The gift of serving is the motivation to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs in the Body.
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).
Office of Deacon or deaconess, Acts 6:2, 1 Timothy 3:8, 12, Romans 16:1
Characteristics
1. Very common in the Body of Messiah, like robins in the bird world.
2. Best describes the nature of Yeshua, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”
3. Divine desire to bless and please others, especially in material ways. The server likes manual projects.
4. Likes to be told what to do.
5. Are often able to recall what people like and dislike.
6. Have the ability to detect and meet practical needs as quickly as possible and will do so without regard to personal sacrifice.
7. They find it hard to say ‘no’ to people who need them.
8. Greater joy in short-range goals than long- range goals.
9. They desire genuine appreciation for a job well done. They have a short reward cycle and need a pat on the back to carry on with joy and satisfaction.
Fruit of the Spirit
Romans 12:10, 1 John 3:16
Needs to be motivated by true agape love which puts the brother ahead of one’s self and serves the brother unconditionally for Yeshua’s sake. They should not look for praise or recognition except the Father’s “well done good and faithful servant.”
Temptations to Avoid
1. Rehearsing your achievements for ego sake.
2. Being pushy or premature in meeting the needs of others by trying to help people before they ask or realize their need. “Love is patient.”
3. Becoming irritated or bitter when your deeds are not recognized and appreciated.
4. Over-emphasizing practical and material needs to the neglect of basic spiritual needs. “The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Problems and Misunderstandings
1. Quickness in meeting needs may appear as pushiness.
2. Eagerness to serve may appear as self-advancing.
3. Quickness in meeting needs can interfere with spiritual lessons the Lord may be teaching those in need.
4. Overly-zealous serves need strong understanding oversight lest they jeopardize their health, their job, and even the welfare of their families. Servers can be exploited by pastors.
Scriptural Examples
1. Yeshua, in washing the feet of the disciples, John 3:1-17
2. Martha, more concerned about practical than spiritual, had too many things to do, couldn’t say ‘no’, short-range goal of cooking rather than long-range goal of meditating on the words of Messiah, Luke 10:38-42, John 12:2
3. Seven deacons in the Jerusalem congregation, met the needs of the widows, waited on tables, practical rather than spiritual, Acts 6:1-6
4. Onesiphorus, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain. But when he was in Rome, he sought me out diligently and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day; and in how many things she ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well” (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
General Counsel and Application
As modern society continues to deteriorate, the needs of people will increase. The church can come to the rescue by beginning with its own. Pastors need to commend those who serve. It is a Messiah-like thing to do. Children need commendation and encouragement, so do servers. Serving self will characterize the end-time society. Children need to learn and sere others at home at an early age and to serve just for agape love’s sake.
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©2013 Tentstake MInistries Publishing with The Keys to Church Harmony, 1983