Are we willing to serve in the quiet, unnoticeable, and often unappreciated or unacknowledged ways? Here are five of them: Psalm 100:2 says, Serve the Lord with gladness! It also means that we should be joyful when we are serving others. By doing so, we are honoring God and following in the footsteps of Jesus who served us by giving up His life on the cross. Recently a young lady related her experience of working for a leader who served her. We are to come into his presence with praise and thanksgiving on our lips. In the New Testament, the word for servant that is most commonly used is the Greek word doulos, which means to bind. It also came to mean one who gives himself up to the will of another, and became the most common word for servant in general without any idea of bondage attached to it; basically, a willing slave. (Vines Expository Dictionary). The least among all of you is the greatest. Notice that the model is not the child, but the person who welcomes a child. Obviously, spending two hours in the evening after work was harder than picking up flowers on the way home. Their peers (and erstwhile friends) plotted countermoves to protect their own rights. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. The 13th chapter of the Bibles book of Romans instructs Christians that they are to honor those who serve them. 2:4 ). By giving of our time. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. We sacrifice our money to invest in a greater good. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. He cannot enjoy Gods full blessing. Living with integrity is to do what one knows is right, whether in public or in private. And an unforeseen benefit came from the sons response. As we promote and encourage them, we grow and mature in Christlikeness. 20:10). Service requires acting as if you are less important than you think you are. 1. You may just be surprised at the difference it makes in your own life. Everyone has been given unique talents and gifts. He explained that his organization was built on giving, not gettingon service rather than privilege. The Apostle Paul calls himself a bondslave of Jesus Christ (Rom. Her life was all planned out until she was greeted by an angel to inform her she would birth the Messiah her people had long-awaited. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; When we serve others from a heart of love, it shows that we are following Christs example and that we are living out our faith. Here are five of them: 1. Here are a few examples: Jesus washing his disciples' feet - In John 13:1-17, Jesus demonstrates the importance of serving others by washing his disciples' feet, even though he was their master and teacher. No Greater Love Than This: 5 Stories of True Biblical Sacrifice Christina Patterson Published: Apr 06, 2020 Throughout our lives, we will all be required to sacrifice something. Week to week, you create sermons to connect your church with God's Word and to disciple them to a closer relationship with Him. The chapter goes on to say that the purpose of government is to promote good and punish evil. We hear of an executive moving into a failing company and taking credit for turning it around through personal power and charisma. They certainly run counter to the contemporary prescriptions of dressing for success, winning through intimidation, and manipulating others to do what you want. When he became older and realized how badly his people were treated, he lashed out at an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew and killed him. 2) Focus on the needs of others, not your own. This is a powerful instruction, and one that we would do well to take to heart. Third, he could marry her anyway and be known as the fool who married the adulteress. We don't need any sophisticated training or particular skills. amzn_assoc_asins = "1594100233,0801068193,1629110027,1098071980"; Kingdom Bloggers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Leaders and Christians as a whole are to be models for others to imitate. The Christian holy book is the Bible. No Greater Love Than This: 5 Stories of True Biblical Sacrifice - iBelieve But it is possible to do these good things with improper motives. You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work. With this sort of goodness Jesus had no sympathy and denounced it as hypocrisy (Matthew 6:1-34; 23:27, 28). I have spent much of my life working with Christian educators. 5 Excellent Examples Of Christian Service In The Bible - Viral Believer In the first (Luke 9:46-50), Jesus disciples begin arguing who will be the greatest. 1. Moses sacrificed his comfort, his plans, and his desire. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-17). Lesson: Jesus Showed Us the Meaning of Service (Servanthood for Kids #1) In doing so, we can have a profound impact on their lives and help them to see Him in a new light. Follow their examples and seek holiness, both in front of others, and when no one else is looking. Although our friend is bright and competent, he violates Christs guidelines for leaders. You know the rest of the story. He believed in serving people; they wanted to use people. Come into his presence with singing! This is a call to serve the Lord with joy and enthusiasm. Or we read of corporate raiders who determine the fate of major corporations and thousands of workers as nonchalantly as we choose our brand of toothpaste. For young children, the thought of three guys going into fire and coming out unscathed is nothing short of epic. What is Christianity? - BBC Bitesize God used Marys willingness to sacrifice her life to bring salvation to the world. We live as lords of the Gentiles. Here is a wonderful list of faithful servants in the Bible. Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. Serving God in whatever form must be motivated by love. He was willing to serve God in whatever way he was asked, and did it with a humble and grateful heart. She holds her masters in Theology from Liberty University and is the founder of Beloved Women, a non-profit providing resources and community for women to truly know who they are in Christ: His Beloved. If we truly want to be servants of God, then we must understand and expect that it will come at a cost. 4) Be thankful. Not only had the father demonstrated neighborly love by serving, but his son caught the vision for reaching out to others. Many times in life, the authenticity of our servant heart will be evidenced simply by our hearts posture as we walk through trials. