Over the last month or so, Malcolm has been really driving home the importance or serving in the church and getting involved with different areas of ministry. This may seem like he’s just trying to push jobs onto other people, or being legalistic. But I assure you when Malcolm says this; he is speaking Biblical truth into us and really has the church’s best interests in mind.

 

When looking for an example of someone in the Bible who was great at serving, who better to look at than the Son of God, Jesus. As in all aspects of life, Jesus was the perfect illustration of how to serve and stay humble in the process. Take John 13:1-17 for instance. Jesus was fully aware that he was the saviour of the world and that, “...the Father had placed all things under his power...”, yet he chose to humble himself by washing the feet of his disciples. He used this to demonstrate the importance of serving and loving others. Peter quickly objected to Jesus washing his feet but Jesus soon explained that it was vital to teach them that just as Jesus served the disciples, we must do the same to others around us.

 

The thing about serving in a Godly way is that it is not always easy. In fact often it is very testing and demands a lot of your time. But the key thing to remember is that we need to be willing to serve with out expecting any thing in return. There are people in our church who have amazing serving hearts. The people who get up at crazily early times in the morning, while you are still dreaming, to set up HG Wells for our services and then stay on after the meetings to pack down. These people are not seen in the lime-light or up on the platform, but still serve diligently when ever they are required. Often these people do not get the thanks they deserve. It tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 that we should treat the people who serve in this way with special honour. Let’s try and lead the way as a youth group by encouraging, and thanking the people who humbly give up their time (and sleep!) to serve us as a church.

 

To finish, I want to remind you of the ultimate expression of servanthood and humility that the universe has ever seen. Again we look to Jesus Christ. He humbled himself as a man, to come down into our mess, just because he loved us so much. He chose to go through unimaginable pain and suffering on the cross in order that we may be free from sin and have eternal life. Now often we here these facts but it is so difficult really to get to grips with how astonishing they really are. Try and imagine all the pain, all the wrong things you have ever done. Even the things which no one else knows about that churn you up inside. Everything you have ever felt guilty about. Now imagine Jesus on the cross, hanging there in agony. Try and grasp that all your guilt, pain, sin, fears and shame are on him at that moment. And it’s not just yours. The sins of the whole world. I know that image makes me want to stand and worship with a thankful heart in awe of what this truth means.

 

Let’s push forward in our serving and humility. With our eyes locked on Jesus for constant inspiration, let’s make a difference to the way our community sees young people.

 

Zac