Principles for Successful Ministry 2

JOHN 13:12-17

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD/ PRINCIPLES                                                

THEME: Following Bible Based Guidelines in Christian Ministry Is Successful Service and Not Merely the Numerical Results or Impressive Statistics.  How and Why You Serve Christ Is Just as Important as What You Do for Him.   

INTRODUCTION: 

God requires service from every believer.  Ministry is not an option or a suggestion to be considered, but a commandment to be obeyed. This is true of every genuine believer. God knows that service is one way we can increase blessing and fulfillment in our own lives while bring great glory to Him. Though difficulty is a part of ministry, God does not command us to serve so that we might suffer hardness. Beloved, God directs us into service opportunities to reward us and bring us blessings. 

A measure of God’s blessings come to us in the form of ministry success which is far more than impressive numerical results, rapid ministry expansion, and sensational statistical reports. Following God’s ministry guidelines is success–how you serve Christ is important!  Beloved, ministry can be used of the Spirit of God to stamp Jesus into our character. While God is glorified when we bear much fruit (Jn. 15:5,8), He still requires that we serve His way for His reasons and not merely to impress others or to meet human expectations (Jn. 15:1-8, 16).  We must be motivated to do God’s Work in God’s Way!  Servant-leadership principles are the key.  In fact Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17).

Serving God’s Way for Godly Reasons is Success. Once again success in Christian ministry is in finding and following Bible based guidelines faithfully and leaving the results and statistic with the Lord. So, what are some principles for successful service?

LESSON:

I.  PRINCIPLE #1: SERVE LIKE YOUR MASTER.

II. PRINCIPLE #2: BE A VOLUNTEER  SERVANT.

III. PRINCIPLE #3: SERVE WITHOUT COMPARISON.

  

IV. PRINCIPLE #4: SERVE WITHOUT EXCLUSIONS.

1 Cor. 12:6-7, And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

If a person volunteers to join you in your service to others, allow him or her the privilege of doing so.

A.  INVOLVE EVERY BELIEVER IN SERVICE. 

    1.  Nobody Is Ever Too Young or Too Old to Serve.

In fact, there's no retirement program for Christian service. Following the Lord's example, we each are to serve the Lord and to serve others every day of our lives.

    2.  Biblical Love is to Be Expressed by Every Believer.

Jesus called His disciples “little children” during the Last Supper and said to them, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ” (John 13:34-35). Love knows no age limitations. Even a young child is capable of expressing love and care to others.  We don’t have many senior citizens in our church but they are potentially the most effect servants in a ministry!

B.  INCLUDE EVERYONE WHEN EXTENDING SERVICE.

Just as you exclude no person from an opportunity to serve, you must not exclude anyone from receiving service.

   1.  Consider Christ Helping Others.

Consider all whom the Lord Jesus touched with His hands. They included a leper, a child, and a blind man. He used His hands to wash the feet of His disciples. Consider the many different peoples he ministered to: the demon possessed, a Canaanite woman, Tax collectors, Zealots, Roman soldiers, Pharisees, the poor, the rich, the powerful, the outcasts, harlots, mourners, and even the dead.

   2.  Consider the Inclusive Nature of Calvary.

Eventually, He spread His hands out on a cross and died for the sins of all mankind.

      A.  Do Not Allow Ethnic Differences to Hinder You!

He certainly expects you to extend your hands to those in need regardless of their race, color, culture, nationality, or type of need (Acts 1:8; 2; 8:5, 26-27; 10:1-2, 33-48; 11:20-22; 13; 19:8-10). 

      B.  Do Not Allow Degradation to Hinder You!

Sometimes we avoid witnessing to people who are social outcasts and notorious rebels, but again this is not a legitimate reason to refuse to serve someone.  The only way some of these precious souls will ever be saved and know the Lord is if a real Christian begins to build bridges to them to win them to the Savior. This is exactly what Paul did among the Corinthians and what the other Apostles emphasized as well (1Cor. 6:9-11; Acts 19:17-20; 1Cor. 12:2; Eph. 2:1-3; Tit. 3:3-6; 1Pet. 4:2-4).  

      C.  Do Not Allow Sophistication to Hinder You!

Remember Cornelius of Acts 10:1-2 was a centurion — Roman Military Officer responsible for about 100 soldiers.  Consider the Epicureans, Stoicks, and Philosphers of Athen in Acts 17:16-34, no doubt these were great debaters and thinkers of their day.  In addition, Athens was the center of culture, education, and fine arts. What about the Grecian Honorable Women who were noted for their prominence in Thessalonica in Acts 17:11-12.   All of these are examples of the gospel reaching out to all people and any people without regard for race, social status, occupation, education, or culture!

