Daily Devotion | New Rocky Creek Baptist Church

Serving Even in Heaven

Posted on Aug 17, 2021 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you saved? You say… By Grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone. I’ve got a Pastor friend who always ADDS, but we are NEVER ALONE! Now that you are saved from sin’s penalty (Rom 6:23), are you SERVING our Lord Jesus?

Some people tell me they do not need the Church. Unfortunately, that is a gross misunderstanding of God’s intention for every CHRISTian. Paul makes it very clear that once a person has a relationship with Jesus Christ, then he or she should fit in and function within a local assembly of believers called the Church. For instance, writing to followers of Jesus Christ in the Church of Rome, he notes Motivational gifts:

1. Do you know your Spiritual gift(s)?

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:4-8)

In other words, the purpose of Jesus forgiving our sins and bringing us into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father is to SERVE Him. In order for this to happen, He gave each believer the Holy Spirit. In turn, the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts. In this passage, these are SERVING gifts meant to be used within the body of Christ, the Church.

2. Did you notice some of these Spiritual gifts? (Rom 12:4-8)

teaching
ministering
administrating
exhorting
giving
showing mercy and compassion
discerning
serving

3. How about the Spiritual gifts for the Ministry?

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Eph 4:11-13)

Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, servant leaders, Pastors/teachers, and evangelists are placed into the Church to serve the Lord Jesus who is head of the Church.

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph 1:20,23)

Conclusion: Guess what every CHRISTian will do in heaven, more specifically the New Jerusalem?

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” (Rev 22:3)

We will continue to SERVE Jesus!

Also please do not forget, we will either be rewarded or suffer loss at the “Judgement Seat of Christ.” This test will determine HOW we used or did not use the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. Finally, after studying this subject, it is apparent that we can get a lot of practice right now – with on the job training here on earth!

Love yall,

Dr. Randy Reese