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[0:00] We're going through the ABCs of what it means to serve God and some points we can learn how! can we put our Christian life into action. Really they're ABCs for Christian living but! more especially if you want to serve God and step out and step out of the comfort zone and do something and these are the ABCs. Worker standards you could call it and it's like having some kind of standards for the workers in the church so something we can aspire to. Really biblical standards for godly conduct and you've got all the information there and for those that are watching as well we've got the lesson notes so the one that's called workers ABC study and then ABC principles we've got this little sheet here that you can have a look at you can keep that as a reminder just sums up all the main points that we're going to cover tonight so we're calling it ABCs of a good worker and it's really about the things that we can learn those that want to serve if you're mature enough to to serve to accept some responsibilities some requirements then these are some good guidelines that can frame how we serve and having that attitude to serve that ministry that's going to display the character of christ and according with the word of god so above all things we want to honor our lord and serve with integrity and humility and zeal and bless the people that we're here to serve and we're going to look at some

[1:35] ABCs so the first one is attitude and in all of these things really it's like as those that aspire to serve you want to minister you want to serve in some area of ministry you want to set that higher standard for yourself voluntarily and voluntarily limiting personal liberties that might cause others to stumble for example you've got that one there romans 15 1. we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves so as much as we would personally i would see alcohol as entirely wrong but for those that even that might excuse alcohol that you abstain for the sake of others that you are wanting to do what's for the best for other people so you might abstain from things that you might personally not have an issue with because you could cause others to stumble so that's that one there romans 15 1 and when you think about ministry really anything that we do for the lord any area that we serve really any kind of ministry is a privilege and so we want our life to line up with god's word got that one there one corinthians 14 40 it says let all things be done decently and in order so it's good to have things orderly and right and set things out that are going to be good in any kind of service that we render i know there was one time i started a new job and the boss was starting off with really what his expectations of me were and and i guess my expectations of the workplace too and it's good to have those clear expectations when we serve and when we minister as well like for any job like in the army i'm sure they have expectations you know what's expected conduct a code of conduct and really for us we want our lives to line up with the word of god and really the first one their attitude is really a good starting point because having that right spirit is the very important principle isn't it to keep a sweet positive spirit to reflect the joy of the lord so we'd avoid negativity complaints or moodiness that's going to hinder the work and it's going to make us ineffective and philippians 4 verse 4 it says rejoice in the lord always and again i say rejoice so ideally when we're serving the lord we've got a rejoicing we've got the right heart the right kind of approach a joyful attitude and it says a merry heart do with good do with good luck and medicine proverbs 17 22 having that joyful attitude that glorifies god that uplifts others that we approach things with that right headset and that right attitude right from the start so every task every meeting every interaction we've got enthusiasm hey we're here doing a good thing it's a joy to serve the lord and we can start each day in prayer asking the lord to fill us with his spirit and smile genuinely encourage others that we've got the right mindset hey we're here to serve we've got that right attitude and we're willing to die to self too 1 corinthians 15 31 it's that flesh isn't it the carnal man that we don't want that to rise up we want christ to be seen in us so we want to be willing to die to self that's a big thing now really for all of these things i know julie was telling me before really all of these abcs you could have six months worth of of sessions really really you could spend a week on each of these points but really we're just going to present them in a nutshell tonight but you could look at all of these and do a further study on all of these kind of things you look at this one of attitude and other scriptures like 1 corinthians 10 31 it says whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever you do do all to the glory of god if you've got that aspiration that we want to glorify god in how we serve unto him be glory in the church psalm 96 8 give unto the lord the glory due unto his name above all things we want our lord to be glorified having that attitude that we want

[5:37] to be role models we're representing christ after all to the younger ones the younger believers to the community when we're serving in the church we're representing our lord so we want to do our very best to do the the good job that we can and especially when you think younger believers are looking up to us let's set a godly example really important and avoid negativity we see that philippians 2 14 through 16 in part it says do all things without murmurings and disputing so try to not have that mindset but to have a positive attitude and to receive input too when you get feedback just receive it try to act upon it measure it see what you can learn from it having that attitude next one b is bear burdens share the burdens of others in galatians 6 2 it says bear ye one another's burdens think of it how can we look out for other people to bear burdens it says rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep it says that we should edify the church wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another how can we be that willing burden bearer we can look out for others and say hey someone needs a bit of a hand i'll give them some of my support it's that compassion that teamwork kind of way of thinking isn't it we have that kind of spirit to be proactive to listen to others to help others to pray for others check in with others maybe keep a prayer list for others needs you might come to know different ones have certain needs you can pray for them and look out for them prioritize the spiritual well-being of other people again over your personal liberty too so you'd abstain for what might cause a weaker brother a weaker believer to stumble like it says there romans 14 21 you don't want to do anything that's going to cause another person to stumble or to offend even if it's permissible to you you might have personal liberty to do this or that but you want to be mindful of the impact that you have on others so you're bearing others burdens c is christlikeness it says in ephesians 5 1 to 2 be therefore followers of god as dear children and walk in love as christ also have loved us again it's that attitude it's our words it's our actions you could even look at christ's character read through the gospel see how christ interacted with other people we should be walking as christ walked to love as christ loved and 1 john 2 6 it says he that saith he abideth in him or himself also so to walk even as he walked think about how christ walked how he dealt with people to model his nature his humility his selflessness his love and in every interaction to prioritize others needs and serve without seeking recognition too we don't have to be acknowledged for every good thing we do in in a way it's all the more that it talks about hey people have their praise down below we want to have the lord's praise we don't need man's praise and think about challenges that you can face to have that christ-like attitude to have that response of grace and understanding and ask how would jesus respond when he faces some kind of attack or some challenge some obstacle how would christ respond you know what would jesus do as the saying goes and think about what actions our lord would take that we can be christ-like ourselves to live that life that's like our lord to glorify him and to bless others and have christ-like relationships we know he says love one another as i have loved you that's a big call isn't it to think how our lord loves us in all of our frailty and failings that the lord loves us he knows us through and through and he still loves us and what a blessing that would be to love like him and you've got in the notes there how you can

[9:43] love one another and there's three kinds of loves there agape love which is selfless love philia which is friendly love and storge familial love there's all those aspects we can love one another in those ways and it reads on in romans 12 10 it reads be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love in honor preferring one another with brothers and sisters we should act like we're family we should act in that way that family kind of puts up with uh each other sometimes doesn't it you can you cut some slack for your brother or your sister and be a bit gracious towards them hopefully and james 5 16 it says to confess your faults one to another and pray one for another and james 4 11 speak not evil one of another and galatians 5 26 let us not be desirous of vain glory provoking one another envying one other so there's there's some one another's to avoid like that last one there and think how can we speak truth in love how can we welcome one another greet one another sing together pray for one another have compassion and avoid those things like criticism or grumbling provoking others they're things that we don't want to have we want to have christ-like attitude next one d think of determination how can we have a determination in what we do as workers to be resolute in doing what's right and completing tasks with excellence and let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall read if we faint not can we have that attitude how we're going to keep going we're not going to be weary we're not going to be uh worn out we're going to keep on working keep on serving and one day there's going to be that harvest i like 1 corinthians 15 58 therefore my beloved brethren be steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the lord and he says that that work is not in vain in the lord think how you can keep on approaching every task that you have any area of service that you have to fulfill it to complete it to finish it well to be steadfast to trust in god's strength and his help his guidance and use your gifts to serve others you know be steadfast don't be a quitter keep on serving keep on giving utilize your gifts to serve others that's why he's given us gifts that's why the lord gave gifts to to man he gave man as gifts in ephesians 4 and it says that we've all been given gifts there's numbers of gifts there's two lists of gifts nine gifts in two lists and so you could think and all of those gifts are for the benefit of others too so when we're given something from god we're meant to be using it to use our talents and abilities and to be accountable to and aim to edify others next one e think of the example that you have as a worker as a servant of god and we ought to set a godly example oughtn't we we see paul exhorted timothy there 1 simpathy 4 12 be thou an example of the believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity another way we can be an example is to be consistent in our walk with god we could try to be on time be prepared be enthusiastic model that selflessness that diligence and reverence for god and his word and think about the godly qualities you can cultivate faithfulness humility avoiding pride having that servanthood that love for people seeing that in the scriptures there we've got titus 2 7 paul tells titus in all things showing yourself a pattern of good works so being that example of good works being that template you know being that model of good works and then 1 corinthians 4 2 he says it is required in servants

[13:46] and stewards that a man be found faithful and then ephesians 4 2 it says with all lowliness and meekness with long suffering for bearing one another in love how can we put ourselves out that we forbear with others it's easy to be selfish isn't it and and try and get impatient with others rather we should forbear one another in love and keep on learning keep on growing keep on studying you know it's good that you're here tonight that you're once interested in learning and studying and increasing your faith increasing your knowledge of the word and godly things so keep studying we never get to that point where we learn everything where we know everything and god forbid that we should have that attitude that we think we know everything because that's pride isn't it and that's not good so i'm going to set a god fearing example a godly example next one faith think about faith it says in the word of god that whatsoever is not of faith is sin we want to operate in faith we want what we do to be led by our lord and and to be or answered in faith to be trusting god trusting his provision his leading and not having doubt but to have faith faith it says in hebrews 11 6 but without faith it is impossible to please god you know we might try to do work for god in our own strength in our own effort and it's going to fail isn't it because it's got to be faith that anchors us and that guides us and that we want to please our god and without faith we can't please god it says trust in the lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding think about how you can trust the lord more and follow his will trust god to provide resources and wisdom and strength and see how you can grow your faith by reading scriptures on faith finding about biographies of those that have followed the lord for example missionaries or servants of god we can think how can we learn about faith learn from people like george muller for example he was a man of faith he prayed a lot and saw god answer his prayer think about how you can encourage others to have that culture of faith by your own testimony and commit to faithfulness to prayer to study to soul winning to that vibrant walk with god to timothy 2 15 it says study to show yourself approved unto god a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth it's great to commit to be diligent to study to show yourself approved a worker and think how you can faithfully attend as well it says there hebrews 10 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together if you can attend it's it's really faith isn't it being faithful being full of faith being faithful where you can to attend where you can attend and engage in the church's mission get involved you know provoke unto love when you're in church you can consider one another when you're assembling with others you can provoke in a good way a good provocation to provoke unto love and to good works and we're engaging in the church's mission every time we get together so faith faithfulness next one is g giving how can we give acts 20 35 our lord says it's more blessed to give than to receive there's a blessing you get out of giving and think how you can give of your time your words your resources how can you bless others it says in 2 corinthians 9 7 every man give us according as he purposed and in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for god love of the cheerful giver when we give we want to give from our heart purposefully and

[17:49] generously and cheerfully not grudgingly and how can we have that kind of culture where we have that heart to give we can think that one in the middle there our lord says luke 6 38 given it should be given unto you good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over there's that thought that when we give we get a benefit we get a blessing out of it and we can think how can we budget for example budget our time our resources how can we bless others intentionally and think about ways you can just be a blessing it may not be much in in dollar terms it's just having a heart to look out for others isn't it and also thinking of of our resources how can we live within our means and and try to avoid debt how do we can how can we purpose to give in that way next one uh h h stands for heaven how can we focus on eternal priorities in our lives it says there colossians 3 2 to set your affection on things above not on things on the earth how can we put our affection how can we have our desires that hey heavenly things matter that's more important to me than earthly distractions that might come and our lord says lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust are corrupt and where things do not break through nor steal for where your treasure is there will your heart be also there's a truth there isn't it where are we going to put our energy our devotion our affection our desires are we going to prioritize spiritual things maybe spiritual growth how can we be a soul winner how can we serve and how can we have that eternal perspective in all of the decisions we make to have heaven as the focal point i stands for involvement think how you can involve yourself in serving find ways to serve that according with the church's mission and vision it says they're not slothful or lazy in business fervent in spirit serving the lord so find a way to be fervent to serve god and that can take all kinds of shapes and forms how you can serve and then it says colossians 3 23 and whatsoever you do do it heartily as to the lord and not unto men so when you do serve you're not doing it to please the pastor or or or necessarily other people that you're there because you want to do it unto the lord you want to do it heartily unto him and really strive to do better strive to do your best when you think how can you participate in church how can you be a part maybe there's ways you can get involved in the soul winning the choir there's lots of different ministries i know there's different music musicians amongst us and yeah we love people saying you know i want to get involved and to use my abilities to serve god so we'll try to make every opportunity for you to volunteer and think how when you attend to try to arrive even early to help set up if you can serve with gladness and with a smile psalm 100 verse 2 it says serve the lord with gladness come before his presence with singing so when we serve it's not meant to be a drudgery i'm serving because no one else can or or because i'm on on the one that gets dobbed in or lumbered with things not serving out of a having to but serving because you want to serve because you gladly want to you want to be a servant and you try to have that joy keep that joy in your serving too that you're doing it unto the lord so it's it's really a glad thing when you do something for god and you keep that joy in in all the circumstances that you might face even the challenges that you have you try to not let personal frustrations dampen your spirit and try

[21:49] to keep that that right heart when you're serving unto the lord then it makes it all the more blessed and joyful ephesians 4 16 talks about really that way that you can get involved to foster unity and teamwork when you think how when you're serving you're part of a body it's not all about you it's not about me it's not about the individual it's about what can we contribute to the body so when you're serving god it talks there about the whole body as in the church fitly joined together compacted by that which every joint supply according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love so edifying means building up so it's saying that the body the church is built up it's blessed as every part plays its part and that's what it's meant to be it's imagine as in your human body if some part doesn't function like it ought to then your whole body is going to suffer because of one part malfunctioning so it's the same really in the body of christ that really as believers everyone has got a work to fulfill a role to play so do your part and have an effect you're working in the measure of every part then we're all going to benefit from that involvement next one joy again think of that cheerful spirit that you can have there's an acrostic that goes j-o-y jesus first other second yourself last you think really how can i put jesus first and then others before myself and yourself last it's a good kind of way of thinking of joy as well how can you have that kind of attitude that fruit of the spirit it's one of the fruit of the spirit joy and it attracts others to christ doesn't it we think our lord says john 15 these things have i spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full there's a fullness of joy in knowing jesus and and being in his will it says the joy of the lord is your strength and 1 thessalonians 5 16 rejoice ever more now some people say uh the the shortest verse in the bible is jesus wept well uh this one's only two words as well rejoice ever more that's a really easy memory verse that one rejoice ever more 1 thessalonians 5 16 it's a good thing to do isn't it keep that joy bubbling over keep your joy in serving the lord in all circumstances and that'll be a blessing to you and to others next one kindness k for kindness be kind i know we're at a a leadership conference interstate and one of the sermons was on kindness is something we should hear about preach about but most of all be kind all right be kind if eases 4 32 and be kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as god for christ's sake hath forgiven you how can we love and forgive be kind when we think how christ has forgiven us how should we forgive as christ has forgiven us as god has forgiven us in christ you think of that kindness it says in 1 corinthians 13 4 charity or love suffereth long and is kind love is kind and we think colossians 3 12 put on therefore as the elect of god holy and beloved bowels of mercies which talks about compassions kindness humbleness of mind meekness long suffering how can we have that kindness kindness kindness put it on it's got the sense of clothe yourself with kindness there's the sense there of putting it on like a garment you'd put on a garment have that kindness that you that you display that that you wear that that's who you are you're clothed with kindness you treat others with respect and even if they are unkind you don't have to be unkind back to them and think how how can i

[25:56] be kind even though my personal reaction is to be unkind back to them how can i act fairly and be kind back to them you think how we can exercise that kind of kindness in practical ways in 1 peter 3 8 it says be all of one mind having compassion one of another love is brethren be pitiful be courteous so in other words be considerate be courteous he has showed the young man what is good and what that the lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our god think about loving mercy it's like being merciful isn't it how can we be kind how can we be loving you know avoiding the opposite as in gossip slander divisive behavior rather seeking reconciliation when there's a conflict seeking restoration extending grace how can we be like that it's it takes something really doesn't it and a really big one it says in the word of god a few times about speaking evil speak not evil one of another brethren it's easy to find some something to say about someone that's not kind just to think of something bad to say about another person and and then to say it to others about that person it it says to not speak evil of others and it says but if you bite and devour one another take hand that you be not consume one of another god helping us we don't want to be biting and devouring one another we we shouldn't be wanting to take a piece out of others it says forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as christ forgave you so also do you as christ forgave you we ought to have that same forgiving heart and then it says blessed are the peacemakers for they should be called the children of god think about the ways that you can exercise that kind of love to be kind in that way extend grace think about love elf love christ's unconditional love and that's what's the love of love is agape love it's agape love it's love uh that that wasn't reciprocated kind of love it was love self-giving sacrificial love and he says of that love he says a new commandment i give unto you that ye love one another as i have loved you that ye also love one another by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love once one another how can we have that kind of love think of christ's unconditional love and how can we show our love through care and actions our words love your enemies that's a big one isn't it that should read matthew 5 verse 44 love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you of course we see one corinthians 13 the whole chapter really but now abide of faith hope charity these three but the greatest of these is love the greatest of these is charity and think how can you encourage others how can you exercise that one corinthians 13 love about the people in your own life you know your loved ones your friends your family your workmates your church friends how can you have that kind of love that keeps on loving and how can you be patient with others how can you be kind you can unpack the whole of one corinthians 13 there's a whole lot in there of different challenges you could set for yourself of how you can actually put that love into action and there's a great book called the love dare which is really helpful for for married couples for example to have a look at how one corinthians 13 you can actually act it out and there's a whole lot of challenges you can set for yourself it's called the love dare and it's actually putting one corinthians 13 into practice in your daily life how can you encourage others and how can you love others how can you exercise giving of grace

[30:04] to extend forgiveness and compassion there's a big challenge isn't it if we can have that heart to love love it's one of the essential abcs really next on m think of money of course the world that knows not the lord it's consumed with the love of money it's the root of all evil money is not the root of all evil but the love of money is the root of all evil when people get that focus on making money on money as being the big driver of their life and that can lead to all kinds of problems but it says godliness with consentment is great gain how can we rather just have a consentment in what we have and trust god's provision how can we be content with such things as you have as it reads there hebrews 13 5. in other words live within your means you know give faithfully focus on eternal rewards and thank god for his provision don't be consumed with making money as if that's the be all and end all can create a budget so you've got wisdom about praying over major purchases and ensuring they align with god's will so you're wise in what use of money that you have and that'll be a good thing to have that working right and another m you could say is modesty it's how we dress especially when we serve it does matter and we think of modesty it reflects our character our inner godliness our dignity our desire to honor god rather than conform to worldly standards so you think there's some scriptures there particularly talking about women in the context there that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety not with broided hair or gold or pearls or costly array but which becometh women professing godliness with good works paul's telling timothy there hey women to dress as would be godly in accord with good works and then 1 peter 3 peter writes of women who's adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating the hair and of wearing of gold or putting on of apparel but let it be with the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of god of great price again that's talking about the clothing the clothing that matters is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit that's a great price isn't it it's kind of putting it in context of of how the world would be all showy about um outward adornment but it's more the inward adornment that really matters that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and you could think of it in practical ways how women should be wise about their what they wear but men too as well not to wear what's immodest or revealing or provocative women who serve it's good if they dress femininely and appropriately and not wearing revealing or low-cut clothes and such you think i know some might say well that's legalism we're talking about dress and dress codes and things but we're talking about really those who serve and you know sometimes we have that kind of that question that comes when someone might serve for example as a greeter on the door and it might be you know someone wearing something immodest or unfitting and we want to set a good standard we think when you go down the the airlines you look at the quantus checkout or whatever it be the check-in staff the luggage staff the jet star whatever it be they all dress really very um very smartly don't they and people that might greet people at hotels and things and even for patrons at hotels there's a dress code so i'm not saying this applies to necessarily everyone who attends our church but when it comes to serving for example greeting someone at the door or or taking some role of ministry it's good to set that

[34:10] higher standard to aim for what's smart and fitting and and for our children too especially our daughters we want to encourage modesty of dress and dress that will promote purity and godly characters so something that some people get a bit touchy about but hey wouldn't we to aspire to a good standard i think there's nothing wrong with aiming high on such a thing it talks about favor is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the lord she shall be praised it talks about how the friendship of the world is amnesty with god so we don't have to be like the world that doesn't care and then it does talk about the attire of an harlot so there's a certain dress that identifies someone who is not moral as not really pure and we want to avoid all of those connotations next one never things to never do it says let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearer so god helping us we want to make this a decision that we make that we're not going to have corrupt communication come out of our mouth we're going to be rather wanting words that edify that minister grace now think about what we speak or write we want we want we want to be wise words let your speech be always with grace seasoned with soul how can we speak with grace how can we minister to others how can we have gracious words and but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even christ think how can sometimes you're going to have honest conversations with others speak the truth yeah you might want to have some robust conversations but speak the truth in love let it be loving let love be underpinning what you say and we think how we could refrain from discussing another's mistake in private rather going directly to them and graciously talking with them being honest and being up front with people it's the best way to be isn't it using that communication that's that's fitting next one oh others look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others do we think about others and others needs it's easy to be selfish isn't it we think about our own selfish needs but how can we be like our lord he was selfless wasn't he and he put the needs of others above himself it says by love serve one another galatians 5 13 think about the well-being of others how can we look out for others around about us and sometimes in church we might maybe just open our eyes and you know step out of our own comfort zone and think about others that are around us that might need encouragement that we can edify that we can bless others how can we serve others how can we look out for others um and and serve others without expecting a personal gain you might be putting yourself out for someone and not get much of a recognition for it but the lord sees that when you have that heart to bless others to meet a need to give up your time your resources to be kind with your actions and practical help so think about others next one p think about prayer the bible says pray without ceasing that's something isn't it how can we have a prayerfulness that we've got that attitude of prayerfulness in what we do through the day and men ought always to pray and not to feign colossians 4 2 talks about the continuing in prayer and watching in the same with thanksgiving how can we pray be thankful how can we have that prayer routine and james 5 16 it says the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much so prayer has power so pray for one another pray for the church for the pastor for souls pray for your own needs and you can keep track and keep a kind of prayer diary and you

[38:15] can see answers to prayer and see how prayer works next one q quench not the spirit in other words don't uh hinder the spirit's work it could be through disobedience apathy unconfessed sin rather we should stay sensitive to the holy spirit quench not the spirit so in other words we want the holy spirit to be burning and a flame not not snuffed out we want god's spirit to be actively working in us and through us and we want to stay sensitive to his leading and grieve not the holy spirit so there's a sense where we can displease as in grieve the holy spirit of god we don't want to displease our lord we don't agree the holy spirit but rather we want to walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh so think about how can i be sensitive to god how can i be led by the spirit how can i obey the spirit's promptings when god puts something on my heart when he illuminates scripture when i get that sensation that tug of the holy spirit to go and do something to act on his leading that we want to have that sensitivity to the holy spirit and obey his promptings promptly maybe when there's a situation of conflict we can do our part to restore unity where there's a divide we want to be spiritual we want to be led by the spirit and overcome those fleshly things next one think of our reputation think about the reputation that we ought to have in the word of god it talks about ministers being above reproach that there's a sense where they can't dig out any dirt up on us that godliness will be our conduct a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches think about how we can have that a good name that people know yeah we we're fair dinkum and we're going to abstain from all appearance of evil so we've got that integrity that our actions are honorable and we avoid behaviors that are going to tarnish our testimony so think how we can aim a high standard for ourselves dress smartly when we can for church avoid questionable entertainments you know if there's something that's iffy then better not touch it you know if in doubt don't it's a good maxim isn't it that we want to have that reputation more than just reputation but your actual character that that who you really are before god that's that's what really matters that you've got a godliness there that's deep down it's who you are that you're committed to be that one god helping you and of course we all will fail from time to time but god helping us will have that aspiration next one soul winning think about how you can be a soul winner it's the great commission our lord says go ye and he's talking to everybody of the church of that time go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father of the son of the holy ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever commanded you and lying with you always even not to the end of the world amen he's talking about going and making disciples you know there's going and reaching people and teaching them and seeing them saved reaching out and it says the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that winneth souls is wise so when you have that heart hey all the souls anyone that you contact with anyone that you have any contact with they're a soul for which christ has died and you can have that heart that you think of people as souls as souls for whom christ died you have that kind of focus of the of souls maybe you can keep a list of people that you know maybe family friends that you know that are not saved a prospect list if you like a list that you can pray through and you can dedicate time to in time to reaching them drop a word to encourage them invite folk to church

[42:18] and follow up with others when you can so commit to regular soul winning if you can wherever you can get to that and but even in your day by day living really it's reaching souls is so important next one t is i guess following direction trust the pastor's judgment recognize god-given authority and perspective it says remember them which have the rule over you uh his faith follow the pastor is it's not in infallible but hopefully they've got some wisdom enough that you can follow them and hopefully the pastor is setting a good example that you can be loyal it talks about in the notes there to submit to pastoral leadership have that spirit of faithfulness of loyalty says obey them have rule over you submit yourselves for they watch for your souls there's a sense where hey i've got really an accountability for you and i want to be able to give an account with joy not with grief and there's that sense of the unity of the church there when they were there at the day of pentecost they were with one accord in one place there's a sense where the church body has got that place that you can serve the place that you can belong the church's doctrine and vision you can follow that you can uphold that it says let us follow after the things which make for peace and things where with one may edify another how can we follow on how can we follow together how can we be that family of god the household of the faith it's a sense we're with a family of god it says speak the things which become sound doctrine it says that you speak the same thing that there'd be no divisions among you that you'd be perfectly joined together in the same mind in the same judgment the sense when we get together as a church body as brothers and sisters as god's family they can have that sense where we can work together and we can serve well next one we see unity unity you know god helping us will be a very close-knit kind of church we'll have a oneness we'll have the right spirit we'll have that oneness of the spirit it says they're endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace how can we work as a team and we should be more united than any other secular kind of enterprise we should have that harmony that collaboration we shouldn't have division we should have a closeness a unity it tells us there that it's a good thing it's pleasant behold our good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity think how we can have that kind of oneness together that we've got the one mission we've got the one vision we've got that togetherness where we ought to be working together as a close-knit team we're supporting one another we're avoiding gossip and we're fostering that teamwork we're praying for the church it's leaders for souls and we're together in mission and so we ought to resolve conflicts quickly and privately exercise peacemaking blessed are the peacemakers and we should want to have unity and reconciliation it's really important that we have that oneness together the unity of the church is really important v stands for value think about your testimony how can you value your testimony your relationships how can you have that walking with wisdom how can you redeem the time it talks about a good name is better than precious ointment there's a sense where we should value that righteousness that we ought to have let your light so shine it's talking about your good works how can you glorify your father which is in heaven these are things that we should value we should have that kind of value set that really matters and think about how you can glorify god with your life how can you have a good witness a godly conduct and cultivate and cultivate godly friendships things to value next one w is for work when you think what you do for god

[46:26] really it's a privilege it's a privilege to volunteer even in the simplest things that you might do how can you have a strong work ethic work it's almost like it's a dirty word for some people but work is a blessing it's a privilege it's a glad thing and i know some of you i've noticed that you just jump in and you get in the kitchen and you and you do the menial things and you didn't have to be asked or coaxed or bribed to to serve to work you just did it and that's a good thing we should work well we should work do our best have a commitment to excellence says whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might when you do something for god do it with your might do it with your strength do it with all the gusto you can muster and do it to the best level that you can do it work well do your best and proverbs 22 29 it says see us thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before kings it's got that sense where someone who's diligent it's it makes them stand out the one who is diligent that they have got a certain special quality about them and the the bible really commends diligence in other words doing things with that that keenness that that commitment that kind of diligence to want to do excellently and think about when you want to serve god if you've got aspirations to serve then learn how to serve to do other things to learn new skills to keep studying keep learning keep growing keep stretching yourself so you can do other ministries beyond what you're already doing and it takes really that spirit to be willing to learn have that teachable spirit and be proactive and when you've got a task to do do it well finish it reflecting that diligence have a can-do spirit as well where you embrace challenges with god's strength i can do all things i can do all things through christ which strengtheneth me you can approach your attitude to duties to ministry of any kind that you've got a can-do kind of attitude about it and you can embrace challenges by faith and when you've got a challenging task that you've got you can say i'll pray and work to make this happen you're going to have that attitude yeah i'm going to trust god to help me get this done x stands for extra go the extra mile in every situation matthew 5 41 our lord says if someone compels you to go a mile go with him two miles and says a faithful man who can find how can you go the extra mile you know human nature tends to settle for doing the least doing the minimum to settle for the lowest standard to get through to have that attitude near enough is good enough i know that sometimes i'm like that myself but you think hey rather i should not just aim for the minimum but aim to give the best that i can give and think about how for example you can bless others to exceed expectations to glorify god how can you take the initiative to do more than expected to do more to maybe stay late after a meeting to clean up or to spend time greeting encouraging one another thanking others how can you have that servant's heart to identify extra ways that you can be faithful a faithful man who can find and think how you can bless others for example you can write an encouraging note or you can meet a need that you might see someone has how can you exercise servanthood to go the extra to be the extra to excel i like daniel 6 3 take talks about daniel that he was preferred above the presidents and princes so amongst his peers he was preferred above them why because an excellent spirit

[50:32] was in him an excellent spirit was in him so the king set him over the whole realm see how daniel had an excellent spirit you think of another x there of excellence aim for excellence and so for example you could follow our lord's example when it says that he humbled himself he became like a servant how can you have that same attitude to serve to serve without seeking personal glory you might serve in some areas and no one pats you on the back or maybe recognizes i know i use the example of putting the church sign out for example no one really sees that but that's an important job and someone's relieved me of that ministry so i'm glad someone has taken that little task on it's an important task but it's a task that you might not get any credit or recognition from others about it but it's doing the extra isn't it it's volunteering for maybe what would be a less desirable task to model christ's humility like people who do cleaning in the church for example it's going the extra next one why is for yield how can we yield to the holy spirit how can we submit to the lord how can we yield to god to guide us to lead our life it says be filled with the spirit be filled with the spirit how can we yield our life to god's spirit it talks about how we can present our bodies a living sacrifice how can we surrender to god how can we put our life on the altar how can we surrender to his leading to have his conviction his guidance to be prompted to go to others with the gospel trusting god to lead us to guide our decisions how can we exercise accountability and humility how can we be accountable to others too submitting ourselves one to another in the fear of god think about how can we have that accountability that we're not just running things with our own intent but we're a part of a body we're working together and so we've not got that selfish ambition it talks about philippians 2 3 let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves we should never get to the point where we're but we think we're above others but rather have that lowliness of mind that we should esteem others esteem others better than ourselves it's that yielding isn't it that submissive nature and that we accept correction that we serve without pride proverbs 15 33 the fear of the lord is the instruction of wisdom before honor is humility that's an important point here before honor is humility now take the lowest place take the humble place take the humble place take the servant place and then honor will come honor comes to those who are humble accept that humility and to the final one zed zed for zeal got to the end of the alphabet said for zeal uh maintain that zeal that fervent zeal how can i be zealous for my lord how can i do things zealously and it talks there paul tells the galatians it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing serving god and being in god's will ministering in whatever capacity that you can minister that's a good thing and it's good to have zeal for that thing that is good to honor your lord to be zealously to have passion it says for the zeal of thine house i've eaten me up and our lord quoted that one there's a zeal there we should have a passion and energy

[54:34] that when we have something to do for god we'll approach it with enthusiasm with vigor that will want to love our lord and show it with that passion that zeal that zeal to do right and we could think of in relation to living for god that we want to have a zeal that makes us a separate people it says be holy for i am holy be not conformed to this world but be a transformed by the renewing of your mind now that zeal should change how we interact how we live what we are preoccupied with what we put our energy into that we're not preoccupied with worldly thinking worldly ways that's going to cool our affection for christ you know inappropriate media behaviors or attitudes but we want to have that holiness unto the lord that that's a driving aspect of our life that driving aspect is holiness and some other scriptures there love not the world neither the things that are in the world if anyone love the world the love of the father is not in him for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world have that zeal that passion that says christ is my love not the world that my love my zeal is directed towards him and psalm 101 3 i will set no wicked thing before mine eyes have that commitment that you're going to choose right you're going to choose zealously to honor your lord even in practical terms and just lastly we come to a kind of section here practicalities think about how you can put these things into action and as workers aspiring workers here tonight you've got a willingness to serve you've got a heart to serve you've looked at the abcs you might question some of those but i think you could generally agree that they're all well intended and that they we can all learn to have more of those in our lives and think how practically wise you can be a servant of god of course fellowship where you can as the plain obvious one is to get to church when you can to attend when you can and of course sundays that you would commit at least that to prepare for the lord's day you could think when sunday's coming hopefully on the saturday you do those other things that you want to get done on the weekend so that you can put the sunday aside you can honor the lord's day as a day of worship we know the world considers the lord's day now the sports day or the shopping day or whatever it be the sunday but really it's the lord's day it's the lord's day and we want to set it aside to honor our lord as a day of worship to reserve sunday for worship to keep that spiritual focus ideally that you wake up and on a sunday morning ready to meet with god preparing your heart getting in the word psalm 53 my voice shalt thou hear in the morning oh lord in the morning will i direct my prayer unto thee and we'll look up and you can have a prayer like psalm 139 23 is a good prayer to pray really every day search me oh god and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked in way in me and lead me in the way everlasting it's a good prayer to pray every day isn't it i think how on a sunday morning you can get in the right mind and you can get ready to worship and redeeming the time because the days are evil how can you prepare your heart to worship to prepare your heart so you got that right spirit to fellowship to get together with god's people and have that spiritual tone for the day read a psalm start that day in prayer and meditation

[58:37] and what to bring to church bring a bible bring a notebook or a way to keep notes and think how you can uh dress in godly dignified ways honor god have that heart that how you're going to be there to serve to have that right attitude ideally arriving early setting an example and being on time where you can honoring others time as a stewardship and think how you can make the most of your life to live it for the lord and so these are practical things we could think about and of course on the home front it's really important to get that right as the lord has requirements there of ministry one that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity for if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of god now get the home front right uh god helping you be what right example you can be to your family of course we know sometimes families are in disrepair and we might do our part and it's not fixable but we can at least try god helping us to get the home life right as much as we can and live for christ glorify god 1 corinthians 10 31 it reads whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever you do do all to the glory of god really that's the bottom line in all of these abcs and they're just a guide really of how we can think about how to live and i've got it in that little poster there you might want to have it somewhere handy as a guide it's just a handy little quick reference to the kind of things you can put into action in your life think about are you a builder or a wrecker in the church can you serve god can you put your selfish ambitions or yourself in self self-centered ways to one side and to have rather that heart to glorify your lord to have that intent that your actions your words would reflect christ that you'll commit to personal spiritual growth hey i want to be one of those ones that is a servant of god i want to aspire to those abcs and to keep growing in those ways and in every other way that i can grow that i can serve god i can have that heart to serve i can be ready to serve i can have all of those things lined up that i'll glorify my lord in everything and when you look through that list really and i like to go back to attitude it's really it's getting that attitude right isn't it that you've got that heart right yeah i'm saved and i know god wants me to honor him i want to bless him and be useful for the kingdom of god and having that attitude that everything will fit in a way that he will be glorified that he will be glorified let's pray lawy we thank you tonight for these things that we've talked about help us lord to put them into practice lord that we might be a wise steward and that you'll help us lord to grow we know lord in all of these areas we all could have some room for improvement lord help us we pray that you would be lifted up and that we can put these things into practice help us lord to keep on growing keep on studying keep on learning and keep on putting these principles of your word into practice lord pray that everyone will be encouraged tonight that this won't be a discouraging thing but rather something we can take heart and take a challenge about help us lord to put these things into action and give us grace we pray that you would be glorified in all of our life and whatsoever we do that it will be to the glory of god we pray in your precious name lord jesus we pray amen

[62:46]  love is the driving force isn't it that we we love our lord we want to honor him please him yeah this is not meant to be like a a rule thing where it's uh imposed on people or it's you know something that is irksome or burdensome but it's just scriptures that we want to please our lord aim high aim to bless and be a blessing i know there's some churches are very regimented with some of this stuff where it's all very strict um kind of requirements of people we don't want to be like that that it's a um a burdensome thing but rather it's a glad a glad thing to aim aim to please our lord and and put the word into action yeah in a way it all kind of boils down to attitude doesn't it if we got the attitude right then all of the other things follow on don't they they flow on so