Crossroads Community Church

Perhaps you are familiar with Bob Dylan’s classic song “You Gotta Serve Someone”

You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

I am not sure if Bob Dylan fully grasped the truth in these words. The fact of the matter is, however, we do have to serve somebody. Jesus made this truth abundantly clear in Luke chapter 16 when he said, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13).

In the World, people serve for a myriad of reasons: some serve out of a selfish motivation, to feel good about themselves, to be noticed, to seek advancement or approval…you get the idea. These people cease to serve when they feel it no longer benefits them. Others serve out of a sense of duty, obligation, or even guilt. While meaning well, they often grow weary and can become offended or bitter because of these very acts of service.

It should be obvious that none of these motives are valid reasons to serve. As Christians the only enduring motivation to serve is to be like Jesus. In fact, Every time we serve in this manner, regardless of who we are serving, in reality we serve God. Jesus illustrated this point when he talked about the final judgment in Matthew 25.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40).

I would like to challenge you with the truth that unless we serve from a genuine Christ-like love our service may make us feel better, but carries no eternal value. In fact, we are in danger of becoming weary in “well-doing”. And in that case, if left unchecked, can distract us from accomplishing God's intended plans and purposes for our life.

Paul understood this concept when he wrote, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15).

In a nutshell, Jesus served us so we could serve others who in turn are serving yet more people! When seen in this light, serving others becomes the gift that keeps on giving. This concept reminds me of another song by Christian recording artist Sandi Patty:

The Father gave the Son

The Son gave the Spirit

The Spirit gives us life

So we can give the Gift of love

And the Gift goes on ….

I hope you will be able to join us this Sunday as we explore the idea of how we were created to serve; it is only in serving that we are able to tap into our full potential in Christ Jesus! Have a blessed week.

March 14, 2023

Serving in Love

Live Stream Starts at 10:30 am

GOD WANTS TO HEAL YOU, TOO!

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