You serve at your local Church over 40+ hours a week, unpaid. You are involved in multiple ministries.You always arrive early and make sure to stay late. You help collect tithes and offerings. You serve on the worship team. And not to mention, you are an intern. Let’s just put it this way, you are a Church serving machine.
God is proud of you for serving the local Church. He is applauding you for all your hard work, and the angels are rejoicing over your blistered hands and dirty clothes. But at the end of the day, will that alone sustain you? Will those precious acts of service bring affirmation towards salvation? And will those blistered hands alone grant you entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven?
See, It’s very easy for us to stand in the entrance of a crowded church, with our lanyard placed perfectly around our necks, and feel like we deserve to be there. As if something we did granted us access into this “holy of holies” position. Secretly expecting the entire church body to stand in recognition of our audacious servant-hood and spiritual presence. Yeah, I said it because most are thinking it.
I believe that the church of today is facing an epidemic. One of false security and an even greater sense of false salvation. It’s called serving. And while that might sound a little silly, I want you to examine your heart with me for a moment. Don’t get me wrong, I am not necessarily questioning your salvation, I am questioning where you are seeking it from…
Here’s my point:
Just because you serve, doesn’t mean you’re saved.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
There is more to the church than serving. And until you realize serving is an addition, not your foundation, you are headed down a road paved by a false sense of security. I know plenty of people willing to serve the church, but who aren’t willing to seek God. Believe me, I used to be one of them.
Romans 16:18 - Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Now, don’t get me wrong, serving your local church is incredible. I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. But my heart goes out to the people who feel that their relationship with God peaks and completes with serving. I mean, c’mon really? God is bigger than a plastic lanyard, fake security t-shirt, and a youth group pizza party.
This post is to open your eyes to the greatness of God’s divine wisdom and direction. Can some of these attributes be found in the beauty of serving? Yes, but that alone will not sustain you for the road ahead. Serving alone will not plant the roots of your faith deep into the love of Christ.
Colossians 2:7 - Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
God is looking for more than servants. He is looking for seekers. People who go to extreme lengths to seek his face. And although serving is an incredible catalyst in learning the importance of being a bond-servant, it is not meant to be your only avenue for divine wisdom. It’s meant to be an addition.
Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
APPLY:
1. Check your head.
Are you serving for self-satisfaction, or God breathed wisdom?
2. Check your heart.
Are you serving to further God’s kingdom, or to further your platform?
3. Check your hands.
Are you serving to build the kingdom, or to build your spiritual resume?
God is looking for more than servants. He is looking for seekers. Don’t let the false security of servanthood get in the way of your relationship with God. Heart work is just as important as hard word.
- Jarrid Wilson
so convicting!
I feel ya! I wrote it feeling the same as you.
An eye & heart opener indeed! Thank you for posting this. God bless you, Jarrid! :)
Yup! Convicting for me as well. :)
We are all called to be children of God, we do not serve to win his favor, we serve because we love him, because we understand who he is, because we act like his children.
Excellent post Jarrid! This epidemic has to end!!
Amen! I appreciate that Mariana.
Full of wisdom!
Thanks mark
Wow! I always thought I helped teach Sunday school in order to spread the love of God to the children but now I’m wondering if its not to satisfy my own position in the church and the way people look at me. Definitely need to pray on this.
Serving is great on any level, but we need to evaluate our hearts motives in the process.
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21
So if we obey the first and greatest commandmant (Love God) you will love others and serve others because the spirit will lead you to it, not a feeling of obligation towards a congregation.
Amen.
Very valid point! Your so full of wisdom…thank you brotha J :D
#GlorytoGod(:
Well written , so true ! Ps guilty as charged ..
Love your honesty Mike! I feel ya.
Guilty, I’ll admit :( I think this is a really powerful and interesting look at this :). I’ll make sure to improve on this! Thanks!
We’re all a little guilty of this. Thanks for your support Kelsey!
I’ve wanted to serve more at y church. And I felt so guilty because I work from 6pm-2am. I felt bad for not being able to attend the youth leadership meetings because I don’t have transportation and because I would be so tired I wouldn’t hear my alarm the next day. I don’t know if I’m doing goo but I decided that if I couldn’t become a leader I would become a seeker I invite teenagers and friends over to church and I honestly am happy serving God in that way. I do it with my heart and because I love God and I want others to know him. I understood that I didn’t really care o any recognition I would get from anyone else at my church, I care more about doing it for Him.
Thanks for sharing this.
God Bless. :)
I think this can also be a reference for those who want to pursue the music industry and become christian artists, especially point 2 “Are you serving to further God’s kingdom, or to further your platform?” ! Incredible post. Thanks for this! God Bless :D
Amen. Love it.
So convicting! Awesome thoughts.
Thanks Alix!
I loved this. It really made me think why I teach the children during Sunday school and why I’m in the worship band. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing those things, but it got me thinking: How am I supposed to talk to people about seeking God if I don’t even do it myself? I would be a hypocrite. I will definitely be praying about this tonight. Thanks for this post! God bless you((:
Jarrid, awesome post!
I’m on the prayer team at church. Love how you inspire us to do a heart check on our roots. This week I’ve ramped up my 1-on-1 time with Jesus. Need to get filled up before I pour out.
Thanks Lynn. I appreciate your comment. And yes, we must evaluate the ROOT of why we serve.
Jarrid… What do you do when your caught up in serving? Would it be wise to stop to check your heart? Im asking because my love for God is best shown in my love for serving. Although it is frustrating at times.
Ya, I believe the best way is serve in areas that doesn’t always seem to be the most glorious. Meaning, you’re not serving for people to notice.
Wow, awesome post and great reminder! I think everyone from time to time thinks to much about themselves when serving (including myself)…it is an easy trap to fall into. Thanks for posting this!
Do I need to attend church? I do not know where to attend. Can I read the bible, pray and have faith? Is that enough?
Hey Ella, yes you can still have faith without attending a “Church.” What we have to realize is that we as people are the Church. But, I would encourage you to get involved with a local church in your area. Accountability and encouragement from other believers is a biblical perspective we must encounter. The Acts 2 Church is a great example. Even if you attend a small home-church, I would encourage you to surround yourself with a body of believers.
Glory! I love this Jarrid! :)
Im from the Philippines and my youth group love you and the way you share your revelation about stuff. Keep doing what your doing! :)
I agree that “just because you serve, doesn’t mean you’re saved”.
but in the same way, just because you are saved, you should serve.
Wow…I am speechless. You have such a fresh and new perspective on everything you talk about it. It is refreshing and awakening
I am amazed your words are praiseworthy,God’s words which are needed for People like me.I agree whatever you have mentioned here for Best.Amen.God Bless People.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.