An Eager Spirit
If you were to characterize your approach toward your Christian service would you identify yourself with a racehorse eager to bolt out of the gate or the broken down nag lazily munching grass in the back forty? Or how about a sprinter at the starting blocks ready for the starting gun or the couch potato fumbling for the remote?
As we consider the manner in which we carry out our service to God we need to ask ourselves the question, “Am I eager to share the Gospel or do something for God’s kingdom, or do I have to be prodded and usually only end up doing it half-heartedly?” It has been said that attitude determines outcome. While the results are up to God, the spirit in which we approach our service will determine how He is able to use us.
But what will make the difference? I believe more than anything else it will be our attitude toward God and our appreciation for what He has done for us. The apostle Paul certainly appreciated what God had done for him and for this reason he was eager to spread the Gospel to anyone who was willing to listen. Let’s look at his response in Romans 1:15.
I. Service With a Ready Mind
A. Paul was eager to share Christ with others.
1. eager – compound Gk. word. pro- “fore” “in front of” and thumos – passion (as if breathing hard) put together it means an urgent willingness to accomplish a task.
2. He was not only willing, but as we say, “rearing to go”.
B. Paul was eager to do God’s will even in the face of extreme danger. (Acts 20:22-24)
C. Paul wanted to take everything within him and pour it into the lives of others. “as much…”
D. Paul knew that to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
II. Service With a Ready Body
A. All the best intentions mean nothing without action. (James 1:22)
B. Let’s get busy while we still can. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
1. “whatever thy hand findeth to do” Heb. Figure of speech meaning – whatever you are able to do.
2. Explanation – when death comes, all opportunities for work & service will cease.
C. Let’s embark on a journey that’s worthwhile.
Live on the edge. Ill. The following ad once appeared in a London newspaper: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful." The ad was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer. Amazingly, the ad drew thousands of respondents, eager to sacrifice everything for the prospect of meaningful adventure.
III. Service With a Ready Spirit
A. Everything we do ought to be done so we bring glory to God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
B. We are to live a “thank you” life. (Colossians 3:17)
C. It’s easy to have a ready spirit when we are doing it out of love for our Lord.
Ill.
Love makes obedience a thing of joy!
To do the will of one we like to please
Is never hardship, though it tax our strength;
Each privilege of service love will seize!
Love makes us loyal, glad to do or go,
And eager to defend a name or cause;
Love takes the drudgery from common work,
And asks no rich reward or great applause.
Love gives us satisfaction in our task,
And wealth in learning lessons of the heart;
Love sheds a light of glory on our toil
And makes us humbly glad to have a part.
Love makes us choose to do the will of God,
To run His errands and proclaim His truth;
It gives our hearts an eager, lilting song;
Our feet are shod with tireless wings of youth!
—Hazel Hartwell Simon
What kind of Christian life are you ready to live? Because of all God’s done for you, will you become an eager servant? Let’s get busy.