Consider how inclusive God was in his plans for humanity and follow suit!  How does this effect whom you witness to and those you seek to disciple?

1 Tim. 2:5-6,  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2 Cor. 5:14-16, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. [16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.   

2 Cor. 5:19,  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Peter 3:9,  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

  

V. PRINCIPLE #5: SERVE WITH COMMITMENT.

Proverbs 16:3, Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  

Psalm 37:5, Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  

Regardless of the degree of commitment to service that you may have made in the past—or lack thereof—you can make a new start today.

A.  START FRESH WITH A NEW COMMITMENT.

  

    1.  Seek God’s Forgiveness.

Ask God to forgive you for wasted opportunities to serve. Make a commitment to yourself to discover your talents and abilities that might be used in service.

     2.  Act Upon Your New Commitment.

And then, make a commitment to get involved in the lives of others and to give, help, and provide as you are able. A real commitment is one that is acted upon, not merely one that is talked about.

The Lord Jesus fully expects us to act on our commitments to serve Him faithfully. He still requires total loyalty to Himself! Matthew 8:19-22,   And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [20] And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [21] And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [22] But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Our commitment to Christ must be complete. It is possible that this disciple was not asking permission to go to his father's funeral, but rather to put off following Jesus until his elderly father died. Perhaps he was the firstborn son and wanted to be sure to claim his inheritance. Perhaps he didn't want to face his father's wrath if he left the family business to follow an itinerant preacher. Whether his concern was financial security, family approval, or something else, he did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet. Jesus, however, would not accept his excuse.  You too may need to start fresh with a new commitment!

Jesus was always direct with those who wanted to follow him. He made sure they counted the cost and set aside any conditions they might have for following him. As God's Son, Jesus did not hesitate to demand complete loyalty. Even family loyalty was not to take priority over the demands of obedience. His direct challenge forces us to ask ourselves about our own priorities in following him. The decision to follow Jesus should not be put off, even though other loyalties compete for our attention. Nothing should be placed above a total commitment to living for him.  Commit today!

B.  SERVE WITH ENDURANCE—IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE.

Commitment is required if you are to endure in your service through tough times and persecution.

    1.  Faithful Godly Service Will Be Rewarded by the Lord Jesus.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

1 Cor. 3:12-14,  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Make certain that what you do with your time, energies, and talents is for the gospel, and your work will be counted as gold, silver, and precious stones. It is what you do for your own self-serving interests and self-gratification that will be revealed as wood, hay, and stubble.

    2.  Endurance Grows out of Commitment to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:22, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated what he stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions, however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times of trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don't do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ.

Standing firm and enduring to the end is not another way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life.

Commit yourself to being consistent in your service to Christ and others throughout your life. Philip. 1:27, Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

VI. PRINCIPLE #6: LEAVE THE OUTCOMES WITH GOD.

Philip. 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

You are not responsible fully for the outcomes related to your service. Your responsibility is to serve God and others to the best of your ability, with the full force of your love, energy, and talents. What happens as the result of your service is God's responsibility.

A.  IT’S WHAT GOD ACHIEVES THAT COUNTS.

John 14:10, Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  

      1.  The Apostle Paul Suffered Greatly in Giving Service to the Early Church.

         A.  His Ministry Was Filled with Conflict, Struggles, and Troubles.

If you were to evaluate Paul's ministry on the basis of the number of times he was beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed and scorned, rejected, or assaulted, you would consider his ministry to be a total failure. The value of

         B.  Paul's Ministry, However, Was Not Measured by What He Went Through, but by What God Accomplished Through His consistent, persistent, and insistent preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

      2.  It Is God Who Saves Souls; We Merely Do the Witnessing.

      3.  It Is God Who Heals and Restores; We Merely Do the “Medicating,” the Praying, and the Exhorting.

      4.  It Is God Who Delivers; We Merely Proclaim the Power, the Blood, and the Promises Made Available to Us Through the Name of Jesus.

      5.  When We Serve, God Works. He uses everything that we do for His good purposes and eternal plan.

B.  CONCENTRATE ON BEING FAITHFUL.

Matthew 25:21, His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

God calls us to be faithful. Our “success” is up to Him. Ministry is not something we do for God but, rather, something that God does through us. He is the One who calls us to service, enables us to serve, and produces His desired result from our service. Trust Him to work faithfully in and through you.

