Service is the Proof of Growth

Service is the proof of growth.

You can’t claim Christian
growth without service.
The very foundation of faith is service.

God became a man to serve His creation.

If you don’t give up pleasures, glory, pride, and treasures you can’t claim to be serving.

Let us examine the following scriptures:
Ephesians 4:11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church). (Amplified Bible)

The work of pastors (Christian leaders generally) is to raise more servants!

More people in the service of serving others- The Body of Christ.

This service isn’t in positions, though positions could be formally defined.

This service is in the work.

Matthew 20:25 And Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men hold them in subjection [tyrannizing over them].
26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,
27 And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave—
28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. (Amplified Bible)

Ministry is to serve others. The Greek word for service and servant (Greek is the original language of the New testament) translates it as synonymous with the waiter at the restaurant.

He takes your orders.

Pastors must be seen as raising servants in their teaching and by example.

Let us hear Jesus again.

John 13:4 Got up from supper, took off His garments, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He fastened it around His waist.
5 Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the [servant’s] towel with which He was girded.
6 When He came to Simon Peter, [Peter] said to Him, Lord, are my feet to be washed by You? [Is it for You to wash my feet?]
7 Jesus said to him, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on.
8 Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with (in) Me [you have no share in companionship with Me].
9 Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but my hands and my head too!
10 Jesus said to him, Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.
11 For He knew who was going to betray Him; that was the reason He said, Not all of you are clean.
12 So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you.
16 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him. (Amplified Bible)

This is no mystery.
No mystic beliefs.
It’s an age-long practice of service.
Whom you serve, you honour.

Jesus teaches service here.

He laid aside his garments. He was naked.
He stripped Himself of all glory. He laid aside his position in His office.
His fat pay check.
He put down his wealth.
His background.
His pedigree.
He bends.
He is down at the feet of His disciples.
He is showing them He values them just as God does!

Paul teaches this too.

Philippians 2:1 So by whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! (Amplified Bible)

We are to know to treat others as important.
That is the foundation for service.
Some were “serving” in churches when they were young, weren’t rich, hadn’t gotten lucrative jobs etc., and suddenly stopped when wealth surfaced and worldly positions came.

Then they stopped serving. Truth is…THEY NEVER SERVED!

You can’t be humble when there’s nothing to lose, give up or lay aside. Humility is the key to Christian service.

Just like Jesus, we are not acting our age, social status, earthly positions, or intelligence.
We lay it aside and become waiters! Servants! Sometimes in Church we have made heroes out of men of influence and clout.

When they give testimonies of the contracts and their newly-acquired possessions we think such is the Kingdom of God! They ONLY become our models when they SERVE!

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Hope this is clear?

I choose to serve in God’s house. I choose to be humble! Jesus is Lord,We win!