166 Sermon Illustrations on Service

A man who was greatly troubled came to his pastor because he said in all his good deeds he detected a mixture of selfish motives. "Should I stop doing these things," he asked in perplexity, "since I find some self-gratification in all of them?" The wise pastor assured him while we are in the flesh we shall always suffer the humiliation of knowing that nothing about us is perfect, even our motives. It is a matter of committing ourselves to God to love and serve Him in all that we do; and if the by-product of our actions is joy and satisfaction, there is nothing wrong in that.

Have you understood what is really involved in the "cup of cold water," as Matthew 10:42 calls it? There is more to it than appears on the surface. In Eastern lands the water is drawn up from a well in the court or fetched from a distance. The housewife brings in a supply in the morning and lets it stand ready for use. As the day goes on the water gets warm. It would be easy for her to give a cup of this water to a thirsty friend or stranger, but a "cup of cold water" implies the kindly thought that would lead her to take the trouble to draw it or fetch it straight from the well, perhaps in the heat of the day. So often we give what amounts to tepid water to save ourselves extra work. But I believe it is the "cup of cold water" that shall in no wise lose its reward. The principle would seem to be that going out of our way, making sacrifices to help the poor, will have a sure reward.

A certain family had two sons. The older said he must make a name for his family, so turned his face toward Parliament and fame. The younger decided to give his life to the service of Christ and turned his face toward China and duty. He was Hudson Taylor, the missionary, who died beloved and known on every continent. "But," someone wrote, "when I looked in the encyclopedia to see what the other son had done, I found these words, 'the brother of Hudson Taylor.'" It may be that some were inclined to ridicule him when he went to the mission field, but in the end, he was respected and admired. His mercifulness had not been in vain, even as far as the world was concerned. But the merciful also receive recognition and reward from God Himself. This takes place both in this world and, in its full measure, in the world to come.

I thank Thee, Lord, as a volunteer

For the chance to serve another year.

And to give of myself in some small way,

To those not blessed as I each day.

My thanks for health and mind and soul,

To aid me ever toward my goal.

For eyes to see the good in all,

A hand to extend before a fall.

For legs to go where the need is great,

Learning to love-forgetting to hate.

For ears to hear and heart to care,

When someone's cross is hard to bear.

A smile to show my affection true,

With energy aplenty-the task to do.

And all I ask, dear Lord, if I may,

Is to serve you better day by day.

A gardener expressed his idea of a co-worker: "As I work in the garden with the flowers and vegetables I feel that I am having a share in creation." And when a mother says to a little child who carries some small item into another room for her, "You are helping me," what stature it gives to that child and what a sense of dignity and place in life's affairs. This ought to take away any sense of the worthlessness of the countless small tasks you perform day by day.

Look beyond the temporal and limited as you work in partnership with God. Your attitude will determine your sense of satisfaction with your task.

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. — Acts 6:5

Something happened in the life of this man [Stephen], chosen for menial service, and he became mighty for God. Faithful in little, God brought him to full fruition. Under the inspiration of divine power by which he spoke, they could not help but listen even the angels listened.

As I read about Stephen in Acts 6 and 7, I have a vision of this scene in every detail the howling mob with their vengeful, murderous spirits ready to devour this holy man; and he, “being full of the Holy Ghost,” gazing steadfastly into heaven. From his place of helplessness, he looked up and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.”

Is that the position that Jesus went to take? No!

He went to sit at the right hand of the Father; but in behalf of the “first martyr,” in behalf of the man with that burning flame of Holy Ghost power, God’s Son stood up in honorary testimony of him who, called to serve tables, was faithful unto death. This man chosen for an ordinary task but filled with the Holy Ghost was so moved upon by God that he finished his earthly work in a blaze of glory, magnifying God with his last breath. Looking up into the face of the Master, he said, “Lord Jesus, forgive them! Lay not this sin to their charge!” And when he had said thus, he fell asleep. Friends, it is worth all to gain that spirit. What a divine ending to the life and testimony of a man that was “chosen to serve tables.”

Pray this closing prayer today: “Lord Jesus, fill me with faith and the Holy Spirit, that I might blaze with Thy glory like Stephen no matter what I face in life. Amen.”

”Full time” vs “Part time”

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands — Psalm 90:17

Throughout the church, a view of those in full-time Christian work versus those who work “secular” jobs has created a definite class distinction. There seems to be little evidence of this distinction in the Bible. Yet, we often hear testimonies from those who left “regular” jobs to go into the mission field, or some other “full-time” Christian work.

