Christmas
series
Christ
Came to ServeMark 10:45
Mark 10:45 has always been one of my favorite verses. It reads, “For even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Jesus came to serve. Great leaders see themselves as servants, not
lords.
Typically, churches introduce new programs either on January, the start of the new year, or September, the start of the school year. For instance, we will begin a new Sunday evening service this coming January. Pastors do all they can to cajole, persuade, convince and win members to volunteer for service; after all, churches have vacancies that must be filled if ministries are to continue. In desperation, pastors may employ the guilt maneuver, making members feel guilty if they do not sign up. Some churches even hold a recruitment campaign to bring in new workers.
These methods are ineffective. Those who volunteer usually do so to please the pastor, to win the praise of others, or out of guilt. They do not last; they resign after the term is over, and a new campaign begins all over again.
One can serve in the church with a right or wrong motive. With the right motive, their service is authentic, they are joyful and continue their ministries. With the wrong motive, their service is inauthentic, they regret their decision, and resign shortly after.
True service is done out of a heart filled with gratitude and praise to God.A Heart Full of Gratitude
We serve the Lord and His church because of our gratitude to the One who forgave and saved us. Service to God is a natural response for what God has done for us. We cannot help but serve Him who gave His life for us. Psalm 116:12 says, “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?” For all God has done for us, we serve Him out of a heart overflowing with gratitude. If it comes from a heart filled with gratitude and thanks, one does not have to be asked to volunteer; he does so even before being asked.
A Heart Full of Worship
Service to God and His church is a form of worship. Paul exhorted Christians to “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Service is worship. There are four ways we can worship the Lord.
Praise. We worship God verbally with our mouths. Because of His goodness and grace we praise Him verbally.
Giving. Giving to God a portion of what He has given to us is another form of worship. Jews sacrificed a lamb without blemish. We too are to give sacrificially, for God will not accept our “blemished” sacrifices.
Evangelism. Sharing our faith is another form of worship. We who are redeemed must shared our faith that others too might be redeemed.
Service. Serving in a local church is another form of worship. Without workers a church could not minister. But service should be out of desire, not compulsion.
But in service two factors must be considered: spiritual gifts and passion. They must operate side-by-side.
Spiritual Gifts
Each believer has been given a spiritual gift which are to be used for the edification of the saints. These gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Peter 4:8-11. They may be divided into speaking, service and support gifts.
Speaking gifts. There are two speaking gifts: prophecy and teaching.
Service gifts. The service gifts include: administration, encouragement, evangelism, giving, helps, hospitality, mercy, shepherding and leadership.
Support gifts. The service gifts include: apostleship, discernment, faith, knowledge, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues and wisdom.
As we can see, there are many kinds of spiritual gifts. And according to 1 Corinthians 12:1 God wants us to know what our gifts are. This verse reads, “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” Furthermore, the apostle Paul exhorted believers with these words, “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Tim. 4:14). Believers are to use their gifts for service, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10).
Passion
What are we passionate about? It is easy to serve when you enjoy what you are doing. My wife loves gardening, so she enjoys planting flowers in our church. My son loves playing the drums; he plays it as a member of the worship team.
Even preachers have different passions. Billy Graham loves to win souls; he preaches salvation. James Dobson is a family counselor; he preaches about family. Joel Osteen is an encourager; he preaches uplifting sermons. A missionary friend of mine is passionate about Christ’s second coming; he preaches Christ’s return every chance he has.
Perhaps you have a deep passion to minister to the elderly, children, single mothers, or families of prisoners. Help in these ministries, or start one if none exist.
In conclusion, ascertain where your spiritual gifts and passion are and leverage them for God’s kingdom. Bill Hybels wrote that when a believer combines his gifts and passion the teaching will have more impact, hospitality will be warm, counseling will be wise, leadership will be strong, administration will be efficient, evangelism will be fruitful, and mercy will touch hearts.
When you use your gift and passion for service, you will have found your ministry and be happy. If you are not happy in your area of service, it may be because it is not within the realm of your gift and passion. There are unhappy pastors. While there may be other reasons for this, one might be that he does not possess the gift of preaching. His gift may be personal evangelism or discipleship. He would be more fulfilled if he served in these capacities instead.
