Embracing the Gift of Serving in Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the motivational gift of serving, as outlined in Romans 12. This gift is about identifying unmet needs and using available resources to meet those needs, often without seeking recognition or reward. Serving is a task-oriented gift, focusing on doing rather than speaking, and it plays a crucial role in the body of Christ. Each of us has a unique mix of gifts, and understanding our strengths and weaknesses can be life-changing, as it was for me when I discovered my prophetic gifting.

The gift of serving is characterized by a willingness to help others without concern for rank or recognition. It involves providing for the physical, material, or spiritual needs of others, often working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Servers are the hands of the body of Christ, demonstrating love through practical actions. They are often the first to notice tasks that need to be done and are motivated by the desire to help others succeed.

We looked at several examples of serving, both modern and biblical. My mother, a consummate server, facilitated my father's ministry by taking care of practical needs, allowing him to focus on his calling. Similarly, in the Bible, the two Marys served Jesus by preparing his body for burial, and Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, was chosen to serve the widows, which facilitated the growth of the early church.

Understanding and operating in our gifting allows room for the miraculous to happen. When we serve in our anointing, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully. This is why it's essential to discover and embrace our gifts, as they are vital to the church and society. Serving is not about being subservient but about operating in an anointing that brings life and growth to the community.

Key Takeaways:

- Humility in Serving: Serving is about meeting needs without seeking recognition. It's a task-oriented gift that focuses on doing rather than speaking, allowing others to thrive in their roles. This humility is essential for the body of Christ to function effectively. [03:38]

- The Power of Serving: When we operate in our gifting, we create space for the miraculous. The two Marys, by serving Jesus, were the first to witness and proclaim His resurrection, showing that serving can lead to profound spiritual experiences. [18:50]

- Biblical Examples of Serving: Stephen, chosen to serve the widows, was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. His service facilitated the growth of the early church, demonstrating that serving is a powerful ministry that supports the spread of the Gospel. [23:09]

- The Role of Servers in the Church: Servers are the hands of the church, ensuring that practical needs are met so that others can focus on their callings. This behind-the-scenes work is crucial for the church's overall health and effectiveness. [24:15]

- Discovering Your Gift: Understanding your gifting can be life-changing, providing clarity and purpose. Embracing your gift allows you to operate in your anointing, bringing value to the church and society. [47:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:38] - Understanding the Gift of Serving
- [05:46] - Characteristics of Servers
- [08:12] - Modern Example: My Mother's Gift
- [10:32] - The Role of Servers in Ministry
- [13:03] - Serving in the Church Community
- [15:03] - Biblical Example: The Two Marys
- [16:41] - The First Evangelists
- [18:50] - The Miraculous in Serving
- [20:15] - Biblical Example: Stephen
- [23:09] - The Role of Deacons
- [24:15] - The Importance of Serving
- [26:55] - Operating in Your Anointing
- [29:33] - Challenges and Misunderstandings
- [33:00] - Embracing Your Gift
- [47:23] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gift of Serving

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:3-8
- Matthew 28:1-10
- Acts 6:1-7

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 12:3-8, what are the different gifts mentioned, and how does Paul suggest they should be used?
2. In Matthew 28:1-10, what actions did the two Marys take, and what was their reward for serving Jesus?
3. How did the early church in Acts 6:1-7 address the issue of neglected widows, and what role did Stephen play in this situation?
4. What are some characteristics of the gift of serving as described in the sermon? [05:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the gift of serving differ from other gifts mentioned in Romans 12, and why is it important for the church? [03:38]
2. What does the story of the two Marys in Matthew 28 teach us about the spiritual significance of serving?
3. Why was Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, chosen to serve the widows, and what does this tell us about the value of serving in the early church? [23:09]
4. How can understanding one's gifting, as discussed in the sermon, lead to personal and communal growth? [47:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Have you identified your spiritual gifts, and how are you currently using them to serve others? [47:23]
2. The sermon emphasized humility in serving. How can you practice serving others without seeking recognition in your daily life? [03:38]
3. Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced the miraculous as a result of serving. How did it impact your faith or the faith of others? [18:50]
4. In what ways can you support the practical needs of your church community, similar to how Stephen supported the early church? [23:09]
5. Consider the role of servers in your church. How can you encourage and appreciate those who serve behind the scenes?
6. How can you create an environment in your life where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully through acts of service? [18:50]
7. Identify one area in your community where there is an unmet need. What steps can you take this week to address it using your gifts?

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Action
Serving is a gift that emphasizes meeting the needs of others without seeking recognition or reward. It is a task-oriented gift that focuses on doing rather than speaking, allowing others to thrive in their roles. This humility is essential for the body of Christ to function effectively. Those with the gift of serving often work behind the scenes, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that the practical needs of others are met. This selfless act of service is a demonstration of love and is crucial for the health and effectiveness of the church. [03:38]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a task or responsibility you can take on this week that will help someone else succeed without expecting any recognition. How can you approach this task with a heart of humility?


