By Scott Bush, D.Min.
Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute, Samford University
A SERVANT’S HEART
1 Corinthians 3:5–15
There was a time when foot washing in Christian worship services was common in certain parts of the country.
Often practiced prior to observing the Lord’s Supper, members would take turns reverently rinsing and toweling the feet of one another, commemorating Jesus’ act of humble service toward His disciples.
While the place of the practice in a worship service is debatable, the image is profound. Greatness in the Kingdom of God is marked by humble service.
However, our natural tendency is to resist or even resent service, especially selfless or hidden service. How are we, then, to follow the example of Jesus and humbly serve one another in love? Our text suggests three ways.
Serve where God has placed you. (5–8)
Apollos was a talented teacher who served the congregation at Corinth after Paul planted it. When division crept into the church, some members identified with Apollos while others rallied to the original teacher, Paul. (See 1:11–13.)
Paul and Apollos themselves were not at odds with each other. In fact, Paul portrays their work as complementary, each supporting the other like workers who sow and then water a crop. Further, he emphasizes that they both served God, who ultimately does what neither Paul nor Apollos (nor anyone else) can. Only God can give the harvest.
Our joy in service depends on the settled conviction that God, in His wisdom and grace, orders our steps and fits our lives together for His glory.
Petty rivalries and prideful ambitions only serve our own interests and rob us of the real satisfaction of serving where He has placed us.
Serve by keeping the focus on the foundation of Christ. (9–11)
Next, Paul takes an illustration from the world of construction, describing his teaching about Jesus as foundational to the faith of his readers.
Paul and the other apostles were directly commissioned by Jesus to speak for Him. Their inspired, authoritative testimony (sometimes written down by their close associates) forms our New Testament.
Whatever our service may be, it must be firmly grounded in the teaching and example of Jesus. When we serve others by meeting needs for food, housing, education and medical care, we do well to remember that Jesus calls us to this (Luke 10:37), that He gives us an example to follow (Matt. 9:35) and that, in serving others, we are serving Him (Matt. 25:40).
When we work for peace, justice and social change (Mic. 6:8), our service must be guided by the Scriptures (Rom. 12:2). When we serve by teaching, preaching, witnessing, counseling or encouraging, our fruitfulness depends on our faithfulness with the Word (Rom. 10:17, 2 Tim. 3:16).
Serve to impact eternity. (12–15)
Paul continues his construction metaphor by calling on his hearers to pay attention to the quality of their service. High-quality building materials endure, while a structure of wood, hay or straw will not stand the coming test.
Service is a duty, but it’s also a delight, especially when we know that our work matters both now and forever. When our service is rendered faithfully, selflessly and in a way that honors Christ and His Word, it has eternal impact.
Our reward is the joy of seeing our King honored (Rev. 5:13) and knowing that we are being conformed to His image and fit for His company forever (Rom. 8:29).
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