20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Art thou called being a servant? What a question. It relates something very important to us–our serving the Lord. It's a reminder. It's a challenge to think about how we serve the Lord. It's easy to say yeah, I'm serving the Lord. If asked just what are you doing, can you say what you have done? It gets us to thinking. If you make a list of what you do, how detailed is it. Then, what else can you do? Paul says what is your next call?
The question concerns our service as believers in the Lord. It's not a title, but a duty given to us by the Lord. What do you do in your profession? Can you list your duties? Can you tell others exactly what your job is? If you are a school bus driver, you say I drive a bus, pick up kids, and deliver them to their schools. As a bus driver you follow the rules that a bus driver must follow. There are certain things to do and specific responsibilities. If you don't perform them, you are fired.
Our service to the Lord has requirements, of which we take too lightly sometimes. We fall short. When we accept Jesus as Savior we automatically become a servant; we're bought with a price and now belong to him. It's good to say I used to serve the devil and now I serve the Lord. But what are we called to do? Art thou called? Yes. We have responsibilities in every part of our lives that must be done correctly; we are used to working, i.e. being a servant. Since we're used to service let's turn that energy around in the service of the Lord.
Everyone in God's family is commissioned to service. He called us, not hired us, to be a worker. He chooses to work through us. Not only does the Lord call us, on a daily basis we are called upon by others–our family, friends, co-workers. There are so many in need. We never know what might be the next thing we'll be asked. Are we willing to do it? What kind of help will we give?
We serve God by serving the Lord's others. The influence of Christ is not a bolt of lightening but through willing service. It is a distinct calling. Jesus said when I was hungry you fed me not; when I was in prison you visited me not; when I was sick you didn't….The disciples asked when did we not? Jesus responded by saying as much as ye did it not unto the least of these, you did it not to me. It's about being each other's servant.
So, now. What's the next thing–the next call? We get more calls than we realize. Is someone reaching out? Direct them. Are we called. ABSOLUTELY! Paul directs us to take a look at ourselves and the calls we answer. Care not for it in verse 21 doesn't mean dread it. Don't make excuses or turn away from it. Don't make a big deal of it. Serving should come natural to us. What we do for others, we do for the Lord.
The trend of today is the care of self first and all the while we say we are serving the Lord. Paul says to spend and be spent for the sake of others, not for our sake. If you really want to be happy and satisfied, do for others. What could the Lord need? He does all and knows all. The fact is that the Lord doesn't need anything; there is nothing he can't do. But when we serve others, we serve the Lord. Don't be too self-centered for service.
Do you have more calls than you can handle…start catching up. The Lord made us free so we have the freedom to bless and reach out. Because we are free, we are servants. Because we are servants we are called to help and thereby find real freedom. Now what are we supposed to do? We know. LET'S JUST DO IT!
Are you called to be a servant? Verse 21 say we are called upon BECAUSE we are servants. It is a daily opportunity to serve through others. Called? Do it right. Do good just as Jesus went about doing good, not evil. Treat others good, not bad. Whatever it is, we need to do it to the best of our ability. At the judgment, we want to hear well done. That means we have to do it well. If we don't give it our best shot, how can we expect to hear those words?
Are we called? YES! What has the Lord asked you to do that you need to catch up on? What is next? Expect others to ask. God's list never runs out; the needs of others never ends. Are you called—-yes–and it's call after call. We are a wanted people. What do we do now? Answer the next call.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 