Spiritual Gifts Romans 12:6 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether … ministry, let us wait on our ministering.” (Romans 12: 5-7)

  “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether … ministry, let us wait on our ministering.” (Romans 12: 5-7) People with the spiritual gift of serving possess a natural inclination to see the practical needs of others and they are highly motivated in order to meet them.

Typical Server Qualities Often Include: Enjoy doing things to benefit other people. Tend to remember the likes/preferences of others when serving. Desire clear directions because they are motived to see people pleased when tasks are finished. Prefer to do tasks themselves than to delegate.

Typical Server Qualities Often Include (cont’d): Enjoying doing things for others when others have other very important matters to attend. Often willing to do the behind-the-scenes tasks in order for larger functions to occur. Tend to focus on short-term accomplishments in contrast to long-range planning. Their efforts most often are directed to people who genuinely appreciate their efforts.

Typical Server Qualities Often Include (cont’d) : Often works-to-weariness because focus is on task completion and not one’s self. They have a special disdain for people who are obviously lazy. Can become overcommitted because they find it hard to say ‘no.’ Possess a particular joy doing hands-on type projects.

Irrespective of Whether or Not our Spiritual Gift is Serving, All Christians Should Serve Others “For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) • All Christians should be alert to the physical and practical needs of others. • We all should serve each other, when we possess the ability to do so.

Some Reasons that Christians Do Not Serve Others Calloused—not seeing others’ needs Selfishness—caring about our own comfort over others’ needs Laziness—unwilling to exert personal effort in order to help others Greed—not willing to extend time, money, or efforts to others Poor character—considering one’s own desires and feelings above others

Some Bible Examples of Serving Others “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, you know very well.” (2 Timothy 1:16-18)   “[Philemon] Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel.” (Philemon 8)

Some Bible Examples of Serving Others (cont’d) “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my needs. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that you had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick, near unto death: but God had mercy on him.” (Philippians 2:25-27)

In Our Serving, We Must Be Alert Not to Neglect Spiritual Focus “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things but one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42)

Some Practical Applications 1. Don’t Use or Abuse People’s Righteous Desire to Serve.   Don’t overuse people’s their kind extensions. Don’t use people for free-service. Don’t take advantage of other people.

Some Practical Applications (cont’d) 2. Inwardly Feel Grateful When People Provide Kind Acts of Service.   Be alert to times when people serve. Genuinely feel grateful for others’ service. Express—explicitly—your appreciation for other’s service to you, the church, and others.

Some Practical Applications (con’t) 3. Irrespective of Whether or Not Serving Comes Naturally— Biblically Serve Others’ Needs.   Exercise good character. Move away from what you like or desire; focus on serving as you would Christ. “For I hungered and you gave me food; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: (Matthew 25:36)