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Spiritual Discipline 7: Service

Neil Dawson
Neil DawsonLead Pastor
Updated

Part of the series 12 Spiritual Disciplines, based on the book by Richard Foster.

Do we serve with humility or the hope that we will be recognised?

An Outward DisciplineLink to this section

Service means we must experience many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.

Richard Foster

Self-righteous service versus true serviceLink to this section

  • Self-righteous service come through human effort
    True service comes from a relationship with God and serve out of the whispered promptings and urging of the Holy Spirit.
  • Self-righteous service is impressed with numbers, with the big deal
    True service hard to distinguish between little or large acts of service.
  • Self-righteous service requires external rewards, need to be acknowledged/​appreciated/​applauded
    True service rests, content, in being hidden
  • Self-righteous service concerned about results
    True service delights in just serving
  • Self-righteous service picks and chooses who to serve
    True service is found in the words of Mark 9:35:’ servant to ALL
  • Self-righteous service affected by moods and feelings
    True service serves because there is a need
  • Self-righteous service is temporary
    True service is a lifestyle
  • Self-righteous service fractures community
    True service builds community
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