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From
the February, 2001 edition of The Doulos monthly
newsletter
by
Jay Brown
Are
You a Player or Spectator?
Recently I was thinking about how today's society has a strong consumer
mentality that expects and demands high quality service. I feel that sometimes
we find it easier to passively sit back and let people serve us or entertain us
rather than actively seeking to serve the needs of other people. This worldly
attitude is reflected in the church when any work of ministry cannot be
completed because of a lack of servants doing the work of the saints. God has
called all believers to the work of service in the church (1
Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians
4:12; Revelation
22:12). When we serve in the church we are cooperating with God as He
accomplishes His purpose in the world. In submission to the will of God, each
believer becomes a servant (diakonos) of God's people.
God's
Word does not say that it would be nice for us to serve when it is convenient
but commands us to serve the needs of fellow believers out of love and
obedience to Jesus Christ. God has entrusted to every believer a responsibility
to be faithful and productive servants for the kingdom of God. Jesus
illustrated the demand for the type of service that produces results in the
parable of the ten talents (Matthew
25:14-30).
The NT
word "serve" (diakoneo) is derived from the person of
Jesus and His gospel. It is a term denoting loving action or service for a
brother or sister and neighbor, which in turn is derived from a divine love; it
also describes the outworking of spiritual fellowship. Various levels or types
of service are included, from serving tables (Luke
10:40) to collecting funds for needy brethren (Acts
11:29; 2
Corinthians 8:4) to sharing Christ's word (2
Timothy 4:11; 2
Corinthians 11:8). It is a concept that includes all ministries within the
body of Christ. It involves the full exercise of the unique spiritual gifts and
abilities each of us have for the benefit and edification of others in Christ's
church (Romans
12:5-8; 1
Corinthians 12:4-31).
Jesus
set the example by taking on himself a ministry of service to others. When
Jesus served his disciples and humanity in general, he was demonstrating God's
love as God willed it. Never a slave, with a bound will, Jesus freely chose to
become a servant dedicated to act for the well being of others. "The Son
of Man did not come to be served but to serve" (Matthew
20:28), and "I am one among you who serves" (Luke
22:26-27). Jesus washed his disciples feet as an example to challenge his
disciples (John
13:15). In Jesus' surrender of His life for our sakes we see the ultimate
servanthood, that of a free and un-coerced choice in which one places the good
of others above oneself.
In our
servanthood, we must adopt the selfless attitude of Jesus. As the Scriptures
say, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he
should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should
do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.
Amen." (1
Peter 4:10-11)
God
cannot and will not grant us His full blessings as a body of believers if we
are not engaged in actively serving and ministering within the church in
accordance with His Word. Therefore, in the spiritual game God wants players
not spectators.
In
Him,
Jay
Brown
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