1. An Invitation to Serve The Worth of the Individual
Steve McClure

2. AUTUMN TERM PLAN 1. An invitation to Follow – Jesus is Enough
2. An invitation to Grow – Growing to Maturity
3. An invitation to Build – Building to Last
4. An invitation to Labour – God’s Harvest
5. An invitation to Go – A Cause to Die For
6. An invitation to Serve – The Worth of the Individual
7. An invitation to Pray – The Lord of the Harvest
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

3. CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” Genesis 1:26-27
In Hebrew there is no distinction in between the meaning of the words “image” and “likeness”. They are repeated here 4 times for emphasis.
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

4. IMPLICATIONS OF CREATION & THE FALL
We were Created…
The Impacts of the fall…
Relational – Made for intimacy with one another and supremely with God
Impact on our Relationships – Relationships with one another became difficult; vulnerability and nakedness before God.
Responsible – Able to make moral choices and given the task of stewarding the world
Impact on our Responsibility – Blame-shifting and weakness crept in
Rational – Able to think and talk with intelligence.
Impact on our Rationality – Darkened understanding
Real – Able to experience emotions. Made to find our acceptance, significance and worth in God.
Impact on our Reality – Negative emotions and a temptation to hide.
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

5. A MARRED BUT WONDERFUL IMAGE
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:13-14
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” Luke 12:6-7
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

6. REDEEMED FOR A PURPOSE
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”
1 Peter 1:18-19
The Example of Cornelius
“He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’ Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter”
Acts 10:3b-6
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

7. THE PEOPLE GOD USES E.g. 1: TIMOTHY
Timothy is described as Paul’s “son in the faith” 1 Timothy 1:2 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” Philippians 2:20-21
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8. THE PEOPLE GOD USES E.g. 2: PAUL
“When we could stand it no longer… We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials…For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain…But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” 1 Thessalonians 3:2-10
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9. HEART E.g. THE LIFE OF DAVID
“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” 1 Samuel 1:6-7
“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them” Psalm 78:70-72
God said that David was “a man after my own heart”
Acts 13:22
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10. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION (1)
Where is your ‘heart’ at the moment? Would God describe you as a man or woman after His own heart?
Would others say describe you as having a heart for people?
In what ways are you working out this ‘invitation to serve’ amongst those God has put around you?
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

11. VISION THE LORD’S PURPOSE
“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed” Acts 13:36 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart […] it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Proverbs 19:21
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12. SKILL USING OUR TALENTS
Paul said “I laid a foundation as a wise builder” 1 Corinthians 3:10 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded” Exodus 36:1 God equipped “His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Ephesians 4:12
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13. OUR POTENTIAL (1) PRAYER
“Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you” 2 Corinthians 8:16
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14. (2) GIVING OURSELVES FOR OTHERS
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15. (3) SERVING IN OUR WEAKNESS
“[God] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Later Paul wrote “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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16. YOUR RESPONSE
How can God use you to make a difference in the lives of others?
What stops you from believing that God can, and will, use you to reach others?
Do you believe that God can still use you even in times of weakness?
AN INVITATION TO SERVE – THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL