Our Call To Serve

Our Call To Serve...

So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel.  Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old...    When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.  (Judges 2:7-10)

How could this happen?  Why did this happen?  If you notice the Bible said that the people served the Lord under Joshua, and all the elders that outlived Joshua (men that he'd raised up, leaders) and these men had seen the great works of the Lord.  But when that generation of leaders died, another generation arose that DID NOT KNOW THE LORD, nor the work which He had done for Israel.  

The problem here is evident; the leaders failed to tell their story, their testimony.  They failed to pass down the words that had been passed down to them.  Perhaps they got busy.  Maybe they thought that their children would just automatically follow in their ways.  Whatever the reason, this last generation died knowing the Lord, but left their children and future generations to die lost without God, because they did not mentor and train the leaders to SERVE future generations.  

Could it be that we have gotten so busy as a people that we have neglected to tell our story?  Have we failed to tell our testimony?  When is the last time you told your story?  When is the last time you read the Word with your children, or took them to a worship service?  When was the last time you intentionally spoke to a friend that you knew was lost about Jesus?  Or when was the last time you invited your lost friends to fellowship with your church friends in service, small group, church function, etc.?

I believe that it is possible that we have grown so comfortable with our relationship with God and our church environment that we've lost sight of those coming behind us that don't know God; those who haven't heard the gospel.  I think that we too are running the risk of losing, or rather, raising a generation that don't know God, nor the great things He has done for His people.  This is what happens when we fail to tell our story and testify about what God has done in our lives.  We cannot call ourselves Christians and yet not care for the coming generations.

Many people wrongly assume that ministry is to be done only by "Professional Clergy"--(those with the calling and degree from a seminary).  Don't misunderstand me, I'm not opposed at all to education; I have a masters degree from The Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and I am proud of that education.  However, ministry and serving is NOT reserved only for those with such credentials; God has called us ALL into His service regardless of our level of education.   

The question nows begs: "Pastor, Why Should I Serve?"

1. Because Jesus came to serve: Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
2. Because God has a work that only you can do.
   
3. If you don’t serve in some capacity you will have become like that last generation that knew God.
• They knew God, but didn’t feel the need to share Him with others.  Therefore when they died the country fell into apostasy.
4. You should serve because you have friends that are lost, and children that need direction and understanding.
5. They need to know where your confidence lies.
6. They need to know and see where mom and dad turn when the going gets rough.
7. They need to be taught to trust and depend on the Lord--if you don’t teach them nobody else will.  They will remember your example all the days of their lives.
8. They need to see your faithfulness and your allegiance. 
9. They need to see your dependance on God, and they need to hear your testimonies of God provision and direction in your lives.
10. They need to hear you tell the story...
11. They need to hear their mom and dad pray.

Visit our website in order to view this full message and others:  The Harbor

 It is time for us to serve!!!

Mike Sanes
Pastor, The Harbor