Spiritual Growth / Service

  • Power to Minister

    Acts 1:8

    If you are a Christian, you have already received the Holy Spirit, and you have the mind and ability to serve God and His church. We all may not be ordained to specific church offices, but all of us who ...Read More

  • Power to Minister

    Acts 1:8

    Many of God’s greatest saints, including men like Moses and Jeremiah, did not feel that they could fulfill God’s call. But, as we have seen, God always gives us what we need to do His will. Go to ...Read More

  • Privileges and Responsibility

    Ephesians 4:1

    Living in a manner worthy of our calling is not following a legalistic checklist of do’s and don’ts. Instead, it is a gratitude-inspired pursuit of God-given growth in personal holiness. Even though this is our duty, it should ...Read More

  • Remembering the Poor

    Galatians 2:10

    Martin Luther comments, “After the preaching of the gospel, the office and charge of a true and faithful pastor is to be mindful of the poor.” Our pastors and leaders must lead the people of God in assisting the impoverished ...Read More

  • Serve One Another

    1 Peter 4:10–11

    Peter does not give us an exhaustive list of gifts here; he gives two broad examples that encompass many of the specific ones listed elsewhere in the New Testament. What are your spiritual gifts? Do you have particular talents that ...Read More

  • Serving Earthly Masters

    Ephesians 6:5–8

    Tomorrow we will discuss in greater detail the proper roles of servants and masters. We note today, however, with Matthew Henry that “service, performed with conscience, and from a regard for God, though it may be to unrighteous masters, will ...Read More

  • Share What You Have

    Hebrews 13:16

    It is a sad state of affairs when many evangelicals do not donate their time or money as they could in service to the church and to mankind. Take some time to look at your priorities, and see if there ...Read More

  • Single-mindedness

    Acts 5:17–42

    Acts recounts the heroic deeds of the early church. Central to these feats was the abiding trust in the power of God. When you are fearful in the face of opposition, do you become angry at God for abandoning you ...Read More

  • The Body of Christ

    1 Corinthians 12:12–31

    In summarizing today’s passage and the communion of saints, answer 55 of the Heidelberg Catechism says that “each member should consider it a duty to use these [spiritual] gifts … for the service and enrichment of the other members.” One ...Read More

  • The Christian’s Conflicting Desires

    Philippians 1:21–24

    One commentator has wondered what it would mean for the church if we really acted on the reality that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What if we more consistently conducted ourselves as if true life meant ...Read More

  • The Golden Rule

    Matthew 7:12

    John Calvin says, “All the precepts [of the Mosaic law]…have a reference to [the Golden Rule].” Even the Old Testament laws that deal more directly with God teach us to love our neighbor. The law against idolatry, for example ...Read More

  • The Greatness of Service

    Matthew 20:24–28

    Matthew Henry writes, “It is the duty of Christ’s disciples to serve one another, for mutual edification.” A true leader leads by example, never asking others to do something that the leader is unwilling to do himself. He does ...Read More

  • The Kingdom Paradox

    2 Corinthians 4:7–15

    Jesus asked that the cup of suffering pass Him by. We are never to seek suffering. It is God who brings suffering upon us. When it comes, however, could it be that God is allowing us to take someone else ...Read More

  • The Law of Christ

    Galatians 6:2

    In our increasingly isolated lives here in the West it is hard for us to form relationships that open up opportunities for us to bear the burdens of others. We must therefore make a special effort to get to know ...Read More

  • The Ministry of Presence

    1 Corinthians 2:1–5

    When God calls us to serve, He calls us to come alongside others and become a part of their lives. He uses us to hold each other up and to help others grow in their walk with Christ. Look at ...Read More