Deacon's Desk, January 2002

From the January, 2002 edition of The Doulos monthly newsletter

by Paul Casto

"How can I help you?" "How can I serve you?" When was the last time you heard this? These are the questions of a servant. Perhaps you heard it from a waitress at your favorite restaurant. (That would be Cracker Barrel, I presume.) Or was it at a grocery store, or at a gas station? (my age is showing). This is a natural thing to hear from those who have been paid to serve us. But how strange to hear this from God. After all, He is God. He is and has been and always will be the creator and ruler of the universe. Thousands of angels attend and worship Him. We also need to worship Him. It is our duty and pleasure to give Him praise and worship. Why? He is GOD. He deserves it. It is His right to receive this and more.

Now look back about 2000 years and you will see something truly amazing. God, the creator and ruler of everything, sets aside all that worship, glory, and honor to become a man. 100% God. 100% man. The God-man, Christ Jesus. So into human form He was born. He could have chosen to be born into any household, the king's castle or a wealthy merchant's estate. Instead He chose a carpenter's home. He was born in a stable. Not in the ruling house of the ruling nation, but in the home of a conquered people. Why? God answered that question for us.

Mark 10:45 …the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Another word for minister is to wait upon or to serve. It was His choice to be born as He was. This was no mistake. What does this mean to us? If He is our example, and He is, then what should our response to this information be?

I Peter 4:10,11 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord has gifted each of us that we might serve one another. The church needs all those that God has gifted. By the exercise of your gift you glorify God and meet the needs of His people. You experience joy, and bless those you serve. Your service will take time and effort. If you think you don't have the time or energy, God will supply both. You will receive the blessings and God receives the glory. Please find that place of service God has gifted and called you to. There are so many places that are in need of your service to God and you need to receive the blessings that come from serving others. This is how we can best show others the love we have for Christ. Will you love each other in service to Him?

John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.