Are We Serving God?
Psalm 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalm 100:1-3 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
The Word of God says that we ought to serve Him…
-Does that mean we should do what He says?
-Should we keep the Commandments?
-Should we go to Church services?
-Become a missionary or minister?
-Get baptized under water, read the Bible, give money,
pray every day and say “Praise the Lord” whenever we
can?
Actually, you can do ALL these things and NOT be serving the Lord. Serving the Lord is referring more to a condition than a behavior.
In the Greek: “To Serve” means “To Be A Slave”.
To be a Believer is referring more to a person’s condition of heart than it is to any doctrine or theology.
To be a Disciple is more than learning and knowing teachings.
Serving God means to choose to be God’s Slave.
There is a great difference between a modern servant and a slave. It’s interesting to compare the two:
-The servant receives a wage or payment for serving; a
slave does not get paid.
-The servant goes home at the end of the day; the slave’s
home is wherever the Master is.
-The servant has his own life that he lives “after work”; the
slave’s life belongs to the Master.
-A servant plans his future and saves, studies and prepares
accordingly. The slave’s future is decided and prepared for
by the Master.
The laws regarding Hebrew slaves describes the difference as follows:
Exodus 21:1-6 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Many people “serve” the Lord for personal gain. The benefits of the Christian life are very attractive and generous. Many are “working” for the Lord because of the future “payday” they expect when they get to Heaven.
-People sing songs about their mansions in Heaven.
-They love to think of golden crowns.
-They imagine living in perfect health.
-Some say hang in there until the rapture and you go to a
party that lasts for seven years!
-And, of course, you get to RULE forever…
If you want to become a slave of God, you’ll have to give up all your rights to those things. Just as Disciples sacrifice a lot more than those that simply Believe, Slaves will sacrifice more than Disciples.
Why Should We Serve God?
John 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
#1 You will bring forth MUCH FRUIT! You will be a soul-winner!
#2 The life and ministry you live here will continue forever!
#3 You will walk with Jesus and see Him minister around you!
#4 The Father will honor you!
Your prayers will have power,
Your ministry will be anointed
If someone hurts you, the Father will respond.
All will know that God is with you!
Paul explains in Romans 7 for us to become a servant of Christ, Jesus needed to buy us with His own blood:
Romans 7:1-6 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
When we were under the Law, it was as though we were married to God. The “deal” was with God. We didn’t have a choice; He made us, He fed us and He provided everything we needed or wanted: Who invented (made) cows, firewood, water, sex, sleep, life and death? He fashioned us from the dust of the earth and made the dust, too. Then He made us free!
When we decided to turn our backs on God, it doesn’t mean we suddenly owned those things that we need; it made us moochers or rustlers of God’s things... Sadly, without God, we have nothing. If you’re hungry, ask a “scientist” to make you a turkey sandwich out of NOTHING.
We needed a NEW deal!
God saw our problem and wanted to help us. Sure, the only thing WE could do was to die; but that would ruin us. Now, for God to die…not too much of a problem. He is called Yahweh because in the original language it means self-existent one. As Jesus explained:
John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Just as the husband in Romans 7:2 above, Jesus died to give us a chance at a new deal. Now we can CHOOSE to serve God! It’s a much better deal and has much better promises.
How can we KNOW if we are SERVING GOD?
Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
#5 Righteousness of God: the Lord will do wonderful works in your life and ministry.
#6 Peace with God: you can approach God bravely with confidence and peace.
#7 Joy in the Holy Ghost: you will be delighted by the Holy Ghost!!
What do we DO to become a love-slave of God?
Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
…and Christ SHALL APPEAR!!
When you put your eyes upon Jesus, you AUTOMATICALLY turn your back on other things:
Colossians 3:5-9 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
How do we PUT OFF these things? Isn’t this some strict form of legalism? Not at all! It is actually quite easy to do (if you want to). You PUT them OFF by PUTTING ON the next list:
Colossians 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
You will see that fixing your mind and heart on Jesus Christ will PUT OFF those things of the flesh and PUT ON new things through the knowledge and image of Jesus!
Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
(We might count those as #8 through #17)
Do you notice that the things here are not what we DO, but rather what we ARE? It’s the difference between the Letter of the Law and the Spirit of the law! Of course, a man that IS merciful DOES merciful things! Not because it is the Commandment of God, but because that is LIKE GOD! When we look at Jesus and love Him for how wonderful He is, we become more and more like Him.
Please consider some intriguing thoughts…
-If you speak the truth, you are not lying.
-If you are giving to the poor, you are not robbing them.
-If you are generous, you are not stingy.
-If you love God, you do not love the world.
-If you serve Jesus, you do not serve the devil.
Let’s decide today that:
We will LOVE GOD
We will NOT go out free
and
We will SERVE THE LORD
forever!
