Why Volunteer, Serve, or Join a Ministry Team?

This article is one of a series of articles entitled “Why Volunteer, Serve, or Join a Ministry Team?”. My hope is that these articles will inspire you to serve faithfully and/or will help you, as a leader, cast a vision for serving and helping others find their joy in serving as well.

Reason Three: Serving Others is Following the Example of Jesus

Matthew 20:28 … the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Just as it is for many of us today, serving others was not an easy concept for Jesus’ followers to embrace. The disciples fully expected Jesus to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth and each disciple wanted to make sure that he had one of the highest positions of power and honor.

After overhearing them arguing about who would be ‘the greatest’ in the kingdom, and observing, yet again, how they kept jockeying for power and position over one another,

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

With a lot of patience Jesus continued to try to teach his disciples that to be considered great in the true Kingdom that he was establishing his way, not the worlds way, they would need to learn to serve one another.

Not So With You

Toward the end of his ministry Jesus told his disciples that they were heading to Jerusalem where he would be betrayed, condemned to death, and crucified.

Somehow missing the part about suffering, the mother of James and John only heard one part of Jesus’ words, “We are going up to Jerusalem…”Of course, Jerusalem would be the logical place for Jesus to set up his Kingdom rule, so she felt compelled to ask Jesus for one tiny favor for her two boys.

Matthew 20:20-21 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

Sounds like a mom, right? I don’t care which son gets to sit on your right hand, as long as the other is sitting on your left.

I can almost see Jesus shaking his head in disbelief and thinking, ‘When are they going to get it?’.

Matthew 20:22-23”You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? ""We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

When the other disciples heard about this request it did not sit well with them.

Matthew 20:24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

They were probably thinking, ‘Who do you think you are? Who are you to ask such a thing, or worse still, have their mother ask for such positions of authority?’. They may have been upset that they didn’t think of the idea and asked first! They may have thought, if anyone deserves to sit at the right or the left of Jesus it is me!I want to be great!I’m ready to step into greatness!

Matthew 20:25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Hey everyone, please listen to me and understand… your attitude is that of the worlds.

That’s how the world competes with one another. That’s how they think. This is not my way. The Gentiles of the world do it that way but…not so with you. (Matthew 20:26)

Not so with you.

I love this statement. What a great phrase that we should all meditate on and understand.

Let’s let those words sink into our hearts and minds. This little phrase encapsulates what true kingdom living is all about. In God’s Kingdom, you don’t do things like everyone else does.

The worlds way is not God’s way.

We don’t get to the top the way every else gets to the top. We don’t want fame or greatness at the expense of others. We don’t step on each other to get to the top of the ladder. That’s not God’s way. As believers in Christ, we actually prefer others above ourselves!

True Greatness

Matthew 20:26-27Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—

Jesus is saying, “Don’t you get it guys? If you want to be truly great in my Kingdom, you must serve others. I’ve modeled this for you. I’ve been a servant to you and the crowds we continue to serve. As a matter of fact, you and I must serve to the point that we look and act like slaves.”

And the ultimate example of servanthood for you is my example.

Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If you want to be like me, you will follow my example and begin to serve others.

Servant Jesus

As Jesus walked the earth, he referred to himself as a servant and his followers continued to refer to him that way. He had no problem with being referred to as a servant.

Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.

Acts 3:26 When God raised up his servant (Christ Jesus), he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.

Acts 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

As we follow the example of Jesus, we don’t mind being called servants either. Just like the early church called themselves servants.

Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel

of God.

Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

Serving Others is Following the Example of Jesus

As we follow the example of Christ and serve others, we will begin to overcome our natural self-centeredness and become more like Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Jesus’ mindset was to serve others. Let’s follow his example!

Pastor Scott Moore

09-28-23

scott.moore@believersmail.com

Believers Church of Statesboro

www.believersstatesboro.com