My good friend Rich Marshall, has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He came into this understanding of the walls that existed between sacred and secular. He came to recognize the calling that men and women had to the workplace; so much so, that he began ordaining men and women in his congregation for their call to the workplace. Rich came to realize that so often his fellow ministers had been guilty of training those in the marketplace to do the church’s ministry instead of their ministry. And these are not necessarily the same, nor do they require the same skills. In his book, God@Work, Rich writes the following regarding two words (laity and clergy) that have brought confusion to the true call of men and women to the marketplace —{1}:

Two little words, words that misrepresent God and His plan, have been used by the enemy to bring about the development of a caste system within the Body of Christ-those who are called to “professional ministry” or “full-time ministry”: the “clergy”; and those who are not: the “laity.” It is my conviction that all of us in the Body of Christ are called to “full-time ministry.” When we allow this caste system to disturb our thinking, we create a problem for many who experience the strong call of God on their lives. We need both a terminology and a mindset that works to eliminate the “second-class citizen” concept in the Kingdom of God. John Beckett is a business leader who has written an excellent book for business leaders: Loving Monday. In it he tells of his own journey into understanding the call of God. He writes, “For years, I thought my involvement in business was a second class endeavor-necessary to put bread on the table, but somehow less noble than the more sacred pursuits, like being a minister or a missionary. The clear impression was that to truly serve God, one must leave business and go into ‘full-time Christian service.’ I have met countless other businesspeople who feel the same way.” —{2}.

The often-held view by pastors toward business people was brought home to me when I received a letter from a pastor one day in response to an internet devotional that I was writing for men and women in the workplace. This devotional was being distributed throughout the world and I had a surprisingly large number of pastors subscribed to it. One day I got a very simple note from a pastor that said, “How can a businessman have such wisdom?” This comment spoke volumes to me. Basically, he was implying that clergy were the only ones in tune with the spiritual matters of life, and businessmen and women are focused on the “secular” life. Yet, God has never said this. He is now helping many of us begin to understand our true calling as disciples of the Lord Jesus, but with different roles to fulfill in the body of Christ. And no role is less Holy than another.

When I received Christ in 1974, I was a golf professional. God gradually led me away from golf and into business. In 1980, I considered moving into “full-time” Christian work by attending a short-term Bible school to determine if I wanted to be a pastor. I served briefly as an assistant pastor only to have the position removed. God took me out of that because it was never His intention for me to be a pastor.

It was more implied guilt than a genuine call of God that led me in this direction. I believed I may not have been giving my all to God if I wasn’t full time in the work of the Lord. I have learned since then that work truly is worship to God; work and worship are from the same root Hebrew word, avodah. If you are in a secular job that doesn’t violate scripture, your vocation is just as important to God as is a full-time missionary in India. God calls each of us to our vocation. It is in that vocation that He desires to use us for His kingdom.

In their book, Your Work Matters To God, authors Doug Sherman and William Hendricks state the following regarding holy versus unholy vocations.

The architect who designs buildings to the glory of God, who works with integrity, diligence, fairness, and excellence, who treats his wife with the love Christ has for the Church, who raises his children in Godly wisdom and instruction, who urges non-Christian coworkers and associates to heed the gospel message — in short, who acts as a responsible manager in the various arenas God has entrusted him — this man will receive eternal praise from God. That is what really matters in eternity. In short, God’s interest is not simply that we do holy activities but that we become holy people. Not pious. Not sanctimonious. Not otherworldly. But pure, healthy, Christlike.

This whole idea of secular versus religious is a Greek idea. These Greek ideas, clothed in biblical language, have for the most part, been passed down unchallenged to succeeding generations of Christians. As a result, most of us today bring assumptions to the biblical text, assumptions based on a worldview articulated by Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, and other Greek thinkers. Likewise, if you have been around much Christian teaching, you’ve undoubtedly been influenced by at least some Greek ideas. Nothing overtly or purely pagan. But I suggest that Christianity in our culture has absorbed from its tradition a number of subtle beliefs that trace back to Greek philosophy. Now I am not ‘down’ on philosophy. Nor am I ‘down’ on the Greek philosophers, for they have provided us with many insights into philosophical questions. Nevertheless, reading the Bible through their eyes — through Greek glasses — can severely distort the truth of God’s Word. We will think that the Bible says things it does not say, and overlook important things it does say. The result will be a distorted view of life. And a distorted view of work. Wearing Greek glasses, one would tend to ignore or disparage everyday work. This is how work looks when viewed through these lenses. —{3}.

