Christian Growth Through Service

MEMORY VERSE: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45

ROMANS 12:1-13

WE HAVE in Jesus an outstanding example of service. The word “minister” means servant, or serve, and as our memory verse asserts, Jesus came into the world to serve, not to be served. He laid down his life in the service of others. His death provided redemption from death for the whole world of mankind. During the short period of his earthly ministry he was almost continually serving others, ministering to the people by his marvelous message of the Gospel, and easing their physical burdens by the healing and life-giving powers entrusted to him by his Heavenly Father.

Those who accept the invitation to follow in the footsteps of Jesus are likewise called to be servants, and their service, if they are faithful, also leads into death. Paul stated the invitation clearly—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (vs. 1) During the Jewish Age the priests of God presented animals in sacrifice, but we who, under Christ, are the priesthood of God during the present age, are invited to present our own bodies in sacrifice, and with the explanation that this is our reasonable service.—I Pet. 2:5,9

Generally speaking, the desire of those in the world is to be served by others; however, we are not to be conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is what is involved in Christian growth. Our minds are renewed through the study and practice of God’s Word. In the Word we learn the will of God. We learn that we are to be humble. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but to think soberly concerning the talents and the opportunities which the Lord has given us with which to serve him and his people.

Paul shows that not all of the Lord’s people are blessed with the same abilities to serve, but that each should be faithful in the use of whatever talents and privileges may be his. Some seek to be public servants of the Lord who are not really qualified for this position. They fail to recognize the joy that is experienced by those who serve faithfully in ways that are more obscure, some of which, in fact, are known only to the Lord.

Christian love should have a strong influence in connection with our opportunities of service. Paul wrote, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Finding our place of service, we should not be slothful in the business of serving the Lord, but should be fervent in spirit.

We should continue to rejoice in the hope set before us in the Gospel. We need the inspiration that this hope provides in order to remain faithful in the Lord’s service. We may not see great results from our service at the present time, but we know that the Lord is not now trying to convert the world, but merely selecting those from the world who, if they prove faithful, will be associated with Jesus in later causing the knowledge of his love and glory to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.

The service of the Lord is oft-times difficult. But we are to be patient in tribulation, submitting joyfully to all the fiery trials which the Lord, in his love, may permit to come upon us.

And we are to be “instant in prayer.” This means that we should take all things to the Lord in prayer. We are not to ask the Lord to make the way easy for us, but rather to give us the necessary strength to endure whatever trials his wisdom and love may determine to be the best for our Christian growth. Thus we will be able to continue on in his service.

QUESTIONS

In what ways was Jesus an example of faithful service?

What is meant by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice?

How are our minds renewed to know the will of God?

Should we seek high positions in God’s service?

How should love influence us in the Lord’s service?

What is the hope in which we rejoice?

Will the Lord’s service be all joy?

Why should a Christian pray?

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