I. What is Service?

A. Service is not:

1. About Self Gratification

Philippians 2:2-4 (KJV)
² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2. About Social-Impact

James 1:22-27 (KJV)
²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
²³ For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. ²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

3. About Being Active

Romans 10:1-4 (KJV)
¹ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. ² For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

B. Service is:

Service is about building up God’s kingdom through helping whoever and whatever for God’s glory. The notion of serving must be understood in the light of God and his program versus a focus on people and things.

Note: Some people regard leadership primarily as the art of getting results. Great leaders, they say, are those who get the job done. It matters very little how they operate, as long as they achieve their goals. But when we examine the great leaders of Scriptures, we find that they not only accomplish much, but serve people in the process.

II. How should we serve?

A. Selflessly

Luke 22:23-30 (KJV)
²⁴ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵ And he said unto them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
²⁶ But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷ For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸ Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹ And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰ That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

B. Sacrificially

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
¹  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
²  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

III. Why is Service Important?

A. Glorification of God

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (KJV)
³¹ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. ³² Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: ³³ Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

B. Evangelization of the lost

Acts 1:6-8 (KJV)
⁶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? ⁷And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

C. Edification of the Saints

Galatians 5:13-15 (KJV)
¹³ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

IV. Spiritual Disciplines for Service

• A. Obedience
• B. Gratitude
• C. Gladness
• D. Forgiveness, Not Guilt
• E. Humility
• F. Love

V. What is the purpose of changing our priorities to accomplish tasks that God could honestly do better and more quickly without us?

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter makes it clear that we have received our gifts from God for two purposes: to serve others & to bring praise to God. Serving God isn’t about us receiving attention or glory; it is for Him to receive glory.

. How does God Receive Glory When we Serve?

The transforming power of Jesus Christ is on display in the lives of those who have traded selfishness for selflessness. Peter says believers should recognize that we are speaking and serving directly on behalf of God to others, while he gives the ability and strength for us to do so. And when we direct glory towards him instead of accepting it for ourselves, we stand out from the crowd of those who glorify only themselves. And that difference in our lives causes people to examine the life- changing nature of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It validates our faith in front of others.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is; His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Paul’s point is that for those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, it only makes sense to honor him. Giving ourselves to God is our spiritual act of worship. It is only reasonable that we would serve the God who has provided the greatest service of all: salvation from sin and self and eternal life with him in heaven.

by gotquestions.org