Sherman makes an excellent assessment here of how much Western societies have been affected by the philosophies and culture of the Greek influence. We in the United States may speak English, but we think “Greek.” Our focus on competition, segmentation of life from the secular to sacred, rationalism and reasoning – all move us to a goal of a more intellectual position in our faith instead of a simple trusting faith. The root of this is the Greek/Hellenistic civilization. It has been so much a part of our thinking and way of viewing life that we have lost our ability to understand God and relate to him as the early church did.

As the church grew and extended its borders outside Jerusalem believers became influenced by a wide array of philosophies. The purity and power of the message were affected by the dominant culture, which became the Greek culture. The time following the two major Jewish revolts of AD 70 and AD 135 saw a Greek, man-centered view of the world reshape the church. Early Greek scholars like Plato introduced dualism, which says that life is divided into two compartments: the spiritual or eternal and the temporal realm of the physical. Plato’s dualism entered the church through many of the church fathers who were Greek philosophers who had converted to Christianity. They attempted to reconcile Greek thought with Christianity.

God takes us through the process of life and allows us to develop specific skills and talents for His purposes. The marketplace is where many of us have the greatest opportunity to display these gifts. When young David went up against Goliath, David was only a small shepherd boy. King Saul offered David his armor to protect him from the big Philistine, but David knew the weight of the armor would be a hindrance to him. Instead, David used the skills he developed as a shepherd to protect his sheep. A slingshot and stones were his weapons. When the time came for David to exercise his faith in God to slay the giant, he used the talents God had trained him to use. The shepherd fields were David’s training grounds. There he learned to fight lions and protect his sheep. Now he would protect God’s sheep. God gives us the same talents to achieve the things He wants us to achieve. However, not all of us will be heroes. Some of us have been called to use our talents to serve others to benefit the kingdom of God. David’s faith was the reason God gave him victory. David declared that he came in the name of the living God and that the whole world would know the God of Israel as a result of the defeat of Goliath by a small shepherd boy. This is why God gave him victory over Goliath — so the world may know the living God. The workplace is a training ground for most of us. It is the place where we deal with the everyday challenges of life. But it is here that God wants to reveal His glory “so that the world might know that He is God.” Someone once said that you will have many “jobs” before you come into the “primary” calling God has for your life. I have seen this principle at work. God uses the early training, like David, to prepare us for future battles and future experiences that God will use for his purposes in our lives.

That is how God wants to use you and me. So, we may proclaim Him wherever we are. And He wants to use the talents and abilities he has allowed us to be trained with for His greater glory in this world. For many of us, these talents were given to provide valuable services to our employers for the glory of God. We can find comfort in the knowledge that there is no higher calling than to be where God calls us. Regardless of whether it is in “full-time” Christian mission work, or working at the local hardware store.

Our Primary Call

We should step back for a moment and remind ourselves again that each of us is called to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ first and foremost. From this position all else comes. The fruit of our relationship with Christ moves us to the level of our calling in work. That work – whether serving on the mission field-or delivering mail– is a holy calling of God. The reason God holds a high view of work is that He created each person in His image for an express purpose in this world to reflect His glory in ALL aspects of life. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col 3:17). He knows the very hairs of our head and He knows what we are wired to do in life (Ps 139). By segmenting this part of our life, we cut off the expression of His life to that world. And He would never do that because He knows there are many who will never hear the gospel because they will never enter a church building. You and I may be the only representative of God they will ever encounter.

Have you ever considered the diversity of gifts and talents God gave humankind? It is amazing to consider. I sometimes think about someone who is working in a particular profession that does not appeal to me. Yet, God created that person to use their gifts for that express purpose. And, He desires that we see that work as worship to Him and a place where His presence and power can be manifested as a testimony to the world. God is always about creating a testimony of His love and power for the world to see. The Bible is one big record of testimony of reconciling a world unto Himself. Later we will see how God has demonstrated His life through individuals in some dramatic ways in the workplace.

The Value of Secular Work

The Word in Life Study Bible provides some good insights into this question of secular versus sacred work. God values our work even when the product has no eternal value. Christians often measure the significance of a job by its perceived value from the eternal perspective. Will the work last; will it “really count” for eternity? The implication is that God approves of work for eternity, but places little value on work for the here and now. By this measure, the work of ministers and missionaries has eternal value because it deals with people’s spiritual, eternal needs. By contrast, the work of a salesman, teller, or typist has only limited value, because it meets only earthly needs. In other words, this kind of work doesn’t really “count” in God’s eyes. But this way of thinking overlooks several important truths. {4}.

