Many churches have differing ways of getting people involved. Some come straight out and ask for help while others set up servant training seminars and classes. Requirements for serving also vary depending on where you attend church.
Well, today, I was reading in the book of Exodus about the appointment of Aaron and his sons as the lead priests of the Israelite nation. I want to share what they had to go through to be presented before God under the law and without the grace of Christ.
"Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides. And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated. Ex 29:19-21 (NIV)
Blood? Sprinkle blood on my clothes just to be eligible to serve God? That's serious service.
What would we do if we had stringent requirements placed upon us in order to serve others for God? A little blood, some sacrifices, a court order, a background check, resumes, and more...
Well, by God's grace we do not have to give blood or fingerprint samples, but dealing with kids we should at least consent to background checks. Serving others, however, requires little more than being full of the Spirit and have wisdom:
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." Acts 6:1-4 (NIV)
The unfortunate problem with trying to get involved is that some people do not believe they are gifted for service. Luke tells us in Acts that the Apostles looked for the two criteria, not specifics gifts.
Full of the Spirit
What does "full of the Spirit" mean? Being full of the Spirit is not just indwelling (lives within us) or being filled (empowers throughout our life). Being full of the Spirit is seen through one's actions and faith.
People can see the the fruit of the Spirit in your actions and attitudes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. People encounter your walk with the Spirit in how you engage in the spiritual gifting He places in your life in order to encourage, strengthen, and serve others (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 18-21; Romans 12:6-8).
So being full of the Spirit prepares us for serving others and gives us the ability to serve them.
Wisdom
Wisdom demonstrates our ability to apply God’s truth appropriately to life situations. With wisdom, you have the ability to apply discretion in every situation. Wisdom takes what the Spirit has placed within us and gives us confidence in carrying out our service.
So, regardless of where you attend and how you wish to be involved in your church or in the community, just consider these two simple criterion for service. Then remember that God will never require more of you than what He has already given towards your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment