9. Service of Saints

I recently heard a preacher link rewards (at the Judgement Seat of Christ) with levels of service (compare Luke 19:17 “have thou authority over ten cities”). It has gotten me thinking a little bit about service in our lives and service in the future, and I’m wondering what your thoughts and meditations are on this subject.

Specifically,

A. The privilege of service
B. The joy of service
C. The responsibility of service
D. The spheres of service
E. The motive and attitude in service
F. The Lord’s example of service
G. Future service / reward of service (“we shall also reign with Him”)

Do any of these trigger thoughts you’d like to share?

2 thoughts on “9. Service of Saints

  • March 22, 2008 at 10:18 pm
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    My thoughts immediately turned to the book of Philippians, which is my favorite book to read…

    A. The privilege of service:
    What greater privilege than to serve the One Who has bought us with His own blood?

    Paul says in chp 3:8-10 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith– that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death…” ESV

    B. The joy of service:

    It seems that the whole first chapter of Philippians is taken up with the joy of serving…Paul offers up prayer for them with joy in vs. 4, knowing that the Lord would continue to work in their lives.

    In vs 18, he rejoices in the preaching of the Gospel, even if others preached to add affliction to his imprisonment.

    In vs 25, Paul mentions the believers’ progress and joy of faith, which was likely brought about by the ministry of the Word.

    C. The responsibility of service:
    Phil 1:9-11 ” And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” ESV

    D. The spheres of service:
    Phi 1:20 “Christ shall be magnified in my body” – Honoring Christ

    Phi 2:15 “shine as lights in the world” – Personal testimony

    Phi 2:20 “naturally care for your (referring to the group of christians) state (welfare).” Also, vs. 25 “minister to my need” ESV – Practical help

    Phi 4:3 “laboured with me in the gospel” – Work in the Gospel

    Phi 4:6 “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Labor in prayer

    E. The motive and attitude in service:
    Phi 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

    F. The Lord’s example of service:
    Phi 2:7-8 “but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ” ESV

    G. Future service / reward of service:
    Thinking of the reward of service – Phi 3:13 “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ESV

    This is what I’ve enjoyed, though I’m sure many more examples could be given from this great book…

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