SERVOLOGY

We know that we have been uniquely gifted to serve each other for the glory of Jesus. With this knowledge, how can we have a Biblical perspective on how we are to serve? What is the posture we are to have in our service? Why is this important to us as a church?



JESUS THE SERVANT
The first few places I want us to look in Scripture as we try to frame this topic help to show us Jesus as a servant. Ultimately, our best example for service comes from Jesus himself.

{Read Mark 10:35-45 NLT}

Here in this passage, John and James are having a discussion on who can sit next to Jesus in heaven. The other disciples are hearing this conversation and are becoming jealous. So Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them a valuable lesson in serving.

I think it’s important to note here that this similar type of attitude seems to fill a lot of our churches even until today. Many want that “seat of honor”. You see, James, John, and the other disciples hadn’t fully understood what Jesus was calling them to. In their day, the religious leaders, the Scribes, the Pharisees had a lot of weight in their culture. Today, within our church culture, there is a similar feeling. The persons in “leadership” are viewed as greater.

He even makes the reference, the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. In other words, what is popular in culture is to flex your authoritative muscles over those under you.

Instead, Jesus here shows them that the life he is calling them to is one of servanthood. Jesus himself would model this. Reread verse 45:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How counter cultural! Even for today! And of course, Jesus here making a reference to the ultimate sacrifice that he would make on the cross {Gospelology}

This is the same message echoed in Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23. He calls them out and teaches on servanthood.

{Read Matthew 23:1-12}

Jesus has some harsh but truthful words for the religious leaders of his day. But ultimately the message is the same. The greatest is the one who serves.


WE ARE TO SERVE
In the passage we’re about to read, Jesus not only leads by example again, but also gives a mandate to serve others. This is where we come into the picture. As followers of Jesus, we too have the opportunity to serve others.

{Read John 13:3-17}
Jesus draws out these parallels. He says, slaves are not greater than their master...the messenger is not more important than the sender of the message. In other words, we are likewise to do what he modeled for us to do.


POSTURE OF SERVICE
This should help to center our hearts to an attitude of service. We should not only want to serve but be grateful that we have an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We have an opportunity to obey his commands.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. {Romans 12:9-13}

Look at the language and the picture being painted by Paul,

• Authentic love.
• Genuine affection.
• Delight in showing honor to one another.
• Work hard.
• Serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• Be ready to help.
• Be eager to practice hospitality.

Our posture of service should be one of gratitude, enthusiasm, genuineness, authenticity, readiness, and love.

Is this your posture of service? Is this how you view service? How will this impact how you serve?


IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE
As a church, this has huge implications. First of all because our mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Have you ever been to a church where you didn’t feel welcomed? Where you weren’t served? Where the focus was inward instead of outward? How did that make you feel?

We want to be a church that follows the example of Jesus. We want people to feel welcomed. We don’t want to cause any type of obstacle preventing people from hearing and responding to the life changing and saving message of the gospel.

Secondly, we are a church that will love God, love people, and serve our community. We are in a very needy community. We want to do what we can to love and serve our neighbors.

Likewise globally we want to lead the way with irrational generosity and give to ministries and organizations that are serving some of the poorest places in the world. That’s why we give to and serve alongside of organizations like:

• Samaritan’s Purse
• Charity : Water
• The Bowery Mission
• The Legacy Center

CONCLUSION
In light of how God has uniquely gifted you, how can you best utilize your gifts to serve the church and our community thereby bringing glory to Jesus?

We serve primarily in three ways.

• Time
• Talent
• Treasure

Next week we will continue our discussion with Givology. How can we honor God with our giving?

​Swerve church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn