We are all called to serve. God even calls Himself the Servant. God became flesh and died for our sins. Jesus served us in the greatest way possible. Jesus said He came to minister and not be ministered to.

• Matthew 20:28 New King James Version – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

But in order to obey God and serve people the way Jesus did, we need help.

• John 16:7-11 New King James Version – ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Some believers in Jesus have never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 19:1-2 New King James Version – And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit will let us know what is right and what is wrong. He will convict us of sin and give us power to resist temptation. The Holy Spirit causes us to walk in the fruit of His Spirit.

• Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The Holy Spirit will help us do the will of God, but we need to ask the Holy Spirit for help.

• Romans 8:13-14 New King James Version – For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

The Holy Spirit will help us…

1. Talk right
2. Do right
3. Go right and
4. Be a witness for Jesus

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no room for anything ungodly to get into our lives.

Sometimes we cause our own trouble through disobedience. This was the case with Jonah. God gave him an instruction that he didn’t like so Jonah decided to disobey. Jonah’s disobedience caused a storm that affected everyone on the ship he took away from God’s will. Jonah knew the storm was because of him and asked to be thrown overboard. As soon as the crew got Jonah off the boat, the see subsided.

Obeying God is required. Those who have a healthy fear of the Lord want to obey the Lord. When we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, we want to do right. When we have a problem obeying God, we need to tap into the “do right” ability of the Holy Spirit who always leads us to righteousness.

If we don’t choose what’s right, God will send correction. For Jonah that correction was in the form of a storm and a large fish. Unbelievers expect us to do what is right, even when they don’t. Unbelievers know that Christians are supposed to be Christlike.

• 3 John 1:11 New King James Version – Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Ask yourself: “What should I be doing concerning my relationship with God?” Jonah knew what he needed to do, so he repented. Sometimes we make decisions without seeking God. We must obey God’s instructions even when we don’t understand why.

• Jonah 1:9 & 12 New King James Version – ⁹ So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.…¹² And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.”

If we really love God, we will obey Him. God wants obedience without delay. Obedience is moving now–as soon as God gives the instruction.

• 1 John 5:2-3 New King James Version – ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

God honors obedience. When we step out in faith to obey God, He will strengthen us to do His will.

We are all supposed to be helpers. Families need help. Businesses need help. People need help. Churches needs help. But sometimes pride can get in the way of receiving help. Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for help. God wants us to help each other.

• Galatians 6:2 New King James Version – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ
•  Psalm 46:1-2 New King James Version – God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed,

If we really believe that God is our help, then why do we have a backup plan. What about making God the plan. God doesn’t need our help. Children don’t worry about how the parents will supply their needs. They just ask and expect their needs to be met. God wants us to do the same. He wants us to rely on Him as Father. He is our Protector and our Provider.

• Psalm 23:1-3 New King James Version – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

We need to know the voice of the Lord so we can receive instructions from the Lord that will help us navigate through life. But you must be willing to listen to others who God is sending to try to help you and give you advice.

• Proverbs 15:22 New King James Version – Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

When God gives us a promise, we must be willing to wait. God won’t change His timing to suit our needs. His timing is perfect. We can’t get ahead of God. God doesn’t always help us in the way we want Him to help or use the people we want Him to use.

We must be careful not to enter into pride. Pride wants us to reject God’s help and help from godly people. Pride can take us straight to hell if we are not careful. Pride is a killer. But as believers we have the key to defeating pride–humility. God always helps the humble.

• James 4:6 New King James Version – But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

God wants us to help each other. It’s our time to get up, step up and help others get up–and especially help people into the kingdom of God.