If one were to take a survey and ask Christians the question “Do you love the Lord” the results of the survey would probably indicate that 99.9% of all surveyed "loved the Lord." Most would even say they "loved the Lord a lot."
If one were to survey these same people and ask the question "Do you serve the Lord?" I would guess the result would be lower. If you were to ask the question, "Do you serve the Lord a lot?" (if truth be told) the percentages would be even lower.
Why is there a big disconnect between loving the Lord and serving Him?
The first reason is that it is easy to offer up lip service when it comes to answering questions like “Do you love the Lord.”
I was thinking about all the songs that have the words, "I love you Lord" in them.
I love you, I love you; I love you Lord today
I really love the Lord…
I love you Lord, and I lift my voice…
We can get away with using words like these because if anyone would have the audacity to challenge us in this area and accuse us of not loving the Lord we can respond, "You don't know my heart…":
But while it is true that one cannot see into a person's heart (like God can) God has given us a way of discerning whether or not a person loves the Lord.
In 1 John 3:18, John writes, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
Love is expressed in action.
John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave.”
Roman 5:8 says “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ephesians 5 teaches the same principal,
(Eph 5:25 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
(Eph 5:28 NKJV) So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
(Eph 5:29 NKJV) For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
It is like the husband who says “I love you” to his wife and won’t even open the car door for her. Or the wife who says to her husband, “I love you” but expects him to fend for himself when it comes to dinner.
There is a big disconnect between loving the Lord and serving Him because many say they love Jesus but do not follow-up their words with actions to validate their love.
The second reason why there is this big disconnect between loving the Lord and serving Him is that many who say they love the Lord really don’t love Him. We will learn today that Jesus links together love and service. “If you really love Me you will serve Me” Jesus says.
God calls his children to be servants. Jesus says that He came to serve and a servant is not greater than his master. Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." If He came to serve, who are we not to serve?
Seven Reasons Why Christians Serve
1.) We serve to glorify God
(1 Cor 10:31 NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The context here is Christian liberty. The early Christian church was composed of both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews were being offended because the Gentiles were serving ribs and pig feet at the Agape Dinner.
Paul was saying that while the food was ok if received with thanksgiving the best way to keep from offending your brother was to glorify God in all that you eat, drink or do.
The word glory is doxa, dox'-ah; from which we get our English word doxology. It means glory (as very apparent), dignity, glory (-ious), honor, praise, and worship.
The verb thus often comes to mean, “give weight to, honor”
In 1 Pet 4:10-11 the Apostle Peter writes, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
It is like a person who works for several hours on his car. He washes it; vacuums it; details it; simonizes it; buffs it and sprays that good smelling stuff in it. When you and I walk past it we look at it and say, "Look how that car shines!" That’s a nice car! He really loves that car! I want a car like that!
Glory is that side of God which humans recognize and to which humans respond in confession, worship, and praise.
As we serve the Lord we are glorifying him—God begins to “shine” in our lives. And when people behold the results of our service---what results?
* people who have been delivered from sin,
* lives that are being changed;
* people who were enslaved to various lusts and pleasures being set free;
* those who had nasty attitudes becoming gentle men and women;
* unruly children becoming obedient to their parents
* the hateful now loving
* the bitter now sweet
* marriages being restored
* families that were torn asunder experiencing reconciliation
When people behold our service—God shines! God gets all the glory! Folk will say:
“What an awesome God they serve!” “They really love their God!” “I want their God in my life!”
As we serve we are "giving weight to" or honoring our Lord. We are letting God know that we care for Him and love Him much. As we serve God is glorified!
2.) As we serve we demonstrate our love for the Lord.
Why is there a big disconnect between loving the Lord and serving Him? Many do not love the Lord as much as they think they love the Lord.
Peter had to come to this realization. Remember, Peter was the disciple with the foot-shaped mouth. He would always speak before he thought.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
(Mat 16:21 NKJV) From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
(Mat 16:22 NKJV) Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
(Mat 16:23 NKJV) But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
(John 13:36 NKJV) Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."
(John 13:37 NKJV) Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."