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{1}. God himself has created a world which is time-bound and temporary (2 Peter.3:10,11). Yet he values his work, declaring it to be “very good,” by its very nature (Gen 1:31; Acts 14:17).

{2}. God promises rewards to people in everyday jobs, based on their attitude and conduct (Eph 6:8; Col 3:23-4:1).

{3}. God cares about the everyday needs of people as well as their spiritual needs. He cares whether people have food, clothing, and shelter.

{4}. God cares about people who will enter eternity. To the extent that a job serves the needs of people, God values it, because he values people.

Lord, thank you for the presence of all these chores awaiting me — Thou hast richly blessed my family. I shall do them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)

The Christian To Be A Living Sacrifice

• mercies…God — Rom 5:8, 9:23, Ps 116:12, 16-17 — in creation, providence, redemption. Unsearchable, innumerable, unmerited, and invaluable

• present — give, surrender

• bodies — 1 Cor 6:19-20, Phil 1:20 — for active service

• living sacrifice — 2 Cor 5:14-15, Rom 6:13, 19 — the sacrifice to be offered daily as long as life may last

• holy — Lev 9:2-4, Mal 1:14 — without sin

• acceptable — 1 Pet 2:5 — well-pleasing. He deigns to accept who has need of nothing {1 Chronicles 29:14}

• reasonable — Phm 1:9,19 — approved by intelligence, affection, conscience

The acceptable offering — W. W. Wythe

The sacrifice enjoined

I. Its nature — a thank-offering — willing “present.”

II. Its motive — gratitude for “mercies.”

III. Its matter — the entire man — “bodies.”

IV. Its qualities:

1. Living.

2. Holy.

V. Its results — “acceptable.”

Beneficence, its principle and practice — W. Arnot D.D.

I. The motive power applied — “I beseech you,” etc.

II. The result expected — the consecration of the man:

1. The measure of the self-dedication which the reception of Divine mercy is expected and fitted to produce. This sacrifice is –

(1) The offerer’s own body;

(2) Not dead, but living.

2. Its manner.

3. Its reasonableness. Reasonable as contrasted with –

(1) The Divinely prescribed offerings of the Mosaic ritual;

(2) All the irrational expenditure which is lavished upon superstition, vanity, and vice.

Grateful sacrifice — C. H. Derby, B.A.

I. Its characteristics:

1. Personal;

2. Fulfilled by life, not death;

3. Holy;

4. Reasonable.

II. The conditions of its presentation:

1. Negative;

2. Positive.

III. Its results.

IV. The motive to it — “The mercies of God.” What a strong appeal is made by –

1. The memories of the past;

2. The voices of the present;

3. The chartered pledges of the future! Above all things, beware of an unmoved heart.

Consecration to Christ — Mr. Knill once related the following instance of the consecration of a youth, which was mentioned to him by an American minister as having occurred in one of their assemblies:– When the meeting was about to close, a fine boy at the end of the room rose and said, with a tremulous voice, “Will you permit me to speak?” Every eye was drawn towards the place whence the voice proceeded, and after deep attention had been excited, he thus addressed the chairman:- I am fifteen years of age, and about three years since it pleased God to convince me of my need of a Saviour; I sought Him, and found Him; and from that time to this my heart has been set on missions, and I have a strong desire to make Christ known to the heathen. I have been in schools where I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with missions to the heathen, particularly with the labours of Mr. Judson in Burmah. I have often felt I should like to go and make Christ known to the poor Burmese. Having often felt this desire, I make it known to you; and if you think me a proper person to engage in missionary labours, here I am; I surrender myself to Christ and His Church.” His address was mingled with tears and sobs, accompanied with much agitation. When he had finished, the whole assembly was suffused with tears; fathers and mothers present were wishing their sons felt as that boy did. After the sobs had subsided, a venerable man arose, whose silver hair adorned his shoulders, and said, “That is my son. I have long thought he loved the Saviour, but I did not know what had been passing in his mind. God forbid that I should throw any obstacle in the way, when he gives him self to Christ and His Church.” The father, Dr. Brown, said he had not the means of sending him to college; when one of the elders rose, and said, “Being a man of property, I will pay his college expenses, and send him to Burmah; and I hope that we shall at last meet in heaven, where we shall cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus.”

