06 Serving God and Others

Copyright © 2017 Michael A. Brown

Servanthood is the heart of Christian work and ministry, and in many ways it exemplifies the opposite of the self-centred values and attitudes of the world which so often emphasize success, recognition, human pride and position.  Jesus underlined this when he said to his disciples: ‘…whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…’ (Matt. 20:26-28).  His practical example of washing their feet would have brought this lesson home to them (John 13:1-17).  So we serve because he served: ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… no servant is greater than his master’ (John 13:15-16).

The use of the Greek word latreia, variously translated as both ‘worship’ and ‘service’ (e.g. Rom. 12:1), highlights how the life of worship that we experience as we relate to God, then works itself out in a life of service in the work of his kingdom.  Jesus also underlined this connection: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’ (Matt. 4:10).  We worship God because we love him, and this should then lead us naturally into serving him.  To know and follow the Master is also to serve (John 12:26). 

So true heart worship should lead naturally into a desire to serve.  Serving others is an outworking of our worship of God, and regular worship without serving leads to a frustration of the purpose of God for us.  To love God means to then also love our neighbour.  In our local church, serving can find expression in committing ourselves to becoming active in at least one area of the life of the church (perhaps in the various program activities, in practical work and help, or in the church’s outreach and mission activities), and also in serving other people around us in daily life as opportunity or need arises, whether in school/college, the work-place or in the community.

Serving others in such ways can fulfil several purposes.  It helps us to see beyond ourselves and to develop vision for the work of God’s kingdom.  It helps us to grow as a disciple by learning to deal with any wrong attitudes we may perhaps discover within us from time to time towards particular tasks we may be asked to do or towards certain other people.  Serving others may lead to getting involved in a particular ministry that we might desire to take part in.  It helps us to put our talents, skills and gifts to use in God’s kingdom.  It helps us to build relationships with other believers and so creates a closer ‘family feeling’ in church life.  It helps us to fulfil God’s call to love our neighbour in doing good works.  In particular, witnessing to non-believers through serving them may well help them to become more open to hearing what we have to say about God.  Serving them through life example and deed backs up any words that we speak about the gospel.  Serving others brings the blessing of God into our lives: ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’ (John 13:17).