Shively Christian Church

Okay, so we've been in this series on service "Making Waves" for the month of June. Some people seem like they were born to serve, don't they? They walk into a room, see a need and start working. They don't let any moss grow on their backs, it's go, go, go for them. And while some may look at their example and be encouraged, there are others who see them and are glad that someone else is doing all the work.

 

Service to God is born out of our love for Him. There aren't supposed to be any ulterior motives, no behind the scenes scheming, no "serve so i can earn" type motivations. Our service ot God is supposed to be purely from our love for Him. And that alone lets us know if what we are doing is service for Him, or simply self serving.

 

If what we do passes the test of selflessness, if it is focused on someone else benefiting, if it points other people toward God, then what we are doing is right and proper. If we serve and look out of the corner of our eyes to make sure someone notices, to see if we will get some sort of verbal or physical reward, if we serve to place ourselves in front of others, then what we are doing is purely selfish and therefore not any form of service at all.

 

Romans 8 talks about what our life in Christ is supposed to be like, and what it means to persevere in our service in the Spirit. There's not a whole lot of leeway when it comes to our reasons and motivations to serve. God s our insipration, the Spirit moves us to do the work, and Christ is given the glory in the process. It is never to be about us. It isn't about gaining fame for ourselves, but rather giving ourselves completely over to Him for His purpose.

 

Service comes from love. Service produces maturity. Service comes from obedience.  Service produces a stronger faith. Service comes from a greatful heart. Service produces a desire to do more of the same because we are emulating the One who loves us most.

 

God is always going to be the prime example of service for His people. But don't let His service keep you away from doing your own. And don't let your neighbor's service keep you from living your life wholly for God.

 

Go make waves!