DATE: 22nd November, 2020
THEME: CALLED TO SERVE
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Ezekiel 34:11-24
1 Thessalonians 5:15-23
Matthew 25: 31-46
PSALTER: Psalm 95:1-7
PREPARED BY: OSOFO YAW DODD
INTRODUCTION
SERVICE, simply, is doing works of love: it is about being conformed to Christ. The apostle Paul and James agree on the need for service in a faithful Christian life; Paul wrote to the Galatians that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, BUT FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE.” (Gal. 5:6) The words of James explain how faith works through love: “If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? SO FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT HAS NO WORKS, IS DEAD.” (Jas. 2:15-17)
Our Lord said that he came to this earth not to be served BUT to serve. He is the perfect King, a King who loves his subjects so deeply and truly that he serves them. We, who are baptized into his kingship, exercise it when we love as he loved, when we serve as he served. Christ tells us plainly that when we serve one another, especially the SUFFERING, the POOR, and the NEGLECTED, WE ARE SERVING HIM.
The love that we show is not some big miracle or publicly impressive example of profound love. Jesus talks about the little things, little ministries in life in this parable. Food and drink, clothing and hospitality are minimum human needs. Visiting hurting people in their confinement, when they are not in productive circulation or attractive or strategic, IS A MINISTRY RECOGNIZED AS A COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
Providing food and shelter, making visits are all basic and mundane and unflashy services. These ministries are within the reach of every one of us. We can do this. All of these ministries are given the highest honours by Jesus.
The services mentioned here are illustrations, not a complete list. There are as many human needs as there are human beings. EVERY PERSON WE MEET IS DYING FOR A DROP OF LOVE. Basic help for each person’s need is what Jesus celebrates here. Jesus deflects his disciples’ goals from great plans for personal success and redirects them to little deeds in other people’s service.
BODY
A. THE CALL TO SERVE
Before there could be any acts of service on our part, there was first a sacrifice on the part of Christ. Jesus offered the gift of His blood. Sometimes it is difficult to think about, but the reality is that Jesus forfeited His life as an innocent man and allowed His divine blood to be spilled for our benefit.
The greatest gift that Jesus has ever given to any of us is the reality of His shed blood on the cross. Jesus gave us everything we could ever need for eternal life. The truth is that we owe Him everything, all of our lives, all of our hearts and all of our services. Jesus is calling us to a lifestyle of no reserves. WE HOLD NOTHING BACK FROM THE SERVICE OF THE KING BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ALL.
B. WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE NOT SERVE?
▪ We fail to recognize the need
Many times people think that there are so many others to do all of the service and that they are not needed. Sometimes the church communicates the same kind of message because we fail to get people plugged into ministry. It is not until we start to engage people in the work of ministry that they begin to see their value.
▪ We fail to recognize our role
Too many times people will fail to see the role that they can play in the life of the church and the society. There is a role for every person. There are large roles and small ones but all are important. The reality is that everyone needs to get plugged into a service of some kind.
▪ We waste our time and our talents
How often do we waste time or opportunity that Jesus gives us? There are times when we can do more and serve more than we already are.
▪ We are focused on ourselves
We at times focus on what is best and easy for us rather than what is best for the master (God).
C. TIMELESS TRUTH OF SERVICE
- We will be held accountable for the things we do not do
We often believe that sin is only committed by the things that we do. The reality is that we will also be held accountable for the things we fail to do. We have been called to a life of active faith. We cannot afford to believe that faith alone will change the world. We must have faith that moves us to action. Our faith in Jesus should be the foundation of our service to Him. - We rob ourselves and Christ when we fail to serve.
As servants of God, we have been given the golden opportunity to serve the Master and to benefit ourselves. Instead of rising to the occasion, we hide our talents in the ground. So many people bury their opportunities to make an impact in the world that they rob Christ of using them for His glory. In the end, they are robbing themselves of the blessings that can only come from serving the King.
D. IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE
Ignorance of the law, they say, is no excuse. It is a “legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content.” The Holy Gospel tells us that at the end of each person’s life, and then at the end of all human lives when Jesus returns, there is a judgement. There is a separation into sheep and goats.
The Lord will bring judgment upon the sheep of his pasture, especially to those who led them in the way of false idols.
The Lord declares his judgment upon the wicked shepherds who feed themselves, saying, “I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgments” (34:21).
CONCLUSION
Precious one! Our calling is to serve one another. Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
