Here is a recap of our message from this weekend...

The Time Is Now: Who Are You Serving?

In the opening week of the series "The Time Is Now," Pastor Jared from One City Church sets the tone by reminding us of our ultimate purpose: to serve God in all aspects of our lives. He starts by quoting 1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasizing that every action—whether eating, drinking, or working—should be done for God's glory. This sermon challenges us to examine who we are truly serving in our daily lives and calls us to align our actions with God’s will.

Weekly Bible Study List

1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
2. Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV) - "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. Mark 12:43-44 (NIV) - "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
4. Matthew 25:45 (NIV) - "He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"
5. Philippians 2:3 (NIV) - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING A GODLY SERVANT

1. Our Service Must Be Sacrificial - The first point of the sermon focuses on sacrificial service. Pastor Jared explains that true service often requires sacrifice—it’s about the giving of ourselves in a way that costs us. Drawing from the example of the widow in Mark 12, who gave all she had to the temple treasury, we are reminded that the value of our service is not in the amount but in the sacrifice behind it. Sacrificial service mirrors Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross and calls us to put others' needs before our own, even when it's inconvenient or challenging.
2. Our Service Must Be Sincere - Moving to the second point, Pastor Jared discusses the importance of sincerity in our service. Genuine service is marked by a heartfelt commitment to others without seeking personal gain. He cites Matthew 25:45, illustrating that our service to others is a direct reflection of our service to God. The sincerity of our service is demonstrated through our actions—how we treat others, our willingness to be available, and our consistency in serving without expectation of reward.
3. Our Service Must Be Sanctified - The final point emphasizes that our service must be sanctified—set apart for God's purposes. Serving God is not just about fulfilling a role; it’s about dedicating our actions to glorify Him. Pastor Jared uses the analogy of a sacred space in his home, which is set apart and reserved, to illustrate how our lives and our service should be consecrated to God. Sanctified service is about living a holy life that reflects God’s love and grace, serving without seeking personal recognition, but to honor God.

From Sermon to Action

The sermon concludes with a call to action: to join the mission of serving God's church. Pastor Jared urges the congregation to take a step of faith, to serve not when it’s convenient, but to say "yes" to God’s call right now. He invited the congregation to consider taking the next step and joining a serve team at One City to move the mission of the church ahead.

Worship Setlist

1. You Keep Hope Alive
2. Worthy of it All
3. Here Again

Notable Sermon Quotes to Repost on Social Media

1. "Service is not about doing what's convenient or comfortable, but about making ourselves available in a way that reflects the selfless love of Jesus."
2. "The significance of your life will not be determined based on your power. It will be determined based on how you empower others."
3. "Sacrificial service is not just about what we do, but about who we are."
4. "If you're quick to walk away from serving, then you might also be quick to walk away from Jesus."
5. "Our service must be sacrificial, sincere, and sanctified to truly glorify God."
6. "To be great, we must learn to serve."
7. "Are you willing to start serving God's church? Because it's not about saying yes when it's convenient. It's about saying yes when God presents you the opportunity."

WATCH SERMON