It is not just the steeplejack or submarine crew or high rise window washer who faces perils in their work. We all do. No exceptions, including servants of the Lord. And they have their rewards too.

1 – What did Barnabas, Pricilla, Aquila, Appolos, Titus, Timothy, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Epaphroditus and Tychicus?

They were all servants of God. We are all called to full-time work for the Lord. The Bible teaches the universal priesthood of believers. There are positions of seniority but not of superiority.

2 – Some common misconceptions about Christian Service

See 2 Corinthians 4:4-11. Christian service has nothing to do with the believer’s power or influence. People might be converted to a great preacher but not according to the Lord. We are not to preach ourselves. We are failures. Only God is sufficient to meet every man’s needs. Paul had much trouble and persecution. He did not have everything plain sailing, yet he always had joy.

3 – The perils of Christian Service (2 Kings 4-5)

There are four perils. Gehazi allowed Satan to gain territory in his life. There are times that Christians have to face disrespect and resentment from non-Christians as we serve the Lord. See 2 Timothy 2:24. We are not to respond. Gehazi had been following in the shadows of Elisha and finally he got fed up. He ruined his service.

• The Peril of Passiveness.
• The Peril of Feeling Used an Unappreciated.
• The Peril of Disrespect and Resentment.
• The Peril of Hidden Greed.

4 – The Rewards of Christian Service

See 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9-10 & Ephesians 6:7-8.

5 – The Crowns

There are five crowns.

• The Imperishable Crown. See 1 Corinthians 9:24-17.
• The Soul Winners Crown. See Philippians 4:1 & 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.
• The Crown of Righteousness. See 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
• The Crown of Life. See James 1:12.
• The Shepherd’s Crown. See 1 Peter 5:1-4.

Categories: 2 Corinthians