Daily Devotional For Wednesday, September 2, 2025

Good morning and hope your Labor Day was restful and relaxing. Think about the last time you went out to eat at a restaurant. You probably had a server and I am assuming that server graciously and efficiently took your order and served you. Can you imagine a server coming to your table and looking down at you saying begrudgingly, “Oh no! I have to serve you, oh my goodness. Okay, what is it you want?” You probably would report this server to the manager and request a different server. 

Yet, when it comes to the church. Sometimes, that is how some Christians in the church feel about serving other Christians. Let’s take a look at 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (NASB).

To every single believer and disciple of Jesus Christ, God has given each one what is called spiritual gifts that are to be used to serve other disciples of Christ, build up the church, do missions, and etc. Lists of spiritual gifts can be found in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13,    1 Corinthians 14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and even in 1 Peter 4. When we combine all 6 of these lists into one list, there are around 26 spiritual gifts listed. Now these lists are not exhaustive, but are given by different writers in the New Testament so that each believer can have a partnership with God and to the body of faith to use them for the glory of God. In verse 10, “. . .  employ it in serving  one another,” should be translated based on the Greek New Testament text as “keep on serving one another.” Here is a table showing them:

I am so sorry. I received word that the table I an impoted was not showing for some reason. So let me give it to you another way:

• Romans 12:6-8 > Prophecy, sevicc, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, mercy
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 > Words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinquishing spirits, speaking in tonuges and languages, and interpreting tongues and languages
• Ephesians 4:11 > Apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers
• 1 Peter 4:10-11 > Teaching, serving
• 1 Corinthians 13 & 14 > Faith, hope and love

These spiritual gifts are not given by God to us for self-aggrandizement (the action or process of promoting oneself as being powerful or important), but to serve one another. When we use the spiritual gifts God has given us, we are dispensing God’s grace to others. Just as the church is composed of varied and multi-faceted members, the same is true with spiritual gifts. Faithful, obedient and loving disciples of God do not hide their gifts or use them for their own good, but use them to bless others through serving them and thus they encourage the body of faith and bring glory to God. This means that when you and I see a need in the church, we should be the first ones jumping forward with the spiritual gifts we have to meet that need. 

In verse 11, Peter builds on this honor to serve. So, what is his point in verse 11? New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:

“If believers serve in their own strength alone or in order to look good to others, they will begin to find serving a wearisome task. But to serve with God’s strength is to be able to go above and beyond, and to do so for one purpose: so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. When believers use their gifts as God directs (to help others and build up the church), others will see Jesus Christ in them and will glorify Him for the help they have received” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “1 & 2 Peter,” p. 121).

Jesus stressed this in Matthew 5:16, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (NLT). Jesus said that whatever we do or not do for another, we have either done it or not done it to and for Him (Matthew 25:31-46). To do God’s work requires God’s strength. Sadly in the church, this typically falls on a few people. Some want to reap the benefit of the service of clothes without contributing to serving God by serving others. Peter said, “. . . to whom belongs the glory and dominion  . . .” 

• “Manifold” is the Greek New Testament word [ποικίλος, poikilos]. It means “many-colored.” The term implies there is a great variety of giftedness in church, which should be and can be seen within the Christian community.
• “Glory” is the Greek New Testament word [δόξα, doxa]. This is where we get our English word “doxology.” Remember that hymn? – “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.” Peter’s point is that when we use the spiritual gifts God has given us for His glory, we are praising God before others. 
• “Dominion” is the Greek New Testament word [κράτος, kratos]. This word reminds us of God’s power. He is limitless and omnipotent — all-powerful. Even when the world seems out of control and God is absent, He is not. God is working to bring time to an ultimate end. This is the point of Isaiah 46:10. 

Assignment: When it comes to serving in the church, are you a spectator or server? Are you there for what you can get out of it or to give back to God for all He has done for you? If you do serve, do you do with a joyful heart, or do gripe, complain and whine? When you see a need in the body of faith, do you immediately jump to help meet it or do you hope someone else will?

Scripture To Meditate On: Galatians 5:13, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, convict me to serve You by serving others. Please forgive me when I turn a blind eye to another believer in the body of faith. You came to seek and to serve others and not be served, that is the type of disciple I want to be for You. Jesus, help me to use all the talents, skills, abilities, and spiritual gifts you have given me to serve You and others to Your glory and dominion. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly