What does it mean to live the extraordinary life of service? Here what Scripture teaches us:

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:24-26

Guidelines for service:

1. We must recognize Jesus as Lord and Master and ourselves as His servants.

2. We must realize that serving is not something we do for God, but something God does through us. Philippians 2:13

3. We must realize that no matter whom we serve humanly, it is the Lord God whom we are truly serving. When you recognize you are serving God it will affect…

•   Your focus
•   The quality of your service
•   Your motivation

4. We must serve out of our spiritual gift, not our human talents.

5. We must realize we cannot serve God and ourselves at the same time.

How to know if you are serving the Lord:

1. When your primary concern is the needs of others, the glory of God and the work of the Kingdom.

2. When you are willing to make necessary adjustments in your personal life.

3. When you are motivated by loving concern for other people and to please God.

4. When you are operating in a spirit of humility. Humility doesn’t mean weakness. It means you are strong and wise enough to yield to the awesome hand and will of God. You do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think.

How to know if you are serving self:

1. When you are more concerned about other people’s opinions than about what God thinks.

2. When you are continually seeking compliments.

3. When you are deceptive and wanting something in return.

4. It’s clear from Scripture that Christianity calls us to die to self – to give yourself to whatever He’s called you to do – and watch Him work!  He who began a good work in you, will see it to fruition – Ephesians 2:10

What ways are you living your life as a service to others?

Post adapted from Charles Stanley sermon series “Living the Extraordinary Life.”