June 21, 2026
OPENING
Ephesians 4:7 (NLT) — “He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.”
INFORMATION: Serving and Worshipping
Ephesians 4:2-7 (NLT) — “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.”
Three things we don’t want to miss:
1. Jesus Promises Fruit The branch has one job — stay connected to the vine — and when you do, fruit shows up naturally. John 15:5 (NLT) — “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. Serving From Connection Is Worship The difference between worship and obligation isn’t what you’re doing — it’s where it’s coming from. John 15:4 (NLT) — “A branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
3. Fruit Reveals What’s Happening Inside T4 — Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony — isn’t a measuring stick for commitment. It’s a window into connection. Matthew 7:16 (NLT) — “You can identify them by their fruit.”
INSPIRATION: When Serving Becomes Worship
Time
Ephesians 5:16 (NLT) “Make the most of every opportunity.”
Talent
Ephesians 4:7 (NLT) However, He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
Treasure
Luke 14:33 (NLT) “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”
Testimony
Revelation 12:11 (NLT) — “They have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.”
MOTIVATION: What Gets in the Way
Obstacle 1: “I serve, but it feels empty.” Empty serving is a connection problem, not a commitment problem — you don’t need to do more, you need to reconnect to the life source. John 10:10 (NLT) — “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Obstacle 2: “I don’t feel like I have enough to give.” God only asks for what He’s already placed in you — start where you are, give what you have, and trust the vine to produce the fruit. 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT) — “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.”
TRANSFORMATION: Let Your Life Be the Offering
Colossians 3:23 (NLT) — “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
THREE CALLS TO ACTION:
- Today — Identify which T feels most like obligation right now: Time, Talent, Treasure, or Testimony. That’s not a failure — it’s an invitation to bring that area back to Jesus.
- Daily — Before you give this week, take sixty seconds: Lord, this is Yours before it’s mine. Before you use your gift: God, use this for Your purposes. Before you share your story: Holy Spirit, open the door. Small posture shift. Everything changes.
- This week — Pray that God would reveal new ways to worship Him in your everyday giving.
Following Jesus, Sent On A Mission
The Community