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Serving With Purpose - June 2010

Acts 13:36, "David... served with God’s purpose in his own generation"

Do you have a sense of peace and satisfaction at the end of each day, knowing you are living out God’s purpose? Each person needs to determine if they are living purposefully, serving the will and plan of God. Let’s take a look at some biblical realities about serving God on purpose. Through research and personal experience I have concluded that people who have a purpose for their existence live longer, happier and more productive lives.

The Meaning of Helps

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, the Bible emphasizes that there is a ministry within the Church called "the ministry helps." Most of us are well aware of the other ministries listed in this verse such as the apostle, prophet, miracles and healings. These get a lot of attention and emphasis, while we often overlook the importance of the ministry of helps. Without the ministry of helps functioning in churches and ministries, God’s work would be paralyzed. What exactly is the ministry of helps? Generally, the term "helps" refers to the support one person gives to another. It means to be in a subordinate role helping a leader or someone else. To help can mean to support, to assist, to uphold, to come alongside, to undergird, give aid, supply needs, serve others, or wait upon. It implies the idea of working with others and lifting up of the weak and needy. Today we often refer to helpers in organizations as volunteers. Helps is actually the expression of love in practical matters. In our ministry, we have used the following acronym to define helps as "Having Enough Loving People Serving." Every ministry in the Bible had servers or helpers as a necessary part to fulfill the will of God. No minister or ministry is able to function without the ministry of helps. In my experience, I am amazed how few believers are actually participating in this vital role. According to a Christian researcher, George Barna, 20% of the people in churches do 80% of the work! I am happy to report that in our church, and many others like ours, this is not the case. A large percentage of our congregations serve regularly.

Each person needs to determine if they are living purposefully, serving the will and plan of God.

God Calls All Of Us To Service

There is a vast amount of Scripture to validate the ministry of helps. Helps is a very important and distinct ministry in the Body of Christ. Service is about loving and caring; and in this way fulfilling God’s purposes on earth. Our basic call as Christians is to love God and His people. The Bible describes David as someone who lived out his purpose serving God. God refers to David as a man whose heart was to fulfill the will of God (Acts 13:22). In the New Testament, Paul mentions two individuals who were of great assistance to him in Philippians 2:19-30. First, Paul commended Timothy who cared for Paul and served alongside him. Also, Paul recognized Epaphroditus who served with Paul to the point of risking his own life. These two individuals fulfilled the plan of God by assisting Paul in the ministry.

Individually Gifted

The Apostle Peter said that every believer is given a gift to serve within the Body of Christ. (1 Peter 4:10-11) According to this passage, some people are gifted in the area of speaking, while most are gifted in serving and practical matters. In addition, Paul mentions in Romans 12:4-6 that although we are one body, we are made up of many members, each with a distinct function. He also mentions in Ephesians 4:7 that everyone within the Body of Christ is given grace to serve out the plan and purpose of God. Paul called this "the work of the ministry" in Eph. 4:12. In Ephesians 4:16, Paul exhorts everyone to get involved to edify or build up the Body of Christ by serving in a spirit of love.

Redeemed For Good Works

Paul in writing to the church in Ephesus (Eph. 2:10), tells believers that God has prepared good works for us to accomplish in this life. Paul also exhorted Titus to tell the people not to be idle, unproductive and useless, but to be faithful and fruitful, fulfilling God’s plan for them (Titus 3:8,14). Scripture encourages believers that our good works should stir up and encourage others (Heb. 10:24). Offering God our service should be part of our expression of gratitude for our redemption. Titus 2:14 tells us "that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."

Be Willing To Serve

We need to be able to be flexible and be able to serve wherever and whenever God wants us to. When God calls you, you might not possess all of the necessary knowledge and skills to do the job. All He requires is our willingness! In Romans 16:1-3, Paul admonishes the church to help their leader in "whatever matter she may require assistance from you" (AMP). Jesus exhorts us to be servants of all (Matt. 10:44). This means we must be willing to serve all kinds of people in all kinds of situations! Paul encourages the Roman believers to have the right attitude for helping. "Don’t be snobbish, high-minded or exclusive. But readily adjust yourself to people and things and give yourselves to humble tasks." In other words, big people can do small jobs. We must be willing to do anything that needs to be done, keeping in mind that we’re doing it for the kingdom. Romans 14:12 is only one of many Scriptures that remind us that we will all give a personal account for the work we have done on this earth. So, serve God on purpose! Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you get involved with helping in a ministry:

1. Evaluate what is needed the most (be practical)

2. Be willing to help anywhere (you may not end up where you start)

3. Join the vision; don't promote your own agenda

4. Be part of the solution

5. Have a great attitude serving along others

As you serve, you will discover that you are more blessed than those you serve!