'Going Deeper into the Disciplines for Ordinary Disciples' A Life of Giving: 'Sacrificial Lavish Giving' A reflection of the Heart of God

1. Are you being served? 1 Peter 4:10 (TNIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1Peter 4:7-11 (TNIV) 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

1. Are you being served? 1 Peter 4:8 (TNIV) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1Peter 4:7-11 (TNIV) 11 If you speak, you should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides,

1. Are you being served? 1 Peter 4:11b (TNIV) …so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

2. Cultivating a life of humility “Jesus invites us to a life of humility.” John Ortberg “The grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of service.” Richard Foster

2. Cultivating a life of humility Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. True servant-hood cultivates a life of humility and a lifestyle of worship

2. Cultivating a life of humility Philippians 2:5-8 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

2. Cultivating a life of humility Philippians 2:5-8 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!

3. Cultivating a lifestyle of worship Romans 12 (TNIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.

3. Cultivating a lifestyle of worship Romans 12 (MSG) Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking- around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.

3. Cultivating a lifestyle of worship Romans 12 (MSG) You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. True servant-hood cultivates a life of humility and a lifestyle of worship