“Our bodies are to be offered a sacrifice, but an unbloody one; such a sacrifice as we have no cause to be startled at; it carries no dread with it; life will still be whole in us.” — Howe

“Wherein is the mercy of having a body, except it be employed for God? Will not its reward at the resurrection ‘ be sufficient for all the pains it now endures in His service?” — Flavel

“Were God to withdraw from me, I should be as weak as water. All that I enjoy, though it be miracle on miracle, would not support me without fresh supplies from God. The thing I rejoice in is this, that God is altogether full; and that in the Mediator Christ Jesus is ‘all the fulness of the Godhead,’ and it will never run out.” — Halyburton

1. Who is on the Lord’s side?

Who will serve the King?

Who will be His helpers,

Other lives to bring?

Who will leave the world’s side?

Who will face the foe?

Who is on the Lord’s side?

Who for Him will go?

By Thy call of mercy,

Chorus

By Thy grace divine,

We are on the Lord’s side–

Saviour, we are Thine!

2. Not for weight of glory,

Not for crown and palm,

Enter we the army,

Raise the warrior psalm;

But for Love that claimeth

Lives for whom He died:

He whom Jesus nameth

Must be on His side.

By Thy love constraining,

3. Jesus, Thou hast baught us,

Not for gold or gem,

But with Thine own lifeblood,

For Thy diadem.

With Thy blessing filling

Each who comes to Thee,

Thou hast made us willing,

Thou hast made us free.

By Thy grand redemption,

4. Fierce may be the conflict,

Strong may be the foe,

But King’s own army

None can overthrow.

Round His standard ranging,

Vict’ry is secure,

For His truth unchanging

Makes the triumph sure.

Joyfully enlisting

1. O Master, let me walk with Thee

In lowly paths of service free;

Tell me Thy secret — help me bear

The strain of toil, the fret of care.

2. Help me the slow of heart to move

By some clear, winning word of love;

Tach me the wayward feet to stay

And guide them in the homeward way.

3. Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee

In closer dearer company,

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,

In trust that triumphs over wrong.

4. In hope that sends a shining ray

Far down the future’s broad’ning way,

In peace that only Thou canst give,

With Thee, O Master, let me live.

“Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things [which pertain] to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient — in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:17-19 NKJV)

The Extent Of His Labours

• I…therefore — Rom 11:13, 1:5 — in my office, and the fruit of my labours

• glory…Christ — Gal 6:13 — I boast not of myself: the blessing on Christian work is through Christ

• things…God — Acts 21:19 — nothing else will I glory in

• dare — venture, presume

• speak…things — they are so great and numerous

• Christ…me — Gal 2:8, 1 Cor 15:10 — He has done much by other workers

• to…obedient — this, the end of their work, as of mine

• word…deed — in profession and practice

• signs…wonders — a sign to teach; a wonder to excite attention (Litton on miracles)

• Illyricum — Roman province in Europe, on Eastern shore of Adriatic (Ptolemy, Geog 2:17); Jerusalem Acts 9:28-29; Antioch, 9:26; Cyprus, 13:7-8; Antioch in Pisidia, 13:14, 44-48; Iconium, 14:1; Lystra, Derbe, 14:6-7; Perga, 14:25; Pisidia, 14:24; Phrygia, Galatia, 16:6; Philippi, 16:12-13; Thessalonica, 17:1-4; Berea, 17:10-12; Athens, 17:16, etc.; Corinth, 18:1-11; Ephesus, Asia, 19:1-10; Macedonia, 20:3; Greece, 20.

• fully — widely, successfully

Paul, the preacher to the Gentiles — W. Burkitt

I. His indefatigable industry and zeal.

II. His great success.

III. The wonderful power the Gospel had on men’s lives. It produced a change of –

1. Religion;

2. Conversation;

3. Life.

IV. The reason for this wonderful success.

Learn-

1. Zeal in God’s service;

2. To hope for success.

Truth in preaching — When Dr Kane was in the Arctic regions, he cut a piece of ice clear as crystal, in the form of a convex lens, held it up to the sun’s rays, and, to the surprise of the natives, set in a blaze some dry wood which had been gathered. So an unconverted preacher may be the medium by which the truth may be brought to other hearts, and kindle them with the holy flame of Divine love. “My word shall not return unto me void.” — Dr Hagany

