To Be Like Jesus, We Must Serve
Matthew 20:26-28 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Serving Is Important To Grow The Church
In Acts 2:45-47, we see the important place of good deeds or works of service in the life and growth of the church. This passage reminds us that if we want to change a life or community, it begins with love and kindness expressed in good deeds.
It begins with doing Good Deeds
"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” People’s needs were being met by the early church. Ephesians 2:10 says why we were created. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When we begin to live out our purpose on earth of doing good works, it begins to soften people and prepare their hearts to hear the good news of Jesus.
Good deeds produce Good Will
“…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” People took notice of the good deeds. The good deeds helped people see that the church was a positive influence on the community. You may have heard that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Jesus reminds us of that in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Peter reiterates that in his short book near the end of the Bible. 1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Our good deeds will create the good will that will help us be able to share the good news.
Good will opens the door for Good News
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Good deeds create good will that gives us the relational equity to tell people about Jesus. Throughout the book of Acts, we see people doing good deeds and the church growing. Listen to what Jesus told us in John 13:34-35. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Our love expressed in good deeds begins to loosen the hard soil of people’s hearts.
Serving Is Important To Make The Church Strong
Ephesians 4:11-13 shows us the many benefits of serving Christ and doing works of service.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service…” The church leader's job is to equip people for service. This passage tells us that these works of service are at the heart of maturity in Christ and discipleship.
“…so that the body of Christ may be built up…” Through service, the body of Christ, or the church, is built up and gets stronger. Works of service is the exercise that builds the body of Christ.
“...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God…” We all know that unity is important. One of the things we know is that people who are serving have less time to argue and complain.
“...and become mature…” Maturity is a by-product of serving.
“..attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” The ultimate goal is to be Christ-like. If Christ came to serve, then we will need to be servants to be Christ-like.
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