Understanding Serving God.
What’s the difference between serving and working? Is it that we are paid to work and we serve without reward? When a company surveys it’s customers to evaluate their levels or service, they’re not trying to find out if the job was done, but rather how the job was performed. It seems we can get the job done without serving. Serving implies working for a higher purpose than merely completing the work for payment. When we encounter good service it feels like people have gone above and beyond what’s required - why would anyone go above and beyond what is required?
Scripture tells us that to serve is to do everything as if we’re doing it for God. Remembering what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, and knowing how wonderful He is, should motivate us to go above and beyond in everything we do, in order to show others how great God is.
Scripture
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Bible Study Questions
What kind of behaviour is evidence that we are God's flock and that He has saved us by His grace and our faith in Jesus Christ? (Matthew 25:35-36).
God blesses His Church with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28). What is the purpose of these gifts? (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
What model of leadership does Jesus demonstrate and call us to? (Matthew 20:25-28)
The Lord Jesus has given us the Scriptures and the servants of God, to teach and guide us into building up the Church. How are we to build the Church up? (Ephesians 4:16)
The Church is called to preach the Gospel and to make disciples. That means telling people about the love of God, sharing that love with them and leading them towards a relationship with Him. How does serving help us do that? (Matthew 5:16).
2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that we who belong to God through faith in Jesus are constantly being transformed. Who is the model for our transformation, who is God making us like?
Is the work we do for God limited to Sundays? What kind of work can we use for the Glory of God, for making us more like Jesus and for preaching the Gospel and making disciples? Colossians 3:23-24
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You that Jesus came to serve rather than to be served. Thank You that with all Your power and glory You taught us humble service and the incredible power of love. Please forgive our hard hearts, and help us to love like You have loved us. Thank You Father that You first loved us. Please strengthen us to honour You by the way we go above and beyond in the way we love and serve each other. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship
There are so many opportunities
We can find each day
To help those all around us
Through the things we do and say
To shine our lights for all to see
So everyone will know
That we share the love of Jesus everywhere we go
So use your gifts live your faith
Share Jesus where you are
Serve those who are around you
Be Jesus' shining star
True joy comes when we serve so this is what I pray
Be the hands and feet of Jesus in what you do today
Service
Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us that our daily work can be used to serve God and bring others to Him. It may help, as we start our day in prayer, to ask God to help us keep this in mind. We all have many opportunities to treat people better than we are expected to - and ask God to use that to draw their attention to Him.