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; This doesnt mean that we should give money to every person who asks, but when the opportunity arises and we are able, giving financially to those in need is a great way to serve others.. We are showing that we value them as human beings, regardless of their circumstances or beliefs. We are to be a picture of reality, a proof that Jesus Christ saves and changes lives so we can become a powerful magnet that draws others to Christ. We should also be glad that we have the chance to help someone else. Finally, deciding that procrastination was ridiculous, I determined to do what I knew I should. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; It is only by the grace and provision of God that they were spared in the furnace. Serving may mean taking an interest in books, handicrafts, gardening, music, antique car restoration, sports, or some other avocation that isn't your favorite. We can practice it in the routines of life. Worship - liturgical and informal - Practices in Christianity - BBC And people know that you serve when teaching a Sunday school class is high on your priority list. ' (Matthew 22:36-39), 7. However, as Moses writes in Exodus, But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live (Ex. Further, a servant is first of all one who is under submission to another. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. By using our talents and gifts. I thought of what I could do to support her, to say "I love you," to serve her; but all my ideasdinner out, candy, flowersseemed easy for me to do. Acts 20:35ESV / 85 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful They knew how it felt to reach the end of the day too tired to sleep. Service is a defining trait of the Christian. But you won't survive in Christian service and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from our Lord without them. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks on being a Servant of God"; Just as Christ loves us unconditionally, we should try to do the same when serving others.. Abraham was willing to sacrifice what was most precious to him, his home, even his beloved son, to follow God and trust in His plans. Use and usefulness of the Bible - The Bible - BBC When we serve others, we are reminded of the importance of humility and selflessness. Do not withhold good (Proverbs 3:27) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. (Lk. This means serving where he directs. Instead, its something that we want to do because we care about the other person. What opportunities are there for Christian service outside of the He gave up His life for us, and that is the ultimate act of servanthood. Elaine and I have a friend who treats his wife like a hired hand. Christians are to help those in need, regardless of whether they are believers or not (James 2:15-17). He has served as an associate pastor, minister of education, and chairman of the Christian Education departments of Washington Bible College and Fort Wayne Bible College, where he subsequently served as academic vice pre More. Yes. Again, he commanded them to bow and worship him. When we serve others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus, who was the ultimate servant. This is an important commandment for Christians, as it helps us to see beyond ourselves and our own needs. But they were good workers, and their father came to rely upon his sons to maintain and develop the family business. When we serve others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He gave Himself as a ransom for us, so we could become all He planned for us to be. Its interesting that the first two descriptors of love in this chapter is that love is patient and love is kind. The rest of the chapter describes what love looks like in action, but only these two words are used to define what love is. He expects us to seek ways to promote and elevate othersnot to fight, scratch, and claw for our own rights. Probably the most well-known of these examples is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. Can Christians Speak Things into Existence? Go out of your way to show tenderness and compassion in times of family illness or death. Image by amzn_assoc_linkid = "1a9cca6b6dd8e39e9dc5a83f7c74e29f"; Read our full disclosure here. When you attend a Christian wedding, you assume that you will hear the verses from 1 Corinthians, when Paul describes what love is. Loving without condition is risky. However, there are other practices that may happen only once in a. The Bible is full of examples of Christians serving others. - God Bless Greg & Darlene, Jesus Leadership Training 13854 Nantucket Ave Pickerington, Ohio, 43147 740-400-1230 ggaines1@insight.rr.com, https://www.facebook.com/Jesusleadershiptraining, List of Bible Verses about Various Spiritual Topics, Unlocking the Mysteries: 21 Biblical Differences Between Man, 11 Scriptures about Service to Others | Serving | PDF |, Understanding the Biblical Meaning of Hearing Knocking: A, God: The Biggest Difference Between Catholic and Christian |, 27 Bible Verse about Healthy Eating (2023) | Health | PDF, 29 Purpose Filled Most Encouraging Verses in the Bible |, What's the Difference Between Jealousy and Envious | Envy |, What Does the Bible say about Gender Roles | Scripture |, What Does the Bible Say Not to Do on the Sabbath | God | PDF, What Bible do Catholics Use | Catholic Bible | PDF | Quiz |, The Top 9 Spiritual Fruit Mentioned in the Bible | Love | Spirit | PDF, What Did Jesus Look Like | Jesus Description in the Bible | Appearance |PDF. He was patient and methodical; they were anxious and impetuous. And these executives serve God through the routine of corporate life. Not only did He sacrifice His life on the cross, but He also made many sacrifices during His life. But their plot could not be concealed for long, and when the news leaked out the brothers were ostracized. Sometimes serving can be difficult or frustrating. He gave up His life so that we could have eternal life. It was a hard lesson to learn because it ran so counter to the prevailing culture. By looking at the lives of Job, the Hebrew midwives, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Joseph, one can see how one can live with integrity despite various forms of persecution. And be thankful. When we have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, it will be evident in our attitudes and actions as we serve others. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Kristi Linton, He said, Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. Paul says (1:18), "This command .." When we serve others with patience and understanding, we are reflecting the love of Christ. 8 Encouraging Verses of Scripture About Helping Others, 23 Sobering Bible Verses for Alcohol Addiction, 31 Inspiring Bible Verses for the Elderly, 8 Important Bible Veres About Forgiving Others Who Hurt You. 5. We sacrifice time to build relationships that are important to us. This verse is a good companion for Jesus' call to do for others what you would want them to do for you (Luke 6:31). Unfortunately, the manufacturer had discontinued that model, so I had to modify whatever parts I could get. Even an occasional word of thanks or encouragement to a boss can serve Christ. (John 15:13 ESV). They refused to renounce their faith in Yahweh, and they willingly gave their own lives to show faithfulness to God. Christina Patterson is a wife and stay-at-home mom with a passion to encourage women in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of Gods Word. Without the integrity of the Hebrew midwives, Moses, the leader of Israel, may have been killed at birth! Imagine his surprise when God asked him to sacrifice that same son. It can be a tangible expression of Gods love and care for them. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "kfox1973-20"; March 15, 2018 Christian Must Be Moral and Portray a Good Example Passage: Philippians 4 Christians are required to be honest in their relationship with God; they must be godly role models that are suitable for other people to emulate. 6 inspiring Christian missionaries who gave up everything for Christ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. Maybe it looks like making sure the garbage gets taken out, or the songbooks get put away. "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. We do need a willingness to obey Christ, to allow His Spirit to serve others through us. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). But it does mean that we respect them and treat them with dignity. Christ, the Chief Servant. Job is one of a few people in Scripture who is described as blameless. They refuse to give in to his pressure, and they willingly enter into the fiery furnace, without any shows of doubt or hesitation. When he arrived home he was overwhelmed by this expression of love by an acquaintance. When she finally got her car, he went out of his way to lead her through city traffic to her motel. Neither she nor one of the executives realized that they had been scheduled on the same flight, and both were surprised when they met near the baggage claim area. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; (Genesis 22:2-3 ESV). Try to be patient and kind even when it is hard. But I had a problem. (Job 1-42), Samuel was quick to answer Gods call, presenting himself as a willing servant at the mention of his name. Spiritual Growth What does it mean to be a faithful servant of God? Yes, many times serving God will involve actual work, but if the work is not prompted by the Spirit and carried out in true love and humility, it is merely an empty task of vainglory. Many focus on outward obedience, yet when one is all alone, it becomes easy to commit secret sins, ultimately developing into a whole secret life. May God bless us as we strive to serve one another with love and humility. Finally, we should remember that even though we may make mistakes, serving with love is still the most important thing. What were their names? Jesus offers us the greatest sacrifice of all. Used under license from Veer Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. The Christian holy book is the Bible. God uses the mentoring relationship to strengthen the faith of everyone involved. In addition to his earned doctorate, he has many other credentials and his name is recognized worldwide. Through Adam and Eve, the first stewards, man is also . Then I remembered one genuine, ongoing frustration in Elaines life: our vacuum cleaner. Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? A servant of the Lord is someone who obeys the Lord. Most of us have stereotyped images of business executives who wield great power ruthlessly. Abraham obeyed God, even when it didnt make sense. And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of God. Jesus sacrificed His divine privileged to walk this earth as a fragile human like us, to live a perfect life that He would then sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and the redemption of our souls. Are we willing to serve where help is needed, and just only where we prefer or feel comfortable? He gave up His life so that we could have eternal life. It is vital to have examples of integrity who we can follow and imitate. 15 Ways to Serve God Through Serving Others - Learn Religions Understandable? While it can be easy to do the right things and say the right things in front of others, it becomes very difficult to do the same when one is all alone. 1:17). True humility is not thinking less of ourselves than others, its simply not considering ourselves at all. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org. And he did it by choice. When we serve others, we should do so with the same love and selflessness that Christ showed us. Later, this young lady related to me that she observed servant leadership in action. He was strong, wealthy, and had a thriving family. While many people placed demands on Jesus, He always chose to do what was best for them. A Biblical Approach to Christian Service - LetterPile