Faithful in Serving I want to point out a few things about Jesus’ serving. Above all else, He served faithfully. The concept of faithfulness is mentioned 82 times in Scripture, mainly by Jesus and Paul. In fact, when we stand before Jesus Christ someday we will be told, “Well done, good, and faithful servant.” That’s the Suma Cum Laude of a compliment from Jesus Christ. Faithfulness is a pretty simple concept: Constant in the performance of duty. If you’re faithful in service, you don’t give up. You just keep on doing the things God called you to do. 1 Corinthians 4:2 is the New Testament classic passage on this: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Faithful serving is required. The discipline of service includes serving even when my schedule is full. Look at Jesus’ example of faithful serving in John 13:1. The Passover was the high point in the Jewish calendar. Think Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all rolled into one. A very busy time. Now, six times in the gospels, Jesus had said His time had not yet come, but John 13:1 says, “When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father.” His time had come. He is about to go to the cross, and suffer as an atoning sacrifice for sin! And it’s Passover. How many people would give Jesus a hall pass if He said, “You know, I’d try to take care of you all, but I’ve got to focus on My own program and needs right now. I’ll be in touch.” Now that would make sense, right? He didn’t do that, did He? No. Here’s the point: Authentic serving is serving even when my schedule is full, even when I’m the busiest, or when I have the greatest demands on me. Realizing that the only reason we where born into this earth is to fulfill a service to God. A service to which he owes us nothing in return because He already gave the best thing He had. Lets get serious here Christians. It is our command, did you get that? COMMAND to serve! One of the most important things to consider is our motive for why we serve. We must see our service as our obligation to Jesus Christ. Read Luke 17:9-10. Do you see the word duty? Duty means obligation, or what can be reasonably expected. Jesus is saying in effect here, when you serve, all you are doing is your duty. No extra credit in sight, whatever we do. You may already do so much for the Lord. Don’t ever let yourself develop the idea you’re some kind of elite Christian because you serve. You’re doing your job. Don’t let yourself develop the expectation, People need to acknowledge me. People need to appreciate me. I do a lot. You are doing your duty! That’s all you’re doing. You’re just performing your job. Now I’m going to make this just as focused as I can make it. Here it is: You are commanded to serve. Commanded. And if I could be a messenger on behalf of Jesus Christ, He commands you to serve. Don’t pray about it. Don’t be thinking, Well, sometimes we serve in the summer. What?! This is your 24/7/365 card-carrying-follower-of-Jesus-Christ-member-of-the-family-of-God-duty. Duty! All right? Find a job. Roll up your sleeves and serve!
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 15:31:10 +0000
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