CENTRAL THOUGHT
God has called all believers to active Christian Service.
HYMN: Must I go-and empty handed?
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
INTRODUCTION:
Service can be defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. Christian service entails being totally committed to Kingdom business and always ready to render one form of service or the other in the name of the Lord. Every born again child of God has been called by God to render one form of service or the other. We have been saved to serve. As believers, God has given each one of us gifts to serve in His vineyard. God expects us to render our services faithfully realizing that it is a privilege to be chosen by Him. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you” (John 15:16). It must be clearly stated here that the believer has been commissioned by God to serve. We must endeavor therefore to be diligent in our service. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall not fall” (2 Peter 1:10).
We should know that every service we render has its own reward. This should prompt us to put in our best in our Christian service as empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s blessings await those who render their services faithfully.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To explain the phrase “ Christian service” and highlight the various ways Christ showed us His example.
- Identify the qualities in the lives of some brethren in the scriptures and how they served faithfully.
- Discuss the opportunities available to us to serve God and humanity.
- Identify some hinderances to our service to God.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1A. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “CHRISTIAN SERVICE”?
Service means the act of providing, offering labor or work. It can also mean performing a function or playing a role in a group in order to achieve a defined purpose. Christian service therefore entails carrying out these services in accordance with Christ’s example and injunction. Christian service rendered by the believer can be seen as an expression of our love for the Master and by extension for fellow men.
Q1B. IN WHAT WAYS DID CHRIST SHOW US HIS EXAMPLE IN SERVICE WHILE ON EARTH? (JOHN 4:34-38; 9:4, 13:1-9).
Doing the will of the Father was Christ’s focus. He carried out the father’s will in total obedience. During His life here on earth, Jesus Christ lived an exemplified life. Some of the ways are discussed below.
He considered service to God compulsory, whether it was convenient or not. Christ likened doing the will of God to food people eat daily for continuous growth and sustenance. In John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work”. Every believer must be totally committed to doing the will of God at all times with a view to accomplishing every duty.
Jesus Christ saw the Father’s business as a matter of urgency. To Him, the work must be attended to without delay. The work must be done and not postponed. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).
Another way Christ exemplified His service was through humility. In John 13:1-9, He exhibited humility in serving His disciples by washing their feet. It is worthy to note that Jesus Christ washed the disciple’s feet after “knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and he was come from God, and went to God” (John 13:3). Rather than being puffed up by this, “He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with a towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:5). Christ demonstrated humility as His lifestyle in scriptures.
Q2. IDENTIFY THE QUALITIES IN THE LIVES OF THE FOLLOWING BRETHREN AND HOW THEY SERVED FAITHFULLY.
a. The Seven Deacons (Acts 6:1-7)
The seven deacons were men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. This was the basis of their selection. They were chosen to “serve tables”. They were men of good and tested character. These qualities in them played out throughout their service such that the murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews ceased. Every believer today needs these qualities for Christian service.
b. Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)
Dorcas was a woman full of good works and alms deeds. She devoted her life and resources towards assisting widows and the needy in her environment. She made coats and garments for them. Believers of today must be willing to sacrifice, without holding back their energy, time, resources, money, and valuables to the service of God and humanity, as we saw in the life of Dorcas. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal.6:9-10).
c. Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1-4; 24-26)
Priscilla and Aquila, as a couple, rendered service to God in their secular jobs. They were tent makers. They were hospitable, and accommodated Apostle Paul in their home. They further demonstrated their service to God by patiently expounding the word of God to another disciple by the name Apollos more definitely and accurately.
Q3A. WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO US TO SERVE GOD AND HUMANITY? (EPH.4:11-15; MATT.25:34-40)
There are various opportunities open to us to serve God and humanity in our local church today. Some believers may be called as ministers of the word and leaders of congregations. Others may be called to serve as elders in the church. There are those serving as deacons and deaconesses. These are divinely designated offices for the smooth running of the church. In addition to these, believers can serve in the areas of soul winning (evangelism), intercession (prayer), choir, ushering, follow up of new converts, welfare and visitation. Sharing our resources with the poor and needy in our midst also constitutes service to God.
The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to individuals in the body of Christ. “And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph.4:11-12).
Every member of the body of Christ has something to contribute to the growth and development of the church. It is our responsibility therefore to discover the unique gifts and talents God has given us and put them into use. Every believer ought to be faithful to God in his/her service to humanity.
Q3B. IDENTIFY SOME HINDERANCES TO OUR SERVICE TO GOD.
Some brethren are not committed to the service of God for various reasons. Many are not ready to make sacrifice for the things of the Kingdom. Some are so attached to their jobs, businesses, career or studies and other routines that they can hardly find time for God and Christian service. Another reason can be pride. They may be very conscious of social status that they feel too big to do anything in the church. Their wealth and achievements cause them not to show any commitment to the service of God. (Mark 10:22).
Sinful and unholy living can also be a reason for lack of commitment, on the part of some brethren; their lifestyle contradicts the gospel, so they find it difficult to identify with Christ and the Kingdom business in the open.
The solution to the lack of commitment to service of God by some brethren is for them to realize that whatever they have was given to them by God. Therefore, their primary duty is to serve God with all they have. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37).
Q4. WHAT ARE THE REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD? (MATT.24:45-47; 25:21-46; JOHN 12:26)
Christian service when properly carried out attracts many rewards. Some of them are discussed as follows;
God commends and blesses those who are faithful in their service “Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find him so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler of all his goods” (Matt.24:46-47). In addition to this, the Master will increase His spiritual gifts and endowments on the one who was found faithful, adding even to the little he had which he faithfully used. Further in Matt.25:21 Jesus gave this word “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”.
Other blessings and benefits of faithful service include enjoying divine health, answers to prayers, divine provision, and protection, having favor with God and with men. God bestows honor on the faithful servant and grants him divine upliftment and promotion. Our faithful service makes us stand before the presence of God forever. We are assured of spending eternity with God. This is the ultimate reward and blessing for faithful Christian service.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Christian service must begin as soon as we become born again. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit for service to God and humanity through the spiritual gifts which we are endowed with. These our gifts are used through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God. We can serve in various capacities in our local church or assembly.
Various activity groups exist in every local church. Every believer must get involved in Christian service. There is no room for idleness in the service of the Kingdom. Jesus gave this instruction in a parable “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). We must therefore be actively involved in this service which is a divine mandate from our Master. When we render fruitful service, we become blessed by God and also become a blessing to those around us.
MEMORY VERSE:
2 Chronicles 15:7
“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Christ, our example in service.
John 13:1-9.
Tuesday: Qualities of Deacons who served faithfully.
Acts 6:1-7.
Wednesday: Qualities of a woman who served faithfully.
Acts 9:36-42.
Thursday: Qualities of a couple who served faithfully.
Acts 18:1-4, 24-26.
Friday: Gifts/offices for faithful service.
Eph.4:11-15.
Saturday: Opportunities to serve God and humanity.
Matt.25:34-40.