The Glorious Work

The Glorious Work

by Josephine Smith, age 15

Service is defined as “the act of helping or doing work for someone.”. Serving is a very important and key part of the church which Jesus established.

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. - (NKJV) Acts 20:28

This single verse displayed the immense value of the church and the importance of good stewardship in the church. The act of shepherding goes hand-in-hand with the act of service. Often, shepherding is only associated with those who lead the “folk” from the pulpits of the world, in fact all positions of ministry are a means of shepherding in their own. The greeters at a church door set the atmosphere of the building, what they do is often impressed upon the attendees. If they set a presence of joy, then it can lead others to follow. The various positions of the church shepherd in different areas; from the janitorial services to the worship teams on stages.

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. - (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

On the night which Jesus was crucified, he gave the time of his final moments to emphasize the importance of serving.  

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. - (NKJV) John 13:3–5. 

It is a great deal easier to turn away and fall back into the satisfaction of not serving. We are called to do more than just exist for ourselves but rather to rise to be the shepherds which He empowers us to be.  

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; - (NKJV) Romans 12:9–10. 

From the beginning God was the ultimate author and creator of love. Love is not only a concept which was designed by the infinity of God, but God is love.  

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. - (NKJV) 1 John 4:8 

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. - (NKJV) 1 John 4:16 

These are just a few examples from the Bible where this fact is reiterated. In Romans 12:9-10 we read that we are to show brotherly love to one another. Φιλαδελφία, is the Greek word which is used for brotherly love in Romans 12:10. The translation of this word refers to the love between brothers and sisters by blood. The closeness and love which we as believers are to display to one another and to the world is to be as if they were from our own families. This is a powerful concept that is hard to grasp when considering the offences of this world. Truly though, we are all related by blood. As believers we are related by the blood of Christ which connects us in the Gospel. Even the unsaved we are connected to by the way in which we were all created by the one and only God of the universe and designed specially in His likeness. When learning to love others as Christ would have us this is an important step. Understanding that if God took so much care in our creation and our lives than how can we deny the high worth that humanity possesses? If God holds every life with such importance surely, we can hold the door with a smile for someone or whip up a delicious coffee to get someone going on a Sunday morning. We become mirrors of God’s love for them when we show our God-given love to them. Even in the simplest acts we can show those who feel devalued the love that God has revealed to us through His Son. It’s a privilege to be able to give mankind a glimpse of God’s love.  

9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. - (NKJV) 1 John 4:9. 

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. - (NKJV) Galatians 5:13. 

God appointed us to go unto all the world with His purposes. I reiterate, it is such a pleasure and honor that the Creator of everything would allow me to serve His kingdom, not as a servant but as His child! The call to serve is one that should never be taken lightly. The weight of the tasks may seem petty, or they may seem overbearing, God sees it all and has a purpose for every act of service.  

My words can never express the importance of service and that is why I can only point to the actions of Jesus and the words of God. If these do not show the deep meaning and need for service than nothing can. All believers have the Holy Spirit when they are saved, we read of what that power can do. If this power than is in us than we all can be bold in our service for Christ.  

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - (NKJV) Matthew 5:16.