Chapter 28

Serving God

Sections

The lives of each of God’s people ought to be devoted to serving him. As this chapter shows, in serving God we need to rely on him and make use of the extraordinary spiritual gifts that he gives his people.

Devotion to God’s Service

Be devoted to God’s work

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.   1 Corinthians 15:58b NCV™

Serve only God

Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! Because it is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”   Matthew 4:10 ISV

How to Serve God

Do quality work that bears “fruit” – “fruit” that will last

[Jesus, to his disciples:] And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.   John 15:16b NCV™

Here “fruit” likely refers to spiritual outcomes of quality work for God’s kingdom.

Pray to God for help in the work

[The believers, praying:] Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. 31After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s message.   Acts 4:29-31 CEV

Spiritual Gifts

God gives believers a spiritual gift, through the Holy Spirit

Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good. 8The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom, and the same Spirit gives another the ability to speak with knowledge. 9The same Spirit gives faith to one person. And, to another, that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. 10The Spirit gives to another person the power to do miracles, to another the ability to prophesy. And he gives to another the ability to know the difference between good and evil spirits. The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak in different kinds of languages and to another the ability to interpret those languages.   1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NCV™

Use your spiritual gift to build up the church

It was he [Christ] who “gave gifts”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. 12He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.   Ephesians 4:11-12 GNT

Being Guided by God

To be guided by God, live a godly life

[God:] If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word; 10if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. 11And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things.   Isaiah 58:9b-11a GNT

Ask God to guide you (as in troubled times)

[David, to God:] Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.   Psalms 31:3 GW

Pray for persecuted Christians