Spiritual Growth / Service

  • How to Serve

    Joshua 24:14–15

    Service to the Lord is not an impossible burden but a delight. Service is hard work, so we will grow tired and face difficulties on occasion. Nevertheless, God will sustain us so that we might serve Him faithfully and store ...Read More

  • God’s Work Ethic

    Ephesians 4:28

    God’s people are called to be generous, not foolish. We want to provide real help to widows, orphans, and others who are in true need, first in our churches and then in the world. As we seek to help ...Read More

  • Getting Angry at our Enemies

    Proverbs 25:21–22

    When Scripture speaks of doing good to our enemies, it is focusing on the common, everyday interactions that we have with other people. This teaching is less applicable in cases of physical violence or wars between nations, although even seeking ...Read More

  • Wholehearted Love and Service

    Deuteronomy 10:12

    The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Yet to glorify and enjoy Him, we must know Him as He is in His holiness, sovereignty, and love. We must ...Read More

  • Deacons

    Matthew 25:31–46

    Jesus tells us very clearly that those who want to be great in the kingdom of God must serve others (Matt. 23:11). None of us should ever think that we are too good or hold too high of a ...Read More

  • 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

  • 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

  • Not the Gift but the Fruit

    Philippians 4:14–17

    Paul’s desire to have the Philippians get a blessing by giving to his work is an illustration of what we should think when faithful churches and ministries ask for our support. When our local churches, gospel-preaching ministries, faithful Christian ...Read More

  • Meeting Paul’s Need

    Philippians 4:10–12

    God gives us friends in the church to help build us up and so that we might support one another in all our needs. Of course, only Christ fulfills all our needs in an ultimate sense, but He does work ...Read More

  • The Return of Epaphroditus

    Philippians 2:25–26

    The depth of Epaphroditus’ love for his brothers and sisters in Christ is seen in that his chief worry was not about his own health but that his fellow believers would not have to suffer too much emotional pain in ...Read More

  • The Proven Worth of Timothy

    Philippians 2:21–24

    Paul could be confident in Timothy’s worth as a fellow minister because of the ways he had proven his character over time (Phil. 2:22). As we consider our service in the church, we should also be aware that ...Read More

  • Paul’s Commendation of Timothy

    Philippians 2:19–20

    Paul’s sending of Timothy illustrates his great love for his congregation and is an example that Christian leaders will especially want to follow. It is good to appoint and send others on one’s behalf to help those under ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for His Audience

    Philippians 2:17–18

    Our love for those who minister to us should be part of what motivates our obedience to the Lord. As we grow in holiness, we help to show our pastors, Sunday school teachers, and other church leaders that their labor ...Read More

  • Lights to the World

    Philippians 2:14–15

    Since we are already lights to the world in Christ Jesus, we can, by His Spirit, show forth the glory and goodness of God in line with the Father’s plan. We will fail from time to time and need ...Read More

  • A Cause to Glory in Christ Jesus

    Philippians 1:25–26

    In saving us from sin, death, and His holy wrath, our God has placed us in a community that, according to His sovereign determination, needs our gifts and talents. To refuse to serve the body of Christ is tantamount to ...Read More