3 Truths From the Bible on Serving
by Jeff Cranston
(Third of a five-part series on the Core Values of LowCountry Community Church)
Serving others is at the heart of what it means to live a life aligned with God's purpose. God has uniquely created and gifted each of us, but these gifts are not just for our benefit. As the Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:10 (NASB), "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Our talents, skills, and passions are meant to be put to work, not for self-glory, but to fulfill the purpose God has designed for us—to serve others.
The Bible uses the word “ministry” to describe serving. While many associate ministry with pastors or church leaders, Scripture reveals that every believer is a minister. In 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB95), we read, "…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession." This means that ministry is not reserved for a select few; it is a calling for all believers. Ministry simply means using our God-given SHAPE—our Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences—to serve others in God's name.
Jesus Himself provided the perfect model of service. He said in Matthew 20:26b-28 (NASB95), "...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Jesus' life was characterized by service, and if we are to follow Him, our lives must reflect the same dedication to serving others.
1. Serving like Jesus means being available.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus was often interrupted, yet He always made time to help those in need. Whether it was healing the sick or feeding the hungry, Jesus showed us that being available to serve is crucial. We must be willing to let go of our own agendas and allow God to use us whenever and wherever He chooses.
2. Serving like Jesus means being grateful.
In everything Jesus did, He maintained an attitude of gratitude, recognizing that all good things come from the Father. A critical spirit or wrong motivations can hinder our ability to serve with a grateful heart. But when we serve with gratitude, miracles happen, and God's love is made evident through our actions.
3. Serving like Jesus means being faithful.
Jesus was faithful to His calling until the very end, accomplishing the work God had given Him. Likewise, we are called to serve faithfully throughout our lives. We may retire from our jobs, but we never retire from serving God. Every act of service, no matter how small, matters in God's kingdom.
As we reflect on our call to serve, let us remember that our greatest significance comes from serving others. Let us discover our SHAPE and use it to fulfill the unique purpose God has for each of us. In doing so, we will not only find fulfillment but also bring glory to God, as we serve Him by serving others.
Want to discover more about how God wired you? Take your free SHAPE Assessment here.
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Pastor Jeff Cranston is the Lead Pastor at LowCountry Community Church.