Similes of preaching — There was a shield in which the maker wrought his name, so that it could be effaced only by the destruction of his work; and so should the name of our glorious Immanuel be inwrought through the texture of our instructions, that their very consistency shall be dependent on the diffusion of that one blessed name throughout their length and breadth. On entering the cathedral towns of England, the towers, or the spire, of the mother-church, or minster, are seen shooting up into the sky, far above all the other buildings, public or private, secular or sacred; and so let Jesus, the Church’s Lord, King, and Saviour, have the pre-eminence above the whole city of topics and themes, Divine and human, which may be meetly grouped around His name; He casting His sanctifying shadow over all. — Evangelical Magazine

Oliver looked forward to retiring in three years. As an adult Sunday school teacher in his church, he had served God faithfully for many years.

One Sunday morning, the church boys club leader asked to him teach fourth grade boys on Wednesday nights. At first, he wanted to say no, since he had never taught children before. But after praying about the opportunity for a couple of days, he decided to work with the boys.

In the beginning, Oliver found it difficult to relate to them. Then he began to understand how much they wanted him to be their spiritual model. As he taught them week after week, he saw them respond and grow, and his love for them grew deeply.

After Oliver retired at 65, he continued working with the boys. Then several years later, as he was approaching 70, he and his wife were asked to teach for a week at a children's Bible camp. Again he felt God was leading him into a new area of ministry. After teaching at camp, he could not decide whether he or the children had been more blessed.

Perhaps you are about to retire, or have been retired for some time. Let me ask you: Are you active in the work of our Lord and a fruitful disciple?

I cannot find anything in the Bible about retiring from God's work. One never retires from being a servant of the great King, nor gets too old.

Whether or not you have 20 years left, ten years, one year, one month, one day, or just one hour, there is something very important God wants you to do that can add to His kingdom and to your blessing.

If you are still mobile and active, there are innumerable things you can do. If you are mobile or not mobile, you can have the most important job of all: You can be a prayer intercessor, even while confined to a bed or a wheelchair. You can do it literally anywhere. If you do not have the strength to pray out loud, you can whisper it. If you cannot whisper, you can move your lips. If you cannot move your lips, then pray silently, in your mind. God knows and reads your heart.

Whether we are young or old, as long as we have breath, let us be about “making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16, NASB).

With the psalmist, we should praise the Lord as long as we have breath (Psalm 150:6).

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[Original illustration here was a duplicate in HolwickID 25837-26027]

It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come like a goad; you will no longer be able to work for Him on the common-sense basis.

What do I really count dear? If I have not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear, time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself. Paul says he counted his life dear only in order that he might fulfil the ministry he had received; he refused to use his energy for any other thing. Acts 20:24 states Paul’s almost sublime annoyance at being asked to consider himself; he was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Practical work may be a competitor against abandonment to God, because practical work is based on this argument – Remember how ‘useful you are here, or – Think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude does not put Jesus Christ as the Guide as to where we should go, but our judgment as to where we are of most use. Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.

”I didn’t know you were in full-time Christian work,” said my close friend as we were driving. “I didn’t realize that,” she went on. I responded, “Every person who has followed the will of God in their life is in full-time Christian work.” God calls some to the mission field, others to be accountants, and others to be advertising executives, and still others to be construction workers. God never made a distinction between sacred and secular. In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the root word having the same meaning of “work” and “worship.” God sees our work as worship.

We have incorrectly elevated the roll of the Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving in a more secular environment. Yet the call to the secular workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from society.

I learned this lesson personally when I sought to go into “full-time” service as a pastor in my late twenties, only to have God thrust me back into the business world unwillingly. This turned out to be the best thing He could have done for me, because it was never His will for me to be a pastor. He knew I was more suited for the workplace.

We are all in missions. Some are called to foreign lands. Some are called to the jungles of the workplace. Wherever you are called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him through you today and see your vocation as worship to His glory.

Henri Nouwen was a man people wanted to know. In his lifetime he taught at the prestigious universities of Harvard and Notre Dame and was a tenured professor at Yale. He was a prolific author and a speaker often in demand. But ironically, the people who wanted to know him most were probably the least interested in his crowning achievements as a writer and a lecturer.

In 1986 Nouwen walked away from his position at Harvard and accepted a position as pastor of the L'Arche community in Toronto, a community where mentally handicapped persons and their assistants live together according to the Gospel. In an interview, Nouwen remarked of his experience with the people of L'Arche, “If they express love for you, then it comes from God. It's not because you accomplished anything. These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self — the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things — and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.”

