I Was Made for This!

The last message in the "Happy New You" series helped us to better understand the importance of "serving" in the life of a believer. Living for that for which we were created brings a sense of fulfillment, focus and purpose to all that we do.

As Joshua speaks some final words to the nation of Israel, he exhorts them to "fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness." (Joshua 24:14). He tells them that they must choose "whom you will serve" and then he declares "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15). So the question we must ask ourselves is "Who am I serving?" It is an important question because we all serve someone or something.

Our prime EXAMPLE is Jesus. He came "not to be served but to serve," (Matt. 20:28). Certainly He set the example for us in serving others. He served the physical needs and spiritual needs of those He encountered. His service was rendered through His words and deeds. No wonder he said; "The greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matt. 23:11).

Maybe we fail in our wholehearted service to the Lord because we forget the EXCLUSIVITY of our service. We forget that we all DO serve someone. In all we do we are either serving self or serving God. Bob Dylan was right when he sang: "But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed; You're gonna have the serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you're gonna have to serve somebody." The fact is that this truth certainly did not originate with Bob Dylan. The prophet Samuel told Israel that they should "serve him only" in speaking of the Lord (1 Sam 7:3). Jesus told Satan; "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only you shall serve." (Matt. 4:10). He also made it clear that to try to serve two masters would be impossible because "No one can serve two master, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matt 6:24). So our service is to be exclusive - we are to serve the Lord!

Those who think or claim there is "nothing" they can do to serve the Lord have either forgotten or failed to understand that God in His grace has EQUIPPED us for service. Paul reminded Timothy of the power of God's Word to work in our lives and to enable us to be "competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:17). Peter tells us that we have each received a "gift" that is to be used in service to one another. Whether our gift involve speaking or serving we are to use the ability "that God supplies" so that God is glorified. (1 Peter 4:10-11). God through the Apostle Paul has made it clear that we all have "gifts that differ according to the grace given to us" and that we are to USE these gifts in serving others.


There are seven distinct gifts listed in Romans 12 that we are encouraged to use in serving others.

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving;
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

Of course, there are gifts listed in other passages of Scripture and the priority is placed on USING them. We are GIFTED to serve God, by serving others. Serving is NOT limited to those in "full time ministry" - in fact we all are to be in "full time ministry" we are to serve God and others wherever we are. You can serve God at your job, in your home, as you go about your business, wherever you are and whatever you do you can SERVE the Lord!

When you do that you will say with confidence and gratitude; "I was made for this" and that is a great way to live life!

Let's all say with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Pastor Mike