
Empower the followers of Christ to overcome obstacles to developing a heart committed to God and elevating their kingdom service to God to a higher level
And I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love. —Ezekiel 36:26 (TLB)
Serving comes from the heart
When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! —2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)
Elevating focusing from self to wholehearted commitment to serving God happens as we give ourselves over to God
If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me. —Matthew 10:39 (TLB)
Whatever job you’re given to do, do it. God is with you!…Saul turned and left Samuel. At that very moment God transformed him—made him a new person! And all the confirming signs took place the same day. —1 Samuel 10:7-9 (MSG)
Embracing Covenant Partner responsibilities
Decide to participate
Jesus replied, “Listen and I will tell you. There was once a Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when bandits robbed him along the way. They beat him severely, stripped him naked, and left him half dead. “Soon, a Jewish priest walking down the same road came upon the wounded man. Seeing him from a distance, the priest crossed to the other side of the road and walked right past him, not turning to help him one bit. —Luke 10:30-31 (TPT)
…at any level
“Later, a religious man, a Levite, came walking down the same road and likewise crossed to the other side to pass by the wounded man without stopping to help him. —Luke 10:32 (TPT)
Developing characteristics of a servant
To develop a heart greater committed to God I must be:
1.
“Finally, another man, (Born again, submitted man, seeking to please God man, a SERVANT OF GOD MAN) a Samaritan, came upon the bleeding man and was moved with tender compassion for him. —Luke 10:33 (TPT)
2.
He stooped down and gave him first aid, pouring olive oil on his wounds, disinfecting them with wine, and bandaging them to stop the bleeding. —Luke 10:34 (TPT)
3.
- Be loyal and willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in
Lifting him up, he placed him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn. Then he took him from his donkey and carried him to a room for the night. The next morning he took his own money from his wallet and gave it to the innkeeper with these words: ‘Take care of him until I come back from my journey. If it costs more than this, I will repay you when I return.’ —Luke 10:34-35 (TPT)
4.
- An entrusted person or group with supervisory authority
So, now, tell me, which one of the three men who saw the wounded man proved to be the true neighbor?” The religious scholar responded, “The one who demonstrated kindness and mercy.” Jesus said, “You must go and do the same as he.” —Luke 10:36-37 (TPT)