Sunday, December 11^th, we looked at the 3^rd of our 5 sermons in our “First Come, First Serve” series.  In it, we asked this Big Picture Question…

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve One Another?

To answer it, we looked at Titus 3:1-8.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 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.

In this passage, we answered our Big Picture Question in this way.

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve One Another? 

• Grace to Change
• Grace for a new identity
• Grace to do good works

Grace to Change 

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  

What a community Jesus makes the church.  We above all people should be respectful of God-given authority.  We should speak no evil about others.  We shouldn’t fight.  We should be gentle.  We should be the most courteous people on the face of the planet.  Why?  Because God gives us the grace to change.  Before we knew Jesus Christ, we were foolish, disobedient, led astray and enslaved by passions, and we were given to hatred and envy.  But after knowing Jesus, we don’t have to be that way.  Every Christian is on the path of these promises.  No one has achieved them yet.  But because God gives us the grace to change, we have can love and serve others.

Grace for a new identity

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Here is Christmas.  When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, we were given a new identity.  When Jesus was born, we were given a new identity.  Jesus saved us not because of anything we did.  Jesus saved us because God is merciful. Through Jesus, we become a people who are renewed, made alive, and have an eternal hope.  Because Jesus was born, we have a new identity.

Grace to do good works 

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.

Because Jesus as born, those who believe in God must be careful to devote themselves to good works.  Because of Jesus, we not only can do good works, we must do them.  We can love and serve one another.  Peter describes what that looks like in this way:

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

And we concluded our sermon with these things.

Big Picture Question:  How did Christ Come for Us to Serve One Another?

Truth:  This Christmas, I celebrate Jesus gives me the grace to become an heir of God dedicated to serve others. 

Application:  Live knowing that since Jesus was born to serve, you are reborn to serve others.

Action:   Follow this simple 3 step plan for service: 

1. Reach out to 3 people this week. Express to them why you appreciate them or that you would like to know them better.  Ask them how you could encourage them or help them with anything they need. 
2. Next week, reach out to 3 new folks and follow up with the people you contacted the week before.
3. Repeat until Jesus returns.

And if you would like any more information about Evident Grace, you can find us at www.evidentgrace.com.