This month at Elevation we are talking about SERVING in all circles. We're drawing our conclusions, teaching, and conversations all out of the New Testament and how often it talks about SERVING. To me, I think perhaps that is a core theme of the New Testament. The Gospels are about Jesus' life; a life of service. "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to SERVE OTHERS and give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10; 45 Then the rest of the New Testament is about the disciples living a life of SERVICE to Christ & all mankind.
It's exciting when God gives vision and inspiration to see His plan start to come together. As we've been teaching and discussing how we can serve more inside and outside of our church buildings, it has begun to happen. At youth group, my YOUNGEST teens have been coming up and offering help in areas they've never offered. In our major ministries, adults are stepping out of the woodwork to do jobs we never knew they were gifted to do. And now together we will be going outside our church building to impact the community around us.
I believe God calls us to serve for many reasons.
1. It's an act of obedience. Jesus came and lived a life of complete selflessness, for the glory of God and for the good and salvation of mankind. He cared for others on every occasion presented to Him. He loved those who were hard to love. He had compassion. He has mercy. He was humble. Even the Son of God! was humble. He washed dirty mens' feet. And He died for the sins of ALL MEN WHO WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM!
2. It cares for others & points them to truth. Caring for others, helping someone in need, makes them feel good and supported in life. Jesus knew this simple truth because he was a human with the same feelings and needs. Therefore we, being human, know what its like to be helped or cared for. By helping someone in need we are extending an act of love and making someone else's life easier and more joyful. That's a good enough reason for me to serve others.
3. It fulfills us & leaves us with a greatest sense of purpose. This is the hidden reason God calls us to serve one another and to serve Him. Most people choose not to serve because of the extra work it requires of them, but what they may not know is that there is as much benefit for the one who does the serving as there is for the one receiving. On no occasion have I done something for someone else and regretted it. Almost always I receive encouragement BACK FROM the person I served, I receive praise and thanks from them, and I receive a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Serving benefits all involved. Serving nurtured our soul as much as the other. Serving brings joy to God who then looks down on us with gladness. Serving, you learn more about God, more about people and how HE cares for people, and more about yourself. Serving is our calling in life; it's what we were made for and it's what will bring the greatest joy to our life.
So the challenge to you is this; what opportunity do you have to serve others and serve God? how is God calling you to serve? how can you impact the world around you? what are you doing with your life for the benefit of God, others, and yourself all put together?
It's exciting when God gives vision and inspiration to see His plan start to come together. As we've been teaching and discussing how we can serve more inside and outside of our church buildings, it has begun to happen. At youth group, my YOUNGEST teens have been coming up and offering help in areas they've never offered. In our major ministries, adults are stepping out of the woodwork to do jobs we never knew they were gifted to do. And now together we will be going outside our church building to impact the community around us.
I believe God calls us to serve for many reasons.
1. It's an act of obedience. Jesus came and lived a life of complete selflessness, for the glory of God and for the good and salvation of mankind. He cared for others on every occasion presented to Him. He loved those who were hard to love. He had compassion. He has mercy. He was humble. Even the Son of God! was humble. He washed dirty mens' feet. And He died for the sins of ALL MEN WHO WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM!
2. It cares for others & points them to truth. Caring for others, helping someone in need, makes them feel good and supported in life. Jesus knew this simple truth because he was a human with the same feelings and needs. Therefore we, being human, know what its like to be helped or cared for. By helping someone in need we are extending an act of love and making someone else's life easier and more joyful. That's a good enough reason for me to serve others.
3. It fulfills us & leaves us with a greatest sense of purpose. This is the hidden reason God calls us to serve one another and to serve Him. Most people choose not to serve because of the extra work it requires of them, but what they may not know is that there is as much benefit for the one who does the serving as there is for the one receiving. On no occasion have I done something for someone else and regretted it. Almost always I receive encouragement BACK FROM the person I served, I receive praise and thanks from them, and I receive a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Serving benefits all involved. Serving nurtured our soul as much as the other. Serving brings joy to God who then looks down on us with gladness. Serving, you learn more about God, more about people and how HE cares for people, and more about yourself. Serving is our calling in life; it's what we were made for and it's what will bring the greatest joy to our life.
So the challenge to you is this; what opportunity do you have to serve others and serve God? how is God calling you to serve? how can you impact the world around you? what are you doing with your life for the benefit of God, others, and yourself all put together?
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