Serving in the Church

The saints have a great goal; namely, to be made perfect for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12. Even though this goal has not yet been reached, it should not hinder us from serving with the grace we have. “As each one has re­ceived a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the mani­fold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10.

Being in the church of the living God means that you are actively engaged in a work; not sitting in the “galleries,” but on a school­bench with your books and lessons. The intention is that we pass the entire curriculum. Be diligent; take your place in the battle. Time is short! Romans 13:11-12. God can use zealous people. “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29.

Whatever comes naturally to us with which to serve the others is our special gift. We need to nurture it and work with it. We have been entrusted with a stewardship. However, we can also, at the same time, strive after several of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1), so we can attain to a great “breadth” in our work of ministry.

We need to begin serving in “lowly places”—at home or in our immediate surroundings. We are trained in the lower parts of the earth. Ephesians 4:9. If we aim any higher we are useless. God follows an individual’s life very carefully, and He sets among princes those who are faithful. 1 Samuel 2:8. When we serve God, we must not be­gin at the top, but as the slave of all.

There is a difference between serving “in the tabernacle” and “serving the tabernacle.” Hebrews 9:6-8 and 13:10. Samuel served in the temple before the word of the Lord was revealed to him. 1 Samuel 3:7. Our ministry is pleasing to God if we are faithful in it according to the light we have. When the word of the Lord is revealed to us by the spirit of wisdom and revelation, we grow in our ministry to that which is perfect. James 1:4.

We have to be without spot so we can serve “in the tabernacle” and offer holy bread. We must not be conscious of any evil in our own life or bear a scar that others can see. Leviticus 21-24 and 1 Timothy 3:8-10. We are at the altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. Hebrews 13:10. We must also serve with reverence. If we are a vessel of gold, we must not mix anything in the cup from the vessels made of wood and clay. 2 Timothy 2:20 21. There is a difference between the king’s servant who is his cup bearer and the one who is the gatekeeper. Ezekiel 44:9-16.

Serving with the gifts must be followed by a striving after love which is the better way. 1 Corinthians 12:31. On this way, we are molded to be a servant of the Spirit and not of the letter. 2 Corinthians 3:6. This ministry is carried out “within the body” and quickens the human spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:7-10 and 18. The ministry of “serving the tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:6-8) for the forgiveness of sins, of having the vessel cleansed on the outside (Hebrews 10:22 and 1 Timothy 1:5), can be carried out by every wholehearted brother and sister.

Besides all this, it is important that we serve according to our measure of faith (Romans 12:3), so we can always be at rest and serve to the glory of God, according to the strength He supplies.