Interestingly, it was a similar selfless love that caught Nouwen off guard years earlier, piercing the conditional world he had grown accustomed to with the freeing love of God. A director of the L'Arche community had come to visit Nouwen while he was still at Yale. She visited the campus for a few days, cooked him an enjoyable meal, and offered help in simple, practical ways. Nouwen recalls, “I expected this greeting to be followed by a request to give a lecture, write an article, or offer a retreat.” But the visit had no strings attached; she had simply come to care for him in the name of Christ. It was altogether unlike the rules of kindness Nouwen was used to. In a world where there are no free lunches, the simple act stirred deeply in his soul.

The Gospel of Matthew recalls an evening of few words and free meals. With the murder of John the Baptist weighing on his mind, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place, traveling privately by boat. But the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Seeing this, Jesus was filled with compassion. He didn't send them away, but healed the sick and remained among them.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food” (14:15). But Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat” (14:16).

Jesus's words strike deeply, sharp with accountability: You give them something to eat. The call is personal and practical, piercing our motive-ridden hearts. How am I offering practical love to the crowds around me? Am I heeding Christ's command to serve or sending them away? How often have I fed Christ's sheep with un-free lunches — kindness peppered with conditions and expectation, love given with costs built in. Henri Nouwen was a well-connected, much-loved member of the Christian community, and yet a kind and selfless visit from a fellow Christian took him by surprise. Even as Christians, it is easy to play as if there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Indeed, the disciples met Christ's command with objections much more reasonable than the objections I could come up with. The crowd was large, the place remote, and food sparse. Nonetheless, the instructions lingered. You give them something to eat.

C.S. Lewis once remarked that the hard sayings of Christ are nourishing only to those who find them hard. He has given us the daunting task to feed unconditionally the hungry and broken around us. But so, he has given us himself. His is a love that receives us unadorned and vulnerable, love not merited because of accomplishments but because of desperate need.

“Bring them here to me,” Jesus told the disciples. And with five loaves of bread and two fish he fed five thousand. Matthew reports, “They all ate and were satisfied.”

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Copyright © 2005 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #25740]

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42 AV)

Those early Christians believed, most profoundly, that salvation was all of grace; that it was God's work from beginning to end. They needed no instruction in respect to that matter: they were aware of it; they were men and women who had learned the secret of prayer; they prayed much, and prayed prevailingly. They were people who depended upon the power of the Holy Spirit and they had experience of His power. Peter and John, and all the others of that early day knew well that the work of God was accomplished by divine power, but their knowledge of these things did not make them indolent. It did not lead them to fold their arms and do nothing; their faith issued in good works, and they were most active in the propagation of the gospel. How did they do it? Read the Acts. – T. T. Shields (former Pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church, Toronto)

Thy Saviour worked for thee

With often weary brow;

His willing, constant worker be,

For Him to labour now.

Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house. — 2 Chronicles 6:8, 9.

The thwarting of the things on which we have set our hearts makes us better men and women, when we realize the value He puts on our intentions. It was so with David. This refusal of the privilege of building the temple could not but stimulate his memory and quicken him to righteousness. For God told him the reason: “Thou hast been a man of blood.” Nor could David forget that much of that blood-shedding had been unnecessary and unjustified. And David would go softly all his days after God had put His restraining hand upon the cherished project. The very fact that there are ministries from which we are excluded by God is a constant discipline. It is a reminder of our ever-present need of cleansing. — J. S. Holden.

We are content to take what Thou shalt give,

To do, or not do, as Thy choice shalt be:

Forsaking all Thy wisdom bids us leave,

Glad in the thought that we are pleasing Thee.

Thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand. — 1 Samuel 20:19.

Be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him. — 2 Chronicles 29:11.

Where, and as the Lord has called us, there we have to serve Him. Only let us do it heartily with all our might. Our time here is short, but it is unspeakably precious. Our little lives are the seed plot of eternity. He gave Himself for us that we might serve Him joyfully, with all our hearts, You in your small corner, and I in mine.” It is written, “They shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads, and His servants shall serve Him.” It will be our eternal joy to serve Him then. It is our blessed portion now.

O pardon us, Lord, that our love is so small,

That we serve Thee so little, not !heeding Thy call.

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. — Job 29:13.

