a vibrant faith=a growing faith… part 3
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. (2 Corinthians 10.15)
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13.1-6)
RECAP PARTS 1 & 2: Guard your relationship with God and do not take it for granted. Care and nourish it or you may discover (already?!) that it will grow stale, stagnant, and second-hand. That is why there is no evidence— Biblical or historical— of vibrant faith in Christ that is not committed to personal spiritual growth. How does faith grow? Faith comes through the Word of God… Faith comes through the Spirit of God… Faith comes through the praise of God… Faith comes through the people of God… Let’s conclude…
Finally, faith grows through the service of God (Matthew 20.25-28; John 13.12-17). Everyone who desires to grow in their faith must descend the stairways of power, prestige, and acquisition and take up quarters as a servant of God. The one who seeks to serve God will eschew every temptation in the world and in the church that encourages one to be self-centered. Neither the amphetamines of ambition or the barbiturates of self-pity offer the servant of God any allure. In the servant’s paradigm (see John 13.1-17)
the Upper Room replaces the “board room” or any other human court of power
the basin of water challenges every impure motive
the towel repudiates authority that is aloof and avaricious
and the foot-washing itself exemplifies the character and the content of the servant’s endeavors..
A servant of God understands that there has never been, nor will there ever be, authentic Christian growth that is not rooted in a lifestyle of service to God. Why? For the simple fact that Jesus Himself did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2.6, 7). Deluded is the person who lives as if there is a detour around this path Christ has set. Jesus spells it out very clearly:
“Do you understand what I was doing?… since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master… Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them (John 13.12-17).
Do you want to be blessed by God? Do you want to experience the tangible signature of His pleasure in your life? Then live your life as a servant of Jesus Christ… Look for ways to serve where you work— is there anyone ill, depressed, discouraged, downtrodden, fearful, overwhelmed, harried, or betrayed? Look for God’s opportunities for random acts of kindness, a note of encouragement, or the assurance of prayer. Your faith will grow as you experience the frequent yet diverse ways that Jesus will use you as you consecrate your life afresh for His service each day.
So there you have it - a time-tested and time-attested recipe for growing your faith:
Faith grows through the Word of God…
Faith grows through the Spirit of God…
Faith grows through the praise of God…
Faith grows through the people of God…
Faith grows through the service of God…
Until next week…
