We have a great team at Calvary – people who work hard during the week and spend their evenings and weekends serving the church. This is countercultural comfort (see this recent sermon for a context on that): people from all walks of life, who are sometimes exhausted from their day jobs, donate even more time and energy to their church for the good of others to the glory of God.
One of the questions that I sometimes get asked is why people do that? Well there are lots of stories but I just thought it would be good to highlight 7 reasons people at Calvary serve you – and perhaps you can think about and pray about serving others too?
1.It helps them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Being surrounded with other believers who are all working towards a common goal can encouraged and strengthen people’s hearts. They are hearing and seeing the truth of the Gospel lived out in word and in deed.
2. It helps them discover their purpose and gives them a place to belong
People do serve for all kinds of reasons but one one of the hidden motives and outcomes is that serving really does give you a purpose beyond the here and now, and gives you a sense of “I belong here”. Jesus said “Where your treasure is, so is your heart” and I think that when people pour themselves into something and invest their time and money they become attached to that thing. We’ve all experienced the problem of “I don’t really fit in” … those that serve on a regular basis don’t often suffer from that problem. They have discovered that through serving, genuine friendships are formed and deepened.
3. It helps them use their skills and talents for the Kingdom.
Every one who serves – from the set up team to the technical team – has incredible skills, talents, and abilities. This is simply what Paul says time and again in this letters – we all have a function and have been given unique gifts. You might think .. “well, putting out chairs isn’t really a gift” .. but the conversations that go along with it can encourage the heart of others. Maybe there isn’t a spiritual gift of “putting out chairs” but there is a gift of encouragement (not to mention the gift of helps).
4. It helps them be obedient to Jesus
Jesus said in Mark 9:35 “if anyone be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. Ok … so what other setting is better than the church to actually live that out? I really can’t think of any. Jesus commands us to serve others and those that do are doing so because they want to be obedient to what Jesus has called them to.
5. It helps them to follow the example given by Jesus
Paul, writing to the church in Philiipi instructed his readers to have the same mind as Jesus.
Philippians 2:5-7 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
People are serving in Calvary because they see Jesus – and want to have the same mind has Him.
6. It helps them to join the mission of the church.
Right now every other email and TV advert is a plea for something. Why? Mainly because people like to be part of something bigger than they are. Whether it’s donating money to a good cause or organising a shoe box for a child overseas: people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The mission of the church is to make the name of Jesus known where He is not known. – whether than is in our own hearts or in bringing the gospel to the nations. People who serve want to be part of that.
7. It helps them to find joy
Jesus is Love. When we love others through serving, it is natural for us to feel a ‘spiritual tingle’ – you’re being Jesus to others! We feel joy when we give out. That’s why it’s more blessed to give than receive. People who serve have discovered that it’s a joy
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