Day 2: The Miraculous in Serving
When we operate in our gifting, we create space for the miraculous to happen. Serving is not just about meeting physical needs; it can lead to profound spiritual experiences. The two Marys, by serving Jesus, were the first to witness and proclaim His resurrection. This shows that serving can open doors to witnessing God's power and presence in extraordinary ways. Embracing the gift of serving allows the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives and the lives of others. [18:50]

"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you served someone and experienced a sense of God's presence or witnessed a miraculous outcome. How can you be open to experiencing the miraculous in your acts of service this week?


Day 3: Serving as a Ministry
Stephen, chosen to serve the widows, was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. His service facilitated the growth of the early church, demonstrating that serving is a powerful ministry that supports the spread of the Gospel. Serving is not a lesser role but a vital ministry that contributes to the overall mission of the church. By meeting the needs of others, servers create an environment where the Gospel can flourish and lives can be transformed. [23:09]

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how you can use your gift of serving to support the mission of your church or community. What specific actions can you take this week to serve others in a way that facilitates the spread of the Gospel?


Day 4: The Hands of the Church
Servers are the hands of the church, ensuring that practical needs are met so that others can focus on their callings. This behind-the-scenes work is crucial for the church's overall health and effectiveness. By taking care of the practical aspects of ministry, servers enable others to focus on their spiritual gifts and callings. This collaborative effort strengthens the body of Christ and allows the church to function as a unified whole. [24:15]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a practical need within your church or community that you can help meet. How can you use your skills and resources to support others in their callings this week?


Day 5: Discovering Your Gift
Understanding your gifting can be life-changing, providing clarity and purpose. Embracing your gift allows you to operate in your anointing, bringing value to the church and society. Each person has a unique mix of gifts, and discovering these gifts can lead to a deeper understanding of one's role in the body of Christ. By embracing and operating in your gifting, you create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work through you to impact the lives of others. [47:23]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Take time to reflect on your unique gifts and how you can use them to serve others. What steps can you take this week to embrace and operate in your gifting more fully?

Quotes



"The ability to elevate any need for another without concern or desire for rank or recognition that will help or free that person to work more effectively. To some extent, this has a sense of altruism to it. All right? They choose to serve rather than having no other option than to serve. In other words, they'll serve. If there's nothing else to do, they'll serve." [00:03:48] (26 seconds)



"Unfortunately, some people interpret the reserved nature of a server and the desire to work behind the scenes as being uninteresting. In other words, sometimes people that are servers, they seem like they don't care because they're not paying attention to everything that's going on. But what they're doing is their task, they see something needs to be done, and their task, and they're going to get it done." [00:07:20] (21 seconds)



"Because of the honor, they honored Jesus, though this was supposed to be the Messiah. This is someone they had put their life's blood into. They had followed Jesus. He was their hope. He was their hope. And he had died. So what about the rest of his disciples? Where were they? Where were they? All the men. All the men were off in a house, shut up with all the windows closed, afraid they was going to get taken by the Romans." [00:16:41] (28 seconds)



"Serving his dead body to prepare him the way it's supposed to happen. Serving his dead body to prepare him the way it's supposed to happen. What is supposed to happen, they were doing it. And the benefit they received from what they were the first ones that Jesus was announced that he is no longer here, he is risen. And then they were the very first evangelists. The two Marys were the first evangelists to tell people that Jesus was alive." [00:17:57] (28 seconds)



"Acts chapter 6. Now, in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. So what was happening was they were having food distribution every day to the widows, and so there was the Jewish widows, and there was the Hellenistic widows, and they were separated. So the Hellenists were saying, well, we're being neglected because you're taking care of them, but you're not taking care of us." [00:20:15] (34 seconds)



"Stephen was described as full of faith and a Holy Spirit. In our day, we say, well, if you're full of faith and Holy Spirit, you should be a preacher. You need to get up behind the pulpit. His anointing was waiting on tables. His anointing was making sure the widows were fed. His anointing was looking after the food pantry. His anointing was doing that. What happened to Stephen later? Here, Acts chapter 6, verse 8, and Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." [00:24:47] (39 seconds)



"Because of the miraculous things that were happening, they stoned Stephen. He was a server. We're thinking he's behind the scenes. His behind the scenes work, like my mom did, was facilitating ministry that would not have happened had those guys had to focus on waiting on the tables. This is why those with the motivation, the motivational gift of serving, are so vitally important to the church, but also to our society." [00:25:41] (30 seconds)



"When you say server, I'm not talking about a slave. I'm not talking about somebody that's subservient. This is someone that operates in an anointing. You ought to see when my mother is operating in her anointing, she is on fire. She used to be, she had Sister Frances' job in the high school where I grew up. She was over the cafeteria. And to say this, this was the first and only time the cafeteria ever made money." [00:26:22] (32 seconds)



"That's part of my calling. That's just. That's who I am. Because it made such a difference in my life. Because discovering my gift set, discovering who I was and why I'm that way and thinking the way I think, it made such a tremendous difference in my life. Gave me value. What I felt like was value. When I felt valueless, I felt like I wasn't good. I wasn't good enough. It gave me value. And I want everybody else to experience that." [00:46:43] (32 seconds)



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Transcript
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