The writer of Hebrews touches on two things associated with our being involved in ministry to others in a way that honors Christ. He first speaks of the attitude and then of the activity of a servant.
Last time, we thought about how the attitude of a Christ-like servant is love; and how that attitude will be expressed in love for God, love of the church and love for the lost. Today, I want us to consider the activity of a Christ-like servant - good deeds. Good deeds will characterize the life of one who is a Christ-like servant because . . .
1. A Christ-like servant is dedicated to the will of God.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” - Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
The Bible says that God saved us with a plan in mind for each of our lives, which includes our doing good deeds on behalf of others.
“Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.” - Romans 12:11 (Amplified)
Paul tells us that our dedication to doing God’s will is demonstrated through service to others.
“What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God in heaven needs it not.” - Martin Luther
This is intriguing - God’s will for our lives often has to do with our service to others in His name.
You will never know God’s will for your life if you are unwilling for God to work through your life.
This truth is illustrated well in Henry Blackaby’s popular work, Experiencing God - knowing and doing the will of God.” Notice how God’s will for my life is connected to God working through my life in what he calls, “The Seven Realities of Experiencing God.” 1) God is always at work around you. 2) God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3) God invites you to become involved with Him in His work. 4) God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways. 5) God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. 6) You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. 7) You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
Experiencing God’s will for my life is always tied to letting God work through my life. Perhaps this is why many of us have difficulty knowing God’s will for our lives - our focus is on how God might want to work for us rather than on how we might work with Him; on how we might receive a blessing rather than on how we might be a blessing. Now, God does want to bless us, but the path to blessing is that service.
“And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but favors (blesses) the humble.’” - 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT)
The Christian who has a passion to live within the will of God for their life, is not focused on receiving a blessing, but on being a blessing. And their chief desire is to hear the Savior greet them in eternity with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
“I would never want to reach out someday with a soft, uncalloused hand – a hand never dirtied by serving – and shake the nail-pierced hand of Jesus.” - Bill Hybels
Does your service reveal a desire to be in God’s will?
Good deeds will characterize the life of a Christ-like servant because of his dedication to the will of God. But good deeds will also characterize the life of one who is a Christ-like servant because . . .
2. A Christ-like servant is growing in his walk with God.
If we are truly and growing toward Christ-likeness, it will be evidenced in our serving others by doing good deeds, even as anointing of the Father was evidenced through the life of Christ by His doing good deeds.
“. . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and . . . he went around doing good . . .” - Acts 10:38 (NIV)
A believer who is committed to serving others in Jesus’ name demonstrates that he is growing in his walk with God, for this is the purpose of true spiritual maturity.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Many fail to realize that we study God’s Word is so we might become Christ-like servants! They come to worship, Bible study, small group, and just sit and soak, but never stand and serve! They discuss God’s Word but never do God’s Word! They hear God’s Word, but never heed it. Amy Grant once wrote a song about this kind of Christian:
“I know a man, maybe you know him, too. You never can tell; he might even be you. He knelt at the altar, and that was the end. He’s saved, and that’s all that matters to him. He knows the books of the Bible and John 3:16. He’s got the biggest King James you’ve ever seen! I’ve always wondered if he’ll grow up someday. He’s a momma’s boy, and he likes it that way. He’s just a fat little baby!”
“Spiritual maturity means that one has gonefrom wearing a bib to wearing an apron.” - Rick Warren
Spiritual fitness comes about in the same way physical fitness comes about. We must not only have a healthy diet, but we must get proper exercise. We must not just hear God’s Word, we must do God’s Word, which means we must we willing to serve others in Jesus’ name.
Does your service reveal a growing walk with God? Good deeds will characterize the life of one who is a Christ-like servant because he is growing in his walk with God. But good deeds will also characterize the life of one who is a Christ-like servant because . . .
3. A Christ-like servant is committed to be a witness for God.
“. . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
“It is of no use for any of you to try to be soul-winners if you are not bearing fruit in your own lives. How can you serve the Lord with your lips if you do not serve Him with your lives?” - C.H Spurgeon
Good deeds will characterize the life of a Christ-like servant because he is committed to be a witness for God. That’s why Wesley said:
“For the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Do all the good you can, To all the people you can, In all the ways you can, For as long as you can.” - John Wesley
What does your service reveal about your commitment to be a witness for God?
Conclusion: A Gallup poll discovered that only 10% of church members are active in any kind of personal ministry in their church. 50% said that they have no desire or interest in serving in any ministry.
What does your service, your involvement in doing good deeds, say about your dedication to doing the will of God; or your growth in your walk with God; or your commitment to being a witness for God?
While we are not saved by doing good works, if we have truly come to God through faith in Christ, James says it will be evidenced by our desire to serve.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” - James 1:14-17 (NIV)
Some of us, in light of our lack of desire to serve others in Jesus name, need to examine the genuineness of our salvation. For many of us, however, service, is the missing component in our Christian life and the reason why we can’t discern God’s will, grow in our walk or be a
positive witness. Why not make the commitment today to become a committed, Christ-like servant by getting further involved in the work of your church?
Who knows who else you may inspire to join you on the journey?
A member of a motorcycle gang who was led to Jesus Christ and the first Sunday afterward he did the only thing he knew he should do and went to church. Nobody knew him, but all eyes were on the big burly, bearded, long haired biker, covered with tattoos and wearing his leather jacket.
At announcement time, the minister got up and made an appeal for nursery workers, saying, “We need someone to work in the nursery.” No one volunteered. He asked a second time, “We really need someone to help with the kids.” But no one volunteered. The biker prayed, “Lord, I want to do your will. If you want me to work in nursery, have the preacher ask a third time.” A third time the preacher said, “Please, we need someone to work in the
nursery.” The biker raised his hand and started toward the nursery. Immediately 50 mothers also volunteered.
