Living in Increase (Part 3) - Increase in PurposeSample

We Serve Because Jesus Served

According to the 2022 State of Theology (Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research) survey, an astounding 43% of evangelicals in the U.S. believe that Jesus was just a teacher and deny the divinity of Christ. This is just one amongst many unsettling statistics in this survey. Despite the numbers, I am sure of one thing, and that is that the gates of hell will never prevail against Christ’s Church (Matthew 16:18). We have to be the Church by letting our light shine so that God will be glorified (Matthew 5:16) and take on the challenge of being educated and educating others on the things of God. This is a crucial part of our service to the world.

When Paul writes to the Philippians about being like Christ, he emphasizes the humility of Christ in that He was God yet emptied Himself by becoming a servant and being born as a man (Philippians 2:5-8). Serving like Christ means to serve in humility and obedience. Paul says we are to do all things without complaining (Philippians 2:14), which is the attitude we should have when we serve. We have another Helper who is the Spirit of truth (John 14:16). We can serve with the spirit of Christ through the Holy Spirit, who helps us have the fruit of love necessary to serve like Christ.

Christ still serves us through intercession at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). He is our eternal shepherd who came to serve humankind. We, too, will serve because He serves.

Ruby Washington

Action Step: Discuss Philippians 2 with a friend or group.