Serving Royalty – Determining Where to Serve in the Kingdom of God
August 12, 2015
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As God’s child, you are blessed with unique gifts and talents that God uses to help you grow spiritually and fulfill different aspects of church ministry. Every Christian is called to serve fellow believers. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” And Paul echoes a similar sentiment when he wrote in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.”
Photo: People serving in different capacities at Shepherd Church, Los Angeles.
One way that believers can serve one another is through volunteer work. Serving through volunteer work is an outward declaration of one’s commitment to Jesus. “‘If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servants be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him’” (John 12:26). If you love the Lord, He will open up opportunities for you to serve Him. How wonderful it is to know that God has a specific purpose for each of us to fulfill in the church and in the world!
What does one need to serve God? One needs to have a love for God and the willingness to devote some time to serve Him. God is not looking for a person’s ability as much as He is looking for his or her availability. When your heart overflows with the love for God, you will have the desire and the time to serve Him and His people. Know that you have a special place of significance in your church.
There are plenty of ministries to match your God-given talents and skills and God is a perfect matchmaker. He may use some to lead a Bible study or to sing with the worship team. Some people may be called to serve as greeters or hosts, while others may assist in preparing for special projects. I know a group of women who love to knit and crochet, and they’re using their gifts to make blankets for the homeless. Another group loves to pack food for hungry families. A different group enjoys writing encouraging to those in the armed forces or in nursing homes.
Whatever your inclination or ability is, there is a ministry waiting for you— evangelism, global outreach, guest services, Life Groups, nursery/preschool, music and arts, sports outreach, pastoral care, media arts and support ministries. Paul wrote in Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them...”
Whatever your inclination or ability is, there is a ministry waiting for you— evangelism, global outreach, guest services, Life Groups, nursery/preschool, music and arts, sports outreach, pastoral care, media arts and support ministries. Paul wrote in Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them...”
Serving God as a volunteer is a long-term commitment. After all, God is committed to you, so why should you not be committed to Him for the long haul? When you serve God, you need to serve Him with burning enthusiasm and spiritual zeal. Whatever is worth doing to serve Him and your fellow believers is valuable enough to be done with fervor and diligence. After all, when you serve others, you are actually serving the King of all Kings. Here’s a concept worth spreading—serving Jesus is serving royalty.
Serving Jesus is serving royalty.
Christians should strive to fill their time with things that show God is at work in their hearts and their lives. Serving one another at church strengthens your commitment to God, helps you spend time with fellow believers, and gives you a chance to give back to the community. As Christians work together and serve others, they also strengthen their faith and witness to the world. As selfless volunteers they begin to see how each one can make a difference in the community. As you serve the Lord, Jesus, remember Paul’s advice in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
When you volunteer for God, your faithful service may go unnoticed or unappreciated. Don’t lose heart. Stay committed and devoted. Hebrews 6:10 promises, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints as you still do.” One day you are going to stand before the Lord. When you do, how blessed it will be to hear these words from Him: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Edited by Carmencita F. Davino, Ph.D.
