Shaped for Serving God Graeme Sterne 2005

What you are is God’s gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God Danish Proverb

We are created to serve God “For we are God’s workmanship (poem), created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10

So what’s your contribution? You were put on earth to make a contribution God designed you to make a difference with your life The story of Kyle How many people will you meet in heaven who will greet you and thank you for what you did for them? I Thessalonians 2:19

If you are not involved in the lives of other people, what excuse have you been using? If you have no love for others; no desire to serve; you are only concerned about your own needs Are you actually a Christian? Are you burned out? Are you preoccupied with the wrong things?

It’s your contribution Not someone else’s – no envy or comparison Not something you cannot do – no stress Not something someone else can do – no duplication Each person has a role to play based on the way we were shaped by God If you don’t use your gifts for others you are cheating them God assigns each of us a field or sphere of service

Maturity teaches us to ask “How can I help Maturity teaches us to ask “How can I help?” rather than “Who will help me?”

Your abilities were given not just to make a living but for ministry to others Begin by offering yourself to God Then take up the opportunities He has already given you From this you will work out what you are good at and what you are not so good at

Here are a few ideas: Encourage someone with a word or gift Pray with someone Give some money to a needy person Help your enemy Forgive someone Share the Gospel Visit some strangers Offer to lead a new initiative Listen to someone