1 Thes. 5:24, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Adopting an attitude of faithfulness in service is a tall order. Faithful servants are committed believers. Faithful servants are loyal Christians. Faithful servants are responsible persons. Their word is a bond. A faithful servant will choose to forgo distractions for the prescribed goal. They are not dissuaded by “wind or weather,” by personalities, by fatigue, or other distractions. That is why God rewards faithfulness so highly—why He places such a premium on faithfulness in our pursuit and execution of His will.

Consider the following questions and use them to x-ray your own heart before the Lord Jesus:

Am I serving God’s way?

Am I serving for godly reasons?

Am I motivated to impress others?

Am I like my Master?

Am I a consistent volunteer?

Am I comparing myself with others?

Am I excluding some in my service?

Am I committed in my ministry?

Am I leaving the outcomes with God?

Am I faithful to God’s work?

Principles for Successful Ministry 1

JOHN 13:12-17

SUBJECT: PRINCIPLES OF SERVANTHOOD                                             

THEME: Following Bible Based Guidelines in Christian Ministry Is Successful Service and Not Merely the Numerical Results or Impressive Statistics. How and Why You Serve Christ Is Just as Important as What You Do for Him.   

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Service Is a Theme That Runs Throughout God's Word from Cover to Cover.

    A.  The Bible is filled with countless examples of ways in which God served His people, ways in which God's people served God and others, and commandments that are related to service.

    B.  Today, we will begin looking at six principles from God's Word that are related to service. These guidelines are interrelated and should be taken as a whole.

2.  Service is  Strictly the Command of Our Lord for Every Believer.

As you think upon these principles you will be challenged to ask yourself some tough questions. Why do I press this issue?  

     A.  Because God has made it very clear in His Word that He requires service from us. Service is not an option or a suggestion. It is a commandment. 

     B.  Again this passage emphasizes inner humility in service, not a physical ritual. Not to follow this example of Jesus is to view oneself as “greater” than He is and to live in pride.  Remember no servant is greater than his master (John 12:26; 13:16).

3.  Serving God’s Way for Godly Reasons is Success.

Once again success in Christian ministry is in finding and following Bible based guidelines faithfully and leaving the results and statistic with the Lord.   What are some of these principles?

LESSON:

I.  PRINCIPLE #1: SERVE LIKE YOUR MASTER--JESUS.

John 13:14-15, If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

A.  THE CRITICAL CHALLENGE— to Serve with Humility.  (Jn. 13:14-15)

Something absolutely vital to the work of the Lord is humility and submission to Christ way and motivations.

     1.  Christ’s Example.

In verses (Jn. 13:12–17) Jesus challenged the disciples on the basis of what he had just done. He knew the limitations of the disciples understanding and sought to challenge and clarify his expectation of his servants.

 

      2.  Christ’s Expectations.

He challenged them with his own example of humble service (Jn. 13:14) . 

A prison of pride is filled with self-made men and women determined to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps even if they land on their rear ends. It doesn't matter what they did or to whom they did it, or where they end up; it only matters that “I did it my way.””— Max Lacado

No form of pride, false self-respect, or determination to do our own thing should prevent us from humbly serving the brethren. If Jesus served humbly, then so should we! This is the critical challenge.

B.  THE CONSTRAINING COMMAND— Serve Your Master and Lord Without Excuses. (Jn. 13:13-14)

Commands are to be obeyed without excuse or failure. What makes this order so constraining is the fact that it came from:

      1.  Our Master, Lord, and Example.

Jesus appealed first to his own relationship to the disciples (“Master” = Teacher, “Lord”= Authority) (Jn. 13:13-14) and then to his example (ye also ought to wash one another’s feet). The authoritative nature of his approach is unmistakable and should short-circuit any excuses anyone would offer.  The opposite is rebellion!

      2.  A Revolutionary Standpoint. 

Furthermore, the command is strengthened when we remember that humility was despised in the ancient world as a sign of weakness. Jesus’ command was therefore revolutionary in the sphere of human relationships and applicable to everyone of his disciples and subjects. 

This is not a suggestion but a command from our Teacher, Supreme Authority, and Example! May it be ever clear to each of us that we are obligated to the Master’s Mandates!

