Michael Rankins was in town on Sunday and gave us a lesson called “Poured Out LIke a Drink Offering”, demonstrating the heart of a true servant. This was Paul’s message about service, taken from Philippians 2:12-30.
Salvation takes work! You demonstrate your salvation by the work that you do. It’s not about us, though; it’s that we allow God to work through us for His purposes. Also, our attitude matters! We mustn’t serve our Lord grudgingly. If we serve purely, then we become like (v. 15-16) “...children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Our service to Him can be an offering where we are poured out so that nothing is left. Being used up in His service is something to rejoice.
Paul also gives two examples of servants of Christ for us to live up to. Timothy gave uncommon service, showed genuine concern for others, and never put his interests above others. He served like a true child of the Father. Another example was Epaphroditus who Paul considered as a brother and a fellow soldier. He fulfilled his service, in spite of being deathly ill, because he was willing to sacrifice his own life in the service of Christ.
Michael left us with some questions to consider about our own service to God:
Am I a willing worker? Do I serve with a generous heart, without grumbling? Do I show genuine concern for others? Am I always willing to serve, even at great personal cost?
We serve the greatest Servant of all, Jesus the Christ. He took on flesh to offer it up in the ultimate act of service. God willing, we’ll never have to make such a choice, but we need to be willing to do so.
Let’s consider, as we serve God and one another, how we can be a better servant. As we sang on Sunday,
“Service to others is service to You.
So make us Your servants. Make us like You.”
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