Serving Jesus and serving the community
Jeremiah 29:1- 14
These are famous often quoted verses. Looking at the context will help us gain the full blessing of the verses and encourage us to serve wherever we are whether in church, home or work.
Context
The Jewish nation had split into two kingdoms and Jeremiah is speaking to the Judah nation. The Jews had built idols and turned away from God. They were taken away by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. In modern geography we would call Babylon part of Iraq.
It would have shocked the Jews who received the “letter from God” written in the hand of Jeremiah because they believed it was their evil enemy who had captured and exile them. This letter clearly declares it is God himself who put them in the hands of the Babylonians.
Now the plan of the Babylonians was to bring all the talented Jews to Babylon and then get them to conform to the Babylonian culture and in so doing have a military, moral and cultural victory.
The Almighty’s plan was to use the most talented Jewish people to cause the Babylonians to turn from their wicked ways and worship him and repent and if they don’t, He will send judgement on the Babylonians rescue the Jews and bring them back to Jerusalem.
How many of us have come from many different areas, lands?
We have all come from different lands, but God wants us to make where we live our homes even though we are all exiles or resident aliens in this land.
The jobs we do have brought us to Derbyshire, the families we have married into have brought us to Derbyshire, there are many and various reasons why we are in Derbyshire.
The culture we live in is often secular, often morally challenging, sometimes physically challenging.
God is saying make you home among the people who live here.
Work with the people who live here “And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Acts 17:27-28
We are to serve where we live and work. But the issue is what is our heart attitude?
Jesus came to serve us and did so by not just washing the feet of his disciples but also coming to serve us by taking our punishment on the cross. Our service should not be for our own gain either financially or egotistically. We live in a world that is me, me, me orientated. Be orientated to serve people around you. That is what it is like to be Christ like and the more we serve the more Christ like we can become.
If you want to have promotion in the Kingdom of God, you serve.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Questions
1. How did you come to be living, working and in church? Now you are where you are, do you feel the grace and peace of God where you are?
2. Do you feel you are able to pray for peace (shalom) in your work and living area? Do you have a clear strategy? Discuss and pray together your circumstances and how this can improve.
3. Do you see your role as serving your neighbours and working colleagues?
4. Where would you like to serve in the future?
5. Ensure you remember that the promise of God is - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord.