Who Do You Serve? Are You Sure?

The preacher saw the crowds come by the thousands. The word had gotten out and people were coming from all directions. Entire families would sit for hours and listen as he taught. When meal time rolled around, meals were served, and the preaching and teaching continued. It was amazing. The stories spread and reporters eventually pinned their reports.

What preacher, teacher, or evangelist wouldn't like to see such a response to their ministry. Buttons would pop as chests swelled with pride. The staff would be overwhelmed with growing satisfaction as they observed such a popular response to their leader. Even they would have growing anticipation of what the next meeting would bring. But even with such momentum, this kind of popularity is fleeting...for one reason or another.

The preacher was Jesus. The thousands upon thousands of followers became a dozen, maybe a few more. The reason? It was because they didn't like what He was saying...and what it meant to follow Him. They wanted their "itching ears" tickled (2 Tim. 4:3), but it wasn't happening any more. They didn't like it so, like church jumpers today, they left. And as they left they "grumbled" their excuses to try to explain their actions and rid themselves of the guilt. Then Jesus turned to the handful and asked, "You do not want to leave me too, do you?" (John 6:67, NIV) In today's standards, the ministry would be considered an "over-night failure."

Who do you serve? Or, maybe the question should be, "What do you serve?" Who or what you serve will be the reason why you stay or go. If you stop serving because a person, or people disappoint you, you are serving them, or because of them, not God. If you stop serving when things get uncomfortable, or things aren't "happening" like you want, you are serving the circumstances, not the Lord. When those circumstances become less favorable, you will stop.

Jesus is never interested in what you would do IF. He is interested in what you do NOW. If you believe you can do all things through Christ, where you are NOW is the testing ground. If you can't do it here, you can't do it there. In fact, what He really wants is for us seek the Father, not our success. The greatest indication that we are doing so is that we will be patiently and carefully consistent in our walk with Him... when the fruitfulness is evident, and when it is not. Fruit is evident "in season." It is not evident "out of season." But both seasons are necessary.

Paul told Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Tim. 4:2, NIV) It is safe to say that his guidance goes for "every" aspect of ministry. Serving "in season" means serving when things look good, when the fruit can be easily seen. Serving "out of season" means you don't "take a break from Jesus" because you feel bad, thinking that because you don't see the evidence of fruit, things must not be growing. That is often a sign of giving your best to other things, rather than the Master, leaving no energy for the Lord. It is a sign of what is truly in you. Jesus deserves our best dedication. We must not let our service be to circumstances, feelings, emotions, personalities, personal agreement or anything else. It must be only to our Father through Jesus Christ our Savior. Who, or what do YOU serve? Are you sure? Eventually, He will ask you about it... in person... one-on-one... face to face.

I like how "The Message" delivers 2 Tim. 4:1-2: "I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't quit. Just keep it simple." Teacher, preacher, leader, deacon, shepherd... don't quit. Challenge, warn, urge your people. Just keep it simple. Again, don't quit.