Service or Serve-Us?
In this self-centered self-serving self-gratifying world system I'm suppossed to be different as a Christian. The love and power of God are suppossed to so change me that I come to the grand reality that life is not about me and my pleasure and my comfort and my happiness. Hmm? Three questions: 1) is this really practical, 2) is this how Christians live, and 3) is this really that great of a life?
1)Oh, it's all too practical. It's so practical that it's upsetting. See, I really am suppossed to honor fellow Christians. I really am suppossed to forgive people that hurt me. I really am suppossed to believe the best of a person. I really am suppossed to give my money and possessions to those in need. I really am to control my anger, my eating, and my spending. I really am to read my Bible, pray, and tell other people about Jesus. And so much more!
Is it practical? Oh yes! Too practical! But see, that's not really the question I'm asking. What I'm really asking is what's in it for me? Will it be comfortable, gratifying, or pleasurable to my flesh, ego, and so on? The answer is not always and most of the time no.
2) Unfortunately not too many Christians embrace a balanced biblical lifestyle. They're great on some points, but those points are few and usually have some connection to the pleasure of their flesh or ego, but for those few gems that you find they truely are a jewel for the Kingdom, beautiful and precious, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of anyone who is in contact with them.
Unfortunately most Christians have a Serve-Us mentality and attitude instead of a Service mentality/heart/attitude.
For this lack in the Body of Christ of selfless, loving, servant-hearted people, we the church must apologize and repent.
3) Few people are really qualified to answer on whether the lifestyle of Self-sacrifice, Self-denial, and service is really worth it all, but from those few we find the granite answer of absolutely YES!
What's the promise of a life of service and sacrifice? Just look at Jesus and the Apostles. All of them gave their lives to serve and sacrifice. Note the power of God being present and active in their lives! Note the miracles, signs, and wonders! Note the supernatural experiences with God and the devil! Note an adventurous, exciting, extraordinary life they lived! And Note that after the ultimate and greatest sacrifice came the ultimate and greatest demonstration of power and promise ever, Ressurrection power and promise!
So, is it worth it to do things God's way? Is it worth it to really live the Christian life of love, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and service? My answer is absolutely yes, but it's something you alone have to decide for you. We need to always remember, it's the action, not the knowledge, that makes the difference.
Ephesians 4:11-12 says that God's intention was for the 5 ministry offices to train/equip the Christians for the work of the ministry/service. It's always been God's plan for every Christian to serve the Lord, both in the family of God (the church) and in the world (among non-Christians), but to embrace this call and mission will require love and selflessness, because a selfish person will not want to sacrifice and work and deny personal gratification.
So the question I, and each one of us, must answer is what is our attitude and mentality toward God, the Church, and people in general, service or serve-us? Only one will lead to the abundant and fulfilling life Jesus said he came to give us. Only one is that narrow road Jesus said we should travel on, but few would find.
What do you choose? Service or Serve-Us?
1)Oh, it's all too practical. It's so practical that it's upsetting. See, I really am suppossed to honor fellow Christians. I really am suppossed to forgive people that hurt me. I really am suppossed to believe the best of a person. I really am suppossed to give my money and possessions to those in need. I really am to control my anger, my eating, and my spending. I really am to read my Bible, pray, and tell other people about Jesus. And so much more!
Is it practical? Oh yes! Too practical! But see, that's not really the question I'm asking. What I'm really asking is what's in it for me? Will it be comfortable, gratifying, or pleasurable to my flesh, ego, and so on? The answer is not always and most of the time no.
2) Unfortunately not too many Christians embrace a balanced biblical lifestyle. They're great on some points, but those points are few and usually have some connection to the pleasure of their flesh or ego, but for those few gems that you find they truely are a jewel for the Kingdom, beautiful and precious, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of anyone who is in contact with them.
Unfortunately most Christians have a Serve-Us mentality and attitude instead of a Service mentality/heart/attitude.
For this lack in the Body of Christ of selfless, loving, servant-hearted people, we the church must apologize and repent.
3) Few people are really qualified to answer on whether the lifestyle of Self-sacrifice, Self-denial, and service is really worth it all, but from those few we find the granite answer of absolutely YES!
What's the promise of a life of service and sacrifice? Just look at Jesus and the Apostles. All of them gave their lives to serve and sacrifice. Note the power of God being present and active in their lives! Note the miracles, signs, and wonders! Note the supernatural experiences with God and the devil! Note an adventurous, exciting, extraordinary life they lived! And Note that after the ultimate and greatest sacrifice came the ultimate and greatest demonstration of power and promise ever, Ressurrection power and promise!
So, is it worth it to do things God's way? Is it worth it to really live the Christian life of love, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and service? My answer is absolutely yes, but it's something you alone have to decide for you. We need to always remember, it's the action, not the knowledge, that makes the difference.
Ephesians 4:11-12 says that God's intention was for the 5 ministry offices to train/equip the Christians for the work of the ministry/service. It's always been God's plan for every Christian to serve the Lord, both in the family of God (the church) and in the world (among non-Christians), but to embrace this call and mission will require love and selflessness, because a selfish person will not want to sacrifice and work and deny personal gratification.
So the question I, and each one of us, must answer is what is our attitude and mentality toward God, the Church, and people in general, service or serve-us? Only one will lead to the abundant and fulfilling life Jesus said he came to give us. Only one is that narrow road Jesus said we should travel on, but few would find.
What do you choose? Service or Serve-Us?
posted by Pastor Mike @ 12:38 AM
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