Service with the right attitude worships God, blesses His church, benefits the one doing the serving, brings joy within, and improves society. Know your gift and serve with passion.
Typically, churches introduce new programs either on January, the start of the new year, or September, the start of the school year. For instance, we will begin a new Sunday evening service this coming January. Pastors do all they can to cajole, persuade, convince and win members to volunteer for service; after all, churches have vacancies that must be filled if ministries are to continue. In desperation, pastors may employ the guilt maneuver, making members feel guilty if they do not sign up. Some churches even hold a recruitment campaign to bring in new workers.
These methods are ineffective. Those who volunteer usually do so to please the pastor, to win the praise of others, or out of guilt. They do not last; they resign after the term is over, and a new campaign begins all over again.
One can serve in the church with a right or wrong motive. With the right motive, their service is authentic, they are joyful and continue their ministries. With the wrong motive, their service is inauthentic, they regret their decision, and resign shortly after.
True service is done out of a heart filled with gratitude and praise to God.A Heart Full of Gratitude
We serve the Lord and His church because of our gratitude to the One who forgave and saved us. Service to God is a natural response for what God has done for us. We cannot help but serve Him who gave His life for us. Psalm 116:12 says, “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?” For all God has done for us, we serve Him out of a heart overflowing with gratitude. If it comes from a heart filled with gratitude and thanks, one does not have to be asked to volunteer; he does so even before being asked.
A Heart Full of Worship
Service to God and His church is a form of worship. Paul exhorted Christians to “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Service is worship. There are four ways we can worship the Lord.
Praise. We worship God verbally with our mouths. Because of His goodness and grace we praise Him verbally.
Giving. Giving to God a portion of what He has given to us is another form of worship. Jews sacrificed a lamb without blemish. We too are to give sacrificially, for God will not accept our “blemished” sacrifices.
Evangelism. Sharing our faith is another form of worship. We who are redeemed must shared our faith that others too might be redeemed.
Service. Serving in a local church is another form of worship. Without workers a church could not minister. But service should be out of desire, not compulsion.
But in service two factors must be considered: spiritual gifts and passion. They must operate side-by-side.
Spiritual Gifts
Each believer has been given a spiritual gift which are to be used for the edification of the saints. These gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Peter 4:8-11. They may be divided into speaking, service and support gifts.
Speaking gifts. There are two speaking gifts: prophecy and teaching.
Service gifts. The service gifts include: administration, encouragement, evangelism, giving, helps, hospitality, mercy, shepherding and leadership.
Support gifts. The service gifts include: apostleship, discernment, faith, knowledge, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues and wisdom.
As we can see, there are many kinds of spiritual gifts. And according to 1 Corinthians 12:1 God wants us to know what our gifts are. This verse reads, “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” Furthermore, the apostle Paul exhorted believers with these words, “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Tim. 4:14). Believers are to use their gifts for service, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10).
Passion
What are we passionate about? It is easy to serve when you enjoy what you are doing. My wife loves gardening, so she enjoys planting flowers in our church. My son loves playing the drums; he plays it as a member of the worship team.
Even preachers have different passions. Billy Graham loves to win souls; he preaches salvation. James Dobson is a family counselor; he preaches about family. Joel Osteen is an encourager; he preaches uplifting sermons. A missionary friend of mine is passionate about Christ’s second coming; he preaches Christ’s return every chance he has.
Perhaps you have a deep passion to minister to the elderly, children, single mothers, or families of prisoners. Help in these ministries, or start one if none exist.
In conclusion, ascertain where your spiritual gifts and passion are and leverage them for God’s kingdom. Bill Hybels wrote that when a believer combines his gifts and passion the teaching will have more impact, hospitality will be warm, counseling will be wise, leadership will be strong, administration will be efficient, evangelism will be fruitful, and mercy will touch hearts.
When you use your gift and passion for service, you will have found your ministry and be happy. If you are not happy in your area of service, it may be because it is not within the realm of your gift and passion. There are unhappy pastors. While there may be other reasons for this, one might be that he does not possess the gift of preaching. His gift may be personal evangelism or discipleship. He would be more fulfilled if he served in these capacities instead.
Service with the right attitude worships God, blesses His church, benefits the one doing the serving, brings joy within, and improves society. Know your gift and serve with passion.
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