GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH EXCELLENT SERVICE – I PETER 4:11

Preamble:

We shall be concluding our thoughts on glorifying the God of transformation- Luke 17:15.

Our focus firstly shall be to define our keywords: Service, Excellence and Glorify.

Service : In general, a service refers to work that is performed by one or more people that benefits others.

Excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good: having taste something very good

Glorify: acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendour of (God) by one’s actions

A. UNDERSTANDING THE SERVICE OF GOD

• Service: Service to God is defined in the context of Kingdom assignment expected to be done by all that are save. We are saved to serve and not vice versa. Jesus declared to His disciples ‘’occupy till I come…’’- Luke 19:11-13.
• Service to God is our stewardship to Him (I Cor. 4:2), 2 Tim.2:20
• The various ministries in the Kingdom business (I Chron. 29:1-5; I Cor.12:5; Col.1:25; Romans 12:6-8; Mark 10:45
• Being available for God at any time; Ready to release yourself to God- Romans 12: 1; Luke 5:1-3; Exod.4:1-3; John 6:9-11
• The fundamental meaning of service for God is that we present ourselves wholly to God and place ourselves absolutely at His disposal for Him to do His work in and through us- Phil.2:13
• The sphere and the nature of our service may be varied, but the meaning of it is always the same – Romans 12: 1. 2 Tim.2:20
• In the light of this, are You, His servant?

B. HOW TO SERVE GOD EXCELLENTLY- 1 Peter 4:10-11

1. God’s service addresses every child of God individually. ¹¹ Whoever speaks [to the congregation] ……. Even in working together, everyone has his/her role to play. You are His workmanship saved purposely to serve Him as individual. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them- Eph.2:10

1. It speaks of willingness and personal convictions of individuals. 1 Chron. 29:6-9; Joshua 24:15; Daniel 1:8. Excellent service will only come when you are personally convinced of your service to Him. He is not interested in coarse service. Heroes of faith are men and women of personal conviction of need and readiness/willingness to serve God (Hebrews 11:4,5,7).               

When God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle, the people of God served God with great enthusiasm (Exodus 35). The people served a willing heart (2 Corinthians 9:7; 8:1-5). Interestingly, they had to be told to stop giving to the project (Exodus 35:20-24; 36:4-7). In addition to material gifts, many of the people of God willingly offered their skills and talents to build the tabernacle (Exodus 35:25-29). Serving God with gladness (Psalm 100:2). A grateful Christian offers his service to God happily. He serves Him with gladness. There is no holding back. There is no complaint from him. Whenever he is called upon, he willingly and happily offers his service to the Lord

1. Offering service in obedience to the will of God. Vs 11b: is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God.  As God prescribed, so we are expected to do without hesitation. Such worker will do according to the pattern of God- Exodus 25:40.John 12:26; 2 Tim 2:20 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honour him- John 12:26.

1. Serving God with your given capability and quantum of energy and in acknowledgement of the giver- vs 11c : Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies. Wholehearted services are what God desire and not a vain ones and lip services- Malachi 3:13-14; Isaiah 29:13. LIPSERVICE:  means saying “YES” with your mouth but saying “NO” in your heart and by your actions. It is honouring God with your lips when your heart is far from him.

• Serving within the domain of what God the giver has given you- Vs 10: All areas of your services are equally important to Him

• Serving to honour the Lord and give worthy praise – Don’t seek self-glory.- Isaiah 42:8. Some seek their own glory and praise (Matthew 6:2-7, 16-18)

C. REWARDS FOR SERVING GOD

Service that glorifies God brings numerous rewards

1. Service comes with blessings.

Exodus 23:25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (NKJV)

1. Life is better when you serve God.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. (NKJV)

1. Divine Elevation and Joy

Even the little acts of service are known and rewarded by God- Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (NKJV)