What have you been created to do? Why did God put you here?
Pastor Troy Murphy tackled those questions during his message about serving on Sunday, June 17, at Community Church.
The idea of serving is a natural part of our Christian walk and can be contagious. Here are some key points from Troy’s message:
*When you’re invited to a backyard barbecue, usually the first question you ask is, "What can I bring?” Then when you arrive you usually ask: “Can I do anything” or “Can I help?” The same type of attitude should permeate the local church, which is first seen in Acts 2. People were willing to bring whatever they had (time, talent, treasure) and pitch in where help was needed.
*The local church is a place where attenders should hammer a stake in the ground and exercise the gift of serving. The local church is more about serving one another than benefiting from good programming, messages and music.
*Serving is not often planned or scheduled. We must be open to divine interruptions that will cost something. Serving is sacrificial.
*Serving is not having an attitude that you’re doing a favor for the less fortunate — it is not a feeling of superiority toward someone down on their luck.
*Serving is not a one-time ministry act. There should be no limit to our willingness to serve. We should possess a continual expression of service as opportunities are presented.
*Serving is not always easily spotted. We must slow our lives down enough to be able to recognize the needs around us. If you’re too busy you miss great opportunities right in front of you.
*Serving is not limited to a command from a single Bible verse. Scripture is filled with examples of how Christ followers are to serve others, with a prime example being the parable of the Good Samaritan.
*We learn about serving from the following Bible passages:
Matthew 20: 20-28
*We must be willing to let go of positions of authority and titles. We must follow Jesus’ example — he said he came not to be served but to serve to the point that he gave his life for others.
*Serving is our highest calling. We shouldn’t wait for some mysterious calling from God. As soon as you chose to follow Christ the phone has been ringing off the hook, and Jesus is on the other end of the line asking you to serve others. He simply says: Start to serve — dive in.
*We have opportunities to reflect the love of Christ by serving.
Ephesians 4: 11-13
*Serving is what we are equipped for. The expression of a mature Christian is not how much knowledge has been accumulated, but rather that you are serving. You learn more knowledge about Christ so that you are empowered to serve. That’s how the church becomes profoundly impactful, by reflecting the love of Christ.
*The early church in Acts was a learning center, a social center, a place of community. What hurts the local church is when we remove the idea we are serving one another — we think of the church as a building. But that’s not what the church is. It’s people equipping one another to serve one another.
*Serving is our top role in the church. What is most impactful is life on life serving. Servers often receive more than they give — they are blessed in ways they never realized.
1 Peter 4:10-11
*Don’t worry about what you have or don’t have as far as gifts. Just begin to serve as faithful stewards of God’s grace.
*Serving is what we do for others as a divine opportunity presents itself.
*Serving is how we bring glory to God. Bring what you can and do what you can in service to others. In doing that you will bring glory to God.
