Service and Serving

By Pastor Walt Scott, March, 2012

Much has been spoken about Service and serving in and outside of the church and especially in the Bible; and we all know that the Bible is God speaking. We, as Christians, know and understand that we need to serve God in some capacity. So, why don’t we do that? It really doesn't matter whether we serve inside or outside the church, (for example, the community) as long as it honors God, and the Body of Christ which is the worldwide church. Service is critical to maintaining our belief and faith and, most important, to fulfilling our obligation to Jesus Christ’s commission to go into the world and spread the Good News. Also important is the legacy we leave behind, and the questions we will face as we stand before God.

James 2:26—As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Romans 12:6,7,8,11--6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Ephesians 4:11-16--11 

So Christ himself gave some to be apostles, some to be the prophets, some to be the evangelists, some to be the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

1 Peter 5:2-3

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 

Matthew 20:25-28—(In relation to the mother of the sons of Zebedee)

Jesus called them (the disciples) together and said, “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 27 And whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served by to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

It seems to me, in my opinion, that there are three different types of service. First, the type that, driven by our conscience, we feel compelled to do because of our fear of not qualifying to enter Heaven. Even though we have read and know the Bible verses that state that works alone will not allow us to enter the Kingdom. 

Ephesians 2:8-10--8 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(These we do because of a sense of obligation which I will call fear-centered or fear-based.)

1 Corinthians 12:4-6-- 4

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 

The second type of service is very self-serving, because we are only (or predominantly) concerned about how we appear to family, friends, community and church. We want to appear to others as good Christians, but in reality we are more concerned about the status, position, influence or power that it brings us in our various daily life relationships or transactions. These Christians tend to be judgmental and self-centered. I will call them self-promoting.

I Samuel 2:3—(Hannah prayed)

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed.”

Psalm 2:11--11

Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

Third is the service that is performed by us because of our love of God, Jesus, Church and our brothers and sisters. When we are still and listen, we can hear and feel the Holy Spirit communicating with us. Leading and guiding us with love, hope, peace, and the joy of fellowship. With this as our inspiration, serving is all part of a willing, loving relationship. Fear and self-promotion has no place in that. I call this relationship-centered.

Obviously the most beneficial to us and satisfying to God is relationship-centered service. God needs to be our center and focus. That is when He can provide for us, lead us, and we can receive His grace.

1 Corinthians 3:8-9--8

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

John 12:26--26

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

2 Timothy 2:15--15

 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

Colossians 3:23-25

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 

Ephesians 6:7-8

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 

I Peter 2:12

Live such good lives among pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Timothy 3:13

13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 

Saying “no” is easy. Saying “yes” is hard and forces you to step out of your comfort zone. What leads us to continually say no when we are asked to serve in some capacity in our church? This question also applies to the times the Spirit is speaking to us and only we can hear or sense it. Is it fear of inadequacy, failure, commitment, etc? Fear is a powerful tool of the enemy, as are those others listed. Stand up to it, fight it, speak it out of existence. Nothing is more powerful than God, and if allowed, He will overcome all obstacles for you. Believe, trust, and have faith. God would not put in you the desire or thought of serving if He did not feel you were ultimately qualified. Some training may be required, but what is most important is your initiative and willingness. Listen, ask for and accept help when needed. Most importantly, accept direction and be on the same page as your Pastor and church authority. A vision for yourself and your place in the world and your church is an absolute necessity if you are to remain on the path God has chosen for you. The Holy Spirit will guide you if allowed. Listen, be patient, trust and then act.

Hebrews 6:10-12

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. 

2 Corinthians 9:12-15

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Final note: Elie Wiesel, survivor of Auschwitz and Buchenwald Nazi death camps wrote a book titled “Night”. He says “We know that every moment is a moment of grace, every hour an offering; not to share them would mean to betray them.”