19 March 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-
Rev Dr Stefan Sos recently conducted a seminar on the topic of “Serving in the Kingdom of God with Love” at City Revival office, Subang Jaya on the 9th of March 2015.
Long ago, the Lord presented a vision, to present believers complete in Christ through proclamation, teaching, and training. Vision, community, communion, collaboration, and servanthood, in totality equates to fulfillment! “When it comes to servanthood, we need to understand that society is changing; for example, the way you live, the way you think, and what we expect. These are the three major points where society is changing,” he shared. We as Christians need to address these issues as it affects the way the Church thinks and lives in today’s society.
Stefan then stressed on Apostle Paul’s concern for the Church in the Bible during his time:
1) There was a problem with disunity in the Church.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
2) There were preachers that had ulterior motives.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)
3) There were some self-serving leaders.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
The three issues addressed above are not only areas that affect the Church during Apostle Paul’s days, but concern the churches today as well. “It’s amazing to see how things have never changed. Two thousand years ago and there’s still the same fall-ups and situation for each and every church,” he shared. Although things constantly change and take it’s cycle of life, we find that God is not susceptible to change or variation in form, quality or nature. God is immutable! When God sent His only Son Jesus to earth to be with us, He stood out among the rest. In this case, Jesus understood servanthood and lived to serve God the Father and the people of the earth. He humbled himself.
“He willingly concealed/cloaked His glory and did not in most instances exercise the divine use of His attributes (Matthew 9:4, Luke 9:29)
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.(Psalm 102:25-27)
Christ’s Redefinition of Greatness
Your attitude should be the same like Jesus Christ:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)
“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26-27)
In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
What God desires from His disciples is a genuine spirituality that entails sacrificial living, motivated by a love for Him and for other’s. Stefan shared a simple break down of God’s desires from us and that is namely, our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind, and our whole strength. All in all, our whole life. As believers, everyone should know about the importance of prayer according to the Bible. “Prayer is the essence to communicate with God,” shared Stefan. At the same time, in our lives we are to be well-regulated, disciplined, focused, and vigilant. This is the basis to gain a great relationship with God and of servant hood.
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:38-44)
Three commands with ONE single purpose:-
1) Pray with/for one another with vigilance.
2) Love one another fervently
3) Serve one another faithfully
…All for the glory of God!
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6)
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)
Picture References
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2094/loveallserveall_lg.jpg
http://www.ladiesforjesus.com/images/Serving_God.jpg
http://www.dyingconsciously.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/learn_steps.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JG6c-EY65XI/TJyCR_ohS1I/AAAAAAAADLQ/3HqOrSX5iRc/s1600/soul-food.jpg
http://otvet-na-tvoi-son.ru/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/x_fba66b4e.jpg
As teachers and as follower of Christ we are called to serve and not to grumble and complain to God why people are like this or that. That is not the servitute the Lord wants. I wonder how the Lord can speak to sinners like us as he is being perfect man. When we deal with sin, especially sinful people, we are to be friends with them, blend in them, not to be them, love them and draw them near to God, as he has come to call sinners, the rejected and needy and not the righteous and those who don't need him. It is love that covers over multitude of sins. Thank God for His everyday mercy and grace as we live each day in His name. Amen.