Danny Murphy Youth pastor-AOG Central church-Fraserburgh
The WHY, HOW & WHEN of serving…
WHY?
1. Because God said so…
John 13:14 – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.”
Your biggest successes in life will come when you do what God has said. Equally your biggest failures in life arrive when you don’t do what God has said. Often in the Bible, when people failed to do what God said, either God destroyed them or they destroyed themselves (Adam & Eve, Sodom & Gomorrah, Samson, Ananias & Sapphira to name but few).
1 Samuel 15:22 says “To obey is better than sacrifice”. It might be a basic, simple principle, but if God says it, it’s always a good idea to do it!
2. Because it’s the road to greatness…
Matt 20:26 – “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.”
Psychologists argue that human beings have an attribute unique to them over all other species called a “heroism drive” – essentially a desire to be great. God doesn’t have a problem with our desire to be great. In fact, Psalm 18:36 says “You stoop down to make me great”, demonstrating that God’s intention for us is not mediocrity but greatness. But I do believe God sometimes has a problem with the methods by which we can sometimes go about achieving greatness.
Shows like ‘The Apprentice’ demonstrate that people often mistakenly think that in order to come out on top you have to trample on others in the process. Phrases like “it’s a dog eat dog world” and “you’ve got to look out for number one” are commonplace in people’s vocabulary and psychology. However, Jesus turns this way of thinking on its head with his philosophy of backward principles. To be first, you have to be last. To be great, you have to serve. To rule, you have to be a slave.
If you want greatness to be a destination you reach, the route requires that you go down a road called “SERVING”.
3. Because it is reproduced…
John Maxwell – “We teach what we know but we reproduce what we are”.
The old adage says, “You can preach measles all you like – but if it’s mumps you’ve got, it’s mumps they’ll catch”. This is true, no more so when working with young people who don’t listen to what we say half as much as they watch how we live.
Leaders have an obligation to model first what they preach. If you want young people to worship, you have to be the most enthusiastic worshipper in church. If you want them to be positive, negativity is not optional for you. If you want them to pray, they need to see and hear you pray. Equally, if you want your teams and young people to catch God’s heart for serving, they need to see you serve.
4. Because You Reap What You Sow…
Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Our motive in serving should never be born out of self. However, at some stage in your journey you may have a dream or vision that requires more than just you. Where do you find the people to recruit? How do you get them to come on board and sacrifice?
This biblical principle functions in every aspect of life. If you’ve never served the vision of another, another will never serve the vision of you. But if you have consistently sown in the currency of service, my belief and experience is at the time you need it most you will reap service.
5. Because it generates a reaction…
Jimmy Carter – “What are the things that you can’t see that are important? I would say justice, truth, humility, service, compassion, love…They’re the guiding lights of a life.”
I once took some young people from our youth ministry to serve the residents of our local community. We walked up and down streets with buckets, spades and sponges knocking on doors asking people if we could wash their car for them for free. The different reactions we got were interesting. Some people were overwhelmed and were extremely grateful. Some people tried to find the ‘catch’ – were we really wanting to raise money for a cause, would we charge them afterwards etc. Some were suspicious, refusing to let us wash their car in case we damaged it because it was a group of teenagers.
In any case, at least we got a reaction! For too long the Church has been slipping passively by, unnoticed by the world around it. We need a Church that gets a reaction, one that causes people to sit up and take an interest. Unconditional, sacrificial serving is so uncommon that it never goes unnoticed. Some people will question motives, some people will wonder what the catch is – but serve anyway! It says something powerful to the watching world.
6. It’s the highest call of leadership…
Matt 20:28 – “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus came as a servant. The same Jesus who was more influential than anyone before or since to have walked the planet. The same Jesus whose birth divides time. The same Jesus who currently over 2 billion people say they follow.
Leadership is influence. Leadership is measured by followership. On these fronts, Jesus has no equal. If he chose the way of the servant, maybe we should too…
How?
1. Think one step ahead…
- Use your initiative! Don’t always wait to be asked – think about what needs to be done and do it!
2. Go over & above…
- God’s giving was and is extravagant. Ours should be too!
- Don’t serve or commit according to your current capacity – believe in faith that God will stretch you!
“I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
2 Samuel 24:24
3. Reduce unnecessary burdens…
Leaders, especially senior leaders, carry the weight of both responsibility and people’s expectations. Are there things you could do to lighten the load a little? Maybe…
- Offer to babysit whilst they take their wife on a date?
- Offer to do some grocery shopping for them – and pay the bill?
- Offer to do some ironing or cleaning?
- Offer to do some admin?
4. Speak well…
- Leaders are always facing someone’s opinion and even criticism. One of the simplest, cheapest and yet most effective ways in which you can serve them is with your words…
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today” – Heb 3:13
5. Cover…
- Leaders are not perfect. They will make mistakes. Aside from issues regarding morality, we have a responsibility to protect them rather than expose. When Noah made a mistake in Genesis 9, his son Ham chose to expose him whilst his other sons Shem and Japeth covered him. Ham was cursed, Shem and Japeth were blessed. The Apostle Peter, who knew a thing or two about making mistakes, said “love covers”.
- Don’t seek to expose the weakness or flaws in those serving alongside you. Cover each other, and you build a strong team.
WHEN?
Always!
1. Out of the spotlight
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”
2. In the spotlight
3. Consistently