It is said that Dr. Blair once wrote out a plain prescription for a wealthy lady who had many imaginary ills that ran thus : “Do something for somebody.” The doctor heard nothing from his patient until Christmas morning when he was hastily summoned to the cottage of her Irish washer woman.

“It’s not meself, sir, it’s me wrist that’s ailin’. You see, I was goin’ out into the black darkness for a few bits of wood, when me foot struck this basket. It stood here like a big mercy, as it was full of soft flannel from Mrs. Walker. She told me that your medicine cured her, doctor; so if you’ll plaze to put a little of that same on me wrist, I’ll be none the worse for me nice present.”

“It’s a powerful remedy,” said the doctor gravely. And more than once in after years he wrote the prescription, “Do something for somebody.”

Seldom can a heart be lonely,

If it seeks a lonelier still:

Self-forgetting, seeking only

Emptier cups with love to fill.

SERVICE: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME. — Luke 19:13

Hark! it is the voice of Jesus

Pealing through the midnight gloom

Gird yourselves afresh for service

“OCCUPY UNTIL I COME.”

REMEMBRANCE: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do SHEW THE LORD’S DEATH TILL HE COME. — 1 Cor. 11:26

Keep the holy feast with gladness

Love’s atoning work is done

Showing forth His death of sadness,

BREAKING BREAD “UNTIL HE COME.”

WARNING: That which ye have already HOLD FAST TILL I COME. — Revelation 2:25

Many wrecks are strewn around us

Men once earnest now are dumb

List ye to the voice that warns us

HOLD THOU FAST UNTIL I COME.

‘Til He come, 0 keep us steady,

Keep us walking in Thy ways;

At Thy call may we be ready,

On Thee, Lord, with joy to gaze;

And in glory

Sing Thine everlasting praise.

After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub … After him, repaired Azariah. — Nehemiah 3:23.

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. — Proverbs 10:7

How strange it seems after more than two thousand years have passed away to read the names of so many toilers on the wall, when we know that the names of nearly all the kings, and statesmen, and philosophers, and, great ones on the earth of that period, have long ago perished. Little did the toilers think they were building for immortality but they were. God has preserved their names in His Word that liveth and abideth forever, and enrolled them in His register on high.

So let my living be, so be my dying;

So let my name lie, unblazoned, unknown;

Unpraised and unmissed, I shall still be remembered;

Yes, but remembered for what I have done. — Horatius Bonar

Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Cor. 10:31.

What an unspeakable privilege the Lord’s Day is! With employments and cares of the week laid aside, it has been given up to the delights appropriate to it. But now it is over and we face the cold, hard duties of the week. The contrast itself is chilling. The settling to the harness chafes, and before we know it, we are, perhaps, fretted, annoyed, overcome by some petty trials which meet us. It is as when they came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, the power of Satan met them at its foot. If we realize that all true service, whether secular or sacred, is for Him, there will be no revulsion of feeling in turning to the daily duties of life.

And like the dew each dayspring new,

That tender love shall onward lead me;

My thirst shall slake, yet thirst awake

Till every breath shall pant, “I need Thee.” — F. C. J.

I laboured more abundantly than they all. — 1 Cor. 15:10.

In nothing am, I behind the very , chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. — 2 Corinthians 12:11.

Allow God to take His place in your heart and life. Luther often said, “Let God be God.” Let God be all in all, every day in your life, from morning to evening. No more say, “I and God” let it be “God and I.” God first and I second; God to lead and I to follow; God to work all in me, and I to work out only what God works; God to rule, I to obey. Even in that order there is danger, for the flesh is so subtle, and one might begin to think, “It is God and I. Oh, what a privilege that I have such a partner!” There might be secret self exaltation in associating God with myself. There is a more precious word still “God and not I; not God first, and I second; God is all, and I am nothing.”

All that Thou hast, Thou hast for me,

All my fresh springs are hid in Thee;

In Thee I live; while I confess

I nothing am, yet all possess.

And whatsoever ye do, ,do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. — Colossians 3:23.

Do not try to do a great thing; you may waste all your life waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them as they come, from a great motive, for the glory of God. — F. B. Meyer

O Master dear, the tiniest work for Thee

Finds recompense beyond our highest thought,

And feeble hands that work but tremblingly

The richest colors in Thy fabric wrought.

We are content to take what Thou shalt give,

To do, to suffer, as Thy choice shall be:

Forsaking all, Thy wisdom bids us live,

Glad in the thought that we are pleasing Thee.