Why Do You Serve God?

I. Introduction: When we consider our spiritual lives, we must consider our motivation for serving God. Jesus rebuked those who followed Him for food for the stomach instead of food for the soul. He rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for seeking the praises of men instead of pleasing God. We cannot fool God. He knows our hearts. Therefore, we must evaluate our own motives for serving God.

II. Examine your motives

A. Do you serve God for personal satisfaction?

B. Zechariah 7:1-7 – The people fasted for themselves

C. They were disobedient in the things that they wanted to do, v.7.

D. God commanded obedience to other commandments but the people ignored them, vv. 8-14.

E. They quit listening. God scattered them for their disobedience.

F. You cannot be selective with God’s commandments.

G. Do you only obey God when it agrees with your desires?

H. You might have no problem with getting drunk because you do not like the taste of liquor or do not like to be intoxicated or sick; it does not appeal to you. You might have no problem attending services since it has become habit, you love the people, and you like to sing. However, you might use filthy language or tell dirty jokes around some people because you want them to like you even though you know it is wrong. Perhaps you do not go to church on vacation because it would inconvenience you. If our obedience is based on whether we want to do something or not, are we really obeying God or self?

I. Do you love your brethren according to God’s love or your own love?

J. Matthew 5:46-48 – What do you do more than others?

K. It is easy to love friends. Can you love your enemies? God commands it. James 2:1-4 – Showing partiality1 John 3:17-18 – Helping brethren in need

L. Is your love demonstrated to all or just those whom you feel a natural affection?

M. What do you do more than others? Are we pleasing God or ourselves?

N. Are you serving God for the right reasons?

O. Question yourself about your service and dedication

P. Why did you attend worship services?

Q. Praise God and edify brethren If not, the elders will call and ask you where you were Your friends are here You like to sing You got a new outfit, jewelry, or car and wanted to show it Parents/spouse expect you to be here – keep the peace Remember Malachi 1:10, 13 – God rejects insincere worship

R. Why do you serve your brethren?

S. You want to be like Christ who was servant of all You want people to think good of you You just like doing things for others whether it is commanded or not Someone did good to you so you repay them (Luke 14:12-14) Philippians 2:1-4 – Our motivation should be the mind of Christ

T. Why are you a Christian?

U. You realized you were lost and wanted to please God and serve Him So your father could be an elder People were expecting you to become a Christian Others your age did it so you wanted to do it too

III. Impure motives were a problem in Jesus’ time

A. Matthew 6:1-4 – Charitable deeds performed to make the giver look good

B. Matthew 6:16-18 – Fasting to be seen of men

C. Matthew 23:3-6 – Do works to be seen of men

IV. God is not satisfied with appearances

A. King Saul – 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice”

B. Sacrifice was commanded but was not the end in itself.

C. We can lose sight of this today

D. Think of “coming to church” as worship. Think that God accepts token acts offered half-heartedly. God demands complete obedience, Matthew 22:37.

E. Lip service displeases God, Matthew 7:21-23.

V. Solution

A. If you find yourself dedicated to a particular local church, religious body, a preacher, teacher, or elder, center your dedication on God.

B. Determine to do what is right even though no one will see you

C. Determine to do what is right even though some will see you and mock you for it.

D. Do some good things anonymously so you will not have the praise of men.

E. Ask God to help you root out selfish desire and pride in service.

F. Luke 17:10: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’.”