"Acceptable Service"
Hebrews 12:25-29
INTRO.A believer's service to God should be a heartfelt expression of love from a heart consecrated to the living God. Jesus said in John 12:26, "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." To really serve God, we MUST FOLLOW God. We can't serve Him alone or by following our own plans. If we follow Him in service, he has promised to be there with us to strengthen and encourage.
I want to title the message, "Acceptable Service.” Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." To serve Him acceptably, we MUST be willing to forsake all for the LORD Jesus. We sing the old song, "Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere I will follow on..." That song is so easy to sing, but how easy is it for us to obey its words and message? Following is the motivating factor for acceptable service. If we are following Him, we will serve Him; If we serve Him, we will follow Him!
Following is our motivation. Next comes forsaking all worldly pleasures for Him. This doesn't mean we can't enjoy things that the world has to offer, but that Christ and His Cause must have the preeminence in our lives! Jesus, our Savior said in Luke 14:33, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all he hath, cannot be my disciple." We MUST be willing to say from our heart, "All to Jesus, I surrender all to Him I freely give.”
In our text Hebrews 12:25-29, the writer of Hebrews shows us the reason, method, mindset, and reward for "Acceptable Service."
(1)The Admonition For (The Motivation)
Text: Hebrews 12:25-27
*How God Speaks:
- By His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-16).
- By His Sacred Word (Psalm119:9, 11, 105).
- By Scourging (Hebrews 12:3-17)—Greek—“To whip”.
- By His Servants (Titus 1:1-3).
James 1:22
(2) The Agency Of (The Method)
Text: Hebrews 12:28a—“Let us have grace..."
*In the Greek v28a reads, "Let us hold fast with grace...”
- WHERE HELP IS FOUND (Hebrews 10:19-25). Paul in Acts 26:22—“Having obtained...help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great..."-- THAT'S HOW WE MUST ALL SERVE ACCEPTABLY!
- WHY HELP IS NEEDED (Ephesians 6:10-13;Philippians 2:13).
I can't be strong in myself, but I can serve Him by His grace!
(3) The Attitude For (The Mindset)
Text: Hebrews 12:28b—“Whereby we with may serve God acceptably Reverence and godly fear."
1 Peter 4:1-2
*TWO WAYS MENTIONED:
- Reverence (Greek-- "awe, humbleness") (Psalm 4:4; 86:11).
- Godly Fear (Greek--"Piety, Respect, & Trust") (Psalm 128:1;
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
1 Peter 1:15-17
(4) The Assessment Of (Reward or Loss)
Text: Hebrews 12:29—“For our God is a consuming fire"
- THE REALITY OF JUDGMENT (2 Corinthians 5:8-11).
- THE RESULTS OF JUDGEMENT (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
CLOSING:Jesus said in Matthew 24:45-46, "Who then is a faithful and wise
servant, whom his lord hath made a ruler over his household, to give
them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord
when he cometh shall find so doing."
Are you offering Him "Acceptable Service" tonight?