In His Service

May 5, 2024    Pastor Cary T. Nelson, PhD

Philippians 3:4-9 - though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;


Acts 22:24-29 - And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.


1 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.


You become a new creation when you walk with God. You won’t see the kingdom of heaven if you haven’t been born again.


Never try NOT to do something. Your mind will always dwell on it and the urge will stay strong. Instead, focus on loving your neighbor or spending time in prayer or in the Word. It won’t take long before you’re free from the desire. So, try TO do something.


1 Corinthians 3:16 - Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.


We are the temple of God. How do we treat our bodies and our minds? Would God want to enter our temple if it’s filled with sin and shame?



The Spirit of the Living God lives in you. You are meant to serve.


Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.


Our temples should be a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice is do live for something… let us live for God.


2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Regardless of our lives, our bodies, or are physical bodies, let us be strong in the faith.


Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.


Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


What makes us different from each other doesn’t really matter. It’s the family of God that makes us all one.


Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.


When we’re saved, it is Christ who lives in us and gives us life. We can’t do anything or be anything because it is solely Christ that makes our sole.


1 Corinthians 2:2 - For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.


2 Corinthians 11:30 - If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.


Galatians 5:22-26 - 


1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - 


Ephesians 3:20,21 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


God’s Word with power. Let it work inside of you. When we are weak, we are strong. It’s God’s power, not ours that keeps us going. So, keep on serving God.


Give your body, mind and spirit to God and let Him do all things.