Called to Serve

February 28, 2021 Background Scripture: Acts 16:11 – 15, 40; 1 Corinthians 1:26 – 30 Lesson Passage: Acts 16:11 – 15, 40; 1 Corinthians 1:26 – 30 Perhaps it is easier to talk about this lesson by starting with the second passage of scripture that’s listed. In that passage, Paul summarized an observation for the Corinthian congregation. Paul gave a synopsis of the kind of people God calls into salvation and kingdom service. In essence, God calls people who are the opposite of those openly admired by the world’s standard. People who have values that highly esteem worldly success and gain tend to look up to those who achieve much in this world. On the other hand, the rich, politically powerful, and philosophical sages are mostly overlooked by God. Some have achieved or gained much in this world and may only be living to get the most out of life without due consideration to what comes after death. Sadly, they have received the only reward they have sought and shall receive nothing else. Contrariwise, those who are unpopular, poor, and perhaps even slaves (or today’s working class), appear to have God’s undivided attention—specifically when they look beyond themselves for hope. This message from Paul would have resonated with the Corinthian congregation because most, if not all of them, fit into the latter categories described by Paul. Paul’s message was simple, “Stop trying to become the people that God tends to overlook. You were chosen because you were not one of them.” So, it was not likely they were going to please God by becoming such people. God made choice of them for them to become His servants rather than lords over each other. Too often people who experience worldly success do so by seeking to rule over other people. It is this understanding that clarifies for us the first passage of scripture given for this lesson. Lydia, from Thyatira, was not chosen by God because she was poor or a slave. In fact, Lydia was an exception to Paul’s observation at Corinth. As a seller of purple from another city, Lydia was likely a very wealthy person. When Paul met Lydia, she was described by Luke as a worshiper of God. However, when she heard Paul speaking the gospel about Jesus, the Lord opened her heart and she received salvation. She then offered her home as a refuge for the servants of God—and later as a gathering place for the local congregation of believers. The key to understanding Lydia’s conversion is to look at her actions. She had a very humble heart. Lydia was positioned in the world to be a boss, but she had the heart of a servant. God could and did use her. She apparently did not view her salvation as a badge of honor to be worn as an outward show. Her salvation was a call to service in the kingdom of God. Lydia was not asking the apostle to take a chance and give her the opportunity to prove herself worthy. Lydia offered her previous faithfulness as proof of her willingness to serve. Lydia is a fitting example of an exception to Paul’s Corinthian observation. No matter how things look on the outside, it is always the inside that matters the most. It is a great spiritual truth that: Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart. Lydia had the desire and motivation within her to serve the servants of God. Paul and his missionary team ministered to people; Lydia desired to minister to them. Today, we should be thankful for Lydia’s example. After all, in the purest sense, all Christians are called to serve. Robert C. Hudson February 8, 2021