(John 13:38 NKJV) Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
As Jesus predicted, Peter denied his Lord. After Jesus' resurrection from the grave, He speaks with Peter:
(John 21:15a NKJV) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
This time Peter thinks about the question. Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love-agapao me…? Peter answers, "Lord you know that I love-phileo you…"
Philos may be defined as "esteem" or "high regard," and in that sense, even "love." It contemplates a value in the object loved. Agape, however, is a self-giving, self-sacrificing love. It is concerned with commitment while expecting nothing in return.
In other words, Jesus asks Peter "Do you love me with a self-sacrificial love where you would be willing to give your life for Me expecting nothing in return?" Peter answers, "Yes Lord; You know that I esteem you a lot." Jesus said to him, "Feed My lambs."
In John 21:16 NKJV), Jesus said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me with a self-sacrificial love where you would be willing to give your life for Me expecting nothing in return?" Peter says to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I have a high regard for You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
Then in verse 17, Jesus changes the Greek word He uses for love.
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you have a high regard for Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love (phileo) Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileo) You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
Like Peter, some of us don't love the Lord Jesus as much as we think we do. Peter had to come to this realization the hard way. Perhaps some of us need to learn this lesson as well.
Peter was quick to speak and slow to learn and when the time came for him to put his commitment where his mouth was, he failed the test miserably--he denied our Lord, even cursing out those who said they had seen him with Jesus.
Peter told the Lord that he loved him but his actions didn’t support his claim.
He didn’t put his money where his mouth was for our love for the Lord Jesus isn't measured by how well we articulate it.
Our love for the Lord Jesus isn't measured by our promises to Him made during an altar call.
Our love for the Lord is measured by our service.
The Apostle John wrote:
(1 John 3:18 NKJV) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 3:19 NKJV) And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
Jesus himself said:
(John 14:23a NKJV) … "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…
(John 12:26 NKJV) "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
As we serve we demonstrate our love for the Lord.
3.) As we serve we demonstrate our faith in Christ.
In the clear, concise, no-nonsense approach of James, we find these words:
(James 2:14 NKJV) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
This describes the person who will readily admit that they believe in God. We meet these kinds of people all the time as we evangelize.
They eagerly admit they believe in God. However many of these same people do not go to church regularly--they do not participate in ministry—they do not study the Word—they do not have regular times of prayer--they are not obeying the Great Commission which commands us to "make disciples of all nations."
James says these kinds of folk have only "demon faith."
(James 2:19 NKJV) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!
As much as we have tried to encourage the saints at our church to get involved in Acts 2:42 church life, (Acts 2:42- And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.) we still have some who are doing nothing.
As much as we have taught on the five purposes for the church—worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry and fellowship we still have people who are not serving to fulfill these purposes.
Is it that they only have demon faith? All they can say is, "I have faith; I believe in God." But your faith is demonstrated by your service.
1.) We serve to glorify God
2.) As we serve we demonstrate our love for Jesus.
3.) As we serve we demonstrate our faith in Jesus.
4.) We serve because Jesus has set us free to serve. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
(Rom 6:16 NKJV) Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
(Rom 6:17 NKJV) But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
(Rom 6:18 NKJV) And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
(Rom 6:22 NKJV) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
In Romans 6, Paul uses the illustration of a slave who has a new master. Before Christ set us free we used to be slaves to sin.
In both Ephesians 2 and Titus 3 we find descriptions of our incarceration:
(Eph 2:1 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
(Eph 2:2 NKJV) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
(Eph 2:3 NKJV) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
(Titus 3:3 NKJV) For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
This is how it is when one is enslaved to sin.
Professor William Barclay reminds us about the real meaning of Paul's analogy. He writes:
"When we think of a servant, in our sense of the word, we think of a man who gives a certain agreed part of his time to his master, and who receives a certain agreed wage for doing so. Within that agreed time he is at the disposal and in the command of his master. But, when that time ends, he is free to do exactly as he likes.
But in Paul's time, the status of the slave was quite different.
* Quite literally he had no time which belonged to himself.
* He had no moment when he was free.
* Every single moment of his time belonged to his master.
* He was the absolutely exclusive possession of his master, and there was no one single moment of his life when he could do as he liked.
In Paul's time a slave could never do what he liked; it was impossible for him to serve two masters, because he was the exclusive possession of one master. That is the picture that is in Paul's mind."
Before Christ we were slaves of sin and unrighteousness.
Sin owned us--we yielded our members as instruments of unrighteousness.
When the winds of unrighteousness blew, we tumbled right along in its wake
When we thought, we thought sinful thoughts
When we talked, we uttered sinful words
When we acted, we performed sinful deeds.
But Paul writes further in Romans 6:
(Rom 6:22 NKJV) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
If you are in Christ, you have been set free from sin. But before you say Hallelujah! Listen to the rest of what Paul says: "Having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."
Though you and I have been set free from sin, we are still slaves--however, we have a new Master!
Remember that picture of the slave in Paul's time. We are slaves of Christ.
We have no time which belongs to ourselves
We have no moment when we are free.
Every single moment of our time belongs to our Master.
We are the absolute exclusive possession of our Master, and there is no one single moment of our life when we could do as we like.
We live and exist to please our Master Jesus Christ
We serve because Jesus set us free to serve Him. That's why Paul could write:
(Col 3:23 NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
(Col 3:24 NKJV) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
5.) We serve the Lord with humility following His example.
I read the story of a man who says that several years ago he was being entertained by the president of a small college in the South. The school had limited guest facilities, so the head of the institution offered him his apartment. "I woke up early the next morning," says the man, "when I heard someone tiptoe into the room. I lay there quietly with my eyes open just a slit to see who it was. To my surprise the president of the college walked in, picked up my dirty boots, and walked out.
I got out of bed, opened the door a crack, and watched him take them to an adjoining hallway. Then he got down on the floor and began polishing them. I could have cried at the sight. His hospitality and thoughtfulness showed me what a great man he really was. Some years after that he rose to national prominence. Because of his complete humility of spirit, God elevated him to a higher position."
In his book "Living Faithfully", J. Allen Blair tells of a man who was struggling to get to Grand Central Station in New York City. The wind blew fiercely, and the rain beat down on him as he lugged his two heavy suitcases toward the terminal. Occasionally he would pause to rest and regain his strength before trudging on against the elements.
At one point he was almost ready to collapse, when a man suddenly appeared by his side, took the suitcases, and said in a strangely familiar voice, "We're going the same way. You look as if you could use some help." When they had reached the shelter of the station, the weary traveler, the renowned educator Booker T. Washington, asked the man, "Please, sir, what is your name?" The man replied, "The name, my friend, is Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt."
(John 13:3 NKJV) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,
(John 13:4 NKJV) rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
(John 13:5 NKJV) After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
(John 13:7 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."
(John 13:12 NKJV) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
(John 13:13 NKJV) "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
(John 13:14 NKJV) "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
F. B. Meyer once said: "I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts."
(1 Pet 5:5b NKJV) Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
(1 Pet 5:6 NKJV) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
(1 Pet 5:7 NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
We serve the Lord with humility—following His example.
Let me also say here that serving Christ is therapeutic. Some Christians are discouraged, depressed, and unhappy.
Dr. Carl Menninger a Psychiatrist was asked what he would do if he knew he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He replied, "I'd go out, find someone in need, and help him."
(Rom 12:10-11 NKJV) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
1.) We serve to glorify God
2.) As we serve we demonstrate our love for Jesus.
3.) As we serve we demonstrate our faith in Jesus.
4.) We serve because Jesus has set us free to serve.
5.) We serve the Lord with humility following His example.
6.) We serve because our service will bring people to Jesus Christ
During a Billy Sunday evangelistic campaign, a mentally impaired boy came faithfully each night to sing in the choir. "Joey was not very bright," said Homer Rodeheaver, the well-known song leader, "but he never missed any of our meetings and wouldn't leave until he shook my hand. Sometimes I was embarrassed by the way he constantly tailed me, and I secretly wished he'd go away."
Then one evening a man came to Rodeheaver and said, "Thank you for being kind to my son Joey. He's not right mentally, but never has he enjoyed anything so much as singing in the choir. He worked hard doing simple chores for people so he could contribute to the collection. Through his pleadings my wife and five other children came to this evangelistic campaign and have now received Christ. Last night his 75-year-old grandfather, who has been an atheist all his life, was saved, and tonight his grandmother also came forward. Now our entire family is converted!"
