Serve in faith
Service is our calling!
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Faith motivates us to do good works even when it doesn’t make sense to the world
Serve in faith
When you do good things for others, God has built into you an affirmation – you feel good even though it may cost you.
Dopamine and serotonin
Do Good to Feel Good
We were literally created to do good works!
Answer your calling - serve in faith
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Read Act 9:36-43
Mat 5:16 (ESV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Eph 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Tit 2:7 (ESV)
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Tit 2:14 (ESV)
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Tit 3:8 (ESV)
8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Answer your calling - serve in faith
Heb 10:24 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Answer your calling - serve in faith
1Pe 2:12 (ESV)
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
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Act 9:36 (ESV) Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.
A follower of Christ and her actions showed where her heart was.
Jas 2:14 (ESV)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
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Jas 2:19 (ESV)
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
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Jas 2:26 (ESV)
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Answer your calling - serve in faith
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Act 9:37 (ESV) In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
Act 9:38 (ESV) Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”
Act 9:39 (ESV) So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.
Dorcas was doing!
Answer your calling - serve in faith
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Act 9:40 (ESV) But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
Peter was speaking to a dead body in faith that God had called him to raise that body back to life!
Call Peter KNEW God well enough to know what he was going to do.
Faith is not presumption – we don’t take action and expect God to fill in the gap.
Faith is knowing the heart of God and trusting that He will act in accordance with who He is. Because He is faithful to His character, not because we have obligated him to
Answer your calling - serve in faith
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Act 9:41 (ESV) And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Act 9:42 (ESV) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Act 9:43 (ESV) And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
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Do what you were created to do!
Answer your calling - serve in faith