Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

Albert Einstein

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence

…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence


Your LIFE was meant to be given away.

Your LIBERTY was meant to be used for others.

Your PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS is best found in service to the Creator.

10 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.

John 10:9-11; 17-18

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Matthew 16:24-26

WHEN LOVE MOTIVATES YOU:
#1: Your CHOICES will be determined before the opportunity presents itself (Jn. 10:11).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11).

WHEN LOVE MOTIVATES YOU:
#2: Your ACTIONS will reveal a willingness to sacrifice your wants for other’s needs (1 Jn. 3:16-17).

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (1 Jn. 3:16)

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him (1 Jn. 3:17)

WHEN LOVE MOTIVATES YOU:
#3: Your ATTITUDE will reveal that giving of yourself is a privilege not a burden (Heb 12:2).

…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame (Heb. 12:2, NLT).

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Matthew 16:24-26

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot, martyred missionary

WHEN LOVE MOTIVATES YOU:
#1: Your CHOICES will be determined before the opportunity presents itself (Jn. 10:11).
#2: Your ACTIONS will reveal a willingness to sacrifice your wants for other’s needs (1 Jn. 3:16-17).
#3: Your ATTITUDE will reveal that giving of yourself is a privilege not a burden (Heb 12:2).

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Galatians 5:13-15, NLT

A person can be tempted to view freedom in Christ as a selfish opportunity for the flesh, in other words, an opportunity to do whatever one wants to do. But Paul points out that true Christian liberty is the freedom to serve one another in love.

The Nelson Study Bible

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)

In a first-world country, freedoms expand because of collaboration of time and wealth.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

When you begin to see your LIFE as a gift to be given away and your LIBERTY as a means of serving others, your PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS will change. You will find your greatest joy in serving the Creator by serving others.

“Our desires are not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

C.S. Lewis

Job 22:24-26, NLT
24 If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, 25 the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver! 26 “Then you will take delight in the Almighty and look up to God.

Matthew 5:31-33
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE TO
FURTHER DEVELOP KINGDOM VALUES:
•Your LIFE was meant to be given away.
•Your LIBERTY was meant to be used for others.
•Your PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS is best found in service to the Creator (loving God and loving others).