WHAT TO DO----When you don’t know what to do?
Keep on Serving (Pt. 2)


HE IS LORD

Statement #1: The child of God should serve Jesus because He is the sovereign Lord of the universe! Paul understood this truth! He told the Christian slaves at Colosse, “whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Statement #2: It would be very easy for a Christian slave to serve his owner out of mere duty. However, Paul commanded these household servants to assist their earthly masters with genuine heart-felt service as unto the Lord. In reality, they were not serving their masters; they were serving “the Lord Christ.”

Statement #3: The quality of their earthly work was a reflection of their heavenly Master. The Christian slave needed to be reminded that they were serving the Lord Christ. The Greek word kurios {Lord} means master, owner and possessor. Jesus is the Master and possessor of everything! He is THE Lord! Therefore, we must exert every ounce of energy from within our inner man as we serve the Lord. God is not pleased with lackadaisical service! His Lordship demands the highest quality of Christian service.

I. Our first example comes from Malachi the Prophet.

Sometime during the fifth century B.C. (450-430 B.C.) the prophet Malachi came on the scene. The children of Israel had grown cold and indifferent to the things of God. How did this happen?

1. It all began with disrespect for Jehovah. In the first chapter of the book of Malachi the prophet tried to reason with the rebellious people. He said, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear” (Malachi 1:6a)? This downward spiritual descent began when Israel no longer honored and revered the Lord.

2. This lack of reverence for the authority of God caused Israel to bazah {despise} or hold in contempt the name of Jehovah (v. 6b). Consequently they brought polluted sacrifices to the Lord. Malachi severely rebuked Israel for such half-hearted service. He said, “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 1:7-8).

The priests were treating the table of the Lord with contempt!

First of all, they offered ga'al {polluted} or defiled food upon the altar. This polluted bread was rendered contemptible by the Lord.

Furthermore, they were offering up inferior animal sacrifices. They brought the blind, crippled and diseased animals to be sacrificed. Yet they kept the best livestock for themselves. Second-rate sacrifices are not pleasing to the Lord! With a contemptuous tone of sarcasm, Malachi said, “offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person” (v. 8c)?

In so many words Malachi asked, “do you think the governor would be pleased with a second class meal? Do you really think he would be impressed with such mediocrity?” If it’s not fit for the governor then it’s not fit for God! The governor’s table was lavishly prepared! It included only the best of foods! By using a bit of irony, Malachi makes his point. Jehovah is not just some political figure, He is the Lord! God deserves our best! This includes service! Offering a lame, half-hearted service to Christ is contemptible. Far too often we give God the leftovers when He deserves our first fruits. How does God feel about our apathy, indifference and unconcern? Without a doubt His heart must be grieved!

II. Our second example comes from Romans 12:3-8.

In the twelfth chapter of Romans, the apostle shared insight on spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8). However, in the second half of the chapter he integrated a list of some twenty-five practical principles concerning the Christian life (Romans 12:9-21). Verse 11 included an exhortation concerning Christian service. Paul said we should not be slothful in business but “fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). Paul says three things about our service:

1. First of all, our service must not be okneros {slothful} or sluggish. Our service for Christ must not be lazy, sluggish or lethargic. Welfare Christianity is an abomination to God! We want all the blessings and benefits without doing any work. We soothe our conscience by paying a minister to perform our spiritual duties. We pay him to pray, preach, and witness! Yet somehow we have forgotten that the work of ministry belongs to the saints (Ephesians 4:11-12). The believer must come to the realization that the Christian life is a call to service! We must put on the whole armour of God. We must have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel. We must take the shield of faith. We must put on the helmet of salvation. We must take up the sword of the Spirit. The scripture has issued the believer a call to arms. The soldier of the cross has been enlisted in the army of Christ. Therefore he must be vigilant, sober and ready to serve.

2. Secondly, our service for Christ must be zeo {fervent} or zealous. The word literally means to come to a boil. In other words, our service for Him must be hot, passionate and full of zeal. Jesus told the church at Laodicea, I know all about your personal works. Spiritually speaking, I know you are not hot nor cold, but lukewarm. I wish you were one or the other, but because you are lukewarm “I will spue thee out of my mouth”(Revelation 3:15-16). The Greek word emeo {spue} means to vomit. Jesus informed the lukewarm Laodiceans that their halfhearted service made Him sick. We must be fervent in spirit! Zealous, excited and enthused about serving Him!

3. Thirdly, our service must be focused on the Lord. It must be Christ-centered! Every man is a servant to someone or something. However, the believer must be focused on serving Christ. Jesus told the disciples that no man can serve two masters, because he will love one and despise the other. Then Jesus gave the punch line, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).


Questions to Ponder

Is Jesus the Lord of my life?
Do I serve Him out of mere duty?
Does the quality of my service honor Christ?
Am I offering a lame service to Christ?
What is a lethargic, sluggish, lackadaisical welfare Christian?