The Discipline of Service

By Pastor Bruce Kotila - May 15, 2016

Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:1-17

Jesus declared that He came not to be served but to serve. Jesus also taught that any who would be His disciple would follow His example because “the servant is not above his master.” Like many of the spiritual disciplines this one flies in the face of the accepted values of our culture. The natural order of things says that to be served, to have others meet our every need, and whim, is what it means to be great. But greatness in the kingdom of God is found by serving others through the meeting of their needs, often at the expense of our own needs and desires. We also recognize that it is possible to perform many of acts of kindness without them issuing from a servant’s heart.

Richard Foster on Service

As the cross is to submission, so the towel is the sign of service. When Jesus gathered his disciples for the Last Supper they were having trouble deciding who was the greatest. This was no new issue for them. “And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest” (Luke 9:46). Whenever there is trouble over who is the greatest, there is trouble over who is the least. That is the crux of the matter for us, isn’t it? Most of us know we will never be the greatest; just don’t let us be the least.

In the discipline of service there is also great liberty. Service enables us to say “no!” to the world’s games of promotion and authority. It abolishes our need (and desire) for a “pecking order.” The point is not that we are to do away with all sense of leadership or authority…the point is that Jesus completely redefined leadership and rearranged the lines of authority., Foster, 127)

Jesus never taught that everyone had equal authority. In fact, he had a great deal to say about genuine spiritual authority and taught that many did not possess it. But the authority of which Jesus spoke is not the authority of a pecking order. We must clearly understand the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching on this matter. He was not just reversing the “pecking order” as many suppose. He was abolishing it. The authority of which he spoke was not an authority to manipulate and control. It was an authority of function, not of status. (Celebration of Discipline)

Self-Righteous Service Versus True Service

Self-righteous service comes through human effort. It expends immense amounts of energy calculating and scheming how to render the service.

Self-righteous service is impressed with the “big deal.” It is concerned to make impressive gains on ecclesiastical scoreboards.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. It becomes bitter when the results fall below expectations.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. Sometimes the high and powerful are served because that will ensure an advantage. Sometimes the low and defenseless are served because that will ensure a humble image. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. It can serve only when there is a feeling to serve (“moved by the Spirit” as we say). Ill health and inadequate sleep controls the desire to serve.

Self-righteous service is temporary. Having served it can rest easy.

Self-righteous service is insensitive. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive.

Self-righteous service fractures community. In the final analysis, once all the religious trappings are removed, it centers in the glorification of the individual.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Do you think Foster’s description of self-righteous versus true service is accurate in its reflection of Biblical teaching and values?

How would you describe your service to others?

Is there an individual or people group that God would have you serve?

Author

Bruce Kotila

Pastor Bruce is the Executive Director of God's Living Stones. He lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife Barb. They have two adult children.

The Discipline of Service