Welcome my beautiful friend and thank you for joining us in this study.
For many years I struggled trying to understand the concept of "serving" God. I thought that by going to church, giving my tithes, engaging in church activities and even reading the Bible I was doing my part, I was serving God. Despite doing all these "Christian 101" activities, despite crossing all the items on my checklist, I felt I wasn't doing my part for God, I felt I was truly missing something. Day after day for many months I just struggled with my life as a christian asking myself if I was doing "enough" for God. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wondered whether you are serving God "the right way"? Whether what you do in your christian life will be 'enough'? If you have, you're not alone.
It wasn't until quite recently actually that I came to realize that serving God is actually quite simple. Furthermore, I realized that serving God is NOT a checklist of items named "things I must do to be good with God", but rather "things I can do to help further God's work". I came to this realization while, of course, reading the Bible, but more specifically by looking at the life of Jesus in this world. What did Jesus did above all else during His years of ministry?
Funny, right? Jesus served God by serving others. Our best work for God is when we work for others. As I study the Bible and even the prophecies in the book, I've come to realized that God is VERY VERY zealous of His image (should you want to talk about this more, please reach out!!!). God LOVES when others reflect His character because it helps others understand who God really is... on the other hand, he absolutely dislikes those who claim to be displaying God's character, but they're really not. Of course, needless to say, reading the Bible, going to church, participating in church activities are necessary components of a christian life because we enjoy fellowship, we learn more of God, we share in an environment with others who share our beliefs... but all these are meant to simply build-us up and prepare us to better SERVE. Jesus' life was one of service, what makes us think ours shouldn't?
"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” - Acts 20:35
I did mentioned that aside from serving, Jesus prayed... A LOT. Prayer is an absolute necessity for every single christian. How can we best serve God when we're not even talking to Him and asking for His guidance? Just as we talk to a friend or family member, we should talk to God. Unsure how to pray? Check out our post: "How should we pray and talk to God?".
Anyways, let's get back to the serving portion of Jesus' life. He served. Now that we have clarified that, the question that may follow is, "how can I serve others 'the right way'?"... well, God has left us the answer to that question in our life manual... the Bible. Let's take a look at some verses.
How to serve others?
#1: by helping those in need
"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." - Proverbs 19:17
#2: by reflecting God's character to others through our own
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
#3: by not being selfish
"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." - Phillipians 2:4
#4: by loving others...
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?..." - Matthew 5: 44-46
#5: by preaching God's gospel...
"...and Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
#6: simply... SERVING!
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take Youin, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ - Matthew 25:34-40
...and before closing, check out this VERY interesting verse (this is Jesus speaking):
"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant" - Matthew 23:11
In a world where the word "greatest" is associated with being served, Jesus said that the "greatest" is actually that who serves most. What kind of amazing revolutionary love is this?! Jesus is the "greatest" not necessarily because of all that He is... but because He served the most and made the ultimate sacrifice out of LOVE.
The law of God, which we as christians must observe, is a law of love. The first 4 commandments are love to God, the other 6 are about love to others. Love, in its purest essence, is all about serving. Doing things for others not because we'll get anything back or out of selfish interest, but because we love. Serving God is all about giving because He was, is, and forever will be a giver to all of His creation. We're to reflect that loving character of God to others. Want to serve God? Give! Give time, give money, give attention, give an ear to hear, give a shoulder to cry on, give the word of God to others... simply give.
Think about how amazing this world would be if God's character was in everyone and everyone just went out of their way to give? Now, you might think that this might be "too much"... well, God has given each and every one of us talents and we should give according to our talents and according to what we have to give. Serving God by serving is not and should not be a checklist, but something we do because we love and we can. Can't preach or serve others by sharing the message of love from God? Well, don't... serve in ways you CAN serve and ask God to give you the ability to serve more and use you however He can. Trust me, do this and your life will never be the same.
So... I just give, give, give...?
It is human nature to be selfish and think about ourselves. Is embedded in us to think about us. In full disclosure I once thought: "Well, if all I do is give... who gives to me?". So ignorant me. The Bible is clear, be a blessing to others... and God WILL bless YOU. I never forget a story about my mom told me...
My mom was driving on a dark road at night when she comes across a car on the side of the road and five guys around it apparently arguing what they were going to do; their car had broken down. Back then there was no cellphones or apps to call a tow truck. My mom, driving alone in the car felt scared to stop and help (do the math, night time, dark, one woman and 5 guys) BUT "something" (I now know it was God) inside her told her to stop and help them. With hesitation my mom turns around and stops to help them. The guys explained that they needed a ride to one of their homes to grab a tool they needed to repair the car. With anxiety but obedient to God she asks that only one of them comes and she takes him to the house and back to fix their car. The guys were very appreciative of the help and once they got their car on, my mom left. Two blocks later, my mom's tire bursts out of nowhere and in the middle of nowhere and who do you think stopped to help? The guys she had just helped...
I like to think that God knew she was getting a flat tire so he asked her to help and the blessing came around faster than she thought... God is full of blessings to give and often times our own selfishness and ignorance prevents Him from giving us those. God's blessings don't always come that fast, but they ALWAYS COME. Give... and God will give you. Simple as that. Now, remember, God loves a cheerful giver... so (1) never give when you don't really want to give (it defeats the point), and (2) never give with the intention of receiving.
Closing
Friend, God IS love and Jesus perfectly reflected this by living a life of giving. He will never ask more of us than what He knows you can give. You don't need to build a homeless shelter, but you can perhaps help fix the plumbing of your sick neighbor. You don't need to give money you don't have, but you can perhaps prepare a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the hungry guy sleeping in the street. Get it? When we serve others in the name of God, of Jesus, we're reflecting His character... and what better way to tell others who God is than by reflecting His love in ourselves?
To show the character of God is a VERY difficult task given our nature but hey, God say "ask and it shall be given"... why do you think he asks us to pray?
Until next one my friend!
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