Nurture
[Session 15]
Church and Serving
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve Him only.” (Luke 4:8)
[Session 15] Introduction Another aspect of our life of worship involves serving God. This lifestyle includes serving Him in the home, workplace, school or college, community and church. In the next two sessions we’re going to explore this in more depth: what is meant by ‘church’, serving God in church and serving God in the world (mission). In recent centuries people have come to associate the word ‘church’ with buildings and rituals, but this is not the true meaning of church.
What does the Bible say about the church? -
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The word ‘church’ describes all Christians everywhere (Acts 9:31) as well as those who meet in a particular location (Acts 15:4) (1 Cor. 1:2). Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22) (Colossians 1:17-18). He is committed to building his church and we should be too (Matthew 16:18). The church is a corporate witness, making known to the spiritual powers God’s wisdom in reconciling all peoples together (Ephesians 3:6, 10-11). The Church is also referred to as the family of God, (Ephesians 3:14-15) the house of God, (Hebrews 3:6) and the body of Christ, (1 Cor. 12:27). The first Christians met together regularly in order to grow spiritually and numerically (Acts 2:42-47); we should follow their example (Heb 10:25). There is great power and blessing in gathering together to worship God and pray (Matthew 18:19-20) (Psalm 133). The church is a place of relationship and security, where we can love God and each other (Matthew 22:37-40) (John 13:34-35) (Acts 4:32-37). The church is a place of life and growth, where we can honour and serve God (Ps 84:1-4, 10-11). Everyone has a distinct and vital part to play (1 Cor. 12:12-31).
lifechurch
Nurture
[Session 15]
[Session 15]
Prayer
Church and Serving
What does the Bible say about serving? -
Jesus came to serve (Matt 20:28) and calls us to follow His example (Matt 20:36-37) (John 13:12-17). Serving is part of our worship, our devotion to God (Luke 4:8). Serving involves an attitude of humility (Philippians 2:3-5). Our love for God motivates us to serve Him (Revelation 1:6) and others (Galatians 5:13). We should be enthusiastic about serving (1 Peter 5:2-3) (Ephesians 6:7) (Colossians 3:23). We are all competent as ‘ministers’ (servants) (2 Cor. 3:6) and have been gifted to serve others (1 Peter 4:10). As well as serving God in church, we can also serve in our homes, (Matt 8:14-15) work, (Acts 18:2-4) and the wider community, (Acts 6:1-6) (James 1:27).
Conclusion When you’re part of a family you get involved in family life. Being part of the church family is no different. As Christians, we are called to serve God and his church in whatever way we can, and to do it willingly and joyfully. Talk to your group leader or another leader in the church and find out how you can get involved in serving the church.
lifechurch