FREE TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH LOVE

At a recent board meeting church leaders focused on Evangelism Cycle. The six stages of Empowered Church harvest work:

1. Preparing the ground – revival of godliness, living as God-seekers.
2. Sowing seeds – events where contact is made with community.
3. Cultivating growth – need-oriented efforts for those attracted.
4. Reaping – program making an appeal for joining the fellowship.
5. Preserving the harvest – nurturing new believers in accountability.
6. Repeating the cycle exponentially.

While all these stages are about service to others. The first one is not to be missed – the Revival. This stage is crucial in determining the result. Seeds sown on unprepared ground will not produce. Community services. Vacation Bible Schools, Park clean up, and all other “seed planting” events will yield nothing unless the community and the church experiences the Revival.

The goal of revival is to produce the fruit of the Spirit – love. For many this term “love” is so vague that it causes only misunderstanding. Just like term “faith”. Apostle James writes whole letter to challenge believers to have real faith, the one that produces works. At the end of his letter he defines the most evident work of faith – patience. (James 5:7-11) Without faith one cannot be patient and wait.

When it comes to love – the most common direction that comes is service. “Serve one another through love.” (Galatians 5:13) Love is displayed in service we give to one another. Revival of church will show itself in people going out of their way to serve one another.

We do it symbolically, during the Lord’s Supper. To some it remains just a ritual – service with the towel. Yet, the towel was a symbol of service. Are you ready for Revival? Are you ready to become a Servant?

Today I will share some examples of service we can offer one another:

1. Guarding the reputation of others.

2. Service of being served.

3. Service of common courtesy.

4. Service of hospitality.

5. Service of listening

6. Service of bearing burdens for each other….

7. Service of sharing the Word of Life with others.

Service is very multifaceted, yet it has one thing in common: it makes us humble. In doing so it enables us to receive the Grace of God. Apostle James advised the church “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4: 6,10)

We need the Revival of Grace. We need to be lifted up, so we may serve in the Name of our Lord, who gave us example of loving service.