Psalm 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalm 100:1-3 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
The Word of God says that we ought to serve Him…
-Does that mean we should do what He says?
-Should we keep the Commandments?
-Should we go to Church services?
-Become a missionary or minister?
-Get baptized under water, read the Bible, give money,
pray every day and say “Praise the Lord” whenever we
can?
Actually, you can do ALL these things and NOT be serving the Lord. Serving the Lord is referring more to a condition than a behavior.
In the Greek: “To Serve” means “To Be A Slave”.
To be a Believer is referring more to a person’s condition of heart than it is to any doctrine or theology.
To be a Disciple is more than learning and knowing teachings.
Serving God means to choose to be God’s Slave.
There is a great difference between a modern servant and a slave. It’s interesting to compare the two:
-The servant receives a wage or payment for serving; a
slave does not get paid.
-The servant goes home at the end of the day; the slave’s
home is wherever the Master is.
-The servant has his own life that he lives “after work”; the
slave’s life belongs to the Master.
-A servant plans his future and saves, studies and prepares
accordingly. The slave’s future is decided and prepared for
by the Master.
The laws regarding Hebrew slaves describes the difference as follows:
Exodus 21:1-6 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Many people “serve” the Lord for personal gain. The benefits of the Christian life are very attractive and generous. Many are “working” for the Lord because of the future “payday” they expect when they get to Heaven.
-People sing songs about their mansions in Heaven.
-They love to think of golden crowns.
-They imagine living in perfect health.
-Some say hang in there until the rapture and you go to a
party that lasts for seven years!
-And, of course, you get to RULE forever…
If you want to become a slave of God, you’ll have to give up all your rights to those things. Just as Disciples sacrifice a lot more than those that simply Believe, Slaves will sacrifice more than Disciples.
Why Should We Serve God?
John 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
#1 You will bring forth MUCH FRUIT! You will be a soul-winner!
#2 The life and ministry you live here will continue forever!
#3 You will walk with Jesus and see Him minister around you!
#4 The Father will honor you!
Your prayers will have power,
Your ministry will be anointed
If someone hurts you, the Father will respond.
All will know that God is with you!
Paul explains in Romans 7 for us to become a servant of Christ, Jesus needed to buy us with His own blood:
Romans 7:1-6 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
When we were under the Law, it was as though we were married to God. The “deal” was with God. We didn’t have a choice; He made us, He fed us and He provided everything we needed or wanted: Who invented (made) cows, firewood, water, sex, sleep, life and death? He fashioned us from the dust of the earth and made the dust, too. Then He made us free!
When we decided to turn our backs on God, it doesn’t mean we suddenly owned those things that we need; it made us moochers or rustlers of God’s things... Sadly, without God, we have nothing. If you’re hungry, ask a “scientist” to make you a turkey sandwich out of NOTHING.
We needed a NEW deal!
God saw our problem and wanted to help us. Sure, the only thing WE could do was to die; but that would ruin us. Now, for God to die…not too much of a problem. He is called Yahweh because in the original language it means self-existent one. As Jesus explained:
John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Just as the husband in Romans 7:2 above, Jesus died to give us a chance at a new deal. Now we can CHOOSE to serve God! It’s a much better deal and has much better promises.
How can we KNOW if we are SERVING GOD?
Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
#5 Righteousness of God: the Lord will do wonderful works in your life and ministry.
#6 Peace with God: you can approach God bravely with confidence and peace.
#7 Joy in the Holy Ghost: you will be delighted by the Holy Ghost!!
What do we DO to become a love-slave of God?
Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
…and Christ SHALL APPEAR!!
When you put your eyes upon Jesus, you AUTOMATICALLY turn your back on other things:
Colossians 3:5-9 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
How do we PUT OFF these things? Isn’t this some strict form of legalism? Not at all! It is actually quite easy to do (if you want to). You PUT them OFF by PUTTING ON the next list:
Colossians 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
You will see that fixing your mind and heart on Jesus Christ will PUT OFF those things of the flesh and PUT ON new things through the knowledge and image of Jesus!
Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
(We might count those as #8 through #17)
Do you notice that the things here are not what we DO, but rather what we ARE? It’s the difference between the Letter of the Law and the Spirit of the law! Of course, a man that IS merciful DOES merciful things! Not because it is the Commandment of God, but because that is LIKE GOD! When we look at Jesus and love Him for how wonderful He is, we become more and more like Him.
Please consider some intriguing thoughts…
-If you speak the truth, you are not lying.
-If you are giving to the poor, you are not robbing them.
-If you are generous, you are not stingy.
-If you love God, you do not love the world.
-If you serve Jesus, you do not serve the devil.
Let’s decide today that:
We will LOVE GOD
We will NOT go out free
and
We will SERVE THE LORD
forever!
