Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaManners in Serving God Psalms 1:1 ~ 1:6 2002-06-16
Good manners are a necessary tool in relationships between people, between husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, parents and children, and teachers and students. A lack of good manners breaks relationships. There must also be a certain conduct between man and God. What kinds of manners are required in serving God?
We must serve God with fear-with reverence and respect. Adam and Eve did not fear God and His command, so they sinned by eating the forbidden fruit when Satan tricked them. Jesus always had great reverence for God His Father and was determined to do the Father's will-not His own will (John 6:38,39). God greatly used Moses because he feared God (Exodus 3:6). But when Moses' elder brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, spoke against Moses, this was like speaking against God, so God allowed Miriam to become leprous (Numbers 12:8-10). To those who fear God, He will give refuge (Psalm 22:23; 31:19,20).
We must serve God with honor-with dignity and praise. We must honor Him in our minds and in our speech (Ephesians 5:3-11). Seven days a week, the things we do and say must be a reflection of our faith in Him, honoring Him in goodness, righteousness, and truth. Then unbelievers can see a godly example in our lives. David dishonored God when he broke God's commands and committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12:9-12). But the person who honors God delights in His counsel (Psalm 1:1,2).
We must serve God with love-with a tender heart full of adoration and devotion (Psalm 73:25). When we love someone, we always want to be with him or her. We can be with God and communicate with Him through our Bible reading, through prayer, through the Holy Spirit, in a worship service, when we give our tithes and offerings, and when we give our time to Him. Those who love God desire to serve Him and take pride in Him (Matthew 22:37; Psalm 34:2; Galatians 6:14).
We must serve God with gratitude-with thankfulness and joy (Psalm 100:1-5), and He will be proud of His children! God blesses those who are thankful to Him (Psalm 50:23). If we grumble, we will receive less. But if we are thankful for what we already have, God will provide even more for us (Matthew 13:12; 1 Corinthians 10:10). The Christian who serves God with gratitude gives thanks to Him in all circumstances because this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Heavenly Father, we want to have manners that please You. With our words and actions, we choose to serve You with fear, honor, love, and thanksgiving, so that as Your children we may have a pleasing relationship with You our Father and Creator.
Daily Bible
