The first time that believers of ‘the way of Jesus’ were called Christians, was in Antioch, because the people in the church there resembled Jesus – like ‘mini-Christs’ (Acts 11:26). That is the destiny of all believers in Jesus, that we would look like Him – we have been pre-destined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29). This is a work of the Word of God and the Spirit of God, the Word reveals what it looks like to follow Jesus and the Spirit empowers us to do so as we step out in faith.
Scripture is full of examples of what practicing the way of Jesus looks like. The Apostle Paul, who established many churches in Asia, used many letters to teach how to live out the Christian faith individually and in community. Rather than encouraging people to just learn as much as possible, he said an unusual thing, he said ‘Imitate me, as I imitate Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11). Values are not just taught, they are also caught, we need to look to and follow examples of those around us. Christianity is not about obtaining lots of knowledge it is about living out our faith in relationship with God and others. Jesus provides the greatest example of how to live, and Paul wants to live like Christ and invites us to follow Him in doing so. This is what Paul says to the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:1-18):
“ If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
9 For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.”
In this masterful passage on Christian living, Paul reminds us WE ARE LOVED by God, and we are called to love others with the love we’ve received by seeking to serve others sacrificially. This is the example of Christ. As a church family, we are called to serve one another, that’s what it looks like to be a believer, and that’s why we create so many opportunities for people to serve sacrificially at our Sunday morning services. Serving requires humility and is a sacrificial act that is part of our worship to God as we follow the example of Christ and live in obedience to the Word of God.
Follow Christ’s example of service is not only an act of worship and a demonstration of our love for God, it is good for our souls, here are some of the benefits to serving:
- Serving reminds us that we are part of a community – you are not alone (1 Corinthians 11).
- Serving keeps us humble – a prized character trait in Scripture (James 4:6).
- Serving helps us feel a sense of belonging as we get to know more people in the church and make new friends.
- Serving connects you to the vision of the church, you will be helping lives and communities to be transformed as join us in making Sundays run smoothly.
- Serving in teams releases others to minister in different ways, such as prayer and building relationships (Ephesians 4).
- Starting to serve allows others in the church serve less frequently, so we can share the burden together (Galatians 6:2).
- Serving reminds us that it is better to give, than receive (Acts 20:35).
You are saved to serve, let Christ Central Church help you to do that. To find out more, or to sign up to serve, go to https://christcentral.church/serve. Alternatively, chat to a life group leader or anyone on a team on a Sunday and they can point you to the right person to talk to.
You may feel a bit daunted by the prospect of joining a team, maybe you feel you have nothing to give? We don’t want anyone to feel excluding from serving, we want you to have this opportunity to worship and to experience the benefits! Once you’ve signed up we will make contact and chat through your specific circumstances and you can try out serving in different teams if that helps.
