THE DISCIPLINE OF SERVICE

Here are some key spiritual disciplines:

Meditation

Prayer

Fasting

Study

Simplicity

Solitude

Submission

Service

Confession

Worship

Guidance

Celebration

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Serving others in the name of Christ, whether within the church community or in the broader society, as an expression of God’s love.

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26, NKJV)

SOME TYPES OF SERVICE

The service of hiddenness

““Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1, NLT)

The service of small things

The service of protecting the reputation of others

The service of being served

The service of common respect

Missionaries understand the value of courtesy. They would not dare to blunder into some village demanding to be heard without first going through the appropriate rituals of introduction and acquaintanceship.

There is the service of hospitality.

1 Peter 4:9 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

The service of bearing the burdens of each other

The service of sharing the Word of life with each other

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS EXPECTED TO SERVE

Motivated by Obedience

“Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4, NLT)

Motivated by gratitude

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24, NLT)

Motivated by Gladness

Psalm 100:2 “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”

Motivated by Forgiveness, Not Guilt

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:6-8).

Motivated by Humility

Jesus was the perfect Servant. His greatness is seen in the lowliness He was willing to experience in order to serve the most basic needs of His twelve friends.

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.” (John 13:12, NIV)

““You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 13:13, NIV)

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14, NIV)

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15, NIV)

“Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:16, NIV)

Motivated by Love

Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS GIFTED TO SERVE

Spiritual Gifts

At the moment of salvation when the Holy Spirit comes to live within you, He brings a gift with Him.

1 Corinthians 12:4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

Serving Is Often Hard Work

Sometimes serving God and others is nothing less than hard work.