1) GRACE OF GOD

When we understand and accept God’s grace and love manifested in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16), we learn to love God and others and we desire to obey His will (Mark 12:28-31, Joshua 1:8).  We are sinners and deserve condemnation, yet God loved us first (1 John 4:19).  

Amazing Grace! This is why we serve God and serve Him joyfully. 

2) GRATITUDE TO GOD

We serve out of gratitude to God. Not from selfishness or conceit, but from an attitude of humility (Philippians 2:3-5).  Jesus Himself modeled this for us, giving up His divine privileges and humbling Himself in obedience to God by becoming man and dying a criminal’s death (Philippians 2:6-8). He came not to be served but to serve and gave His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).   

Service is worship, and that is how we show gratitude to God. 

3) GIFT OF GOD

God purposely designed His church for service by giving us different gifts – prophecy, serving, exhortation, teaching, leadership, giving, mercy, among others (Romans 12:6-8).  If we doubt that we have gifts, is it possible that we do not know the sender? Or that we do not recognize the gift? God does not need us to do His work, but He wants to involve us.   

According to the gift we have received, we should use it in serving one another as good stewards of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10-11).  

Grace is the glue that holds all of these together.  It is unmerited favor from God, but also a divine influence and empowerment.  God’s grace is sufficient for us to go beyond our limitations (2 Corinthians 12:9).  His grace gives us the power to be devoted to one another in brotherly love and to serve Him enthusiastically (Romans 12:10-11).