Serving Part 6 (of 6)

Well, this post wraps up our six part series on serving. I hope you have enjoyed it. I will conclude with a call to understanding that our service is for a lifetime...

Not only are we to serve in love, but we are to serve for a lifetime. We have not been called to serve when we feel like it or serve when everything is convenient.
We are to serve for a lifetime in the same way we are to worship for a lifetime.
Consider Romans 12:1 (NIV):

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

God has not called us to be weekend worshipers. Rather, we are living sacrifices, which means a life of worship. Worship is expected for a lifetime. We are also to serve for a lifetime in the same way we are to be stewards for a lifetime: Look at 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV):

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Stewardship is required for a lifetime. God has not called us to be token givers, but faithful managers of all he has entrusted to us. We are servants of God for a lifetime. We have all heard this before…The Christian life is more like a marathon than a sprint.

So just as:
Worship is expected for a lifetime;
And Stewardship is expected for a lifetime;
So Serving is expected for a lifetime. Galatians 5:13 (NIV):

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

God commands us to “serve one another.” Our service has never been optional. We are to serve and we are to serve for a lifetime. Can you imagine a group of believers (the church) who actually believe they can make a difference in this world. Imagine with me a group of believers using the gifts God has given them to touch others. God has called you and He has gifted you to do some pretty amazing things. Are you ready to serve?

Now...walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called. - Ephesians 4:1