Successful evangelism requires folk that are willing to be servants. Someone has said, "evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread."
Whether serving as a preacher, teacher, singer, greeter, bulletin folder, restroom cleaner or paper picker-upper—your service can encourage someone to come to Christ!
7.) We serve because our future rewards depend on it.
Groups like the JW's have taken service to the extreme--thinking that their salvation depends upon their service. However, the Scripture teaches that we serve from our salvation or in appreciation for our salvation.
We do not serve to gain salvation; we serve to receive a future reward.
(2 John 1:8 NKJV) Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
(Col 3:23-24 NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Will you be receiving a reward?
In verses 10-11, Paul says that by the grace of God as an expert builder he laid the foundation and another builds on it. The foundation he was writing about was Jesus Christ.
(1 Cor 3:10 NKJV) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
(1 Cor 3:11 NKJV) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The foundation has been laid and will not be laid again. But Paul says that you and I can build upon it.
(1 Cor 3:12 NKJV) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
In verse 12 Paul gives us a list of six different kinds of building materials-- with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
I’ve found that many of today’s building contractors have lost their work ethic—they seem to always reach for the cheapest materials. Many Christians have also lost their work or service ethic. When it comes to serving (building on the foundation) they reach for the cheapest building materials---wood, hay and straw.
“Gold, silver and precious stones are more expensive than wood.” they say. ‘It requires more of my money, time and talent. Wood, hay and straw will serve my purpose.”
But let their building catch on fire—one day there’s going to be a Fire that will test the quality of our work for Christ:
(1 Cor 3:13 NKJV) each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
“each one’s work” – Every Christian will experience this testing—it is called the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Verse 14 tells us that when Christ tests your service—“If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”
Verse 15 tells us that “If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
J. Vernon McGee writes in his commentary: “There are going to be some people in heaven who will be there because their foundation is Christ but who will smell as if they had been bought at a fire sale.”
One stormy night many years ago an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk explained that because there were three conventions in town, the hotel was filled. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out in the rain at 1 o'clock in the morning," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted.
The next morning when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk smiled, amused by the older man's "little joke."
A few years passed. Then one day the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night, and asking him to come to New York for a visit. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "That," explained the man, "is the hotel I have just built for you to manage." "You must be joking," said the clerk. "I most assuredly am not," came the reply. "Who -- who are you?" stammered the other. "My name is William Waldor Astor." That hotel was the original Waldorf- Astoria, and the young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt.
(John 14:1 NKJV) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
(John 14:2 NKJV) "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(John 14:3 NKJV) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
A description of this place
(Rev 21:9 NKJV) Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
(Rev 21:10 NKJV) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
(Rev 21:11 NKJV) having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
(Rev 21:12 NKJV) Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
(Rev 21:13 NKJV) three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
(Rev 21:14 NKJV) Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
(Rev 21:15 NKJV) And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
(Rev 21:16 NKJV) The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
(Rev 21:17 NKJV) Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
(Rev 21:18 NKJV) The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
(Rev 21:19 NKJV) The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
(Rev 21:20 NKJV) the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
(Rev 21:21 NKJV) The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
As far as I can tell there is no wood, hay and straw being used in this city.
(Rev 22:12 NKJV) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
(Rev 22:13 NKJV) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
(Rev 22:14 NKJV) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Some Christians will make it to heaven, entering by the gates into the city but will have no rewards.
Some Christians will make it to heaven and find that they have no place to stay.
By their shallow commitment to Christ they sent ahead the wrong building materials.
Through their negligence they used the cheap stuff to build their house.
By their compromise they used the wrong building materials and their building was burned up.
Is your service to Christ glorifying God?
Is your service to Christ demonstrating your love for Jesus?
Is your service to Christ demonstrating your faith in Jesus?
Do you know that Jesus has set you free to serve?
Do you serve the Lord with humility following His example?
Is your service bringing people to Jesus Christ?
Will your service be rendering you a future reward?
Have you trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior?