C.  THE COMPELLING CLARIFICATION— You Are Enslaved as Christ’s Messenger.  (Jn.13:16).

   

      1.  Seek Service Not Your Rights.                                 

The word “servant” in Jn.13:16 means a slave who had no rights in his master’s house.

      2.  Choose Purpose Over Prestige.

Since the words “he that is sent” refers to a  messenger this would stripe the office of ‘apostleship’ of any prestige and remind them of their obligations to proclaim Christ’s message. They were not too important for this purpose.

These words clarify our responsibility to slavishly execute Christ’s commands and proclaim his message with a humble heart.  We should consider ourselves “sent” by our “Lord” and “Master” for this purpose of serving as his messengers with any and every opportunity.

D.  THE CHEERFUL CONSIDERATION— Real Value and Blessing lies in Doing Service! (John 13:17)

   1.  Service Is Also Our Way to Increased Blessing and Fulfillment in Life.   John 13:17

      A.  We can be “happy” (blessed, joyful, fulfilled), through our service to others.

      B.  We are not blessed because of what we know, but because of what we do with what we know.

      C.  God's grace to us finds its completion in the service we perform for others.

      D.  We will find our greatest joy in obeying Christ by serving others.

   2.  Suffering and Hardship are Not God’s Primary Motivations for Commanding Service.

      A.  God does not command us to serve so that we might be hurt, diminished, decreased, or made to suffer.              

      B.  Suffering and hardship is not what motivates the Lord to compel us to serve.  

      C.  However, our service should be accomplished with a humble attitude and spirit even while suffering to do God’s will.  

   3.  Blessing and Rewards are God’s Motivations for Commanding Service.

      A.  Rather, God commands us to service so that through our service to others, He might reward us, bring us blessing, teach us, and develop a closer relationship with us.

      B.  God blesses His servants because of their responses to what they know.

      C.  Christian happiness (happy are ye) comes through obedient service (if you do them, i.e., the things Jesus commanded).

      D.  God always rewards our service with greater awareness of His presence and power and, ultimately, with eternal rewards that are beyond our ability to imagine them.

Jesus said, “The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. [17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. ” (John 13:16–17). We must serve. But this is a command we should delight in doing because service always reaps benefit—to us personally as well as to those whom we serve.                                

James 1:25,  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

II. PRINCIPLE #2: BE A VOLUNTEER  SERVANT.

Exodus 35:5,  Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,

Exodus 35:22,  And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.

Obviously the O.T. saints were instructed that they could bring an offering to the Lord on a volunteer basis. Today we should view our service as a volunteer offering to the Lord willingly given from the heart. Service is certainly a matter of love for the Lord and others. It’s not only the incentives, money, or rewards but the “willing heart” to be a blessing to the Lord and His people.

A.  A TRUE SERVANT DOES NOT WAIT TO BE ASKED.

Why is this true?

   1.  Because they are Sensitive.

He or she discerns a need and acts decisively to meet it. A servant has a sensitive heart and a willing spirit.

I recall when Brother Anderson walked into a conversation I was having with one of our Sunday School teachers who was preparing for a vacation. We needed a substitute while she was away.  Brother Anderson immediately spoke up and volunteered for the job. I did not try to talk him into it nor coerce him in any way at all.  He simply was sensitive to the need and made himself available to help! Praise the Lord for Christians who listen to God and sense His promptings.

   2.  Because of Their Love for Others.

        A.  Godly Love Actively Relieves Needs.

A volunteer is motivated by love and prompted to action by the presence of a need.  Biblical love is never static but active and dynamic. 

        B.  Do Not Confuse This With Full Time Ministers.

The instructions on volunteerism are applicable to the average ministry opportunities in a church and not to the vocational Gospel ministry. I believe God  “calls” preachers to fulltime ministry and thus it is not on a volunteer basis.

   3.  Because They are not Concerned With Convenience. 

        A.  A Volunteer Is Not Motivated by Convenience or Leisure Time.

        B.  Convenient Service Opportunities Will Never Come.

Those who say “someday I'll get involved” or “someday I'll serve God” are offering lame excuses. If you are waiting for a convenient time to serve, you will never serve.  The devil will ensure that you stay far too busy to serve God.

Ask yourself, “What is it that I won't do for God? What is it that I wouldn't do for another person?” An honest answer to those two questions will reveal your own self-pride.

