all”.  There is no greater or complete fulfillment that will satisfy our souls like living out lives which bring God glory.  We should be thankful that the Lord allows us this awesome privilege.  We aren’t obligated to serve, but we get to serve him!  As we develop this mindset we should pray that whatever we do, it’s done with an inspiration to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).