How Does God Grow Your Faith? When We Serve

CLCC Church Podcast

How Does God Grow Your Faith?

Sermon: When We Serve

1 Peter 4:10-11

Pastor Jim Lucas

Sermon Summary

The Big Idea of this study is that our faith grows when we serve one another. Serving others is the way that God’s gifts are distributed to the world.

In this series we are discovering how the Lord grows our faith. This week we will be exploring the idea that when we use our gifts to serve others we are administering his grace. That’s right, in other words, whatever the Lord has given to us in terms of ability or talent or insight, when we use those gifts, we are allowing his grace to flow through us. The Apostle Paul even considered financial gifts to the church of Jerusalem a grace (2 Cor. 9:6-11). We are administrators of God’s grace to those around us. We need to take this responsibility seriously as Jesus taught us in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25).

As God’s grace flows though us to others a number of things happen. We experience abundance because God always makes sure we are full so that our fullness can bless others. We promote gratitude in ourselves and others and this results in praise to the Lord. We also change the world as people are touched by God’s grace.

Questions for Discussion:

1. In the parable of the talents (Matt. 25) Jesus indicates how seriously he considered our use of our gifts. How might this have informed what Peter is writing in 1 Peter 4?

2. Our gifts are expressions of God’s grace. Why does the Lord use us as his distribution hub?

3. Everyone has a gift and everyone is responsible for its distribution. What does that mean in everyday life?

4. Why should this knowledge transform our behavior?