The Discipline of Service

I am getting a head start on posting for my sermon a little later today. There is just so much that can be said about serving God by serving others. The big question is, "who do you serve?"

 

When we serve others for personal gain, then we follow the way of the world. "I'll help you, but what's in it for me?" is the predominant mindset that we see everyday. Jesus taught against this many times. Most notably was in Matthew 6.

 

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

 

When I read these words, I think about so many times that I have been recognized for doing something for others. True, the attention did make me uncomfortable, but on deeper levels, I really liked it. Now don't misunderstand, recognizing people for good deeds isn't wrong. However, it is a dangerous thing for Christians to get comfortable with praise. We can become so enamored with the good feelings, that we begin to serve ourselves. No one can serve two masters.

 

When we made Christ lord of our lives, we willing entered his service. In order for us to reflect Christ, we must think as he thinks, pray as he prays, and live as he lives. Jesus is the servant of servants. He gained sustenance by doing the will of the Father. Even though it is tiring work, it is healthy work.

 

Last week, I read an article about Michael Phelps. It said that Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day! I come nowhere close to that amount, but I guess I can hold my own. I may eat a tenth of what Phelps does, but he and I will never be mistaken for identical twins. Why does Phelps look so trim when he eats so much? It is because he participates in healthy work. Phelps has a very intense training regimen which he practices every day. By exercising and swimming daily, he hones his body into an incredible, competitive instrument.

 

In the same way, we are to spiritually exercise our bodies. When we read the Bible, pray, meditate, and worship God, we are taking in loads of spiritual calories. Many of us have progressed from the milk to the meat of the word. If we do not combine service with our spiritual intake, then we will become fat, unhealthy Christians.

 

This week, I will post more. Specifically, I will share some practical suggestions for serving God by serving others.