Serving the King: The Right and Wrong Ways to Serve in the Church
Introduction: The Danger of Serving Wrongly
Serving in the church is a high calling, but it is also a battleground. The temptation to serve with the wrong heart is real. We deceive ourselves if we think just because we are busy with ministry that our hearts are right before God.
The Pharisees served. Judas served. Many in the church today serve. But not all service pleases the King.
Today, we will dig deep into three common ways people serve wrongly—self-righteousness, self-glorification, and lovelessness. If you think these don’t apply to you, beware. These are ditches that even the most faithful fall into. Let’s examine our own hearts before the Lord.
1. Serving Out of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness in service doesn’t always sound like “I am serving to be saved.” Most people would never say that out loud. Instead, it’s far more subtle:
“I do more for this church than most people.”
“If everyone served as much as I do, we wouldn’t have so many problems.”
“I deserve more respect for all I do around here.”
Self-righteousness creeps in when we start to measure our worth by what we do rather than what Christ has done. We start tallying up our service, comparing ourselves to others, and quietly believing we are in a better spiritual standing because of our works.
Signs You Are Serving Self-Righteously
Resentment toward those who serve less – Instead of joyfully serving, you are annoyed at the “lazy” Christians around you.
Secret pride in your efforts – You may not boast publicly, but inwardly, you are pleased with how much more faithful you are than others.
Guilt-driven service – You feel like you have to say “yes” to every opportunity or else God will be disappointed in you.
Measuring God’s love by your service – You believe He is happier with you when you are busy and less pleased when you rest.
The Truth: God Does Not Need You
Here’s the hard truth: God does not need your service. He is not impressed by your church busyness. What He desires is a heart that serves out of gratitude, not self-justification.
Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it clear:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Your good works are not the reason for your salvation—they are the result of it. Serve because you love Christ, not because you need to prove yourself.
2. Serving for Your Own Glory
Some people do not serve to be justified—they serve to be seen. The craving for recognition and status poisons many a servant’s heart.
“I hope they announce my name from the pulpit for this.”
“I wonder if anyone noticed how much I sacrificed to make this happen.”
“If I don’t do this, no one will, and this church would fall apart without me.”
Serving for personal glory is just as dangerous as self-righteous service. It turns the church into a stage where we perform instead of a battlefield where we fight for Christ’s glory.
Signs You Are Serving for Self-Glory
Disappointment when not recognized – If no one thanks you, does it ruin your day? Do you secretly wish for applause?
Control issues – You struggle to delegate because you want things done your way. If you aren’t in charge, you lose interest.
Your identity is tied to your role – You fear being replaced or overlooked because serving gives you status.
You only serve in visible roles – If the work isn’t public or doesn’t come with a title, you aren’t interested.
The Truth: Your Service is for an Audience of One
If you are serving for the praise of men, you already have your reward (Matthew 6:1-4). But God calls us to something greater—to serve for His glory alone.
Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us:
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
No one may see your faithfulness. No one may thank you. But the King sees, and He will reward you in ways that earthly recognition never could.
3. Serving Without Love
Some serve, not out of self-righteousness or self-glory, but out of sheer obligation. They serve with bitterness in their hearts, grinding their teeth as they do the Lord’s work.
“Fine, I’ll do it, but I don’t want to.”
“Why am I the only one who ever signs up for this?”
“I guess I have to serve, because no one else will.”
Serving without love turns ministry into a burden rather than an act of worship.
Signs You Are Serving Without Love
Huffing and puffing – You sigh heavily and make sure everyone knows how burdened you are.
Complaining constantly – Your conversations about ministry are full of frustration rather than joy.
Bitterness toward others – You serve, but inwardly you resent those who don’t do as much as you.
Burnout and exhaustion – You don’t feel spiritually refreshed by serving; you feel drained and resentful.
The Truth: Service Without Love is Worthless
1 Corinthians 13:3 says it plainly:
“If I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.”
God does not want begrudging service. He wants willing hearts. He wants men and women who serve because they love Him and love His people—not because they are guilted into it.
Conclusion: Examine Yourself
Which of these temptations have crept into your heart? Are you serving self-righteously, thinking it earns you something? Are you serving for your own recognition? Are you bitter and resentful as you serve?
If so, repent. Ask God to renew your heart. He is not looking for perfect servants—He is looking for faithful ones.
Serve in faith, not self-righteousness. Serve for His glory, not your own. Serve with love, not bitterness.
The King sees. The King knows. And He is pleased when we serve rightly.
For Christ, for His Kingdom, for our posterity.