Be Radiant | How Do We Serve?

Radiant Church Jackson

38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 NLT

Instead of Serve Day, we are discussing how we can serve our community this month

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We often get caught up in the anxiety of serving — not good enough — not equipped

— Don’t know how to help — who to help — how to get started

This is not about serving better, it's about serving with Christ at the center

Today we answer the question, How Can I Serve?

Point 1: We serve out of our identity

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:16-17 NIV

God says with him I am well pleased — God reminded Jesus of his identity — before any miracle

We often think that God looks to us as a source of labor, instead, He first wants to love us and remind us of our identity.

Story of P. Mike asked me to help launch ministries — asked on staff — new to me — I want to do well — Remembered I am hands and feet, not the source — I am a son first

• When we serve from our identity, love flows naturally

• Free People, Free people

• When we know our identity, we know freedom; when we know freedom, we can lead others to that same source.

• When we serve out of our identity, all we have to do is show up willing and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

— we shovel — we paint — we deliver food — we pay for gas —

• All we have to do is show up, the seed has been planted God brings the growth

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Point 2: We Serve out of our Faith

15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James 2:15-18 NIV

• What James is saying is… what good is it if we speak a good message, or pray for a person but don’t give them the basic necessities to live?

• If all we do is speak, we miss an opportunity to truly serve

• A deed is a deed until we add the substance of Faith

• Serving out of Faith calls things into the natural that otherwise would not be

• Jesus feeding the 5,000 story