Servir
Servir é o coração do evangelho. Jesus não veio para ser servido, mas para servir. O cristão é chamado a seguir esse exemplo, colocando-se a serviço de Deus e do próximo.
O exemplo de Jesus
Cristo é o modelo supremo de serviço. Ele lavou os pés dos discípulos e deu a própria vida como resgate por muitos.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many."
28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
26 It is not so among you. But whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant,27 and whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave;
14 If then I, the Master and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another's feet.
35 Taking a seat he called the twelve, and said, "If any one wishes to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all."
Servindo ao Senhor
Servir a Deus é um privilégio e uma ordenança. Devemos amá-lo de todo coração e servi-lo com alegria e fidelidade.
11 never flagging in zeal, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through an eternal Spirit offered himself an unblemished sacrifice to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works for the service of the living God.
Servir ao próximo
A liberdade cristã nos chama a servir uns aos outros pelo amor. Cada dom recebido é para edificação do corpo de Cristo.
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not let your freedom be an opportunity for the flesh, but in love be servants to one another.
16 Live as free men, yet not using freedom as a cloak for wickedness, but as God's slaves.
26 If any one is serving me, let him follow me and where I am there my servant shall be. If any one is serving me, him my Father will honor.
24 No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.
13 and do not yield your members to sin as the instruments of wickedness; but present yourselves to God as men once dead, but now living, and yield your members to God as the instruments of righteousness.
Fidelidade e recompensa
O servo fiel e sábio será recompensado pelo Senhor. A fidelidade no serviço honra a Deus e produz frutos eternos.
21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'
58 So then, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; since you know that your labor is not fruitless in the Lord.
16 All Scripture is divinely inspired and is useful for teaching, for proof, for correction of error, for education in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.