As we have looked to verse 24 previously, we focused the priority of discipleship and on how our church is obligated to be intentional in making disciples and every believer is obligated to be intentional about growing as a disciple. If we seek to be a disciple and a disciple-maker, we will be blessed and be a blessing. It is on this that I want us to now focus our attention as we think about the priority of ministry.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that the sincerity of my discipleship will be evidenced by my ministry to others. Those who are spiritually mature, demonstrate their maturity through serving others in Jesus’ name. In fact, serving others is one of the greatest evidences that I am growing to become more like Christ.
“You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served - and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” - Mark 10:41- 43 (The Message)
In our passage for today the writer of Hebrews touches on two things associated with you and me being involved in ministry to others in a way that honors Christ. He first speaks of the attitude of a servant and then of the activity of a servant. Today, let’s think together about the attitude of a Christ-like servant - love.
Our attitude toward service will determine whether or not we have joy in service. Our attitude toward service will determine whether what we are involved in by way of service is a job or a ministry.
Some people have a job in church. Others get involved in a ministry. What’s the difference?
If you’re doing it because no one else will, it’s a job. If you’re doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry. If you’re doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job. If you’re doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry. If you’re doing it so long as it doesn’t interfere with other activities, it’s a job. If you’re committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry. If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it’s a job. If you stay with it even though no one seems to notice, it’s a ministry. If your concern is “success,” it’s a job. If your concern is faithfulness, it’s a ministry. It’s hard to get excited about a job. It’s almost impossible not to be excited about a ministry! If God calls you to a ministry, don’t treat it like a job. If you have a job in church, give it up and find a ministry. God doesn’t want us feeling stuck with a job but excited and faithful to Him in a ministry.
A proper attitude in ministry is expressed . . .
1. In love for the Lord.
We should be motivated to serve out of love for the Lord. As we grow in our appreciation of His love for us, we grow in our love for Him and express that love through service to others.
“We love each other because he loved us first.” - 1 John 4:19 (NLT)
“For Christ’s love compels us . . .” - 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)
In all we do, we should do our best out of love for the Lord and a desire to bring glory to His name.
“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).”- Colossians 3:23-24 (Amplified)
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that the hosts of heaven will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’” - Anonymous
Serving out a love for God and desire to honor Him always brings joy!
“Trying to work for God without worshipping God results in joyless legalism. Work minus worship magnifies your will power not God’s worth. If you try to do things for God without delighting in God you bring dishonor upon God. Serving God without savoring God is
lifeless and unreal.” - John Piper
It is not the place of service that gives us significance, but the person we serve - we serve the Lord, out of a love for Him!
But also, a proper attitude in ministry is expressed . . .
2. In love for the Church.
We should also be motivated to serve out of a love for the church. Paul tells us that the secret to the body of Christ being built up is God’s people being equipped for works of service. He says that the role of pastors and teachers in the body of Christ is . . .
“to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” - Ephesians 4:12 (NIV)
Certainly part of the “works of service” that God’s people are to be prepared for have to do with “one another” ministry, where our focus is not to be on a project, or on a program, but on people. We are called to “honor one another” (Romans 12:10); “accept one another” (Romans 15:7); “encourage one another” 1 Thessalonians 5:11); “show hospitality to one another” (1 Peter 4:9); “bear with one another” (Ephesians 4:2); “care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25); “be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32); and foundational to it all is the command to “love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Too often when we look for workers in the church we look for many of the same qualifications the world looks for - know how, street smarts, business savvy, connections, influence, etc. But those kinds of qualifications should not be what chiefly qualifies us to serve within the body of Christ. The chief qualification for service is that of love for others. That is really the chief qualification to serve as a pastor.
“If anyone does not know how to manage his own family,how can he take care of God’s church?” - 1 Timothy 3:5 (NIV)
A man’s ability to love and care for the needs of his family are listed as one of the chief qualifiers for him to serve as a pastor. Why?
Because he is charged with the task of equipping God’s people for works of service, and if we are to serve others, we should do so with an attitude of love.
“Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” - Philippians 2:2-5 (NLT)
What all might God be free to accomplish through His church if His people, motivated by love for one another sought to do everything for the purpose of bringing Him glory and building each other up?
Finally, a proper attitude in ministry is expressed . . .
3. In Love for the Lost.
Out of love for those who nothing of Christ’s love, we must commit ourselves to being a people of service.
“Lost people matter to God, and so they must matter to us.”- Keith Wright
During World War II, parachutes were being constructed by the thousands. From the workers’ point of view, the job was tedious. It involved crouching over a sewing machine eight to ten hours a day and stitching endless lengths of colorless fabric. The result was a formless heap of cloth. But every morning the workers were told that each stitch was part of a life-saving operation. They were asked to think as they sewed that each parachute might be the one worn by their husbands, their brothers, their sons. Although the work was hard and the hours long, the women and men on the home front understood their contribution to the larger picture.
Let’s understand the big picture. As we serve, out of a love for the Lord, for the church, and a love for the lost, God will be honored, the church will grow, and people will be saved!
“Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us).” - 1 Corinthians 16:14 (Amplified)
