Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
The Handbook of Bible Application
SERVING (Assisting, Helping, Sacrificing)
In what ways is serving others a key part of the Christian life?
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 2:1-11
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 2:11, niv)
Serving others is one way of serving God. Samuel “ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.” In other words, Samuel was Eli’s helper, or assistant. In this role, Samuel’s responsibilities would have included opening the tabernacle doors each morning (3:15), cleaning the furniture, and sweeping the floors. As he grew older, Samuel would have assisted Eli in offering sacrifices. The fact that he was wearing a linen ephod (a garment worn only by priests) shows that he was a priest-in-training (2:18). Because Samuel was Eli’s helper, he was God’s helper too. When you serve others—even in carrying out ordinary tasks—you are serving God. Every job has dignity because ultimately, the one we serve is God.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:1-12
KEY BIBLE VERSE: One day as the crowds were gathering, he went up the hillside with his disciples and sat down and taught them there. “Humble men are very fortunate!” he told them, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” (Matthew 5:1-3, tlb)
Serving others is a distinguishing mark of Christians in the world. Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God’s way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help where others have abused. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 20:20-34
KEY BIBLE VERSE: But Jesus called them together and said, “Among the heathen, kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-26, tlb)
By serving others, those in God’s kingdom turn the world’s values upside down. The other disciples were upset with James and John for trying to grab the top positions. All the disciples wanted to be the greatest (18:1), but Jesus taught them that the greatest person in God’s kingdom is the servant of all. Authority is given not for self-importance, ambition, or respect, but for useful service to God and his creation.
Serving others is real leadership. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and realize that they’re not above any job. If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant.
BIBLE READING: Romans 7:1-6
KEY BIBLE VERSE: But now you need no longer worry about the Jewish laws and customs because you “died” while in their captivity, and now you can really serve God; not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way, [with all of your hearts and minds]. (Romans 7:6, tlb)
Serving others is a Christian’s best way to become more like Christ. Some people try to earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules (obeying the Ten Commandments, attending church faithfully, or doing good deeds), but all they earn for their efforts is frustration and discouragement. However, because of Christ’s sacrifice, the way to God is already open, and we can become his children simply by putting our faith in him. No longer trying to reach God by keeping rules, we can become more and more like Jesus as we live with him day by day. Let the Holy Spirit turn your eyes away from your own performance and toward Jesus. He will free you to serve him out of love and gratitude. This is living “in the new way” of the Spirit.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged | 
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
