Eccl. 12:13-14

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• Introduction:1. Eccl. 12:13-14 Only God gives life real meaning 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

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• Introduction:2. Eccl. 3:11 Life seeks a purpose beyond the mundane animal level 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:

also he hath set the world [eternity, NIV] in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

• Introduction:3. What do we hope to accomplish in life?

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Die a gang member Die well educated Die a drunkard Die rich Die a porn addict Nice person w/o God Be sexually immoral

Die a drug addict Succeed in business

& family w/o God Die a family abuser Die powerful Die a liar, cheat, & thief Serve God

• Introduction:4. Let’s learn to serve God!

Learn from men who served God Learn from women who served God Determine to serve God today

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads

Gen. 12:1-3 Persisted in serving God by faith in His promises

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Gen. 12:1-3 Persisted in serving God by faith in His promises

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1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

CANAANISRAEL

CHRIST

I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads

Traveled hundreds of miles leading his family by faith in God

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Ur of Chaldees

Haran

Hebron

About 600 miles:1000 kilometersAbout 600 miles:

1000 kilometers

I. Learn from Men Who Served God A. Abraham Traveled Long Dusty Roads

Lived & died embracing these promises w/o seeing the final fulfillment

We too travel long dusty roads enduring trials & disappointments serving God

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms

Num. 12:1-3 His critics included his family

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Num. 12:1-3 His critics included his family

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1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms

Yielding to his role & the pressure of critics w/o giving up or retaliating Vindicated by God, pled mercy on his critics

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God B. Moses Led in Spite of Constant Criticisms

When doing our best to serve God, both friend & foe will criticize: examine self, be meek, be merciful, & trust all things to God

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous

Num. 14:9 “The Lord is with us: fear them not” Josh. 1:7 Strong & courageous

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7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous

Josh. 24:15 We will serve the Lord!

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15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God C. Joshua Was Brave & Courageous

We too can stand like Joshua & say, “We will serve the Lord!”

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart

1 Sam. 13:14 “The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart” 1 Sam. 17:47 Served God as a

shepherd: killed a lion, a bear, & a giant soldier

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1 Sam. 17:47 Served God as a shepherd: killed a lion, a bear, & a giant soldier

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47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart

2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 51:2-3 “I have sinned against the Lord:” heinous sins followed by deep heartfelt repentance

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2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God D. David Had an Humble Penitent Heart

Our lives become useful when we turn away from sin in deep heartfelt repentance

& serve God—no matter how many times

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned

Matt. 4:19 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” Jn. 13:8 “Thou shalt never wash my feet” Lk. 22:34 “Thou shalt thrice deny me” Jn. 18:11 “Put up thy sword”

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned

Jn. 21:15-19 “Lovest thou me?” “Feed my lambs.” Peter died in faithful service

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19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God E. Peter Was a Slow Learner But He Learned

If Peter could slowly learn how to serve God, why not you & me?

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth

1 Tim. 1:12-13 The persecutor became the Apostle of Christ

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1 Tim. 1:12-13 The persecutor became the Apostle of Christ

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12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth

2 Tim. 4:6-8 Finished his work to the end

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2 Tim. 4:6-8 Finished his work to the end

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6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God F. Paul Fought the Truth, Then Taught the Truth

Some today who fight the truth learn the truth and teach others the good news!

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I. Learn from Men Who Served God G. Timothy Served God from His Youth

Acts 16:1-3 Taught by mother, grandmother, brethren, & Paul from youth at Lystra 1 Tim. 4:12 Became a shining light

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12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

I. Learn from Men Who Served God G. Timothy Served God from His Youth

Young people from all sorts of backgrounds find their way to God

& resolve to serve Him today.

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II. Learn from Women Who Served God A. Sarah Shared Abraham’s Faith While Traveling Long Dusty Roads with Him

Heb. 11:11 Served God by bearing Isaac

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II. Learn from Women Who Served God B. Jochebed Obeyed God Rather Than Gov’t

Heb. 11:23 Protected Moses’ life C. The Young Maid Remembered God’s Prophet

2 Kgs. 5:2-3 Sent Naaman to Elisha

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II. Learn from Women Who Served God D. Esther Risked Her Life to Do What Is Right

Esth. 4:14 Asked King to Spare the Jews E. Mary & Martha Opened Their Home to Jesus

Lk. 10:38-42 For physical & spiritual needs

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II. Learn from Women Who Served God F. Eunice & Lois Invested Time in Children

2 Tim. 1:5 Planted seeds of faith in Timothy

G. Numerous Widows Continue Serving 1 Tim. 5:9-10 Godly hospitable homes

H. Women of All Ages Are Living Useful Lives Serving God in Many Ways Today!

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III. Determine to Serve God Today! A. We Must Accept Responsibility for Our Sins—

No Excuses, Denial, Blame Game, or Rationale Rom. 3:23 “All have sinned”—

we cannot serve God living in sin

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III. Determine to Serve God Today! B. God’s Love, Grace, & Mercy Offer Salvation

Heb. 9:27-28 Christ offered perfect sacrifice for sin, arose, & will come again to receive us

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27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

III. Determine to Serve God Today! C. Submit to Christ to Receive Salvation

Submit to Christ by obeying the gospel Rom. 10:17 Open the heart to hear Mk. 16:15-16 Believe the gospel of Christ Acts 2:38 Repent of all sins Rom. 10:10 Confess Christ as God’s Son Mk. 16:15-16 Submit in water baptism

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15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God

Mic. 6:7-8 Learn a right heart to God & man

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Mic. 6:7-8 Learn a right heart to God & man

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7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God

Matt. 22:38-40 Learn all God’s instructions to know how to love God 1st & neighbor as self Daily Bible study & prayer Honesty & integrity in all matters Faithful husband & wife, obedient children Provide personal needs,

share material & spiritual blessings 41

III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God

1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God

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1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God

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11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

III. Determine to Serve God Today! D. Devote the Rest of Life to Serving God

1 Pet. 4:11 Use talents to serve God Teach the truth w/o addition or subtraction Lead in prayer, songs, Lord’s Supper, giving Elders, deacons, evangelists, & teachers Attend all services to worship, learn, & edify All have talents: invite, greet, encourage, help

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• Invitation:1. Eccl. 12:13-14 Only God gives life real meaning 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

• Invitation:3. What do we hope to accomplish in life?

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Die a gang member Die well educated Die a drunkard Die rich Die a porn addict Nice person w/o God Be sexually immoral

Die a drug addict Succeed in business

& family w/o God Die a family abuser Die rich Die a liar, cheat, & thief Serve God

• Invitation:4. Let’s learn to serve God!

Learn from men who served God Learn from women who served God Determine to serve God today

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