Serve!

In John 13 our Lord says, I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. God commends service. Our Lord sets us an example… of a good servant.

Service and serving occurs over 1600 times in the Bible. As soon as God made man he gave him a job to do: Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

If you are a good servant you will…
1. TAKE NOTICE
The Lord saw a need. It may have been just a little thing. But He saw it. It was something that needed doing. Do we see what needs doing?

Are we thoughtful about the interests of others – or just our own? Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Are you ready to serve? We are exhorted, “…to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1).

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Please the master
Honour the master
Obey the master
Follow the master
…Even in the little things, the insignificant things of life…

Let us also
2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
The Lord not only saw a need…
• He did something about it.
• He did not call another to do the task.
• He took the responsibility upon Himself.

Are we like Him? Do we have His mind?
• That we would not consider reputation or esteem of men?
• That we would shun our pride and position and take a humble place?

How is your attitude towards service? Do you serve as unto the Lord? Do we serve as Christ did, out of love and humility… He took it upon Himself…
Will you take responsibility?

One of the big things, I think, as a servant of God - is that we represent the master. We act on behalf of our master. We speak in His stead, in His place. We stand for Him, for His sake, on behalf of Him, as His ambassador.

It can be easy to get distracted by splinter issues. They are still issues. But it’s how we address them that matters. I try to have a Christ-like bias in what I do and say. I try to address things as he would do, as a shepherd would guide sheep, not harshly but gently.

Also, let’s…
3. TAKE ACTION
Our Lord took action - personally. He did not look around Him to find the servant of the home that had failed in his duty…

He laid aside His garments. He washed the disciples' feet. He served.

Some people remind us of blisters - they don’t show up until the work is done.

Work is honourable. Do you serve Him with quality and faithfulness; with your whole heart? Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Notice with our Lord, the humility of service. Let us not shy away from humble work - whether it be even doing the dishes, cleaning toilets, whatever... God commends Humility. True servants are those willing to undertake work which means menial duties: humble, lowly tasks.

Some people say I’m willing to be a servant, just don’t treat me like one. Yet, here is true greatness; as Christ, washing the disciples' feet. Be faithful. Don’t expect thanks. Just serve willingly. Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

A good servant is ready to serve, to obey. They are there for the will and work of their master. They do not live for their own wants - or according to their own timetable. What is important is what the master wants.

Do we follow the Master’s orders, and do His will? As God’s servants we are to serve willingly.

God calls the ordinary to serve Him… The Lord just wants a willing heart. He is at work in us… and through us…

Our master deserves our service. So - be a servant.

A Servant is one who dedicates himself to the service of another by his own choice. It is a repeated theme in the Bible:
• Joshua - Servant of Moses
• Elisha - Servant of Elijah
• Gehazi - Servant of Elishah
• Apostles - Servants of Christ

Our Lord served with the absolute commitment - of giving his very life… Are we committed to serving Him? Who we serve shows Who our master is. Our service to God is like an act of worship. It is due Him.

“Half the trouble with the church today was that the members thought that they were merely passengers on the Gospel ship instead of understanding that they constituted the crew”.

Be willing to serve. William Booth: The greatness of a man’s power is his measure of surrender.

Take action. Opportunity is now. “It is a solemn thing to say ‘Tomorrow’ when God says ‘Today’, because man’s tomorrow and God’s today never meet.”

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. Serve now.