Improve Your Serve: “The Call to Serve

Text: 1 Peter 4:7-10

Having grown up in a small country church as a pastor’s son and an only child, I experienced a variety of opportunities to serve.

For me, my introduction to church life and service came at an early age out of necessity. Whatever needed to be done came my way, and I learned to step into serving opportunities.

Some of you can relate to my experience. You may not have been a pastor’s kid, but you began serving at a young age as you saw opportunities to help wherever needed.

The interesting thing as I reflect on my younger years is that my serving had more to do with what was needed rather than a “calling.”

I believe in God’s call on a person’s life, and we will talk about this in a moment. But once again, my start in serving was based solely on the need at hand.

Here’s what I learned . . .

God looks for availability more than ability.

Serving asks us to stretch beyond our comfort in order to meet a need.

Much of what is needed doesn’t depend on a special skill set.

As I served, God provided what was needed.

Little did I know at the time that God was training and developing me for my calling as an adult. What I thought was simply filling a need was in actuality the best “seminary” training someone could receive.

Later in my teenage years, I began to sense a “divine call” on my life. It was at this time that I started to preach and teach.

I was in my early teens, and to say the least, my start lacked much in professionalism and was in drastic need of growth; yet God used me just as I was as I continued to make myself available.

Now having served in pastoral ministry for 34 years, I have heard a variety of thoughts pertaining to serving.

“That’s not my gifting.”

“I don’t have time to serve.”

“I would love to serve but . . .”

These were followers of Jesus who had a genuine desire to please God, but there was a hinderance to them finding and filling their place of service.

In a sermon series of this nature it would be easy to think and say; “you just need someone to fill slots.” And the response to this is actually, “yes,” we do need people to fill slots.

But more importantly, we need you to find what God is asking you to do on behalf of His Kingdom, and step into that role.

It is my belief that the best way to grow spiritually is to serve.

Serving requires us to depend on God.

Serving will lead us into areas we are not equipped for.

Serving will teach me how to persevere.

Serving will join me with a community of believers, and we always grow more in community.

It is also my belief that when someone is not serving, the Body of Christ suffers.

Scripture speaks of the Body to illustrate the necessity of each part contributing it’s unique ability.

Without everyone involved, the Body lacks functionality.

A non-functional part of the body grows weakened and eventually dies from disuse.

It is my belief that we will never experience the fullness of life Jesus promises apart from serving in His Kingdom.

Think of the disciples Jesus called into service.

Think of the apostle Paul.

Think of the church fathers.

With each individual, the gospel of Jesus spread and the Father’s heart was delighted.

Let’s look at our theme verse for our series found in 1 Peter 4.

English Standard Version (Chapter 4)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The context of our text is found in the opening statement: “The end of all things is at hand.”

We are living in the last days. As such, there is a greater sense of urgency for each of us to discovery and embrace our divine calling of service.

Much more is at stake than our personal fulfillment; although that is important to the Father.

Lives of people who are far from Christ lie in the balance. They are depending on you and me to rightly step into the place of serving Jesus has called us to.

You may say, “but Pastor Bill, I’m not called to be a pastor.” As true as that may be, your calling is assigned to you by the Holy Spirit as much as anyone else, and until we receive the Spirit’s call with humble obedience, effectiveness and efficiency of the Body of Christ will be affected.

Let’s break our text down into it’s component parts . . .

“Be self-controlled and sober minded.”

Self-control finds its expression in two forms:

Self-control to become involved

Self-control to avoid over involvement

Believe it or not, but some of you are serving too much.

While some are serving yet, others are committed to more areas than is healthy.

My perspective is that each person should have 1 primary place where they serve.

For those who are not serving, the issue of self-control and sober mindedness comes into place for the sake of discovery and using the gift God has given.

As each person responds in obedience to God, every job is filled and the Kingdom of God progresses forward.

2. “Above all”

Keep loving one another.

It becomes unloving when I do not serve because it forces others to pick up the weight that was assigned to me.

The most loving contribution I can give is to step fully into the call Jesus has on my life.

3.“Each has received a gift”

Scripture tells us that everyone has a gift.

No one is excluded

Therefore, each one is required to use their gift

Your calling is both corporate and personal

Corporate in the sense of contributing to the Body of Christ

Personal in that it is God’s gift to you.

“Love covers a multitude of sins”

Serving is an expression of love that provides a covering.

We serve in a community of believers. As a result, “sin” will happen.

While serving, and when sin happens, we must learn how to cover each other in the love of Christ.

4.“Serve one another”

We serve both Jesus and one another.

When we serve, we do so as “unto the Lord and not men.”

When we serve, we also minister to Jesus by serving one another

Serving one another brings pleasure to God.

Serving one another follows the teaching of Jesus.

Serving one another brings wholeness and strength to the Body of Christ.

5.“That God may be glorified”

The heart motivation for serving

At times, our serving will be recognized.

At other times, our serving will be hidden.

Either way, our motivation remains the same: “that God may be glorified.”

Closing thoughts and actions . . .

Begin exploring your call to serve.

Start where there is a need and grow from there.

In the process of serving, you will discover where you are called to serve.

Serving will generate a greater sense of belonging in the community of believers.

Serving goes beyond duty to inspire a llife of purpose and joy.

Next week . . .

“Overcoming Barriers to Serve”

The barriers to serving may not be what you think.

Pick up your copy of today’s sermon reflection sheet as you leave.