Word of the Week - Serve

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45

It is much more blessed to give than to receive and to serve rather than be served.  This is really the essence of the Gospel that Jesus “Gave His all for us” to model what it looks like to be a follower of Christ.  As believers, we exist to serve others by showing God’s love in practical ways through meeting the needs within our communities, families and spheres of influence.  Simple acts of personal kindness can open hearts to the love of Jesus for both those being served and those serving.  The following are a few biblical principles of fostering a hear to Service.Service over Status – This is counter to our culture and the way of our world.  Our culture idolizes the rich, the powerful, the beautiful, and the athletic.  We make celebrities out of those who brazenly flaunt their immorality in reality TV shows.  The world claims it demeaning to lower our selves to serve others.  However, God’s Kingdom completely rejects the world’s measure for esteem, giving the greatest honor to the one who serves most.  The person who serves selflessly, lovingly, without complaint, and without seeking recognition is highly regarded in the Kingdom of God.   Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 Character over Convenience – There is no doubt that the Lord is more interested in building our character and faith than He is in making us happy and comfortable.  The bottom line is that if we desire to grow to our full potential in Christ through service it will require sacrifice.  “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”.  Romans 5:3-5We over Me – One of the most amazing blessings of the Christian life is fellowship among the believers is the fat that we are better together.  God set up the Church for synergy through the body of believers.  We are all part of the body and have a specific gift and role to play in God’s plan.  God’s Kingdom will not advance to its fullest without us all serving together as a body.  “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given one spirt to drink.  Even so the body is not made of one part but of many”. 1 Cor 12:12-14Serving others is Worship -  We win the Lord’s heart by loving Him through worship.  Serving others in the name if Jesus is one of the highest forms of worship to the Lord Jesus.  It is a way to tangibly love the Lord.  Especially when we serve the needy and less fortunate who could never repay us.  So serve others with all of your heart and do it with no strings attached in the name of Jesus and for this you will be blessed both now and for eternity.  “The King will reply.  “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did unto me”.  Matthew 25:40Let’s look for opportunities this week to Serve others in the name of Jesus.Have a great week,-Duane