Sermon on serving God, with a scriptural outline and detailed points.

Title: Serving God with a Whole Heart

Scripture: Joshua 24:15 - "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Introduction:
- Serving God is not just a duty, but a privilege and a joy.
- Joshua's declaration to serve the Lord is a powerful example for us to follow.
- Today, we will explore what it means to serve God with a whole heart.

I. Surrendering to God's Will
- Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
- Serving God begins with surrendering our will to His.
- We must be willing to lay down our own desires and plans in order to follow God's will for our lives.

II. Serving with Joy and Gratitude
- Psalm 100:2 - "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."
- Our service to God should be marked by joy and gratitude.
- We should serve Him with a thankful heart, recognizing all that He has done for us.

III. Faithfulness in Service
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
- Serving God requires faithfulness and perseverance.
- We must be committed to serving Him consistently, even when it is difficult or challenging.

IV. Serving Others in Love
- Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
- Our service to God should extend to serving others in love.
- We are called to be a light in the world, showing God's love through our actions and words.

Conclusion:
- Serving God with a whole heart is a lifelong journey that requires surrender, joy, faithfulness, and love.
- Let us follow Joshua's example and declare, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
- May we serve God with all that we are, bringing glory and honor to His name.

Sermon Title: Serving God

Scripture Outline:

- Introduction:
- Philippians 2:5-11: The example of Christ's humility and service
- Body:
- Serving God with Humility:
- Matthew 20:25-28: Jesus' teaching on true greatness
- 1 Peter 5:6: Humility as the foundation for serving
- Serving God with Obedience:
- Romans 6:16-18: Salvation leads to obedience
- John 14:15: Love for God leads to obedience
- Serving God with Love:
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love as the greatest gift
- 1 John 4:9-11: God's love motivates our service
- Conclusion:
- Matthew 25:31-46: The parable of the sheep and goats
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: God will reward those who serve Him

Detailed Points:

I. Serving God with Humility

- True greatness comes not from seeking power or recognition, but from serving others.
- Service begins with humility, recognizing our own limitations and the needs of others.
- Humility is essential for accepting God's grace and serving Him effectively.

II. Serving God with Obedience

- Obedience is not merely following rules, but aligning our lives with God's will.
- Love for God leads us to obey His commandments.
- Obedience empowers us to serve God fruitfully and yield lasting results.

III. Serving God with Love

- Love is the driving force behind true service.
- God's love within us compels us to reach out to others with compassion and generosity.
- Love makes our service meaningful and impactful.

Conclusion:

- The parable of the sheep and goats illustrates the importance of serving God.
- God will recognize and reward those who have served Him with humility, obedience, and love.
- Let us strive to be faithful servants of God, imitating the selfless example of Jesus Christ.