The fundamental of serving is this: the way to find life is to give your life away.

Matthew 16:24 -25

The more we try to guard our life- the smaller our world becomes.

The more we attempt to bless others - the bigger our world becomes.

A life given away grows.

Mark 10:42 -45

Everyone wants to live a life of greatness.  No one aims for mediocrity.

The true value of our lives is found in our serving capacity

The thing about the economy going down is that it makes the cream rise to the top.  The one who serves the best will continue to prosper.  The better service we provide - the better our business will be.

Matthew 20:26 - 28

Serving is a major cog in the teaching of Jesus. Serving is counter-intuitive; but greatness does not come by trying to be great - Greatness comes by serving best.

The great husband is the one who serves his wife and puts her welfare above his own.  The great boss is the one who understands that he or she is providing an opportunity to others to succeed.  The great employee understands that the path to promotion is making yourself matter.  The great business understands that the better service the better business will be.

The people who make the greatest impact in our church are the people who serve.  They are contributors - not just consumers.  Be a contributor in life - and not just a consumer!

The value of our church is not in how many people come to a meeting on Sunday morning.  The value of our church is in how many people go out from the Sunday meeting and serve well.

Serving is a kingdom value

  • We serve
  • We give
  • We help
  • We lift

1 Peter 4:10

Every person has a gift. Don't be unemployed.  Serve with your gift.

There are some Christians who are cranky because they aren't doing what they were made to do - they aren't employing their gift. They get isolated and troubled.

Don't be a cranky Christian!

The key is this: if you want to be a part, be a part!

Use up your energy in serving to make Asheville better, to make our church better and to make your world better.

John 13  

What do you do when you are the most powerful person in the room?  Wash the feet of others; serve.  

Leadership is not about getting people to follow you.  It's about using your gift to lead people to a greater place.

If you have a position of authority - use it to help people go to places they couldn't without your help.

We serve because we can. We can make a difference for someone.

Galatians 5:13 - 17

It's a beautiful thing to have a free spirit! God has called you to live a free life!

Serving is all about loving: If you love someone, you'll want to serve them. If you love your church, you want to serve it.

Psalms 100:2

Don't just consume. Exercise the freedom God has given to serve with gladness!