10 Sep Serving Saves Lives | Part 1 “The Mindset That Makes a Difference”

Announcements:

ALL LOCATIONS – SERVE DAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

Check our events page and choose where you would like to serve! Follow this link to register:

SERVE DAY 2023

NORTH ATTLEBORO: SATURDAY NIGHTS BACK SEPTEMBER 30!  5:00 PM 

IF YOUR GROUP IS INTERESTED IN SERVING THAT PROVIDENCE RESCUE MISSION ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH PLEASE REACH OUT TO FRANK FLODIN.  WE NEED A LIFE GROUP TO SERVE MEAL PREP AND SERVE THAT DAY!

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS ONLY: SAVE THE DATE!

WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO ADAMS FARM  CORN MAZE AND MORE!   CLICK THE LINK FOR INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS.  THE TICKETS ARE A LITTLE LESS IF YOU BUY ONLINE.

ADAMS FARM REGISTRATION AND TICKET INFORMATION

 ALL LOCATIONS: 

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Reminder:  Please check your planning center profiles for requests to join and also remove members from the list that no longer attend as well as add members not listed. Thank you.

LEADERS: WE HAVE CHANGED UP THE DISCOVER CLASS WHICH USED TO BE GROWTH TRACK AND ARE ASKING ALL LEADERS TO RE-TAKE THIS A SOME POINT.  BELOW IS THE CLASS SCHEDULE:

1st Sunday : Discover Waters – after 1st service

2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES

3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service

4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service

IMPORTANT***** Please add

Go to your email, add no-reply@churchcenter.com to your contacts (PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND) THANKS!

no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and have your members add it as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.org/events)

Location Text Alerts:

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KEY VERSE: PHILIPPIANS 2

Ice Breaker:

Q. What is something about you that surprises people when they first hear it?

Serving saves lives.  Our Savior came to serve.  He did not come to be served.

Matthew 20:28 (ESV)

Jesus is the Son of God.  He is the Overruling Savior. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All things are from Him, for Him, and to Him and He came to serve.

In our world, we are taught to chase our dreams, follow our hearts, and believe in ourselves; but Jesus made it clear that how we live here, determines how we live in Heaven.  There are great rewards to those who serve God here on earth.  Heaven is not for selfish people.

WHO might be SAVED because I SERVED?

We are the result of others who have served Jesus. We are not self-made, before we got here somebody served.  God the Father knows the names of those that have served us.

Q.  Who are some specific individuals in your life who have played a significant role in your spiritual growth and journey?

Salvation is REAL when I move from a “GIVE me” mindset to a “MAKE

We are meant to serve. Our world has fallen far from what we were made to do.  It is far worse when the Church follows the mantras of the world: the ‘Give me’ mentality.  This is a childish mentality.

The world might tell us that having a nice life will make us feel good, but we can have a nice life and still feel completely empty if we are not serving others because we are not made to serve ourselves.

Q. How is a life focused on serving others more fulfilling than one focused on serving oneself?

Three ingredients of the Mindset that Makes a Difference:

1. HUMBLED by Christ’s GOODNESS.

Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

Paul wrote this letter from prison. The reason for Paul writing to this church is because it had served him well. However, the Philippians had started to divide. Nothing ruins a church experience more than division.

People who make a difference are people who are humbled by the goodness of Christ.  These people see what Christ has done in them and want to share it with others. 

The ‘if’ in this passage is not a question.  We, who are Christians in community get encouragement in Christ. The Holy Spirit fills us, puts courage in us, makes us strong, and makes us confident because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

We will face troubles and challenges, but we have the Holy Spirit inside us to overcome.  We have a family from the Body of Christ.

Everyone here is HERE because SOMEONE they may or may not know SERVED.

The Church has detractors and critics, but if we really dive deep into the true Church we will see the most loving, selfless people on the face of the earth.

Q.  How does being “humbled by Christ’s goodness” impact your actions within your community or church?

Three ingredients of the Mindset that Makes a Difference:

2. AWARE of Christ’s BODY.

When we realize that it is not about us we gain a mindset that makes a difference.  Waters Church is not about us. 

It is important to know that anyone who serves on stage at Waters must also serve in another capacity. 

Philippians 2:2-4 (ESV)

Counting others more significant than ourselves is a hard verse.  We may serve others and still be self-absorbed if we see other people and their gifts as a threat and not a blessing.

We should celebrate other’s wins and gifts.  We should not get territorial (‘this is my ministry’), complain about what others are doing only talk about what we are doing, or only serve to be seen by others.  This is sanctified selfishness.

Q. What are the challenges in truly “counting others more significant than ourselves,” and how can we overcome the temptation to see other people’s gifts as threats?

The deacons and ushers get to church before anyone enters our buildings to pray for the church.  There are many people in our church that no one else sees serving.

Romans 12:10–11 (ESV)

We should find someone else to make a big deal out and serve.  The world is desperate for people to live outside of themselves.  This is how we find joy!

Q. What are some personal examples of how you find joy in making a big deal out of others and living outside of yourself?

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Three ingredients of the Mindset that Makes a Difference:

3. MOVED by Christ’s EXAMPLE.

We serve a Savior who washed the feet of Judas. We need to follow His example and serve our enemies.

Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV)

This passage is a first-century song the Church used to sing.  The reason it is a song is because songs help us remember.  The Church sang about what Jesus physically did.  He surrendered His life, laid it all down, and became one of us.  God raised Him up to Everlasting life and He rules for all eternity because he came to serve!

We find our value and significance when we give up who we want to be, humble ourselves, and give our life to serve others.

Q. How does the act of Jesus washing the feet of Judas impact your perspective on serving others, especially those who may be considered “enemies”?

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV) 

In SERVING I find my SIGNIFICANCE from God.

(Leader: If you think this could apply to your members)

Challenge 1: Contemplate ways you can serve in our church.  Take the Connect Class and see ways you can serve if you are unsure.  Young men, take the challenge Pastor Tim gave and step up in Waters Kids.  Love kids in the name of Jesus.

(Leader: This can be for everyone)

Challenge 2: Celebrate someone who serves in the church this week.  Maybe call or send a card celebrating their wins and gifts.