8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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. (1 Peter 4:8 – 11)
We have now considered six Disciplines: Bible Study, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Fasting, worship, and fellowship. This week we will focus on Service and Stewardship, starting with Service.
Service is a wonderful discipline that can go terribly wrong if our focus is misplaced (e.g., focussing on self-glory versus glorifying God). Over the next three days we will discuss three concepts, which should help us with the right focus: 1) Seeking God’s Glory; 2) Seeing Things the Way Jesus Does; and 3) Sharing God’s Glory.
Seeking God’s Glory
Someone once said, “Service sounds like a great idea until you realize you have to serve people.” Serving people can quite a challenge. No wonder Paul says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” We referenced portions of the passage above last week during our discussion of fellowship. The passage is also very relevant to our discussion of service. Please read the entire passage above and consider the question below.
Question:
If we focus on seeking God’s glory, how will our perspective on serving others be impacted?
April 1, 2019 at 9:36 am
Jesus is THE perfect example of service and He did it from a place of humility and caring for others. He also showed us that service is not dehumanising. Each time He served (such as feeding of the 5,000, washing of the disciples’ feet), God’s name was glorified. If we adopt an attitude that everything we do is for God’s honour and glory, service would not become a chore. Granted, personalities may clash while in service, but we must keep our focus on giving God His glory. Once our attitude towards our Christian brothers change, we find it easier to serve those outside of the church.
However, we should guard against becoming puffed up in our service to others. Keep our eyes focused on giving God glory.
April 1, 2019 at 10:47 am
If we focus on God’s glory, we would serve with an unbiased heart. We wouldn’t pick and choose who we help. We wouldn’t only serve/help who we “like”, or people we think may be of benefit to us later. We would serve when it’s inconvenient, we would serve when we feel like it’s not appreciated, and we would serve with a smile on our face and a song in our heart. We would just serve, knowing that it’s God we are really serving. With this attitude, our service will be much more impactful.
April 1, 2019 at 11:47 am
Those two comments tell me exactly where to focus when Serving.
It is easy to serve impromtu for me but sometimes I gave found that I can grumble when I have to serve so will follow the suggestions.
Thanks.
April 1, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Be open honest, not grudgingly or waiting for recognition or reward. We can be secret givers of aid and angels for those we meet.
April 1, 2019 at 5:33 pm
For me the jump off point is whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). I have to have this verse at the forefront of my mind to do anything with any proper motive/intention otherwise the inner corruption may take over .
Therefore when I remember to adopt this approach I can then ask myself “What does the Lord require of me?” And the answer is usually clear.
April 2, 2019 at 3:46 am
I appreciate Ms. Ayanna’s response of asking “what does the Lord require of me?” Sometimes I’m unsure of how I can best serve and what my spiritual gifts are. Other times (our tense political climate comes to mind), I become very choosy with who I want to serve, or who I think “deserves” to be served. I know that this isn’t what God has in mind, but it’s hard. So I think I’ll start asking that question as a way to take a step back and listen to what God requires of me in these situations.
April 2, 2019 at 2:40 pm
I truly appreciate all the above comments and suggestions.
I have lately, been finding it real difficult to serve without grumbling because it seems everything i do just comes round to bite me or amount to nothing or is taken for granted. It truly is frustrating.
But with all this sound counsels, am sure i’ll serve better henceforth. Since am doing all things for God’s glory and not for human’s not notice or appreciate(though it’s nice but it’s not the ultimate)
Truly thankful