        C.  Many Hard Workers Make a Priority of Christian Ministry.

But bare in mind, those who serve in some of the most significant ministries at a Church are some of the hardest working and busiest people in the entire community.  Truly, busy people, who love the Lord, always make a priority of the most significant endeavors like serving God. 

Remember Jesus died naked, bloody, and battered, on a cross that was next to a public highway. He was made a laughingstock—a crown of thorns pressed into His brow and a sign above His head labeling him in mockery, “King of the Jews.” Jesus died for your sake so that you might have a Savior.  Why is convenience even a consideration when it comes to service? 

Do not expect someone to beg you to serve a Lord who went through that much intense suffering for you!

B.  JESUS MODELED VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 

The Lord Jesus served God and humanity voluntarily in his death. Furthermore, Jesus actually went to the cross voluntarily.

    1.  Remember Christ’s Crucifixion.

The Bible gives us these words of Jesus, spoken well in advance of His crucifixion:

John 10:14-18,   I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. [17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. [18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

          A.  Jesus was obedient to His heavenly Father, and the Cross was His supreme act of volunteerism.

          B.  He gave His life voluntarily for our salvation without regard to pain, suffering, mockery, or the disbelief of many who witnessed His death.

Is there any type of service that is beneath you? Is there anything you won't do for Him?  Do considerations of sacrifice, discomfort, and difficulty discourage you from getting involved in a more meaningful way?

    2.  Remember David’s Testimony. 

Acts 13:22,  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

God said about King David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” (Acts 13:22b). Will God say that about you?

III. PRINCIPLE #3: SERVE WITHOUT COMPARISON.

2 Cor. 10:12,   For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2 Cor. 10:17-18,  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. [18] For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

A.  DO NOT RESORT TO PRIDE BASED ON COMPARISONS.

Jeremiah 9:24,  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

    1.  Service is Not a Matter of Excelling Others.

A true servant doesn't compare his level or type of service with that of anyone else. Service is not hierarchical. There is no “top floor, corner office” when it comes to successful service.

    2.  Service is a Matter of the Heart’s Motivations.

         A.  God Looks upon the Heart and its Motivation, Not Merely upon Results or Achievements, in Rewarding Service.

                                               

         B.  As We Have Stated Before, Every Person Is Capable and Every Person Is Qualified for Some Type of Service.

                                               

B.  DO NOT USE EXCUSES BASED ON COMPARISONS.

1 Thes. 5:11,  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.   

Clearly we all are commanded to “comfort” and “edify one another.”  It doesn’t matter who you are, every believer can obey this command in some way or another.

    1.  Get Your Focus Off of Others.

Many people say about service, “I'd do more for God if I only had … ”   These are only a few of the excuses given in the “if I only had” category:

         ! his job and income

         ! his circumstances and time availability

         ! his opportunities

         ! his family background and status

    2.  Focus on What You Do Have.

Everything you have is a gift from God, and God considers what you have been given adequate for the tasks to which He calls you. Rather than focus on what you lack, take a look at what you have.

    3.  Focus on Your Opportunities.

Not only do you have adequate talents and gifts with which to serve, but God has given you a place and a people to serve. God has given you your family, your business or place of employment, your friends, your church, and your neighborhood as opportunities to serve. There are needs all around you. Target one of them and get started.

  

C.  DO NOT USE CRITICISM BASED ON COMPARISONS. 

Matthew 7:1-2,   Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

1 Thes. 5:15,  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

     1.  Refuse to Criticize Those Who Don’t Serve.

Once you begin to serve, don't criticize those who fail to serve. Jesus did not wash the feet of His disciples and then say to them, “Now you wash my feet.” Service must be without criticism and without comparison.

     2.  Refuse To Criticize Those Who Lead Others.

Don't criticize your fellow servants or those who lead your service effort.

         A.  Encourage Them and Build Them Up.  (1 Thes. 5:11)

The person who gives encouragement is likely the person who receives encouragement.

         B.  Offer Insightful Suggestions to Encourage the Work.

Offer suggestions when you think they may be beneficial to the group as a whole, but don't criticize what a person has done in the past or what he is attempting to do. You never know the full story. Only God knows the full extent of that person's effort and the motivation that is behind it.

Be a part of the progress not a stumbling block or hindrance. Harsh criticism never helps!

God requires service from every believer. Ministry is not an optional thing to consider, but a commandment to be obeyed. God knows that service is one way we can increase blessing and fulfillment in our own life. Though difficulty is a part of ministry, God does not command us to serve so that we might suffer lose. Rather, He commands service in order to reward us and bring us blessings. 

A measure of God’s blessings come to us in the form of ministry success which is far more then impressive numerical results, rapid ministry expansion, and sensational statistical reports.  Following God’s ministry guidelines is success–how you serve Christ is important!  While God is glorified when we bare much fruit (Jn. 15:5,8), He still requires that we serve His way for His reasons and not merely to impress others or to meet human expectations (Jn. 15:1-8, 16).  We must be motivated to do God’s Work in God’s Way!  Servant-leadership principles are the key.  In fact Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17).

Do I Seek To Please God or Men?

Make it your aim, as you serve the Lord, to always please Him and not merely people. The Apostle Paul wisely exemplified this truth, in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” How vital for us to remember that it is God who has afforded us the many opportunities we have to serve Him and others. Therefore, we must labor and invest ourselves for His grand approval upon our lives of service. This in no way implies a lack of consideration for people’s legitimate needs or concerns. While it is a wonderful thing to satisfy the expectations of those we serve, ultimately we must answer to Christ.

You see, it is God who tries the hearts of His servants. He, with infinitely clear insight into the motives and desires of our hearts, will carefully examine us. He is fully aware of the reasons behind our actions. If we undertake holy tasks with unholy ambitions of pride, self-aggrandizement, fortune, or prestige, surely the Lord God will know this and smite our hearts accordingly. MacDonald observed,

A steward is obligated to please the one who pays him. Preachers may sometimes be tempted to hold back the full truth for fear of repercussion from those who contribute to their support. But God is the Master, and He knows when the message is watered down or suppressed. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Therefore, can our false humility go undetected? Is it possible our fear motivated ‘initiatives’ could be exposed by God? Is it possible our anger and frustration-based decisions will be subject to the discerning fires of an all-knowing Lord? The answer must be an absolute YES, if we are honest with ourselves!

Often Christian work is prosecuted on the basis of the normal, well established, and conventional wisdom of a movement, denomination, fellowship, or association. Unfortunately, our man-made traditions drive us to do the same things in the same way while expecting different and positive results. Someone described this as the definition for insanity! Pleasing the Lord first and foremost may demand breaking with mere human traditions no matter how well established they may be. The problem is many matters are viewed as biblical when really they are only traditional, contemporary, or cultural. This struggle is not new at all. No, truly biblical requirements are not of human origin and must be upheld. Traditions, whether ancient or contemporary, should be examined to determine their real value, but in many instances they may need to be discarded!

When we stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ, what people preferred or thought will not matter much at all. What did our Master require? What does the Bible actually say and teach? This is the issue most pressing to us as His slaves. Our loyalties should be to Christ first and foremost and not the group we identify ourselves with. It is God who has entrusted us with the Gospel; therefore, we are supremely accountable to Him. This is a marvelous and freeing realization. Our Lord has simplified matters for us. We have but one Lord and God to please.

In addition, we are not left without examples of authentic devotion and consecration to God’s will. The Apostle Paul executed a ministry of incredible freedom under the Mastery of Christ. Also in John 8:29, the Lord Jesus said, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” Christ was sent with a definite purpose and object; He habitually lived and served to always please His Father who sent Him. It was God’s way…period. Our Lord enjoyed special fellowship and communion with the Father through His devotion to His will. Certainly decisive discernment and spiritual power were His in abundance due to His commitment to execute God’s plan. Christ Jesus provides an imminently appropriate Model of faithfulness and fruitfulness for us today!

Then finally, the wise King Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 29:25, that “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Being too overly concerned with political correctness and pleasing everybody is not how we demonstrate a trust in the LORD. There is no real safety to be had in capitulating to the sheer whelm of fickle souls or societies. Serving in the fear of the Lord can protect and preserve us from serious mistakes—actions that are deeply offensive to HIM. We are far too concern about mere men being happy with us, while we readily diminish the pleasure of God in His servants’ full obedience to Him. Speak and share the gospel of our Lord as one who has been commissioned by Almighty God. Beloved, escape the snares and traps that accompany the fear of man by serving in the fear of God. 

Again make it your life’s goal, as a servant of the Most High God, to always please Him in all things. If we can please people as we passionately pursue God’s pleasure first, then wonderful. If we must choose between pleasing God and men, then for me the decision has been made. Though we will live with the consequences of our decisions, we will also live with the rewards and benefits of them as well.