How can we implement "serve God by His Spirit" in our church community? Opening verse for focus Philippians 3:3: “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” Seeing what Paul means • “Worship” (latreuō) can also be rendered “serve.” • The emphasis is corporate: “we.” • Service flows from the indwelling Spirit, not human strength. Serving by the Spirit versus serving by the flesh • Flesh-driven ministry trusts talent, programs, image, or numbers. • Spirit-driven ministry trusts God’s indwelling power, exalts Christ, and produces supernatural fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). • Romans 8:5-6 reminds us that fleshly mindset ends in death, Spirit mindset in life and peace. Cultivating a Spirit-reliant culture in the congregation 1. Teach clearly that every believer is indwelt (1 Corinthians 6:19) and is to be continually filled (Ephesians 5:18). 2. Set aside regular congregational prayer times—Acts 1:14 shows the early church doing this before any ministry began. 3. Encourage fasting when major decisions loom (Acts 13:2-3). 4. Equip members to recognise and exercise gifts “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7), always “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). 5. Evaluate every ministry by spiritual fruit, not popularity. 6. Celebrate testimonies that highlight what the Spirit accomplished, not personal bragging. Practices for every gathering • Begin with public Scripture reading (1 Timothy 4:13). • Invite short, expectant prayers for guidance (Colossians 4:2). • Choose Christ-exalting songs; Ephesians 5:19 couples Spirit filling with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” • Allow space for Spirit-prompted encouragement or correction, tested by Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). • Train ushers, greeters, and children’s workers to pray over their tasks; no role is “unspiritual.” Spirit-empowered outreach • Pray first: Acts 4:31 shows boldness arriving after prayer. • Present the gospel plainly; the Spirit alone convicts (John 16:8). • Pair proclamation with tangible love (James 2:15-17). • Expect opposition yet rely on supernatural courage (Acts 5:29-32). Developing leaders who lean on the Spirit • Require elders and deacons to model Spirit-filled character (1 Timothy 3). • Mentor them to begin every meeting in prayer and the Word (Acts 6:4). • Encourage mutual submission; the Spirit resists pride (James 4:6). Guardrails: testing everything by the Word • The Spirit never contradicts Scripture (John 16:13). • Any “leading” must line up with the written Word (Isaiah 8:20). • Berean-style examination keeps enthusiasm from drifting (Acts 17:11). Measuring success God’s way • Faithfulness to truth (2 Timothy 4:2). • Growth in holiness and love (1 Peter 1:22). • Multiplication of disciple-making disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). • Joy that remains even when numbers fluctuate (Philippians 4:4). Living it out this week • Gather a small group to pray over every ministry. • Invite testimony next Sunday on how the Spirit led someone in everyday service. • Review one ministry and ask, “Where are we relying on human effort?” Replace it with prayerful dependence. By shifting confidence from flesh to Spirit, the church mirrors Philippians 3:3: a community that “worships by the Spirit of God and glories in Christ Jesus,” showcasing His power in every act of service. |
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